Adopted by Zalfie Sequel

49

Callum and I spent the rest of that day together, talking about general life and asking each other more questions.

I figured that Cal is one of those people that look hard and emotionless from the outside, but inside they're a softie and are one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

He told me the meaning behind his tattoo, which is that he got it, illegally might I add, as a symbol of me. It's over the scar, as that where he got hurt in the crash, and the tear drop is of course because of my name, and the sadness.

Quite thoughtful if you ask me. I told him that one day I'll get one that represents him. Then we proceeded to joke for hours after, trying to figure out what tattoo I could get that would mean something about him, because 'Callum' isn't exactly the easiest thing to make a symbol out of.

Now it's a couple of weeks later. I haven't spoken to Logan at all since Christmas Eve. Even at school we've avoided each other, or ignored each others presence when we happen to be in the same place.

It's one of those times right now.

"What's everyone having for tea tonight?" Jack asked at the school dining table.

We all gave him funny looks.

"Isn't there any other more interesting conversation we could have?" Paige frowned at him.

"I dunno." Jack huffed, throwing his bottle up in the air and catching it again.

"T." I heard a voice shout.

I spun around to see Cal, with a huge cheeky grin on his face. He was walking over with his best friend, Kyle. Kyles a nice guy, apart from the fact that sometimes he can get a bit too flirtatious.

There's been a couple of times when Callum's has to tell him to stop flirting with me, and boy did it feel good to have an overprotective older brother. Plus, I still don't think I'm ready to even look at another boy in a romantic way; I'm too scared of getting hurt.

"And what do you want?" I joked, giving him an equally as wide grin as all the others at the table, especially Logan gave him a hard look that screamed 'let me hit you'.

"Wanna go for ice cream?" He asked, walking further up to the table.

I drew my eyebrows together. "In the middle of January? Man, you're crazy."

"Crazy for you." Kyle winked, making me roll my eyes and Callum hold Kyle back with his arm and a disapproving look.

"Come on T, I want to get out of school and spend some time with you." Callum pleaded.

I rolled my eyes once again, "Okay, give me five minutes."

I turned back to my table as they walked away, shouting that they'd wait outside for me. All of my friends and that guy i don't know we're all staring at me.

"You two are pretty close." Lex smiled.

The girls didn't have a problem with Callum anymore, because I was fine with him. It was only the boys that chose to have his back and turn against me a little.

"We are." I smiled, "I love having him around. I should've spent time with him a lot earlier."

The table fell silent, while everyone's mouths fell agape. That was until Josh laughed unbelievably. "Shade."

No one said anything, so Josh stopped laughed and cleared his throat, "Anyway... it's mine and Paige's joint birthday party at my house on Friday, you all coming?"

"Definitely, I'm in need of some alcohol." Jack rubbed his temples as if he was in some sort of mid life crisis. The only problematic thing is his life is choosing which nail colour Lexie should go for.

There were another series of 'mhm's and 'yes's before I decided to leave before it got any awkwarder.

I met with Cal and Kyle outside of school. We're sixth form so school don't really care if we're there or not.

"Looking Great today Tia." Kyle winked. Seriously, when I first met him I thought he had an eye spasm because he winked that much. Turns out he just loves winking.

"I look great everyday." I said, getting into the front of Callums car.

Callum chuckled and closed my door for me. Kyle sat in the back seat, giving me a lustful look through the mirror.

"That I know."

We drove to the ice cream place in town, and spent the next hour laughing and joking. I even called Taylyn, asking her if she wants us to come up to London to pick her up, and we could go on an adventure. She turned out to be a busy, but Callum, Kyle and I still had fun getting brain freeze in the freezing cold out side the ice cream shop.

———

Friday soon rolled around, as I hadn't been to school.

I just wasn't feeling like putting effort into something I don't enjoy and know that I don't need anyway. I have my career going already, I don't need to finish school and learn a little more algebra that's definitely going to help me pay my mortgage.

"Are you sure you're going to be fine on your own?" Zoe asked, a concerned look evident on her face.

Did I mention that still no one trusts me on my own? Even a month later? Well, Zoe and Alfie are going on a date, and are leaving me in their house alone for the night. I've had to live here, for the past month too.

"I'll be fine."

"You say that a lot. And you turn out not to be fine." Alfie gave me the 'i know you' look.

"Well this time I mean it. I will be fine. Look at me, as fresh as a daisy and feeling fine." I fake smiled and shrugged my shoulders a bit to make me seem like a positive person.

Was I down inside though?

Not at all.

I've been missing Logan like fucking crazy, and all the hate of the internet because of our split has really hit me hard.

First of all, i can't cope with Logan not by my side almost every night, making funny jokes and comforting me. He was literally my best friend too, so I feel a massive hole in my heart now he's gone.

Then, there's been way too many articles for my liking. At first they started off about me and Logan splitting up, which was fine and generally true. Then, people picked up that Logan was hurt, and jumped to the conclusion that I'm an abusive partner. The internet's a wild place. I've gotten a lot of hate from Logan's fans for it, and it all seems true.

I am ugly, I haven't got a figure, I am a slag, and I haven't earned my fame, I got it from Zalfie.

Zoe gave me a hesitant look, but picked up her car keys nonetheless, "We'll be back by twelve. Love you."

We exchanged hugs and they were out of the door within another minute. I looked at the clock and saw that it was eight o'clock.

Josh and Paige's party will be in full swing by now.

I've forgotten what it feels like to go to a party. To feel the atmosphere of all the sweaty bodies, the bass of the music and the connection between the people hooking up in the room. To feel the alcohol burn whilst travelling down your throat-

Wait.

Doesn't Zalfie keep a stash in the cupboard?