Cryptic (A Calum Hood Fanfiction)

Chapter #8

Annabel's POV:

Friday after school, I have debate club; this week, our mock-trial is based on the fable of the three little pigs and I am tasked with the role of the wolf's defense attorney; easier said than done, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. "Perhaps, your honor, the wolf went to each of the three little pig's house because he had a cold and needed to borrow a tissue, seeing as him saying, 'Then, I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow this house down,' is his warning to them to please hurry up. Perhaps, he didn't intentially blow down their houses, but simply couldn't contain his sneeze," I argue and I seem to make a valid point with the judge; my argument is legitimate. "After all, the wolf had never harmed or bothered the three little pigs before this, so why were they so quick to assume his was dangerous? Don't judge a book by it's cover," I point out, reciting the age-old saying.

"Objection, your honor," the three little pig's lawyer shouts, but the judge waves him off.

We both watch intently as the judge thinks all I have said over, until he finally announces, "I declare that the wolf has been found not guilty; case closed!" He bangs his gravel against the podium as we all stand, my side smiling widely as the other side sighs. High-fives and cheers are shared, but I hurry out, seeing as I have some errands to run. As I'm walking to my car, I notice Calum is walking towards his.

"Calum," I call, waving to him. He jogs over once he notices me.

"What did you stay after for?" He asks.

"Debate club, and you?" I question.

"I had to catch up on a few minor things in biology," he replies, coolly and I nod my head.

"Well, I have to run a few errands, but do you want to come over later and we can watch season 2 of The Vampire Diaries?" I smirk.

"As tempting as that sounds, I have a few errands to run myself," Calum shares.

"Alright, how about tomorrow?" I wonder.

"I can't, I have some business matters to take care of," he murmurs, running a hand through his hair.

"Is everything ok? Am I in danger?" I blurt.

"Annabel, calm down; I'm under a lot of stress right now, but the situation is under control," Calum snaps and my face drops slightly at his frustrated tone.

"I'm sorry," I mumble, heading in the direction of my car and slipping in, driving away as Calum simply stands there.

----

I sympathize Calum and the fact that he's dealing with a stressful time right now, but his frustration is unnecessary. If anyone should be frustrated, it should be me; he has been sent to protect me due to the fact that I am in danger and I haven't the slightest of ideas of the danger I'm in. What should happen if I am confronted or in danger at a time without Calum's presence? How am I expected to protect myself or handle the situation if I don't know the details or the background information; vulnerability is the greatest of weaknesses. I also didn't appreciate the way Calum snapped at me, he's never become angry with me before and I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little hurt; I hadn't meant to make him angry. Was it wrong for me to show worry of my safety? I'd love more than anything to simply call Calum and tell him how I feel and work out the situation, perhaps I can even get a few answers out of him, but alas, I don't have his phone number. Now that I think of it, Calum's tactics for "protecting" me aren't very effective; he doesn't even have my phone number. Oddly enough, my phone rings and I scurry over to the kitchen counter to answer it. Before doing so, I take a peek at the caller ID, but it's a restricted/blocked number. "Hello?" I answer.

"Annabel?" I recognize the voice right away; Calum.

"If I wasn't so happy to hear your voice, I'd question how you got my phone number," I tease, but I take his silence as a hint that he's not in the mood for teasing.