S E E K I N G
Some things have a way of sticking.
• • •
"Would you lighten up?" Roy laughs, as he watches Calum begrudgingly hook the chain around his neck. "It's just one date."
"I don't know why I let you and Ashton talk me into this."
"Come on, Kaylee is a nice girl. And she's interested in getting to know you. Remember, we're moving on right?"
"I guess." He exhales. "Anyway, even if it doesn't work out, at least I tried."
"See that's the spirit. But don't go into this thinking it won't work out." He reaches for the cologne on the drawer to spray on the tan boy. "It definitely will. Trust me, you'll be thanking us."
"Yeah, yeah." He looks at himself in the mirror. This was the last thing he'd ever expect to be doing. At one point he didn't think he'd be able to physically bring himself to see someone again. Yet here he was, taking baby steps to gain some normalcy back into his life. The thing is though, doing all of this didn't feel normal. "I hope she's not expecting me to, you know..."
"What? Commit?" Roy answers. "I promise you; all Kaylee wants you to do tonight, is to be yourself and have fun. No commitment talk yet. Besides, Ashton may have slipped in there that you're emotionally unavailable. So, I don't think there's a lot of expectation there anyway."
"Ghee, thanks."
"It obviously didn't matter to her. She still wanted to go on a date with you."
"It should matter. I wouldn't go out with someone who's emotionally unavailable."
"Wasn't a certain someone emotionally unavailable at first?" Roy points out.
"That was..... different. And we didn't get into a relationship right away either."
"You still kinda waited for her though."
"Well, because she was worth it..." He tries to say nonchalantly. But the weight of his words feel somewhat heavier. This was not what he needed right now. He stuffs his wallet into his pocket, before grabbing his phone. "Anyway, I should probably head out now. You know how traffic gets."
"Yup. Don't want her thinking you stood her up."
"Just so you know though, if this all goes up in flames, there will be hell to pay."
"Don't doubt that man. Good luck." Roy says retreating to his room.
"Lord knows I need it." He mumbles snatching his keys from the mantel before leaving. As he makes his way down the pavement, he stops to send Kaylee a quick text that he was on his way; before...
"Calum."
He was half sure that his mind was playing some cruel joke on him. Still, he freezes in his spot; quickly looking up. Unfortunately it wasn't a cruel joke. There she was: in the flesh. And he can't help but notice how she appears every time he thinks he won't see her again. There's that theatrical side to his life again.
"Audra?"
"Hi." She says quietly, coming more into the light. What concerned him was the way she looked as if she had been crying.
"W-what are you doing here?" The only question that seemed to come to mind.
"You uh....weren't answering my texts or calls; so I kind of just came here." That didn't do much to quell his confusion, so she continues. "I really need to talk to you Calum."
