1974 || 5SOS

Chapter 3

Scarlett

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a pale golden light across the kitchen, but I had been wide awake, anticipation buzzing through me like the morning's first notes of a song. Usually, Saturdays were my chore days at home, so I would wake up at 6 A.M. to start my day. That day had been different, though. I stood in the kitchen, wearing my cotton nightgown, swaying and humming the song Calum had played on the guitar the night before as I flipped the eggs and bacon in the frying pan. Surprisingly, I didn't have a hangover this morning; instead, I felt invigorated, as if the night's laughter still danced in the air around me.

I heard the door to Kitty's room open and glanced up to see her.

"Mmm, it smells incredible in here! What's cooking, chic?" Kitty chimed, her eyes lighting up as she poured herself a steaming cup of coffee, the rich aroma mingling with the scent of bacon.

"Eggs and bacon. Want some?" I asked as I dished the food out of the pan.

She nodded eagerly. "Absolutely."

I smiled, handing her a plate with two eggs and two pieces of bacon. She took it gratefully and sat down at the table. Just then, Calum walked out of Kitty's room, running a hand through his tousled hair. He looked half-asleep, but the smell of breakfast seemed to bring him to life.

"Did someone say food?" he asked, a lazy grin spreading across his face as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Right on time," Kitty teased, nudging him with her elbow as she savored a bite of bacon. "Get your own, you freeloader."

Calum chuckled and sauntered over to the counter, where he poured himself a cup of coffee. "I'll make my own breakfast, but you can't blame a guy for hoping for a free meal, right?" He shot me a playful wink, sending a flutter through my stomach.

I watched him move, admiring how effortlessly cool he seemed and how confidently he took up space. I wished I could feel that same ease, but the warmth of the kitchen made me feel a little closer to it.

"Don't let Ashton catch you in that nightgown. He wouldn't stop asking me about you last night," Kitty teased playfully, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

At the thought of Ashton's gaze lingering on me, heat rushed to my cheeks, and a nervous flutter stirred in my stomach, mixing excitement with the weight of self-doubt.

Calum chuckled, leaning against the counter with an amused expression. "Or let him catch you in the nightgown," he added, shooting me another wink.

"Oh gosh," I laughed nervously, turning my attention back to the eggs and bacon as my mind raced with images of Ashton—his carefree smile, the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about music, and the teasing glimmer that challenged me whenever we spoke.

Kitty got up, placing her dish in the sink. "He thinks you're interesting," Kitty said, her voice laced with sincerity. "I've never heard him talk about a girl like that before. Trust me, that's huge."

"What? Interesting? Me?" I laughed again, half in disbelief. "I'm just... me."

"Exactly! That's what he likes," Kitty insisted, her playful grin lingering. "You've got this whole quiet thing going on, but he can tell there's more beneath the surface. He wants to know you."

Calum chimed in, "Yeah, don't underestimate the power of mystery, Scarlett. It makes you all the more intriguing." His eyes sparkled with amusement, clearly enjoying my embarrassment.

I finally sat down with my plate of eggs and bacon, sighing and shaking my head. "There's no mystery here. I've never done anything in my life for someone to think I'm 'interesting' or 'mysterious.'"