Sweater Weather ~ Calum Hood

•1•Vanilla and Strawberries•

-Calum-

2 months.

It has only been 2 damn months and I can't get enough of her.

I don't even know what it is about her. It could be the way she smells; which is an intoxicating scent of vanilla and strawberries. Some people may think that a smell like that would be a weird combination. But no word of a lie, there is just something about her that is way more addicting than any of the cigarettes I've ever smoked.

What could could be the reason I can't get enough of this flawless girl may be how her captivating eyes pierce into you more harsher than any needle could. But it's the kind of stinging you like; her hazel- olive green windows holding so much emotion. Or it could be how her gorgeous chocolate brown hair frames her breath-taking face, just about covering the small birthmark on her temple, and flowing gracefully down her her waist.

Perhaps it could be how she doesn't flaunt such a beautiful body like her own; representing just how much respect she has for herself. That could be why I admire such a young woman. Maybe it could be how her short frame would feel in the embrace of my rather large one. Or it could even be how you could see the small sway of her hips as she walked down the hallway; indicating that she clearly had curves upon her jaw-dropping body.

What? I'm a teenage guy, what do you expect?

It could even be the way that her alluring pink lips curve into a smile when something makes her happy. That's the one thing I look forward to seeing everyday; a smile upon her face.

But what's weird is the fact that I have never felt so attached to someone who hasn't even spared me a glance. Like, I would get the odd crush and girlfriend back in like 8th grade; but those were the awkward and cringe-worthy type.

But this is something different.

Just the thought of her gives me that warm, bubbly feeling in my chest. The sight of her makes butterflies erupt within my stomach. The way she smells makes me lightheaded and dizzy. The way her calming yet stern voice speaks as she joins in within a group discussion, or simply just greets some people as they walk down the corridor, is like hearing angels sing. The way her kind, selfless and brave personality stands out when her presence is known. The way her smile or laughter is contagious.

But I hate feeling this way. Why did I ever have to meet someone so perfect to the point that they never leave my mind, yet I have probably never crossed her mind?

But today I will get my answer. Today I will ask her. Today I will finally ask her to go on a date with me.

Problem is: I'm terribly inexperienced so I will most likely make a fool of myself. Which is not what I'm used to. I'm never usually that nervous when it came to asking girls out, but Ebony was different. I have tried countless times to talk to her a friend, but each time giving up as I begun to stutter and feel my ears go red; giving her the excuse that I needed to get to my next class and that I would talk to her later.

But I never did. Does that make me a coward? A frigid, maybe?

But today I will finally get my answer. In all honesty, I don't care about her answer. Okay, that's a lie. If she says yes; I will obviously be over the moon. Although even if she says no, I'll deal with it. I won't give her the cold shoulder or become some sort of douche, I'll respect her decision. I mean, who in their right state of mind would want to be with me? Especially her. All the girls who usually go out with me only last 1 date and then they don't bother any more. Why would someone and perfect as her, want to be with someone as degrading as myself?

But as I said, I've never done this before. Meaning my idea will either backfire or turn into a complete and utter mess. But hey, at least I'll try right? To be honest, she'll probably turn me down because it was all too cringe or whatnot.

So that is what leads me here.

As I watch as she walks down the hallway, heading to her locker. Today she has her stunning hair down in natural waves in a side parting; with the side that has the least amount of hair pinned back. She wears a knee-length white summer dress, which shows off her long, toned legs, that have daisies and roses dancing around the fabric. She finally ascents the entire outfit with black dolly shoes that have small diamonds along the front.

I watch from afar as she opens her locker, the one I had left the note in, and take that as my opportunity to begin walking a little closer with a red rose in hand; knowing that it was her favorite type of flower. I see as the note falls to the floor and hear as a small gasp escapes her mouth at the sudden surprise.

I feel the sweat begin to get thicker along my palms and I move the rose from hand to hand, rubbing off the sweat along the sides of my jeans. All of a sudden I become insecure, what if something really did go wrong? Like, what  if I spelled 'look behind you' wrong? What if she was expecting to see someone else rather than me? What if she really does turn me down?

I feel my heart racing as I actually realize that this is real, this time I am not dreaming it. This is actually reality. And only then, when she begins to look behind her, do I actually think that.

I open my mouth, preparing myself to start speaking; but all words halt as I look into her captivating eyes.

I swear I saw them light up, like they did in my dreams, at the fact that I was the one standing in front of her with a rose in hand. But I know that it was probably something in my mind trying to calm me down.

After a few seconds, I realize that I've already made a fool of myself as she now stares back at me with an expectant look, a small smile upon her beautiful features, as my mouth just opens and closes like a fish under water.

I sigh. I didn't expect it to go this way. Messing up already and I'm not even a minute in. I continue to curse in my mind as I also wipe the sweat off my hands and try to gather my thoughts; trying to control my breathing.

"T-this may sound a lit-little stupi- I mean- I just," I sigh as I scratch the back of my neck, something I tend to do when I get anxious, "it's a dare!" I exasperated. Proud that I had come up with something to not make me look like a fool.

But only then do I realize that it doesn't sound as if I like her and this is genuine. Sucking in a deep breath and handing the small flower to the angelic girl in front me I continue:

"I-I mean," I stutter as I feel my ears begin to redden, "you-you're gorgeous and- no that isn't the only- you're a really nice girl and- I'm sorry, I'm just," my cheeks redden as I begin to turn away.

Seeing as she may have sensed my anxiousness she grips my bicep and holds me in my place; not allowing me to walk away.

"Calm down, Calum," she smiles. Just that small gesture causes all tension and insecurities to fade within my mind and body; her contagious smile making it's way onto my own face. "Just get straight to your point. Don't make a speech out of it or come up with excuses, just tell me."

"Ebony, will you go on a date with me?" I blurt out really fast. Sensing I may need to continue since that sounded so blunt I start, "I mean- I really like you- I just though-"

"It took you long enough!" She exclaimed happily, "of course I will go out with you!"

______________
1386 Words.

My new book! I hope you enjoyed this chapter😊 MASSIVE shoutout to Corky14x who practically wrote this whole chapter for me! She gave me the idea for this book and I have loads of good stuff planned for it :) Thank you Court! Also, thank you for reading!❤