Lost Boy; C.h.

-17-

*Ryans POV, two weeks later*

I checked the date on my phone. It was July 31st. We had a month and 6 days 'till senior year starts. I groaned at the thought of it.

"What's wrong?" Calum asks, entering from another room. I sighed.

"We have a month and 6 days till school starts." I whined to him, and he lightly chuckled.

"We'll be ok." He said, softly rubbing my back. Then someone knocked on my door. I told Calum I'd get it, then walked slowly toward my door. I opened it and lost my shit when I saw who was there.

"Max!" I yelled, jumping into my and Michaels brothers arms. His girlfriend, Lacy, shaking her head at us. Then she opened her arms for a hug. I really liked her so I gave in and hugged her.

"I missed you guys so much!" I said and he smiled.

"I missed you too, Ry. Us both." Lacy said as we pulled apart. Calum walked over.

"Hello?" He said. His eyes widening as he saw Max.

"I haven't seen you in so long, mate !" He said, my brother pulled him into a friendly hug. Since he never met Lacy the lovely lady introduced her self and they shook hands. I invited them in.
~~~~~~~~
"Not that I don't want you to be here. But why are you here?" I asked, making my brother laugh. He smiled, looking at his girlfriend. She looked at my and showed me her hand. A gorgeous diamond and gold engagement ring was on her finger. My jaw dropped, and I smiled like crazy.

"What the fuck?!" I asked loudly, "When? Where?"

"Calm down." Max said.

"It's gonna happen at The Alps." He said, I furrowed my eyebrows.

"That's in Europe." I said, Arrow nodded.

"And it's beautiful. Andddd it happens in two weeks." She said.

"Two weeks?" I practically yelled.

"How am I supposed to get tickets? Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Because we didn't think it mattered that much. Also we bought yours and Calum's tickets." He said, smiling. Calum's and my own jaw dropped.

"No, I need to pay you back." Calum said. Max shook his head.

"We'll get back to this." Lacy said sternly. Yet her face softened as we nodded. Lacy turned to me.

"Ryan, would you like to be one of my bridesmaids?" She asked, my face lit up.

"Of course!" I yelled, pulling her into a hug. Then the oldest of the Clifford kids asked Calum to be a groomsman. Which he agreed to.

It was nice to catch up with Max. He moved to Adelaide three or four years ago with Lacy. It's not that far, but I don't see him often. They have me our tickets. Soon Max and Lacy said their goodbyes to my best friend and I. They went to go to her Michaels apartment. Max wanted him to be best man. I'm glad that they're close.

When they left, I turned to Calum with a big smile on my face. He pulled me into a hug, and kissed my cheek. You're beautiful. He mumbled against my skin. He pulled on the end of my dress. I lightly pushed him away.

"Not right now." I said. He pouted but smiled again in a matter of seconds.
~~~~~~~~
A few hours later, I went to go to the store. Calum said he wanted spaghetti, and since I'm a good person, I'm gonna deliver. I sat in the drivers seat and drove to the store.

I walked into the Safeway, and went to where the noodles are. I picked the spaghetti and turned around. Just to be face to face with Natalia. The Sharpay of my high school. I put on a fake smile.

"Hi S-Natalia." I said cheerfully as she glared at me.

"Hey twerp. Now I'm wondering why you're still here. You know no one likes you right? No one wants you here." She said. I held my anger back with a gulp.

"My boyfriend wants me here." I said. Partially lying. Picturing Calum as my boyfriend. She just stood there laughing. Heat rose to my cheeks.

"Aren't you a little old for imaginary friends?" She said, still laughing. "Who is he?" She asked me. I smiled, knowing I have proof. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, clicked Calum's contact, and pressed FaceTime.

"Hello?" He said, groggily, like he was asleep.

"Hey babe." I said, he was a bit confused. So I adjusted the camera so it was both me and Natalia on. She spoke up.

"Hey love." She said, throwing in a quick wink toward him. A pang of jealousy washed through me, even though it had no reason to. I have nothing to worry about.

"So," she continued. "This girl says that you're her boyfriend. What do you say."

I rubbed my left cheek twice after I got his attention. That was our code for 'say yes'.

"Uh-yes. She's my girlfriend." He said.  She huffed and stomped away in annoyance. I thanked him quickly before hanging up. I didn't feel the need to explain myself right now. Instead I hurried to get all the spaghetti ingredients, and get home faster.
~~~~~~~
I cooked the spaghetti, and Calum set the table. As we ate, I explained why I called him my boyfriend. He said he was sorry that Natalia was being a bitch, but I didn't mind that much. It's okay.

I also asked him about his smoking. He explained why he did it, and I forgave him. I wasn't that mad to begin with.

Eventually the room was quiet. It was weird, because we weren't quiet people.

"Are you okay?" I asked Calum. He nodded. He tilted his head up, but his eyes focused on something below. I couldn't see the Russet color I loved. Instead I studies his other features and quirks. His wonderful messy bed hair. His larger, yet lovable nose. His plump lips, which were now formed into a line.

"Ry?" He asked, focusing back up at me.

"Would you maybe, wanna be my girlfriend? For real?" He asked.

I smiled, and exhaled as I slowly spoke.

"Okay."

~~~~~~~

a/n

heyyy, jsyn the picture of Jensen and Daneel are playing Max and Arrow.

-Greta