Unknown

4

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"Christina, um, will you go out with me this Friday?" Calum asked nervously as we stepped out the front door into the pouring rain.

"Yes, I will." I smiled casually.

We stared and smiled awkwardly until he embraced me into a tight hug. We wrapped our arms around each other and I held onto him as if he was my only shelter. It was as if the cold could not come between the shield of our embrace. After a few minutes, my sister knocked on the window and motioned for me to come in.

"Tell your parents 'thank you'?" he asked.

"Calum, I think the first fourteen times were enough." I giggled.

"Did Christina Mason just exaggerate? How very illogical!" he joked.

"No, Mr. Hood, you said 'thank you' fourteen times. I counted. I also believe that a sentence does not start with 'how'. It's incorrect grammar." I corrected him.

"Oh there she is!" he announced in a joking manner.

"Alright Calum, have a goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow morning." I greeted and watched as he jogged to his car.

"Goodnight, Ms. Mason!" he waved and got into his car.

I leaned onto the door and watched him drive away. I stood there thinking of all I have done to deserve someone like Calum. Suddenly, the door whipped open and I fell back onto the cold wooden floor of our home.

"Oh my god, Christina! Are you okay?!" Alice yelped as she helped me up.

I nodded.

"I need to speak to you, in my room please?" she pleaded seriously, stretching her arms into the direction of the East Hall.

I followed her obediently up to her bedroom. I stood beside her bed and waited for her to close the door.

"You could sit on my bed if you want. Just don't stand there like a robot. God we're sisters, and you act like you're on a mysterious island." she scoffed.

I sat on the edge of her bed and she sat facing me.

"Christina, you know that I'm your sister and I would never ever want to do or say anything that would hurt you, correct?" she asked.

"I'm aware," I answered.

"Okay, so I'm just going to say this right now. I don't think you should date Calum." she blurted out.

"Excuse me?" I questioned, my eyes widening.

"He's in a band, Christina. He will eventually go on tour and cheat. It's better to get rid of him now." she explained.

"How do you know that he's in a band or that he asked me on a date?" I asked, standing up.

"Christina, please sit. I am not trying to hurt or offend you. You're my sister and I love you." she said.

"Love me? Alice, I have never felt loved by you or anyone else!" I shouted.

"Is everything alright in here?" My mother knocked and asked through the door.

"Offense very much taken." I stated harshly and opened the door. My mother was standing there and I looked down as I passed her.

I walked quickly into my room and locked the door. I sobbed and fell straight onto my bed. I couldn't think of anything. How could my own sister accuse Calum of such things? He would never do anything to hurt me. She knew nothing. How did she even know any of this?

"Christina? Are you alright, sweetie?" My aunt asked through the door.

"I heard you sobbing from next door, is everything okay?" she questioned.

"Yes, thank you." I said as normally as I could.

"Okay, I'll let you have your space, but I'm right next door if you would like to talk." she informed me. I heard her footsteps on the wooden floor of the hallway.

I tried to control the tears, but they were recalcitrant. Alice was jealous. I knew how that felt. It had to be jealousy. What she said could never be true. What did she know? I finally calmed down after a while and sat at my desk. Studying always calmed me down. The feeling of receiving a 100% on a hard test gave me a sense of relief.

"Christina?" a voice rang through the door. It was a familiar male voice, but not my father's. It could only be Calum. What was he doing back here? Did he forget something? Did my parents call him? Alice? Did my family know what Alice had said? How she made me cry?

"Christina, talk to me please." he pleaded in defeat.

I sighed and got up from my desk. I unlocked my door and opened it. There he stood, tall and lean. He smiled down at me. I looked past him to see Alice clutching onto her arm and looking down with guilt.

"I was wrong, and I'm sorry." she apologized.

"He really is wonderful, and he wouldn't ever do anything horrible to you." she said.

I walked passed Calum and hugged her. She didn't expect the hug, but she didn't resist it. After a few seconds, I pulled back and she made her way back to her bedroom, smirking seductively. My eyes widened, and I shook my head. I turned back to Calum, who grabbed onto my hand.

"Christina, I would never -" I interrupted him.

"I know, Calum. I trust you." I stated.

Little did I know then, everything in my life was going to change.