reach for the clouds ✰ c.h

viii. STRATOCUMULUS

chapter eight — stratocumulus
latin meaning; layer or spread-out heap or
mass, characterized by large, dark, rounded
masses, usually in groups, lines, or waves.

「 "don't have to decide, you do,
    i do, i, don't have to be mine,
   let's take it easy." 」
easy by DANILEIGH

"Sorry, it's a bit messy." Calum apologized as we walked through the front door of his house.

Taking off our shoes and leaving them in the foyer, we walked into the big living room. A gray L-shaped couch with a chaise and colorful pillows thrown on it sat in the middle over a tan rug. Facing it was a flat-screen TV that was resting on a wide media center table. There were plants and succulents, big and small, placed on the brown coffee table and in random corners of the room, adding color. A light fragrance settled in the air, kind of like lemon and ginger, with a hint of cologne. If this room alone was great, I couldn't imagine what the rest of his house looked like.

It was anything but messy.

"If this is messy, then I might have to clean my apartment again."

The windows cascaded sunlight over the coffee-colored floor and the mosaic art hung on the walls. A huge painting of Calum in a medieval outfit making a goofy face hung on another wall, standing out more than the others. I chuckled and turned to look at the nervous boy, whose lips now lifted up into a smile to match mine.

"What?" He laughed. I walked over to the painting, hearing a groan escape him as he realized what I was laughing at.

"It's not what it looks like," his cheeks rosed as he explained. "It was for a music video. I didn't want to throw it away, I mean the artist spent so long on it and it's so good-"

"Calum," I interrupted with a goofy grin. "It's wonderful."

He shook his head as he looked at me, rolling his eyes. "Thanks."

"Your place, too," I looked around.

"Now you're making me blush," Calum whined. I walked over to him and squeezed his cheeks.

"Nothing to be embarrassed about, Calum," I spoke in a voice similar to the one I use with my dog. He waved my hands away as I chuckled and walked to the kitchen.

"Oh God, I'm such a horrible host." He rushed to his fridge and opened it. "Do you want anything to drink? Water, tea, coffee, orange juice, beer?"

"Cal, calm down, you're fine." I giggled. "Orange juice, please."

As Calum was pouring our drinks, a furry, black, and beige dog with tiny legs trotted into the kitchen. He barked as his big, hazel eyes settled on me, scrambling over. I bent down as he sniffed me, running around my legs, before attempting to jump up on my lap. I giggled at the cuteness and leaned over to pet him.

"This is Duke." Calum came over as well, whistling at Duke to greet him.

"Baby grandpa?" I asked, remembering his funny nickname from yesterday. Calum laughed, scratching a tail-wagging Duke behind his ears.

"The one and only." Calum said as I got up to grab my orange juice. He continued to play with Duke, rubbing his belly.

His face lit up. "Oh, your drawing, I forgot. I'll go get it, stay right there."

He was off, Duke running right behind him. I smiled to myself, realizing I forgot all about that as well. I walked further into his house even though he told me to stay put, sipping my drink as I looked around.