Long Way Home

Chapter 2

"You know Emma, you are really talented. Why haven't you performed anywhere or at least done the school talent show?" Calum asked as we walked out of the hall.

"I don't know really. I guess stage fright a little? People making fun of me? Going on stage and throwing up in front of the whole school? Tripping into my own puke?" I listed as Calum let out a giggle at the last part.

"Well I can promise you that the chances of you puking in front of the whole school then tripping into it are probably 1 in a million. I guess it would be pretty funny though," he chuckled.

"Yeah yeah, and then what? You and your little soccer buddies can get a good laugh from it?" I questioned stopping in front of him and raising an eyebrow.

Calum's expression softened quickly. "Hey look they're just jerks and I was being one too I guess I'm really sor-" he apologized before I cut him off.

"Relax, I was joking. Really, it's fine. No big deal," I laughed and a wave a relief washed over Calum.

"But anyway, you're not so bad yourself. Why don't you do anything?" I asked.

"Well... I kind of sing a little with some friends on youtube...but it's nothing big really..." he trailed off as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Wait wait wait! You have a music channel on youtube! No way! I have to see that!" I exclaimed excitedly.

"No you really don't. We aren't even that good really. Just something to do for fun. Can we keep moving now please?" he asked.

"Yeah sure," I said and continued walking. There were a couple of minutes of silence.

"What's the channel called?" I asked.

Calum rolled his eyes and replied, "Hemmo1996. But you cannot make fun of us, ok?"

"I promise I won't make fun of you guys. But who are the other guys?" I couldn't help but ask.

"You ask so many questions!" Calum laughed.

Calum and I walked out into the school courtyard where his soccer buddies stood talking. One of them looked up and us and then nudged the guy closest to him.

"Aw look! Did wittle Cal get himself a girlfriend?" he teased, earning an eruption of laughter from ther rest of the team.

"Guys really? I just went back to apologize for us being dicks to her," Calum retorted.

"Why? We didn't do anything wrong. She didn't have to be there," one I recognized named Jake remarked obviously forgetting "she" was standing right in front of him.

"Neither did we," Calum shot back.

I turned around and started walking away, not wanting to stand there and listen to this arguement.

"Oh no she's leaving! Better go catch your girlfriend Cal!" one of them snickered

"What are we, twelve?" Calum asked as he rolled his eyes and turned around to catch up with me.

Calum soon caught up and grabbed my shoulder making me stop and tip backwards a little from the sudden contact. He grabbed my other shoulder to keep me from falling over and steadied me. He walked up next to me and we started walking again.

"I'm really sorry... again..." he sad awkwardly.

"You don't have to apologize for their actions. At least you tried to defend me," I chuckled.

A soft smile crept onto Calum's face and I noticed how truly cute his smile was. He had nice pink lips and beautiful straight teeth. I adverted my eyes to the grass in front of me to keep myself from staring at him.

"I do have a question though. If you have to apologize for them all the time, why do you hang out with them?" I questioned.

Calum shrugged and looked like he was searching for an answer that would appear in the ground below him.

"I mean, they're my team. I kind of have to hang out with them," he finally said.

I nodded, accepting his answer and didn't bother arguing with it.

"Where are you going?" he asked after a couple seconds.

"Home... you know you don't have to walk me home right?" I asked and giggled.

"Well I'm going to," Calum said as if it was obvious.

"No, really. We've only known each other for a couple hours. You don't have to," I assured him.

"Maybe I want to," he argued.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, letting him walk with me the way home. As we walked, we talked about everything. School, sports, our past, everything. I thought about how weird it was for me to open up so much to someone I barely know. Usually, it would take me a couple days for me to trust them enough to really open up, but there was just something about Calum that seemed so... trustworthy and kind to where I felt comfortable almost immediately telling him everything. By the time we got to my house, I felt as if I had known him for years instead of just hours.

"You know that was fun. We should do it again some time," he said as we walked up to my door step.

"What was? Talking? Because yeah, I was hoping we would get to talk again," I joked.

Calum laughed before saying, "I meant you know, singing together. But talking too."

"Yeah we should. How about every Thursday in the music room during free period? We can make it our thing," I replied and smiled him.

"I would like that. I'll see you Thursday then," Calum chuckled as he turned around and walked down my driveway.

I waved as I watched him walk backwards to the street, then run right into my mailbox. I let a loud laugh out as Calum's cheeks turned red.

"Bye!" he yelled and waved back, quickly walking away from the embarrassing scence that just occurred.