This is You and Me (WATTYS2017)

Chapter Six

The next day was really rainy. It was storming hard. I decided to call Mrs. Ryder from the home line and tell her I wouldn't be able to make it today. She said it was okay, and she would see me tomorrow.

I thought about Caleb as I ate breakfast. I could see his face in the foam in my coffee. I squinted and looked closer. When I breathed on it, the foam departed and his face was gone.

"I'm insane." I said with complete acceptance.

I thought about him the rest of the day. I thought of him as I read my book. I couldn't focus on it so I put my bookmark in and set the book back on my shelf. I thought about him as I did my chore. I thought about him as I ate lunch. I thought about him all the time. I just couldn't get my mind off of him.

Later that day, at about 3:00, there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it!" I shouted out. I hoped it was Gretchen. I wanted so badly to talk to her right now.

But when I opened the door, who did I see but Caleb.

"H-hi." I said. My cheeks turned bright red.

"Hey, Stella." He said. He smiled a crooked grin at me.

"Come in."

"Thanks." He replied. His hands were stuffed deep in the pockets of his red hoodie, and a grey beanie on his head, covering up his beautiful hair. He also carried my purse. "You left your purse at the orphanage." He said and handed it to me.

"Thank you." I said. I took it and set it on the couch. "Have a seat. How did you know where I live?"

He sat down beside me on the couch. I felt my cheeks turning bright red again so I tried to hide them by looking down.

"Mrs. Ryder was the one who told me it was yours when I found it. She gave me your address when I asked for your phone number." He said.

"Oh." I replied. "Wait, isn't it a work hour right now?"

"It's half day." He said. "The girls get the rest of the day in free time."

"Oh, good for them." I said. That's when Mom walked into the room. She stopped when she saw me sitting next to Caleb.

"Who's this?" She asked with a grin.

"Oh, Mom this is Caleb, Caleb, this is my Mom, Charlotte." I said.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Jackson." Caleb said. He stood up and shook mom's hand.

"You too." She said.

"Well I better get going." He said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye." I said. Right before he left, he looked me straight in the eyes, and smiled at me. That crooked smile gets me every time. He closed the door, and walked down the walkway to his car, and drove away. I felt my cheeks begin to cool down. Mom grinned at me.

"Looks like somebody has a crush." She and Alice are very alike in that way. They love romance. So do I, but I have never had a crush, and I don't like what comes from it.

"Maybe. Maybe not." I said. I couldn't tel her yes, I have a crush, because I don't know what the means. But I couldn't tell her no, I don't, because, well maybe I do. I wouldn't know, I've never felt this way before.

"Whatever you have to say to please yourself." She teased. She walked back to the kitchen, to start on dinner.

I flopped over into the couch, and shut my eyes, covering them with the back of my hands.

~*~*~*~*~

The next day at the orphanage was much like the first one. I hung out with the girls and Caleb. I was still kind of awkward around him, acting like I was head over heels about him, unintentionally of course. My cheeks always turned pink around him. I wish they didn't, I wish I wasn't to obvious, I wish for a lot of things that I can't have.

When I was leaving, he stopped me at the door.

"Hey." He said.

"Oh. H-hi." I said. I tucked I wisp of hair behind my ear.

"Can I have your number?" He asked bluntly.

"S-sure." I couldn't help but mumble around him. "9...." Suddenly I completely forget my phone number.

"9." He repeated back."

"Uh-" He grinned at me as I looked him in the eyes and stuttered.

"9." He said again with a small chuckle.

"Hold on." I said, my cheeks turning bright red. I dug my phone out of my purse and searched for my phone number. I read it off to him as he chucked at my forgetfulness.

"Thanks." He said, smiling at me. I quickly shuffled out the door, being the most awkward I ever have around him.

I shuffled all the way home. I got in the door, and shook off. I was damp from the drizzly rain. It was starting to pour harder.

I was once again welcomed by a warm hug from my mom. This time my whole family was there. They said hello, and asked me if I wanted to join them for brownies and ice cream. I reluctantly agreed, but after having the amazing chocolatey goodness that mom made, I was not regretful.

At 9:45, I said goodnight, and went to bed. But instead of going straight to sleep like I usually did, I turned on my lamp and took out my drawing pad. I tried my best to draw Caleb, but it didn't turn out. So I tried again.

After about 20 tries, I finally got it. It was perfect. His bright eyes and perfect hair are my favorite part about his looks. Actually, I don't have a favorite thing about his looks. I like it all. I like him. Every part of him. His personality, his looks. And today I found out, he is in love with God. Which makes him all the better. I know I'm being very obsessive, but it's hard to control. He's just so amazing. At the same time though, it's weird, because I can't find anything wrong with him. As if maybe, I'm imagining him.

I set my drawing pad down, turned off my lamp, and lied my head on my pillow. I went to sleep thinking about Caleb. I imagined him and I walking together on the beach. It took a long time, because I became uneasy thinking about whether or not my mind is just making him up.