It Ain't Me, Babe. 》cth

Chapter 24 》"But it ain't me, babe"

"So what's the plan for Saturday?" I question, interrupting the big talk of Calum's birthday at the lunch table. Everyone, even Ana, looks at me like I'm a buzzkill. "What, I'm just asking." I roll my eyes. 

"What do you need a plan for, Norah? It's not some big party that needs to be organized. We're just gonna hang out and have fun." Ashton throws his straw wrapper at my nose and giggles. I pick it up and launch it back at him. 

"I just like to be prepared, that's all." I shrug. 

"Do you have a fake ID?" He raises his brows, sassily.

"You did drag me to a sketchy neighborhood to get one so yes, Irwin, I do." I shiver at the memory, hoping to never return to that area again. For the goofy, kind and caring person that Ashton is, he sure does have some odd quirks. Like his connections for fake ID's, his drinking and party habits, and how could I forget about the daddy kink Calum told me about.

"Then you're prepared." He explains with an eyeroll. 

"Norah, if you're gonna be this lame on Saturday, we might un-invite you." Luke elbows me from his seat on my left. Micheal, on my right, copies Luke by also giving me an elbow. "Yeah, what Lukey said."

"First of all, only Calum can un-invite me because it's his birthday." I give Calum a 'try me hoe' look, and when he doesn't say anything, I continue. "Second, elbow me again, and both of your asses are grass. And finally, I am fun! I'm so much fun, and it's Calum's birthday, so why would I not be fun?" I fake smile my absolute hardest, knowing damn well that I'm not fun. But since it's Calum's special day, I've decided that I'm going to be a good friend, be nice, and try my hardest to make sure he has a great birthday. 

"Oh hey guys, my mom and dad are booking us a hotel to stay in on Saturday. They know that they aren't gonna stop me from getting trashed on my birthday, and they don't want me to be home if I'm drunk, so I figured we could all stay so that no one get's in trouble." The boys cheer and grow excited at the idea of no parental control, but I feel skeptical of the idea. No, Norah don't even think about it. I've already committed to being fun, and I intend on sticking to that. Besides, it is a good idea. If Michael and I both get drunk, we won't get in trouble when we go home, because we'll be at a hotel. 

Okay, I'm in. How bad could it really be?

》》》》》

《Saturday, Calum's Birthday》

"Welcome to mi casa." Calum greets when we show up at our hotel room per his directions. He has clearly already been celebrating his birthday, judging by his tipsy mood. I throw my house key into my bag, I'll need that to get into my house after this night is up, and then toss my bag down. I decide to let go of everything that's happened between the two of us. I just want him to have the best birthday. 

"Happy birthday, Cal." I wrap him into a hug, which he surprisingly doesn't push away from. He squeezes me tight and we sway back and forth for a moment. 

"Thanks so much, Norah. I'm glad you're here." He says lowly, so that only the two of us can hear. "Get ready, we're getting dinner before we drink." He grins. 

"It looks like someone's already been drinking." I raise my eyebrows at him and laugh. He holds his hands up in defense and gives me a cheek splitting grin. 

"You caught me." He winks. It's nice to see him smile again, but it hurts to know that I'm the reason he hasn't smiled around me a lot lately. 

Ashton and Luke show up soon after, and Ashton pulls me to the side where Calum can't hear us. "Did you get us in?" He whispers. Earlier this week, Ashton begged me to get us a table at Calum's favorite club. It took a lot of convincing to the manager over the phone since it was going to be a busy Saturday night, especially since apparently Calum had been there before, and he's not necessarily wanted back.