Calum
I wanted to avoid this question for a long time. I didn't want to tell Taylor about that part of my life, even though she partly already knew.
"She's uhhh.... We use to be just friends."
"Then what happened?"
"We started hooking up, then that's all it was." Her face holds a bit of worry. I grab her hands and I trace my thumb lightly against her hand, trying to reassure her.
"That's in the past okay. I'm not that guy." It looks as most of the worry that was etched all over her face has vanished some what.
"Okay."
I decide on not saying anything further about the topic; dropping it. The bell rings making it easier because I couldn't think of something to talk about after that. "I'll see you later." I state.
"See you." She stands up at the same time as I do. She tilts her head a bit to move closer to mine. She wants to kiss me. Right now in front of everyone. A normal person would take her by the waist and give her a passionate kiss and not care what anyone would think. But what do I do? I turn my head and walk away like a big fucking dick head, I don't even turn around to look at her because I know she'll look hurt. I just keep walking straight to my next class, I really regret doing that.
--
The day ends super quickly which I'm thankful for. I try to catch Taylor at her locker before she left to try and explain what happened earlier, but of course she was already gone. I'm such a prick. "Calum!" I hear a familiar voice call from behind me. I turn around quickly to find Michael. "Hey Mikey." He takes a few more strides before he's completely caught up to me. "What are you doing?" He asks. "Well I'm on my way to my car." I'm a bit worried at his nervousness. "Besides that." He runs his hand through his hair; which I know he only does it when he's nervous or mad. "Nothing, what's wrong?"
"Can you give me a ride home?" He asks completely ignoring my question.
"Where's your truck?"
"It's at my house."
"So you walked here?"
"Yes. Now will you give me a ride?" I can definitely hear the annoyance in his voice.
"Yeah, come on." I nod my head towards my car.
The walk to my vehicle was very short but neither Michael or I tried to make conversation, whatever is making him so anxious I wanna find out.
--
I pull up to Michaels house putting my car in park. The whole ride had a uneasy feeling over us. I look over and sure enough his truck was parked in the small gravel drive way. "Well thank you." He unbuckles his seat belt. "Wait." I say as soon as his hand grasps the door handle. He looks over at me; waiting for me to go on. "Michael what's wrong? You know you can talk to me." He lets out a sigh.
"I know I can talk to you Calum, don't ever forget that I won't be here for you, I know it works both ways. It's just everything is happening so fast and I barely see you around."
"I'm sorry-"
"But I haven't been around much either, it's not just you." He cuts me off.
"My mom is in the hospital." He finally admits.
"Oh Michael. I'm sorry. Why didn't you tell me I would have helped you out; instead of going through this all by yourself."
"I haven't been going through it alone." He smiles slightly.
