Finding 4

Chapter 14

Callum

I fucked it up again.

It's what I do best.

Except this time, I couldn't stop it. I saw that name pop up on her screen, and this weird feeling ran through me, and I felt the need to push her away.

So I did.

"Cereal?" Dad raises a brow at me "is the world ending?"

I shovel a spoonful of cereal into my mouth and glare at him.

He chuckles and runs a hand through his hair as he leans back against the kitchen counter. "What's going on?"

Marley Anderson has weaseled her way into my head and won't get out.

"Nothing," I shrug, taking another bite of my cereal.

"Hm," he takes a sip of his coffee. "You know, Chris Anderson said something about you and Marley not getting along. That doesn't have anything to do with this mood you're in?"

"Nope." I stand up and put my bowl in the sink.

"Right," he nods slowly. "You know, your mam about had a heart attack when she heard that."

"Heard what?"

"...that you and Marley don't get along."

I don't say anything back as I wash my bowl and spoon.

"You know, she's going through a really hard time." He sets his mug down and crosses his arms. "She just lost her mam. And then take into consideration that she had to move to an entirely new country."

"It's not my fault she has issues." I mumble.

"No," dad shakes his head "but it is your fault that she has even more issues."

I glare at him and he narrows his eyes at me. "Your mother and I did not raise you to be an asshole. Especially not towards girls."

"She was an asshole to me first." I argue.

"A: watch your language, B: I don't care." He challenges me. "Just because people are not nice to you, does not mean you can't be nice to them."

"But-"

"No, I'm not arguing." He shakes his head "maybe you should be the one to take the first step and change things with Marley."

First step my ass.

<>

I hate school.

I hate sitting in these stupid fucking chairs. I hate the way my hand starts to hurt after taking too many notes. I hate the smell. I hate the way it makes my head hurt.

Most of all I hate the way I have to sit here, and pretend that she isn't only six feet in front of me.

It's been two weeks since Marley and I's argument, but more importantly it's been two weeks since I was able to feel her for the first time. Even if it was just an occasional brush of skin here and there.

Even then, when it was only a small touch, it's left me wanting more. More than I can have.

More than I should want.

"Can you tell me the answer Mr. Lynch?" My teachers voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I quickly tear my eyes away from the back of Marley's head.

"Uhm..." I shift uncomfortably in my seat.

"Hm," he hums with a nod. "Maybe you should quit paying so much attention to Ms. Anderson and more on the lecture."

Fuck.

The entire class snickers and laughs at his comment. I watch as Marley's shoulders tense, but she doesn't make a move to look back at me.

I look over at Finley and Niall, who both are still snicking and smirking. I shake my head and look back straight ahead, bringing my pencil to my mouth and chewing on the end of it.

I'm never going to live this down.

The bell rings and I practically dart out of my seat, slinging my bag over my shoulder and bolting for the door.

As I make my way through the campus and towards the car park, my mind races with one thing, and one thing only.

Marley Anderson.

She's completely ruining me.

Distracting me.

How the hell am I supposed to go pro when I can't even focus on my sport? How am I supposed to get out of school when I can't even focus on the work?

"Hi Callum," Marie smiles at me in the hallway.

Normally, I'd walk past her without a thought in the world. Not this time though. No, because I need that distraction from my distraction.

"Hi Marie," I smirk and walk to where she's standing.

"You look well," she smiles at me.

I lean my shoulder against her locker, smirking down at her. My eyes travel up and down her body. Marie is a pretty girl, there's no denying that.

Not as pretty as Marley.

At least Marie is nice.

"I could say the same about you," I quickly shove the notion out of my head.

I watch as her pale cheeks flush pink, and a feeling of guilt runs through me.

"Are you going to Sofia's party at the weekend?" The short brunette looks back up at me, rolling her bottom lip into her mouth.

"Depends," I shrug "are you?"

She nods "Yeah."

"Then I am too."

Damnit Callum shut up. Don't drag her into this.

Marie smiles again, her eyes lighting up. "Good. I'll see you there."

Out of the corner of my eye I see Marley walking by with the familiar red head and brunette. I can't help but watch her, and the way she looks back at me over her shoulder.

"Yeah," I nod. "See ya Marie."

"Bye Callum," she says as I push off of her locker and start to walk away.

Damn I've really gotta get a grip.