Paper Thin • Calum Hood |ON HOLD 1-2-17|

32

Josie's POV

Walking onto campus this morning was just like every other morning. The cold air biting at my face and hands. I let my eyes wander across the yard in search for Calum or any one else from the group since they never stick to one spot.

I decide to head to my locker after my failed attempt to spot Calum. I spin the dial and enter my combination opening my locker. I grab my textbook that I need for first period before shutting the small door.

My eyes lift from staring at my phone as I hear three familiar voices. I make my way over suddenly catching Calum's attention.

"Hey babe." He greets me with a short and simple kiss. I send Luke and Ashton a smile as I begin walking beside Cal.

"I saw you skipping practice...I asked Brea why and you seemed perfectly fine earlier yesterday." He hints and I can sense him becoming a little annoyed. I look up at the boys and they open their mouths to speak before closing them.

"We're just going to head-" Ashton begins, "That way." Luke finishes with Ashton agreeing leaving just Calum and I alone.

"Um... I'm not going to lie about where I went I just don't want you to get upset with me." I say looking up at him with pleading eyes.

"If you did what I think you did you already know how I'm going to react." He says squinting his eyes slightly making feel a small amount of guilt.

"Then I won't even say it." I say shrugging my shoulders, but knowing him he is not just going to drop this subject that easily.

"Really Josie? I can't believe you went to see that sick fuck after I specifically told you I did not want you to be around him when I wasn't around. You couldn't have even told me? Or better yet you should have at least taken Brea with you." He says in an agitated tone making me pinch the inside of my lip with my teeth not knowing how to feel.

"He didn't try to pull anything, he was in the hospital Calum. I just gave him a piece of my mind which I think I needed to have done." I say scrunching my eyebrows together.

"That's not the point." Calum breathes looking away before turning the opposite direction. This is one thing I hate about Calum Hood, he runs away from conflict instead of resolving it.

"If it makes you feel any better I am no longer friends with him." I call after him standing in the same position while watching him walk in the other direction. Dozens of pairs of eyes stare at me as I speak to his silhouette striding down the hallway.

I let out a huff before turning away and wander over to the classroom feeling uneasy.

I know I probably should not compare the situation but if the tables where turned and we were discussing Kelsey, I would most likely overreact so I have to see where Calum is coming from.

•

Throughout the rest of the day Calum and I spent our day apart which I could understand seeing as I needed to give him some space to let him calm his spirits.

I am already preparing myself for whatever coach decides to punish me with today for missing practice yesterday.

The locker room is clammy and feels humid as I strip out from my previous clothes and put on my workout attire.

"Did you see the hot piece of ass that is our new assistant coach?" Brea whispers leaning against a random locker next to mine as I throw my hair up into a pony tail wrapping the elastic band tightly around my hair.

"No, but does that mean Coach isn't here today?" I ask with a hopeful tone assuming I could be off the hook for once.

"I haven't seen him so maybe you will get lucky and not have to bare his wrath." Brea says and I nod my head joining her side as we exit the locker room.

I see that the boys were already running stadium drills and I catch a glance at Calum noticing his stressed expression that consumes his facial features.

"Okay girls line up we don't have all day and definitely do not have time to dealy-dally." I catch sight at the tall lean man with his hair up in a man bun. He honestly could pass as a male model- not an assistant coach.

As we line up and wait for him to direct today's practice I notice several girls swooning over him and some completely spacing out.

"I'm Coach Styles and I will be your ladies new assistant coach for the year along with the boys. On most days, Coach Tomlinson and I will split duties between the boys and you girls. With the tournament  coming up I am informed to kick it up a notch and really knuckle down on you ladies. I'm sure you can take it." He explains with a causal voice not seeming to intimidating.

"Today you will be preforming a series of drills, we won't have time to have a scrimmage but later in the week we will have at least two before the game Friday." Coach Styles instructs going over his clipboard reading the list of names.

"Easton?" He calls out looking up from the paper. I step forward as he dismisses the rest of the team and sends them out to begin drills.

"I was informed that I had to deal you some sort of punishment for missing yesterdays practice." He says with his wrists behind his back looking down at me with a smile on his face as I wait for him to continue.

Coach Styles peers towards me with his piercing emerald orbs, almost captivating...again almost.

I glance behind him and see Calum taking a breather resting his palms on his bent knees. He looks up and meets my stare looking away quickly before continuing the rest of his drill.

"Since I am nice and CT is no where to be seen today I will let you slide, but take note...if you miss practice once more with no form of a notarized excuse I will make your punishment twice as worse. So stay on my good side." He says and a wave of relief washes over my entire body knowing I will not have to suffer today.

He sends me on my way not really paying to much attention to the team as we practice, seeming more interested in his social media life then watching a bunch of sweaty teenagers drip in sweat and run around.

"Jos!" I hear a voice call after me and soon realize it is Calum. I look back to make sure Coach Styles is not looking so I can remain on his decent side.

Calum jogs over to me and takes my hand in his before he decides to speak.

"I'm sorry that I kind of acted a little immaturely earlier by walking away but I just didn't want to say something I would regret or do something wrong. I have really been trying to not fuck up." He says and a smile creeps upon my lips.

"You had every reason to be upset, I just hate when things aren't settled between us and I know you are really trying. I should have communicated with you better and I promise from now on I won't go around Kian without you by my side." I say and pipe up to kiss his lips for a short moment before Coach sees us.

"You're coming with me after practice." Calum breathes breaking away.

"Where?" I ask looking back to see coach looking at us, he sends me a warning look.

I begin to walk away still waiting for a response from Calum.

"To meet my parents." He says with a cheeky smile jogging back over to where the boys are standing. A whole new cause for nervousness and anxiety takes over my body as thoughts about his parents hopefully taking a liking towards me.

•••

S.xx