Paper Moon ☓ Hood [ON HOLD]

6%

make a fool of myself when you hang around

when you're gone im a match that's burning out

☾

"Hey, did I miss anything yesterday?" Brianna said breathlessly, her ponytail was high up her head and swayed as she tried to organise herself before sitting down at her desk.

Marcaline only had half her mind focused on the conversation going on beside her, the other was concentrated on the endless swirls she doodled into her book.

"Bri, you were literally gone for one day, I don't think so." Monique pointed out, she was perched atop her own desk, her boots resting on her chair. "But I think Marcaline here has an eye on the new boy."

"Who? I was gone for one day and that's the day a new guy comes in." Brianna chucked and shook her head.

"Speak of the devil." Monique muttered. Her eyes looked up to see Calum leaning on his hands against Marcalines seat. Marcaline flashed the two girls a confused look before she realised someone was behind her and whipped her head up to take a look. Calum smiled down at her and Marcaline found it hard to tear her gaze away from his face. Monique - not so subtly - kicked Brianna's desk as if to say "I told you so.".

Calum coughed and broke his and Marcalines stare to bring the attention back to himself.

"I bring news for you ladies, to inform you that the next soccer match is this Friday and the whole soccer team - including myself - would appreciate your attendance and support." he finished with a little bow but did not make any move to leave.

"Yes, thank you, but we already have plans this Friday so I don't think we'll be coming." Monique tried to appear disinterested but they all knew the reason they couldn't go was because of Marcaline, and she knew it too.

A small pout appeared on Calum's lips and for a second Marcaline was surprised at how adorable he looked until she reminded herself who he actually was.

"Don't look now, but I think Dylan's staring at you." Monique giggled to Marcaline. Marcaline made the same mistake as the day before when she turned and met Dylan's eyes, which caused her to drop her head into her hands. A chorus of giggles erupted from the two girls. Calum rolled his eyes at the cliche phrase, he thought that girls were above these things in real life but apparently not. The familiar sound of a chair being pulled out was heard once again as Calum took a seat a little too close to Marcaline than she'd like, and they were all reminded of his presence.

"Right, why are you still here?" Monique questioned with furrowed eyebrows. It seemed nothing had changed since the day before and the girls' routine of interrogation was still underway.

"Why can't I be?" It was the worst comeback in history but since Calum was Calum, he still seemed intimidating as he loosely slung his arm around the back of Marcalines seat.

Marcaline was suddenly very aware of his closeness and she could almost feel the heat radiating off of his skin. It took her a lot to advert her attention back to the conversation at hand.

The teacher walked in with a click of a door handle and just like a scene out of High School Musical, Monique jumped down from her desk and everybody settled into their seats. She placed her folders down in an orderly fashion and twirled a white board marker between her fingers. Calum had moved back to his own desk and Marcaline would be lying if she said she didn't miss his warmth.

"I am sure you are all aware we have a new student in our school, and more relevantly, in our class." She gazed at Calum through her thick glasses. "So would anyone like to inform him of the topic of our studies for this term?"

A few murmurs went around the classroom and one student's voice was a little louder than the others.

"Did you say BTG? What does that even mean, like, Boys Touch Girls: a Boys Like Girls cover band?" He laughed and many other students struggled to keep in their chuckles.

"Mr. Barakat! You behave yourself!"

Marcaline zoned out again, finding the little teacher/student banter irrelevant. The kid just couldn't keep his mouth shut, though everyone knew it was all in good humor.

A light touch to her shoulder blade brought Marceline out of her thoughts, and an annoyed expression had already surfaced on her face to direct at Calum. But it turned out it wasn't him that had asked for her attention.

The sunlight hit Dylan's hazel eyes perfectly as he gave her a warm smile, and Marcaline was sure that if she wasn't careful, the butterflies in her stomach would escape and flitter around the room.

"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to come to the game on Friday? You could bring all your friends and it'll be a really fun time I promise you." he whispered. Marcaline hesitated a little and remembered that they had already told Calum they wouldn't be going, but she was too busy recollecting herself after she realised that Dylan had asked her to the game. So pushing aside all suspicion that this was all out of pity, Marcaline nodded enthusiastically.

"Wait, what do you mean we can go?" Marceline bit her lip in guilt, she knew Monique was only worried about her, Marceline's well-being always seemed to be her top priority, but she thought that she'd at least be a little excited.

"Don't tell me you're just going because Zack asked you to." Marceline's eyes went wide, she wondered how Monique could read her like a book. She shook her head, catching a strand of her hair from the wind and tucking it behind her ear. It was much colder outside than she had predicted, and the wind seemed stronger once everyone had left the bus stop.

"Are you sure?" Marcaline nodded with annoyance so she could hint at Monique to drop it.

"Alright if you say so, but you better look hot."

☾

short and crappy should be the slogan for my chapters