Turn Away | c.h

Chapter 22 - Schoolboy

QUESTION: What country are you guys from?? I'm really curious:)

LOVE YOUYYYY ALL

I turned the page on my book, letting the music play from my headphones. I was happy to be away from the chaos, behind the bleachers. No one knew about this place- either that or they just didn't bother showing up here because they knew I'd be sitting here, book in my hands away from the world.

It kinda made school just a little bit more bearable, knowing there would be a time I could just be with myself for a while, away from all the idiots I went to school with.

Suddenly, I saw a figure appear from behind the bleachers. Calum emerged from the stand, instantly looking up at me. I pulled out my headphones, softly smiling.

"Hey." I greeted him as he walked over to me, instantly grinning when he noticed the book in my hands.

"Hey... Still going with that book, hey?" He asked, sitting down beside me. I moved over, offering him more room. Calum shifted closer to me, moving his arm around my waist. I softly laughed as he pressed a kiss on my temple.

"Sadly. I can't find any interest in it but I'm determined to read it."

"I'll try not to distract you." He said, a small smile on his lips. I shut the book in response, placing it down on the bench and turning to face him.

"Id rather talk to you than read that shitty thing." I shrugged.

Calum softly laughed, "Good. I'd rather talk to you."

I smiled, crossing my legs and leaning my head in my hands as I looked up at him, his brown eyes curiously falling to my lips, as his own parted. I knew something was playing on his mind, I couldn't see it slowly taunting him. I wanted to know what it was, so bad.

"Can I ask you something?" Calum softly asked, his knee brushing up against mine. I nodded in response, giving him my undivided attention as I sat before him. Calum placed his hand beside mine, tracing his finger alone the back of my hand as we sat in a brief silence. I could tell he was hesitant about asking whatever it was, and it only made me even more curious.

"When you said, last night, you wanted me to be your boyfriend... You were serious?"

"Of course I was." I said, nodding.

"Okay."

"Why... You don't want to be?" I quietly asked, feeling my self consciousness begin to grow. I was too straight forward last night, of course he wasn't interested in being my boyfriend. I mean... was it even remotely possible? With how contrastingly different we both were?

"No- god, no, Stella, It'd be an honour to be your boyfriend." He gently said, as though he's pressed a nerve within me.

I shyly glanced down at my lap, my eyebrows furrowing slightly as I tried to understand the situation.

"Then what's the matter..?" I softly said. He leant back, clearing his throat. Calum looked uncomfortable, I think I had struck a nerve. What was going on in this mind of his? I wish I could read his thoughts like he could read mine.

"I just... I know what you mean when you say boyfriend, and having a relationship, and I'm not going to be able to give that to you, Stel." He gently said, pulling his hand away from mine. I furrowed my eyebrows, slightly shifting in my seat.

"What? Why?" I quietly said, feeling disappointment grow inside of me.

"Because you want normal. I'm not normal. I'm not going to be able to take you places you want to be taken in a relationship, I can't be normal for you, Stella. I know I'm going to let you down."