30 • cth

2

11:22pm

~Scarlett POV~

Half an hour later and here I was, sitting on a bar stool by myself, stirring the ice in my water with my straw.

Ten more songs had played, but Angie was still on the dance floor. I had expected her to come back for another drink, but instead she had found a guy to dance with. I had to admit, he was pretty hot. It just kind of bothered me that she forced me to come here with her and then ditched me 45 minutes in. I was incredibly bored and wanted to go home, but I couldn't just make Angie leave the boy that she was clearly into-that's just not something best friends do. And I definitely wasn't leaving her here by herself with somebody she'd just met.

I sighed as I finished my second glass of water since we had got there. Just as I was about to ask the bartender for a refill, somebody sat down on the stool right next to mine.

"Finally decided to take a break from-" I say turning to the person, expecting to see Angie, but instead seeing someone very different. "Oh-uh I'm sorry I thought you were my friend.  Sorry about that."

"That's alright. I mean, I did sit right next to you even when other stools are empty so I can see why you thought i was your friend," he said, shooting me a friendly grin.

That smile. Oh wow that smile. I always thought it was nice but seeing it in person is even better. I felt my heart stop, my stomach is full of the biggest butterflies in the world (idk what breed or species or whatever it is I'm not some butterfly expert just imagine some big ass butterflies), and my brain is pure mush.

I'm always an awkward person but right now that awkwardness was hitting me full force. Why? I'm sitting face to face with Calum Hood. Aka the super hot bassist of 5SOS. Aka my favorite member of my favorite band ever. My knees are shaking, my hands are sweating, I am a complete mess.

Come on, Scarlett. Be cool. Stay calm. Make a good first impression. You got this, girl.

"So, can I buy you another drink?" Calum asks.

Calum, my love, you can buy me anything you want and I will be ok with it. Or you can buy me nothing. You can even buy me. I don't care. I'm a chill person. Whatever works for you works for me.

"Oh, no that's ok I was just drinking water," I respond. Wow, my voice sounded calm and only a teeny bit higher pitched than usual. Not bad considering there's a tornado running through my insides right now.

"Water? Really? You came to a club and ordered water?" He asked, laughing.

He's laughing. At me. But who really cares what he's laughing at I'm just happy I get to hear his laugh in person. Oh gosh I'm so in love with this boy.

"I have to keep an eye on my friend and make sure we get home safely," I explain, laughing as well.

"Ah, so you're like the designated driver?"

That accent is going to be the death of me.

"Kind of, except we walked here. But I basically have the same job as a DD. Just, you know, minus the driving," I explained, letting out an awkward giggle.

Am I actually having a sane conversation with Calum Hood? Like, I haven't embarrassed myself yet? He hasn't fled from my awkwardness? What is this madness??

"That giggle was so cute, oh my god!"

Excuse me? Cute? Did he just say cute? CALUM HOOD JUST CALLED SOMETHING I DID CUTE? Lungs, don't fail me now.

Not knowing what to say, and not trusting my voice to say anything at this point, I smiled shyly at him.

"I'm Calum, by the way," he said, smiling back at me and sticking his hand out for me to shake.

With perfect timing as always (note the sarcasm there), Angie ran up right before I could introduce myself. Of course. If she ruins my chance of talking to him by scaring him away with her crazy, half drunk personality I swear I'll-

"Hey so you know Brad, the guy that sits in front of me in English that I've been crushing on for months? Well he's the guy I've been dancing with and he asked me to go back to his place with him and of course I can't say no to that so I'm leaving now have fun without me I'll call you in the morning love you bye!" She said all in one breath before running off to leave with Brad. I don't even think she saw Calum with me, and if she did, she didn't care.

"Um ok then? I guess I've been ditched now. Sorry about her interrupting she's a little...how should I say it...oblivious?" I say, hoping Calum wasn't going to run. To be honest, I'm surprised he stayed and didn't flee as soon as she distracted me.

"That's ok," he laughed. "I'm guessing that's the friend you were staying sober for?"

"Yeah, that's her," I sighed.

"Well, I'm sorry she left you."

Awww. He's so sweet like how could anybody be so nice to a weird girl they just met I mean aghhhh he's so amazing.

"That's ok, I'm kind of used to it. Now where were we?"

He gave me an odd look, almost like he was sad that I'm used to friends ditching me for guys? That can't be it, there's no way he feels bad for me. He's probably thinking of ways to politely escape from this conversation right now.

"Um we were...oh, I remember! I'm Calum," he grinned, sticking his hand out again.

"Nice to meet you, Calum," I said, shaking his hand.

Wow. I'm holding onto his hand. This physical contact feels amazing. My whole hand is tingling like I slept on it all night and just started to move it around, and there's an unfamiliar feeling shooting up and down my whole arm.

"Well?"

Is he asking if I feel it too? Which would mean that he feels it? I really hope that's what he's asking.

"Well what?"

Just in case. I don't want to look crazy.

"What's your name?"

Oh, right. My name. I was so distracted by touching him that I forgot to tell him my name. Of course he didn't get chills from touching me. What was I even thinking that for? For a smart girl, sometimes I can be really, really dumb.

Second chapter :D hope everybody that (eventually) reads it likes it! Thanks to 5secondsofstyles1 for being my first and only reader lol <3 even if it's just because I made you I still appreciate it :)