I Didn't Do It

Chapter Seven

"What are you going to do man?" Luke asks me.

"I have no Idea. Who do I even talk to? Who could help me?" I say shaking
my head and returning it back into my hands.

"Man Cal, we will figure it out." He pats my back for probably the hundredth time tonight.

I nod and Look down to the note and picture in my lap. I'm so stupid, I mean what was I thinking. That whole night was a mistake. All I was trying to do is have a great time with my team. I probably shouldn't have went that hard, but it was the first party of the school year. I wish Veronica was there that night, because I wouldn't be in this mess. Speaking of Veronica, I have to tell her before she finds out. Hopefully this is not all over school. I have to see her tonight, she is the only one left to support me besides Luke and Mikayla. She will have my back, she is my girlfriend for heavens sake.  Maybe telling her will help me calm down, at least I hope so.

"Yo Luke I gotta head out." I stand.

"You sure bro? You can stay here tonight." Luke walks in drying off his hands.

"Nah bro, I got stuff to take care of. Catch you tomorrow?" I hug Luke.

Mikayla walks me out, and we stop at the front door.

"Calum." She says.

"Yeah?" I turn around.

"We will get this figured out." She gives me a sincere smile.

I hug her," Thank you. Take care of him." and with that I turn around and head to my truck.

I heard a faint, "Don't I always."

I smile and get into my truck. I sit back and huff. I sit the note into my passenger seat and dial Veronica.

"C-calum?" She stutters into the phone.

"Hey baby." I smile feeling tears in my eyes.

"What do you need?"

"To see you."

"Right now?" She raises her voice.

"Yes its important. I need you." A tear falls down.

She huffs, "Seriously Calum? its eleven o clock."

"Veronica this can't wait." I start to raise my voice.

"Fine whatever Calum. Give me fifteen minutes then swing by and we can go to the hotel."

"Okay baby. See you soon."

"Yeah." and with that she hangs up.

I decide I will go get a drink from the store to waste fifteen minutes. I go down the street to the closest convenient store. Parking in the front, I can see that its empty. I sit there for a few minutes just sitting back and closing my eyes. I have no idea how to tell Veronica. She is gonna be mad, but I know she will support me. She always supports me when it comes to football, because she knows I'm so passionate about it. I finally decide I should probably get out and go in.

A bell rings and I'm greeted by a tall old man,  I give him a small smile and wave. I go to the back and grab a water for Veronica, because she cant have calories or whatever. I grab a soda and head up to the counter.

"Is that all for you?" The old man says.

"Actually get me a pack of cigarettes." I point to a box.

"Anything else?" He says as he puts the pack in a bag with my drinks.

I shake my head no.

"Okay that 9.49." he smiles up at me.

I hand him a twenty, "keep the change."

"Oh thank you sir." He smiles widely at me.

I nod and walk out. I decide to smoke here so my truck wont smell of smoke. I light my cigarette and inhale slowly and exhale slower. Closing my eyes and leaning up against the wall. I haven't smoked a cigarette in forever. I stopped when football started due to it ruining my lungs and making me cough every five minutes at practice. I shouldn't be smoking them right now. I'm just stressed to the max. Everytime I think about it, I just can't get my mind wrapped around it. Like who wrote this to me? Who took the picture? What do they want from me? Its just so confusing. I look at the time, I guess It is time for me to go get Veronica now. I throw my cigarette down and step on it. Climbing into my truck, putting my seatbelt on, and backing out of the parking lot. I beat my thumbs on the steering wheel due to being nervous. Take a piece of gum and put it in my mouth, so my breath doesn't smell like cigarettes. I know Veronica won't appreciate that. I turn onto her street and almost get ran over by some guy in a yellow jeep. He was driving extremely fast, stupid asshole. I pull into her driveway and text her letting her know I am outside. After a few minutes of waiting she finally comes out. I move the note into my console and she hops in the passenger seat. I stay silent, trying to avoid the conversation we are about to have.

"Well? what was soo important Calum?" she interrupts

"I'll tell you when we get to the hotel." I haven't been able to look at her yet.

"Whatever." she rolls her eyes and puts on her seatbelt.

We head out to the hotel. We meet here sometimes because my grandparents own it and it is just a place to get away from everyone else. Plus it has a nice pool and hot tub. We get there and get out. I run over to open the door for her, she hops out and I reach for her hand. She hesitates then lets me, which I find very upsetting. We walk in and the front desk guy Thomas looks up.

"Oh hey Calum, What can I do you for?" He smiles at me.

"A room."

"Your regular?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want towels brought up?"

"Not tonight."

"Alright here is your key."

"thanks."

We get in the elevator and ride it to the top floor. We get to our room and sit on the bed.

"Okay Calum what is it?" Veronica asks.

"Well today after practice I found a note in my bag."

"Okay and? What did it say?"

I reach in my pocket and realize I left it in my truck.

"Shit." I mumble

"What now?" she crosses her arms.

"I forgot it in the truck."

"Of course you did." She rolls her eyes.

"I can go get it."

she stops me, "just tell me what it said."

"Okay, promise you won't get mad?"

"I am not gonna promise you something I cannot keep."

"Okay. Well."