Neighbours // c.h.

e p i l o g u e

*f o u r m o n t h s l a t e r*

Jenna was happy to be home at last. All the fuss in the graduation ceremony and the people tugging at her sleeve to congratulate her and take pictures with/of her, was giving her a headache. Now that it was all over, she could change into something comfortable and be alone at home, away from everyone.

Except one particular neighbour, who --during the past few months--has become her best friend.

Her phone buzzed, receiving a text from Calum.

"I miss you, idiot :/" It said. And despite the sarcastic content, it made her heart skip a beat- though she wouldn't admit it to anyone, including herself.

Jenna chuckled and moved a bit in her chair so she could get a better view of his window.

"We were together at school fifteen minutes ago, literally." She called out.

"Well, it's the only way to get your attention." He rolled his eyes, leaning his elbows at the frame of his window.

"What do you want?"

"I'm bored."

"And when are you not, anyway?"

"When I'm with you." He wiggled his eyebrows, smirking.

"You are obnoxious." She wrinkled her nose, even though she could feel herself blushing at his words.

"And you love it. I'm coming over."

And before Jenna could even respond, Calum was out of her sight.

"He's so weird." She muttered to herself before going to open the door for the ever-giddy-and-enthusiastic guy.

An hour later, the two were cuddling on a couch, watching an 80's movie. (Some weeks ago Jenna found out that Calum really liked snuggling, and she just rolled with it. Who wouldn't want a good cuddle anyway?)

"Hey," Calum nudged her slightly, "did you fall asleep?"

"What- what is it?" Jenna, startled, woke up.

"Sorry. I just wanted to move so you could sleep more comfortably." He didn't want to disturb her, since he knows that the amount of sleep she gets on a daily basis wasn't enough, but she was sleeping in such a weird angle, and it wasn't comfortable for either of them.

"No, it's fine." She just nuzzled her face deeper in his chest, completely unaware that his leg was going numb.

"I can't believe we're done with school, though." She continued, her voice muffled.

"I actually can't believe that this semester is over." He replied, sighing.

"Yeah. It was hell."

A lot of things have changed since that night they spent on the roof. Luke and Paige started dating, eventually. Even though it came out as a chock to everybody after the tape incident, but it worked out for everyone, except for Paige's father. Calum and Maria rekindled their relationship three months ago, only to break up again ten days after that. And the band have finally had a chance to make it. They were signed to be the opening act for a worldwide tour by a well-known band, which was going to start at the end of the year.

And as for Jenna, well, not much has changed for her. But she finally made up her mind about what she wanted to study in university. It was journalism. Her parents weren't exactly thrilled about it (they secretly wanted her to go to med school), but they supported her nonetheless.

On the romantic side, however, things were--for the lack of a better word-- depressing. She was obviously over Luke now. And Calum and her have grown to become really good friends who made terrible dirty jokes and spent most of their time together. She was alright with it, she really was. But she couldn't help but feel something was.. off. They suddenly became so close--inseparable, even--and they helped each other get through so much over the course of four months, and looking at how fast things moved between them, Jenna thought that something bigger was bound to happen. But they didn't seem to know how to move past that awkward transitional phase from a friendship to a relationship.

Saying it was frustrating would be an understatement. And Jenna didn't even have the energy to deal with it anymore, so she tried to settle with it.

"You know what, we should do something crazy today."

"Like what?" Jenna was still half asleep and wasn't paying much attention to what Calum was saying.

"Drive to the city and get new tattoos? Well, to you it would be your first one."

"No. And I actually have a tattoo." She moved the fabric of her jeans to reveal a small stick-and-poke on her ankle.

"Alright then. Go on a road trip?"

"Also no."

"Rob a liquor shop?"

"I'm already feeling dizzy. I don't need booze. Besides, there's plenty of wine here if you want a drink."

"I have a few joints in my place. And there's no one here." He suggested, knowing full well that she won't agree. But he was amused with the comversation. And also, she had told him once that she wanted to experience the feeling of being stoned, so he thought why not?

"Shut up, seriously."

"Sex is always an option for a good time."

"Oh my God. Stop it." She tried her best to sound stern, but the laugh that escaped her mouth didn't help very much. She wondered how they went from neighbours who only spoke occasionally to snuggle buddies contemplating sex.

"What? Just saying." He lifted his arms up in surrender.

"Again, you are fucking obnoxious."

"And again, you love it."

"Okay, that's it." The devilish expression that suddenly broke out on Jenna's face actually got him thinking she might be down for afternoon sex with her best friend.

But no.

The next thing he could feel was her hands tickling his sides. And boy, was he ticklish.

He tried to push her away, but it was no use, she wrapped her legs around him and slid both of their bodies to the cold floor. Finally, she stopped her attack, still latching herself to his torso. She moved her face down, until it was only a couple of inches away from his. He let his hands roam around her waist, to the backside of her thighs. And just when their lips touched, she sat up, laughing at the tightness in her friend's pants.

"Okay now that was just cruel. You're cruel."

"And you love it." Jenna mocked him. She helped him up, still grinning at the state she got him in.

"I didn't really mean for that to happen."

"Yeah, I just- I need to-"

"You know where the bathroom is."

Damnit Jenna! Shut up. Awkward boners are awkward enough on their own. She couldn't fathom how they were able to do that. Being all cosy, then a hot mess, then get ridiculously awkward, in a fucking minute.

But the way Jenna was blushing and looking at everything in the room except Calum's eyes--and crotch--suddenly ignited something in him, and he finally grew the balls--figuratively and literally--to do what he's been wanting to do for quite a while now.

"No, actually, I need to do this." He pulled her closer to him by her waist and kissed her. Long and sweet and passionate and a little awkward but still perfect.

"Took me long enough, didn't it?" Calum smiled, pulling back.

"Only eighteen years."

"Hey, late is better than never. Right?"

"Oh just shut up and kiss me you fool."

-

THE END

i told ya it was only a short story

idk i just really wanted them to be together, and please don't say that it moved quickly because there has been a four fucking months period of time between the night they spent on the roof and their graduation day. they had plenty of time to develop feelings for each other. i just didn't include it. ok rant is over

oh and a big shout out to my real-life neighbour and friend whom calum's character was based upon, kind of. he is the best.