ALL I NEED

Chapter 12.

CALUM'S POV

"You did what?" Mali looks at me like I'm crazy.

"I gave her a ride home, is there something wrong with that?"

"No...not at all, I'm just surprised. You two don't seem to get along that great." She raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah well, I apologized and everything."

"Why the sudden change of heart. I'm proud of you, I just don't...understand." She gives me a confused expression.

"I was sick of being an asshole, that's all." I don't know why she was making this seem like it was something way more then it was.

"Why were you being an asshole to her in the first place?" She asks, trying to make sense of it all.

That question hit me like a ton of bricks. I stand there and contemplate what the answer was. I knew, but I didn't know how to say it.

"She...I don't know..." I try and explain but my mouth won't form the words.

"Yes, you do." She looks directly at me.

"When I look at her, I see you, and I see Kristie, and I see all the things that hurt me in my life." I admit. Running my hands through my hair, frustrated.

The first time I seen her I was shocked. Her long blonde hair, piercing green eyes, she so closely resembled Kristie it sort of freaked me out. That's why when Gabby introduced us, I just stood there and practically ran out. All those memories of Kristie came flooding back like a hurricane. All the hurt, and the pain. Everything that I've done my best to avoid was staring at me, and there was nothing I could do about it. Then she goes to that stupid party and walks alone, just like Mali. No matter what she does, she brings back some kind of reminder from my past. The past I so desperately wanted to get away from.

"Cal..." Mali frowns.

"No...don't do that." I snap.

"Do what?"

"Pity me. Like a stray fucking dog without a home or something."

I could tell she was startled at my random outburst. She wasn't expecting me to get upset like that, but honestly, neither did I. She doesn't look mad at me, more hurt than anything else. Making me feel even worse than I already do, which I really didn't think was possible.

"I didn't mean it like that, I'm sor-"

Before she could finish I walk out of the house, not bothering to grab a coat or my phone.

I had to get out before I said anything else. I knew my anger, and I knew if I didn't leave I would say something stupid and mean. Something I would surely regret.

I drove over to Luke's house, not knowing where else to go. Normally I would want to be alone, but it was storming out and I didn't feel like walking around in the rain. I just hoped that Gabby wasn't there.

I knew she didn't like me, and I didn't really blame her. I didn't like me either.

"Cal, what's up bro? You ok?" Luke says after he opens the door.

"Is Gabby here?" I ignore him.

"No, she and Kam are having a girls night, what's wrong?"

"Can I stay for awhile?" I ask him, dodging the question once again.

"Of course."

He steps aside and let's me in. I could feel the tension growing as we make our way to his living room where he had his Xbox paused. I must've interrupted his game of FIFA.

"Now will you please tell me what's wrong? You're scaring me Cal." He looks concerned and I immediately feel guilty for worrying him.

Luke has always been the sensible one in our friendship. That's just the kind of person who he was. He always wanted everyone else to be happy and he would do everything he could to make that happen, even at the extent of his own happiness. Thats just one of the many things I envy about him.

"Nothing's wrong, I just got into an argument with mali and stormed off." I look at the floor ashamed.

"About what?"

"Kamryn."

"What about her?"

"I truly don't know..."

"Yes, you do." He pushes.

"Why the hell does everyone keep saying that?" I ask, getting irritated again.

"Because, we know you Calum. We know when you're hiding something."

"I'm not hiding anything." I insist.

"You like her."

"What?" My eyes widen and at first I'm not sure I heard him correctly.

"You like Kam." He says with a matter of factly tone.

I didn't talk for awhile, my mind racing with what he just said as I try to process it all, and then with sudden realization, I knew he was right.

I like Kamryn.