Close As Strangers // C.H.

Chapter 16:

Brooke's POV

After getting Luke and Alex to go have a talk about their friendship, I made my way back to my room to clean up some. Washing away the scent of the alcohol, and putting on some fresh clothes seem to help ease away some of my hangover.

As I start to pin my hair up a little in the back, I almost jump from just noticing a figure behind me. My eyes meet his shining brown ones through the mirror. Our lips turn up into smiles in the same moment.

I have missed how I used to think of Calum. I missed how easily we clicked. Losing your memories for a while sucks because the people around you start to distance themselves.

Calum walks up and immediately his strong, warm arms circle around my waist. I instinctively lean back into his chest. He plants a few small kisses on my exposed shoulder and neck.

"God, I have missed you." Calum mumbles into my neck.

"I know. I missed this," I point out and turn around to face him. My hands going around his neck to play with his nape.

We look into each other's eyes for a minute or so, waiting for the other one to make a move. Tired of waiting, my right hand pulls his head down so our foreheads can meet. It doesn't take Calum but a second to smash our lips together.

Our lips moving in perfect sync, making every spark probably in the universe go off in my body. My free hand goes to his waist to pull his body even closer to mine.

Calum's hands were already on my waist and he uses it to his advantage. He easily picks me up and places me on the bathroom counter. As he is walking up, he places himself to where he is standing in between my legs. Neither of us about to break our kiss.

A loud banging on my bedroom door pulls us apart. After taking a minute to get my breathing back to normal some, I yell loud enough for whoever it is can hear me. "What?"

"Come eat some breakfast," my brother yells back through the door. Of course it would be Max to come and interrupt.

"Okay," I end the conversation and hope he walks away.

Calum is still standing in front of me, with his hands still on my waist. I lean forward, causing my head to rest on his chest. I can easily hear his heart beating rapidly.

"Wow," Calum breaks the silence. "I have definitely missed that." I playfully slap his chest earning a laugh from him.

He moves to the side allowing me to hop off the counter. My hand finds his, and intertwines with it.

"Come on before Max comes back," I pull Calum behind me.

"Do we have to?" He pouts like a little kid, but I have to admit it's pretty cute.

"Yes," I continue to pull him with me downstairs to the dining room.

"There is the happy couple," Luke announces when we enter.

"Thanks for letting me crash here last night Brooke," Alex thanks me with a small smile.

"Of course, it was nothing. Thanks for keeping me company and giving me a ride home."

"Thank you for not letting her drink anymore than she had," Calum cuts in with a small chuckle.

"No problem," Alex assures Calum and me.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to a party at Meg's?"

"I didn't think I had to Max. Mom knew so that was enough." I defend myself to my brother once again.

"I could have went with you."

"Max, Brooke doesn't need a babysitter. She's fine and cool, so don't worry." Alex sticks up for me like he has done in the past to Max.

Max grumbles something that no one can make out. The attention is removed from him to our mom when she brings us out plates of food.

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"Are you almost ready babe?" Calum wraps his arms around my waist, momentarily stopping me from packing.  His term of endearment making my heart skip a beat.

"I only have a little left to pack," I explain to him and continue packing.

"Are you nervous?"

"Um...is that even a question? Yeah, I am nervous Calum. This is your family we're talking about. What if they don't like me?" My words and fear tumbles out to him. He turns me around to face him before reassuring me.

"Baby, don't worry. I love you so I know for a fact, they will too. Who wouldn't?"

"You make everything sound so easy." I lean into Calum's warm embrace hoping it will help ease some of my nerves.

My mom loves Calum. On the other hand, Max kind of tolerates him. I haven't met Calum's family yet and that is where we are heading tonight. I can't help but to worry about what they think of me.

"Hey?" We hear Luke asking from the door.

"Go away Lucas," Calum says in a joking tone.

"Rude much?" Luke and Calum chuckle at each other.

"Can I borrow your girlfriend Hood?"

"Um...no. Go get your own," Calum jokes, but secretly serious. I can tell by his tone that he is joking, but at the same time not. I don't think he will ever get other the fact of Luke and I dating.

"Calum, go away." I playfully push his towards the door.

"Okay, so you love this penguin over me?"

"Maybe," I joke back at Calum.

"Fine, take her to your house Hemmings." Calum puts up the fake jealousy front and stomps out of my room.

"Love you though," I shout loud enough for him to hear. After I minute, I figure Calum must have chosen to ignore me. I did until he stuck his head back through the door.

"Love you too," and then he disappears.

"So what's up Luke?" I turn my attention back to packing.

"I wanted to thank you for getting me to talk to Alex. We're good again, thanks to you."

"I'm glad, and I am really sorry I screwed up your friendship."

"Don't even worry about it." Luke tells me with a smile that I return.

"So you're going with Calum to meet his family?"

"Yes, do you have any tips?" I ask him hopefully.

"Just be yourself and I know they will love you."

"Yeah, I hope so. Thanks Luke."

Maybe they will like me. I make Calum happy and I hope that will be enough.

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This is just a filler chapter so sorry if it's pretty boring. Thanks so much for reading. If you still support this story, vote and drop a comment of what you think. <3