It Ain't Me, Babe. 》cth

Chapter 6 》"Who's never weak, but always strong"

"Are you staying after school again?" Michael asks.

"I fucking guess so." I roll my eyes at the thought of wasting my time by staying after school with Calum again.

"Well, I can't pick you up today." Michael has been pretty good about remembering that I exist and he usually comes back to pick me up after mine and Calum's after school workouts. Once he even stayed after too, so that he could sit and make fun of us the whole time. And by us, I mean me.

"Michael! What do you mean, you're my ride!" I begin to grow frustrated.

"I'm busy tonight." He shrugs.

"Then let me have the car."

"Sorry sister, I need it."

"For what?" I question. Michael is like me, he never leaves the house unless he absolutely has to. What is he up to tonight?

"To drive to the place that I need to go." He arches a brow, letting me know that he isn't going to spill the beans, but also daring me to continue questioning him.

"Whatever. I'll figure it out." He nods in approval, and we part ways in the hallway that's beginning to fill with students.

I navigate the maze of people, making my way to first period English. I take my usual seat next to Ana.

"Ana, can you give me a ride after school? Calum wants to stay after to work out again." I almost beg.

"Sorry Norah, I can't. I have plans already." She frowns apologetically.

Suddenly it all clicks in my brain.

"Are your plans with my brother?" Her cheeks redden and her eyes grow wide.

"No, no of course not! Why would you think that?" She stumbles over her words and I can tell she's lying.

"You're an awful liar, and I can't believe you guys are hooking up on the down low." I roll my eyes with a smile. I'm kind of mad at both of them, but it's okay.

》》》》》

Over the time we've spent together in the past few weeks, Calum and I have fallen into this abyss of silence. We hate each other so much, so all we can do is argue. Believe it or not, arguing with each other can become pretty tiring, and I don't know about him, but I need my energy for all of this exercise nonsense. So now we just ignore each other, exercising side by side silence.

It's actually quite nice to be around him when he doesn't talk. It's kind of peaceful. We spend our last hour of the day, which is of course weightlifting, in silence. I mean, don't get me wrong, I still get looks of disapproval from him all the time, but I think he's given up on making snarky comments. For now.

"So are you staying after?" Calum speaks for the first time at the very end of class.

"Um, yeah I guess. I don't really have an option do I?"

"Very true, you don't." He chuckles, heading toward the hall to go refill his water bottle before we work out with the gym to ourselves.

I take a seat on the bleachers while everyone else leaves and I wait for Calum. I place my face in my hands and let out a big breath.

I'm exhausted. I've been constantly working out against my will, and Calum refuses to take it easy on me. Also, I'll be walking home today thanks to Michael and Ana. Great.

Calum enters the gym with a full water bottle. A sheen of sweat coats face from the hour we just spent exercising. He saunters over to me like he's not even tired, and that's very irritating to me considering I feel like I might die.