Pencils and Pool Water (Complete)

Chapter Ten

Calvin and I got along much better after that, not asking each other questions about "touchy" subjects. 

Well, I didn't ask him questions on any touchy subject. 

"So, where is your dad, actually?" He asked while I was making myself toast, breaking the peace we had literally just finished making. 

"Calvin!" Molly scolded, whacking the back of his head. It was winter break already, and everyone was at Molly's house... As usual. 

I sucked in a breath. If I wanted honesty from him, I'd have to be honest. "He left. He didn't know my mom was pregnant... And we've never seen or heard from him. I have no idea."

That's one of the reasons my mom works so hard- she wants nice things for me and she's gone a lot. I didn't need to tell them that; that much was obvious. 

It's about six pm, and we're all getting antsy. Molly turned on the fireplace a while ago, and Gwen's currently making hot cocoa for everyone. Paityn and Elliot weren't at the house with us, to my surprise (and pleasure). I never know when to expect them, and since now I'm Calvin's friend too, I'm expected to socialize with them. 

"Hey, how about we play truth or dare?" Molly suggested, and I was about say something, but Calvin groaned. 

"No, not that again. Last time that happened, and you still have the evidence and use it as blackmail." 

She purses her lips, fighting a smile. "Touché. But, my dear brother, it's not entirely your decision. Simon? Gwen?" Molly flicks her black hair over her shoulder- it keeps getting caught on a sequin that's on her sweater. 

Gwen shrugs. "I don't really care." 

All eyes turn to me. "Simon?" Molly arches an eyebrow, and suddenly the look she's giving me, I know that I don't really have a choice in my answer, anyways. 

I swallow. "I-I don't mind." Molly gave me a pleased, sly smile.

Calvin looks each of us in the face, slowly. "You will regret this decision for the rest of your lives." 

Molly laughs, giving a Calvin an almost not-so-playful shove. "Shut up!" She took a calming breath. "Who goes first?" 

"I volunteer," Calvin says, and he sat on the couch next to me, and I stiffen, and feeling everything constrict a little. 

"Okay, Gwen- ask him." 

"Calvin, truth or dare?" 

Calvin's face took on a determined, competitive look. "Dare." 

Gwen and Molly leaned in and whispered in each other's ears.

Gwen giggled, and then cleared her throat. "I dare you to..." She looked at Molly for back-up. "To confess your undying love for Simon!" They giggled like maniacs and I held in a groan. 

Oh good Lord! I could hardly do anything but plan Gwen and Molly's death. 

Calvin looked at me, looking how I was feeling. I felt my pulse in my neck and he grumbled. "Simon, I confess my undying love for you." 

Molly swatted his arm. "No! Like you mean it!"

Calvin closed his eyes, got off of the couch, and was on both knees in front of me. He looked up at me, taking my hands in his. "Simon," his ember colored gaze met mine.

Oh God, I was in trouble.

He cleared his throat. "Ever since you kissed me in the pool on my birthday, I have been a prisoner- and the worst part, is that my captor has been unaware. You are the most beautiful person I've ever met, inside and out. And though I still don't know everything about you, the one thing I do know is that, whatever happens, there will be the fire of my love, flickering, and waiting." I blinked. Calvin was such a good actor- it almost looked like he meant every word, putting aside the fact that he tried to make it sound like a Shakespeare play.