Learning To Fall

three

"Okay, but what about Ashton?" Calum suggests, nodding at the artist across the lunch room.

"Isn't he Luke's best friend?" I wonder as I raise my eyebrows. He looks down at his lunch and mutters a 'shit' before looking around the cafeteria again. I look back down at my hot pocket before shrugging, mentally thanking Ms.Monroe for letting me warm it up in her microwave.

"He's a fucking dick," Calum growls, seemingly out of nowhere. I look up to see Calum's dark brown eyes facing in Luke and Cecily's direction.

"Just forget it, Cal," I mumble, looking back down at my hot pocket and water bottle.

"No, Andy. He used you as entertainment and then went behind your back to your supposed best friend and made fun of you. And then he would drop you off at my house just so he could go fuck her behind your back. You caught them in the act yourself. I'm not going to forget about my former best friend hurting you!" He defends, his voice raising. I flinch away and stand up.

"I said forget it, Calum!" I yell, catching the attention of half the cafeteria, including Luke and Cecily. I sigh and pick up my food. "Forget it, Calum. Just forget it." I mumble as I walk out of the cafeteria.
I stop in the hallway to put my headphones in my ears and then continue walking down the hall.

Until I reach the door of the library, which I slide into for the rest of the 45 minute lunch.

>>

I'm reading for at least ten minutes before I feel someone staring at me. I look up to see the familiar blond hair, green eyed boy. His cheeks redden as he looks back at the books on the shelf. I go back to reading, slightly sighing. Another five minutes pass and I feel a weight hit the table. After looking up I'm shocked to see Michael standing across the library table.

"Hey, Andy right?" He greets, a friendly smile on his face. I offer a small smile in return.

"Yeah," I nod, and his eyes brighten.

"I'm Michael," Michael says as he sits down.

"Oh yeah, weren't you late on the first day?" I tease, and he nods sheepishly.

"School isn't really my number one priority." The blond answers, and I nod in reply, urging him to go on. But he doesn't.

"Look, if you're here because of the thing in the cafeteria, I'm fine." I finally say, looking him in the eyes. He furrows his brows in confusion.

"I just saw you storm in and wanted to comfort you," The boy admits, and I smile a little.

"Thanks Michael, that means a lot." I state before putting my bookmark in and closing my book. The bell rings before he can reply. "I'll see you in English," I tell him before leaving the library.

>>

"Wait, you actually talked to the mystery guy of View Point high school?" Calum asks in disbelief over apology Chinese takeout.

"Yeah, he came to comfort me," I say with equal disbelief. It had been three hours since Michael talked to me for the first time.

"What the hell?" He asks, and I widen my eyes in agreement.

"I know," I laugh, leaning back on the living room couch. The she witch was gone for the next two weeks on another honey moon with my dad, and it was the first in a long time that I'd spent time with Calum like this outside of school.

"I just can't believe he actually has feelings," Elliot jokes from the chair. I shoot him a glance, and he throws up his hands in defense. Our dark hair and eyes made us look exactly alike; given the fact that we were twins. He may of been older by a minute, but he was still afraid of me.

"He sort of has a point," Carter, Elliot's secret girlfriend since freshman year, agrees. I shrug and go back to eating my Chinese.

"So, what are you guys doing next Friday night?" Calum asks, mainly directed at Elliot and Carter. Next Friday night was homecoming, Calum and I were going to the bowling alley.

"Homecoming, the step monster isn't here and won't be here Saturday either. Why don't you come with us?" Eli asks, and I shrug in reply while playing with my food.

"Why not?" Cal questions, and my head jolts up from my takeout box.

"What?" I ask, my voice raising two octaves. The others laugh in response at my question.

"You, me, Elliot, Carter. Homecoming?" Calum asks, and I snort in reply.

"How romantic, I'm swooning," I state in a monotone voice. Calum bursts out into laughter, and I feel my face redden in embarrassment.

"Maybe we should give them some time alone," Elliot jokes, then walks out with Carter. Calum looks at me with his trademark puppy dog eyes.

"What, Cal?" I question, folding my arms.

"Come on, go to homecoming with me. You've never been, Ands." He says, grabbing my hand.

"You make fun of me in a dress and I'll kick your ass," I threaten, and Calum's smile widens into a full grin.

"Are you saying yes?" He asks after a minute, and I laugh.

"Yes, Calum. I'm saying yes. I'll go to homecoming with you."

>>

I sigh before doing a full spin in the mirror. The white dress looked perfect, shockingly. This was only my second time wearing a dress.

"Tate, get your ass down here before I drag you down by your hair!" Rachel yells from downstairs, and I look up at my reflection to find myself smiling. It was now or never, and Andrea Gemma Tate didn't quit. So, here I go.

"Oh my gosh," Rachel gawks as I come down the stairs. I look over at Calum, and there he stood in a black button down and slacks, his now clean sneakers on his feet. Little did they all know that I had my converse in my purse. These heels had been on for thirty minutes, and were already starting to hurt my feet.

"Hey," I smile at Calum after desending the stairs. He smiles a closed mouth smile, and I look at Rachel to see her barely containing herself.

"I'm so proud of you guys," She coos at Elliot and I, throwing her arms around us and bringing us in for a group hug.

>>

After taking a few pictures, we make it to the school.

"I can't do this," I mumble, taking my shoes off and leaning against the car to put my sneakers on. After doing so, I sigh of relief.

"Feel better?" Calum asks, and I nod with a wide grin. He only laughs and offers his arm. "Ready?"

"I guess," I shrug in reply, and take his arm. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad.