Bitter As Tequila

Scene 8

"Bye mom, I'm leaving for my project." I yell as I take all my bags to go out and meet up at the park for yet another arranged meeting.

My mom sticks her head around the corner and smiles at me. "Okay but don't be out too long in the dark. I don't want you to get mugged."

"Mom, I'm gonna be okay also I won't be alone so don't worry!" I laugh at her before I one last goodbye and leave through the door.

I arrive at Cavanaugh Park a few minutes later. As always I'm a bit too early to set up everything and partially because I hate being late.

I sigh. This all feels like a déjà-vu. I'm in the same meadow of the park where I have been at our first meeting. Just like that day the sky is dark and the air is cold as the wind blows. But the thing that tragically is also the same as on the first night is that my perfect project partner is nowhere to be seen.

I pull out my phone and dial his number. Maybe he got held up at his job or something at home.

"HEEEY what's up?" His voice echoes from the speaker but just as I want to answer him and tell him off I'm interrupted by his voice yet again. "Just kiddin' you've reached my voicemail so maybe leave a message."

I try it again and again and again as the time passes by and with each time I hear his voice telling me "just kiddin'" my rage increases. I am way past pissed.

When I finally put my phone down it's already past eleven and that idiot is still nowhere to be seen. Just as I began to think that he was different and just pretending to be an arsehole he has to prove me wrong. I sigh as another shudder shakes my body.

Tonight I won't be waiting on his sorry ass. I'm sick of his demeanour.

Monday morning I'm still mad at Calum as I stalk through the school. At least we didn't have any lessons together today so I wouldn't have to see his face.

Sadly I am always wrong and when I arrive at my locker a familiar tall dark haired boy is leaning besides it seemingly waiting for me.

I huff thinking about going to class without my book but then I remember that my French essay which I already completed last week is in my book and today is the date to turn it in.

Why does it always have to be me? Why couldn't I just get another partner instead of this damn cocky prick?!

I stiffen my posture walking as confident as I can over to my locker and open it not sparing Calum even one gaze. Maybe he'll just leave me alone if I ignore him.

"Hey Ally." He says as I search for my French book. I try my best to find my book as quickly as I can but that damn book just won't show in the small chaos I've got in my locker.

I hear Calum sigh. "Ally-" he says. "C'mon don't be like that."

"Don't call me Ally." I hiss at him but while getting more and more frustrated.

"I'm sorry but I had to work an extra shift at the café and adding to that Mali Koa also had problems with her boyfriend so I had to comfort her." He sighs again while rubbing his neck awkwardly.

"I'm just really sorry, I shouldn't have stood you up like that and I should at least have called you."

I huff out a breath but with the image of Calum comforting Mali Koa in my head I just can't stay angry at him. I really like Mali Koa and my brother would have done the same for me.

"It's okay. Just call the next time so I won't have to wait alone in the dark." I tell him just as I find my French book.

I close my locker then turn to him. "I hope your sister is okay."

Before he can answer the ringing of the bell echoes through the halls so I just flash him a smile and give him a small wave before I hurry off to my French class.

Strangley enough my mood seems to lighten up drastically after I my little talk with Calum so I'm laughing with Emily while walking through the corridors and to her locker to get some books for our next class.

"No, he didn't?" I laugh as she tells me about that absolutely disastrous date she had last night.

"Oh yeah, it was sooo funny and embarrassing but mostly funny." She tells me. "He's kinda really cute even though the date was nothing but a disaster."

I lean against the locker beside hers as she puts back her books and takes out her social studies books.

"The party yesterday was sooo wicked." I hear a loud voice say and sigh. Damn it why did Emily have to have her locker beside that idiot. It was a wonder how Caleigh could think anything more of him when he's just that idiotic great ape.

I block out their boring talk about hot girls and who they or a friend hooked up with. This really doesn't concern me until..

"Yeah and that girl Calum hooked up with." The great ape named Ashton says before he high fives one of his friends.

A burning feeling strikes me and I get really angry not only did that asshole named Calum stand me up and lied to me about it but he did it for some damn party with an easy lay bitch.

"Ally, are you okay?" I hear Em ask causing me to snap out of my thoughts.

I just nod and we finally head off to our classes so I don't have to listen to the boys talk about that wench and what Calum and her did. But either way my thoughts still stick to that theme.

He stood me up for a fucking shag.

"Hey Allison." I hear someone call me as I put my books in my locker. I was done for today but had to stay back for some class representative related business.

I don't answer and just pack everything I need in the bag. When I'm finished with my talk I finally turn to face Calum.

"What's up? Did I do something wrong?" The broad shouldered guy before me asks when he sees my pissed look.

"Oh, just let me think about it, what could you possibly have done wrong?" I ask sarcastically tipping my hand to my chin as I pretend to think about it.

"How about the next time you cancel a meeting it'd be about something more important than a fucking party? How about you for once show up to our meetings and not let me sit alone in the dark in a godforsaken park? How about you shove your lies up your ass and be honest for once?"

He looks taken aback. "Or how about you don't play me for a sucker when you've been at a fucking party the whole school is talking about?"

"I-I-" He stammers but I shut him up before another word can escape his mouth.

"Ah, I'm not finished yet." I stop him. "I did something wrong too for taking you for more than the stupid popular jock you are but don't worry I won't do this again. Also I'm gonna text you the date and time of the next meeting and if you don't show up I'm gonna go to Mrs. Spencer and tell her that I wanna do the project alone because you don't care enough about your grade to even show up."

I turn on my heel when I'm finished and just walk away before he can even say a word, I am way too angry for any discussion now.

"See you, Hood."