Risk & Reward

Ten

Calum can't help but shuffle his feet a little bit, trying to keep an embarrassingly stupid grin off his face. He'd arrived for the date early. How could he not? He'd had a couple things to pick up on the way, and heaven forbid she arrive before him, that would have been embarrassing, at least to him. Trying to plan a first date in a city crawling with 5sos fans felt daunting at first, but he'd settled on Balboa Lake, a short drive from his house but a decent one from the venue Ashton would be playing tonight. Hopefully that, plus the knowledge that many fans will already be outside the venue, leaves his date with Shi in safety, and secrecy.

The lake and park are fairly popular with the locals, and some travelers, but he felt pretty confident that he would be able to find some privacy here to get to know Shi better. He'd packed a picnic, pre-booked a paddle boat, and even brought some art supplies. He's hoping the alarm he set for late this afternoon may be needed, as a warning that their day together is close to running into their same, but seperate, night plans.

He can't help his grin as the green Bronco he'd been told to look for pulls into the lot, Shi's beautiful curls obvious through the windshield as she glances around before making eye contact with him as she pulls in. He takes the necessary ten steps to reach her before she can open the door, he may not have been able to pick her up, but he will be getting the door for her.

"-gotta go!" She's laughing, halfway through a sentence as he pulls the door open.

"I swear, if I don't hear from you in three hours, I'm calling the cops. He could be a creeper." He hears the female on the other end of the call respond, stifling a small laugh himself as Shi gives him a sorry look over the phone.

"Tay, I love you, and I promise you he's not. I'll let you know when I leave here for the show."

"Remember, I have your location on, so if he does any shady shit, I'll know."

Calum can't help his amusement, motioning to the phone before mouthing "can I?"

Rolling her eyes, but smiling, Shi hands him the phone.

"It's Taylor, right? Or Tay? I'd like to introduce myself, Calum Thomas Hood, all usual spellings, I'm the bassist in the little known band 5 Seconds Of Summer, and although I do not plan to be anything but gentlemanly to my date today, I hope you do find it comforting to have this information should things change and you need it." He smiles brightly, having not realized it was a FaceTime call.

"Holy shit! Shi, you better fucking call me later! Have fun!" And the call ends.

"Thank you, I may pay heavily for that later, but she was convinced I was going on a date with an ax murderer or something." Shi laughs, taking the hand Calum offers and stepping out of her car.

"She's your best friend, it's her right to worry. I think we calmed her down though." He chuckles, handing her phone back to her. "You look stunning." He adds, offering the bouquet of assorted flowers he'd picked up on the way.

"Calmed her worry, not her as a whole." Shi nods though. "And thank you, you get second day curls again, but I tried to tame them some. You look very nice as well. And this place is beautiful." She turns slightly, and Calum thinks she's putting the flowers down, but instead she stands back straight with a small purse now in hand, slipping her phone into it.

"It's one of my favorites, and far from the venue for tonight."

"Smart." She nods, falling in step with him after shutting her car door and locking it.

"I figured lunch in LA is too basic too. You deserve a picnic by the lake."

"I'll take it. I love a good picnic."