Just Friends

Chapter 1 Rain and coffee

I'm in class in the back my back pressed against the heater with the fear that it may burn through my hoodie but I've accepted the consequence. It's pouring rain today and I'm stuck in class. The bell rings and I pick up and look down at my phone and see it's lunch time. If you were to ask my classmates about me they would look at you like they don't know who your talking about. I'm the shy kid in the back of the class who if I don't have to talk I won't. I put my phone in my pocket and plug put my ear buds in as I walk the three blocks to my favorite coffee shop despite the drizzle. I pull my hoodie tighter around me and keep walking. I'm almost there when a car drives through a puddle that ends up soaking my feet and me cursing under my breath. I get there with cold feet ( literally) I perk up to hear All Time Low playing on my Spotify as I stand in line. I order, get my drink, and sit at a table in the corner and look around as it fills up with kids from my school. I wrap my hands around the warm cup as my hood slides off my head and I run my fingers through my hair wondering what to do with it. I should get going but the idea of walking in the rain in my now dry vans makes me mad. " You look deep in thought." I look up to see my best friend Ashton.

 "Just thinking about walking back to school." " I can give you a ride I drove here." He says sitting down across from me. "If you don't mind, and a ride home but we always do that." I say pushing my hands into the pocket of my hoodie. " Of course." He smiles and sets down his backpack before getting in line. I'm glad that my best friend drives considering that I'm seventeen. I could have learned to drive but my mom is not about to give me a car which I'm fine with.

"How's school going?" Ashton asks sitting back down across from me. " Okay." " I have a date this weekend." He says. " With who?" I ask. He smiles and shows me a picture of this girl that he has Thesis with. "She's so smart and beautiful and musical and oh." He smiles so big his dimples are visible. " So she said yes to a date?" I ask. He nods as his name is called . He gets up to get his drink. " What's her name?" "Hannah." He says. " Your in love." I say shaking my head as I look at the picture of the brunette with short hair and brown eyes. " We talk about school before Ashton gives me a ride back to school which I'm thankful for. I'm a sophomore and he's a senior and I'm going to miss home like crazy during my last two years of high school. " What class you going to?" He asks as we get into the building. I shake out my wet hair and look around the busy front hall. "Chemistry fourth floor." Oh hated that walk." He says as he gives me a pat on the shoulder before going down the hall. I get to my class and sit down and notice we changed seats. "Calum?" Our teacher says. " Who's that?" A boy asks as I stand up holding my stuff and he points to where I'll sit " By Jorden third row." He says and keeps reading the list. I sit down and pull out my binder as Jorden and I make small talk before class starts. The rest of the day is burning. 

The last bell rings and I meet Ashton down in the parking lot and I see him talking to Hannah before the two of them part. I open the door to the back seat and put my backpack down before shutting the door and getting in my place in the front seat. " I have to run by Target you want to go?" he asks as he turns his key in the ignition. " Of course." I say. " I hate parking in the lot." He says. We sit in a line of cars to leave the lot before pulling away from the school. " I text my mom asking if she needs anything before I stick my phone in my pocket. " I'm going to miss you next year." I blurt. " I know." Ashton frowns as he turns up the radio as we come to a red light. " All the small things True care truth brings I'll take one lift Your ride best trip always I know You'll be at my show watching, waiting, commiserating Say it ain't so, I will not go turn the lights off, carry me home." I sing along as Ashton drums his fingers against the wheel. " Imagine seeing them live." 

" Keep dreaming where broke." He says and pulls into the lot. "I know." I say. He sings along with me even after we got a spot. The song on the radio changes as  I unlock my door and get out waiting for Ashton. "So what do you need?" I ask and glance over at the Starbucks thinking I need a pick me up. " Something for dinner." He says and picks up a small basket. "You okay you seem upset?" Ashton says. "No one notices me I guess is what's wrong, we got new seats in chemistry today and my name was called and some kid was like who? I'm just sick of not being noticed." I shrug. " People  are stupid, I don't know how no one could notice you, like your a cool guy and-" 

"Thanks but your not helping," I say as we walk down another aisle as he texts his mom. "Want to come over tonight? I can give you a ride in the morning." He says. " I guess what's for dinner?"

"Make your own pizza's so I need pizza dough and sauce and pizza toppings." He says. "Sounds good I'll tell my mom," I say. We get everything for pizzas and check out. "Calum it's  so good  to see you!" Ashton's Mom says giving me a hug. " You too hope it's okay Ash invited me over for dinner," I say as Ashton puts a bag on the counter. "It's fine." She says and smiles.  I'm making my own pizza when my mom texts me saying I should be home before seven.
"You need a ride?" Ashton asks as we eat our pizzas. 

"I can walk," I say. 

"It's already dark out." His Mom points out. 

" I'm literally a block over I'm fine," I say and put my plate in the dishwasher. " I don't mind driving you." Ashton says.  I shake my head and go get my backpack from his car and say my goodbyes before walking home. I should call my sister and tell her I'm walking home. I sigh and pull out my phone and call her.
"Hey."
"Where are you?" She asks sounding concerned." " I was at Ashton's I had dinner already." I explain as I cross the road. 

" Do you need a ride?" 

" I'm half way home now I walked." 

" Calum." She says. 

" I'm fine see you in a minute."

" Stay on the phone till you get home."

 " You think I'm going to get kidnapped?" I ask. " I just worry okay that's my job?" " I'm seventeen?" I say as I round the corner and walk down the block my house in sight. " Do you see me yet?" " I watch as the light to the front room cut on and the door open. " Yeah hurry up it's cold out here." she fusses. I sigh and hang up and begin jogging until I reach my front door. " Told you it's not a long walk." I say as I walk in and go to my room. I pull my back pack off and start on some homework that I forgot about. I text Ashton that I'm home while I try to figure out my algebra homework before I just give up.