Chapter 15 :
Calum's POV
I didn't know how I felt about Stephanie now that we'd talked more. We were almost opposites, but I found her quite interesting. I guess her being fit was a bonus too.
But I just had mixed feelings about her, I guess I'd find out if we were right for each other soon enough.
Stephanie's POV
I arrived at school on Thursday, and I felt two arms wrap from behind me in a big hug.
"Stephanieeeeee!" Marissa's familiar voice whined out.
"Hi Marissa!" I laughed, pulling her pale arms off of my body.
"I missed you yesterday! Did you have fun skipping?"
"It had it's ups and downs..." I shrugged.
I heard the first bell ring, and started panicking. I wasn't even close to my locker.
"Gotta get to class!" Marissa yelled as she merged into a crowd of students.
I let out a huge breath. Being back in school wasn't really all that great. I missed being with Michael and Calum. Those two boys were so carefree and just enjoyable to be around. Michael might complain... A lot, but that's fine by me. I like comaining too, I just don't do it out loud because I don't feel like annoying people.
I then remembered I had to get my stuff for school, and started running down the hallway to find my locker.
Today was already off to a bad start.
School had ended, and I was currently at home, changing into pajamas. All I knew was that I definitely failed my science test, and I might've gotten a couple right due to copying.
I know that's really wrong, but I was too exhausted yesterday to even THINK about looking at a textbook.
So, knowing that my dad would take away my Xbox, I decided to get on, and invited Michael to an Xbox Live Party.
I was working on my last math problem for homework when I heard a knock on my door.
"Come in!" I yelled, not wanting to leave my bed.
The white wooden door opened, and Clara appeared, "Hi."
"Hey Clara, what do you want?" I asked, not sure to why she'd want to even be in here.
Clara shut the door behind her, and then sat on my bed. She only did this when she wanted to have a serious talk, so I felt my heart start beating faster.
"I just wanna know who you hung out with yesterday. I know you didn't just hang with Marissa, so don't pull that bullshit with me," Clara said, smirking slyly.
"Why would I tell you?!"
Don't get me wrong, Clara and I had the closest sister/sister relationship, I just really didn't want to tell her.
But then again, what would she do if I did? It wouldn't kill me.
"Because I'm your sister... And I promise not to tell ANYONE."
I let out a deep breath, "Promise?"
"Promise."
"You know that band I like?"
"Which one?"
"5SOS?"
"Oh, yeah, aren't they in-" Clara went silent for a second, the thoughts registering in her brain, "You hung out with THEM?!"
"Well... Yeah, kinda. Michael and I used to play Xbox together-" I then rambled on the entire story, and Clara's face was shocked.
"You're like, the luckiest girl on the world. I mean, I don't like that band, but damn. You got some luck up your sleeve! You should share some with me and get Harry Styles to date me!" Clara laughed.
"You already have a boyfriend!"
"Yeah.... But still, Brian ain't no Harry Styles."
"Just don't tell anyone, especially not Marissa if she comes over, okay? I'll eventually have Michael come over, but dad probably won't like the idea." I felt slightly nervous, I will admit it.
"I promised not to say anything... Well, good luck with your homework." Clara said as she got up and left.
I let out a long sigh. Honestly, telling someone about that secret felt amazing. It almost was like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I felt slightly more at peace with myself.
I decided to continue my homework, knowing that my emotional change would slightly help me do better. I kept in the back of my mind that I should butter up my parents so that they wouldn't totally kill me when they saw my science test's grade.
Michael's POV
I sat in the studio with Calum, Luke, and Ashton.
"Hey guys, I think I'm gonna ask Stephanie back over this Saturday." I said outloud, scrolling through Twitter on my phone.
"Why do you ALWAYS have to be with her?" Ashton grumbled, obviously very pissed.
"Why do you care? I have another friend, you might not like her, but you have to get over it Ashton! God, you're such a baby!" I scolded him, feeling my muscles tense up in annoyance.
Ashton then got up, grabbed me by my shirt and dragged me outside. Calum and Luke just stared at Ashton dragging me away, they didn't even attempt to help me. Gee, what friends they are!
When Ashton and I were outside, he looked at me. His hands were on my shoulders, and his darkening eyes were staring into mine.
"Listen to me, I don't like Stephanie. She's mooching off of each of the boys! First, she likes you and dates you, now Calum, and she'll probably be going after Luke!" Ashton said, then continued rambling, "I also don't think she genuinely likes you too! She doesn't even LOOK genuine! I mean, first she was wearing white girl's clothing, then you saw her outside of her house on a regular day THREE times and she was wearing shorts and a t-shirt! Stephanie's obviously trying too hard!"
I felt like a ton of bricks had just hit me. How DARE Ashton say that! I mean, some things I could see being possibly true, but I knew it was all bullshit! Right now I could barely keep myself from punching my bandmate. I don't know why I was getting mad over some girl I'd just met last week, I mean, bros before hoes, right?
I then brushed that idea away, Stephanie wasn't a hoe, and never will be. That's just what Ashton WANTS me to think.
"First of all, she never dated me. We're just friends. Second of all, you shouldn't go around saying shit about someone you haven't spoken to for longer than five minutes! You'd think someone like you would have more common sense, but appearantly not!" I yelled, "Don't fucking talk to me anymore Ashton until you decide to grow up!" I then turned around, and started walking down the street.
I couldn't record now, not when I was this furious. The boys would have to make it without me for today.
I then got an idea.
'what's ur address?' I texted Stephanie.
Maybe I could hang over there for a little while.
Stephanie couldn't let me come over her house, so we decided to meet up at a park that wasn't very far walking distance from me. I instantly saw her by the park's gates, she was on her phone.
"Hey Stephanie!" I exclaimed, jogging up to meet her.
"Hey Michael," She smiled.
Her long, light brown hair was tied into a simple braid that laid on her back, and she was wearing black high waisted jean shorts with a plain white spaghetti-strap top that was tucked into her shorts.
Stephanie looked quite good to be honest, I had to admit she was fit.
"Why the random meetup?" She asked, entering the park.
"Ashton just got me worked up. I can't record while I'm stressed, it just wont work." I chuckled, kicking a pebble as I walked beside Stephanie.
"Oh, that must suck, fighting with your best friend."
"Yeah, it kinda does, but I'm sure we'll make up sometime soon. Hey, do you wanna hang out at the LA house again this weekend?"
Stephanie blushed, and I couldn't help but smile. She looked kinda cute blushing like that.
"Well, I can't really... I have plans." She laughed nervously.
"What're you doing?" I asked.
"Uhm... I don't know if I should tell you, you'd probably be mad."
"Just tell me!" I urged.
"Calum asked me to go to a restaurant with him..." She said quietly.
Damn, Calum was making his moves on Stephanie quickly! I felt this feeling in my stomach, it wasn't happiness, it wasn't anger.... I couldn't explain it, I don't know what I am feeling.
"Why would I be mad about that?" I asked, trying to ignore the feeling I had.
"I dunno... Guess you'd think I was blowing you off for your best friend."
"I would never think that!" I really didn't think that, but part of me did feel that way.
"Good, didn't want you to be angry!" She laughed.
"I would invite you over Monday, but you have school. I'm so happy I dropped out of that hell hole!"
"You're lucky... And I probably won't be able to play Xbox with you all next week. I failed my science test forsure, and my dad will NOT be happy about that."
I felt my heart break slightly. Playing with Stephanie was one of the highlights of my day. Knowing she wouldn't be on Xbox killed my happy spirit quite a bit, but I had to shake off the sad feeling.
You're hanging out with her right now, enjoy it while it lasts.
"Can we sit down? I'm tired." I complained, and Stephanie giggled. I felt my stomach flutter upon hearing her laugh.
What was this? Why was I reacting that way to her laugh? This didn't feel right.
Stephanie and I sat next to a tree under the shade while we continued talking, and the fluttery-feeling in my stomach never went away.
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IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE!!!
Michael and Stephanie won't be dating for a little while longer, but it'll be really good when they do get together. I'm just building up suspense and drama right now, so please stay patient! x
