Starring role | l.h

Chapter III

Samantha Stewart

Screams. All I could hear were screams. My body was shaking and my face was brimming with tears. I knew I had to get away, even just for a day. A day without hearing raging voices calling out names and putting blames.

I went to the shower and hoped that the sound of running water would block all the sounds echoing throughout the house.

I quickly got dressed and didn't bother to put any effort on how I looked. I jumped out my window and walked as fast as I could away from my own home. I called Becky and went to the smoothie place she works at near the station.

I opened the door and the smell of what seems to be a mixture of citrus and cream immediately calmed me down. I saw Becky in her uniform greet me with a smile behind the counter. "Hey there missy." She giggled and pulled out a cup from behind.

Her mood was so bright it was radiating all throughout the store and it was almost intoxicating really. I knew I couldn't tell her about what happened. At least not yet. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I was to replace her smile with a frown just because of what happened.

"So what's up?" She gave me a cup as I handed her a few dollar bills. "Oh a tip!" She yanked the money away from me and did a little happy dance.

Growing up with this girl in front of me was enough to notice that she seems too happy for a one dollar tip and her sudden euphoria was making me a bit suspicious. "Why are you so overjoyed today?" It came out more of a groan than a question, which only made her eyes roll.

"It's because not all of us are always dark and miserable like you." It hit me like a dagger in the chest and I quickly stopped myself from breaking down in front of her as I watched her grab her phone from her pocket.

She was scanning through it when her smile was creepily getting bigger and bigger. The only thing that could make her smile like a damn cheshire cat is a boy and I know it. She looked up from her phone to look out front as I heard the sound of the bell signalling a customer coming through the door.

I turned my head around and spotted a dark haired boy. "Calum Hood?" I glared at Becky who was only beaming at the guy approaching her.

"Good morning ladies." He greeted once he reached the counter. He gave Becky a wink and a smile in my direction. I scrunched up my face in disgust and roll my eyes.

"So, what can I get for you today?" She asked with a giggle.

He looked up at the smoothie selection and put a hand on his chin."I'd like one apple cream and.." He trailed off while Becky looked at him with this glint in her eyes as if he was a comic book character that came into life, like her own personal superhero. Her smile was so wide and her cheeks were so red, it was even getting me exhilarated.

I looked at the both of them, trying to figure out if I was actually missing something. I didn't think they would develop such relationship in a short period of time. Judging from the yearning look on Becky's face, they were definitely not dating.

Well- at least not until now.

"And one coffee with you please." He offered her his hand but noticing that Becky was completely frozen in her spot, I clapped both my hands in front of her face.

She gave him an awkward smile only to replace it with a frown. "I can't. I need to work til' 4." She glanced at the clock and sighed.

Calum put his hand back down to his sides and formed his lips into a thin line. Suddenly, it was as if a light bulb just popped on the top of his head making me smile from the thought. "We have rehearsals later this afternoon over at Luke's, you in?" Becky smiled from ear to ear and nodded eagerly as I rolled my eyes at the mention of Luke's name.