Paperwork || c.h z.m {slow updates}

3. Milkshake and Lunch Deal

Calum and I were on a lunch break at the same time the following day and it had just so happened as a complete coincidence that we met up at the coffee house again. He was already there when I arrived but waved me over as soon as I’d seen him. “Didn’t think I’d be seeing you again so soon.” I mentioned, sitting down across from him. He’d chosen a table on the far side of the cafe, against the wall so it was able to seat three people.

He shrugged and sloshed his coffee around the cup he had. “I’m just really lucky.”

“Why?”

He looked up from his coffee, which I’d decided on being a hot chocolate; it didn’t have the coffee consistency. “I get to have lunch with you. If you’ll let me.” Calum blushed as he said that, more mumbled than said.

I grinned and nodded. “I’ll be back.” Making my way over to the counter, I asked for a milkshake and the lunch deal of the day. Once I’d got my order, I sat back down at the table where Calum was fiddling with his phone. “What’s up?” I asked, gesturing to the phone.

He shrugged, putting his phone back in his pocket. “Work. The boring part of it.” He explained.

“There’s a boring part of being a musician?” I joked.

“Yeah well, there’s all the organising and scheduling and keeping track of where all my money is and making sure I’m not just giving it away.”

“Don’t you have an accountant or agent or something like that?” I asked.

He shrugged. “A solo artist at nineteen doesn’t exactly have producers knocking on his door begging me to play at stadiums and whatnot.” He explained.

“For someone in that situation, you’re doing more than alright.” I sympathised leaning across the table and lightly placing my hand on his wrist looking at him hopefully.

Calum shook his head but didn’t go to brush my hand off his. 

Strictly professional, was ringing in my ears but I ignored it, trying to convince myself that I was just being nice; a good friend. Not that he’d consider me anything more than the pretty girl working in reception.

“I suppose it could be worse.”

I nodded and took my hand away from him, taking a sip of my milkshake.

“The devil’s knocking on the door.” Calum muttered, rolling his eyes.

Before I had time to ask what the hell he was talking about, I caught a look at the door and Zayn strode in shooting me one of his infamous grins, barely glancing at Calum who was scowling at him with what I believed to be envy, and folding his arms across his chest in a challenging and fierce manner if I didn’t know any better. “You two wouldn’t mind if I joined you, would you?” He asked.

I shook my head, all my attention paid to him. “No, not at all.”

Calum cleared his throat and my attention snapped back to him and he did not look at all happy about my answer.

“Oh, sorry, was I interrupting something?” Zayn asked, partially concerned.

I said no as Calum said yes.

Awkwardly, Zayn sat down in the only remaining chair at the table. “Is this the place all you losers hang out?” He asked, glancing at Calum as he sat back in his chair.

“She’s not a loser.” Calum muttered, pulling out his phone again.

Zayn chuckled. “Oh, I was talking about you, dork.” He scoffed.

Things became increasingly uncomfortable once they’d stopped talking. I didn’t want to be the one to have to start up conversation again, but it looked like I had no choice except to do that. “Calum,” I hissed, drawing both their attention. “Isn’t your lunch break just about over?” I asked pointedly, noting that I was going to get him out of this situation just like he’d done for me yesterday.

He frowned but realised to what I was hinting. “Yeah. I think it is.” We both stood and Zayn looked between the two of us curiously. “Sorry for cutting this meeting short-”

“Calum.” I warned, narrowing my eyes at him.

He looked at Zayn and attempted a smile, but failed miserably, making it look more like he was going to kill Zayn rather than bid him farewell.

“See ya Zayn.” I said mildly.

He nodded and smirked at me. “Yup. See you this afternoon.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Nothing was happening this afternoon. That prick, just riling up Calum for no reason. I was no idiot.

As we were leaving the coffee house, Calum nudged my arm. “What was he talking about? This afternoon?” He asked.

I sighed. “He’s being an idiot, just baiting you.” Then under my breath I added. “Fucking douchebag.”

We walked the rest of the way without much conversation and only a brief goodbye once we were back at the building.

*

“How was work?” Sarah asked as I got in the car that same afternoon.

Dumping my bag in the backseat I turned back to her and put on my seatbelt. “Intriguing.” I answered simply.

She rose an eyebrow at me and pulled out of the parking space. “How so?”

“Guys that can be assholes can also be really goddamn attractive.” I noted. She nodded, trying to see if I had anything else to say. “Also that coffee is very expensive.”

Sarah nodded again. “It is. That’s why it’s best just to make it yourself.”

Her ‘mum side’ was showing up again.

I rolled my eyes at her, not appreciating her suggestion. “It’s not like you’d make me coffee.”

“I make you coffee every morning.”

“That’s your choice.”

“But I still make it.” She defended going silent and tightlipped. “Are you saying that I don’t make good coffee?” Sarah finally burst as she pulled in at a red light.

I sighed. “Don’t pick fights.”

She huffed and tapped her fingers along the steering wheel in time with the song on the radio. “Not a fight. Friendly debate.” She imposed.

“I don’t care what you want to call it. This conversation isn’t happening.” I demanded.

“We’re talking about coffee.”

“You might as well call it the end of the world, the way you’re making it sound.”

“Excuse me-”

I cut her off. “Excused.” 

She huffed and scowled at me.

The rest of the drive home Sarah was just mumbling profanities at me, while I wasn’t absolutely sure of anything that she hissed, I could clearly pick up a few distinct words she’d said.

“You’re just overreacting.” I stated when we got back to the apartment block. Sarah shot me a stare as she handed me by shoulder bag from the backseat and took her own. “Have you even had a coffee today?”

She shook her head as we headed for the elevator. “Nah.”

“Withdrawal symptoms much.” I muttered.

She stifled a laugh and pressed the button for the second floor. “This isn’t even the worst of it.” Sarah unlocked the door when we got the apartment. “Alfie’s not going to be home until late. I can put together something for dinner if you want or we can just go out and eat. I’m not bothered.”

“Well I am, I’ve already been out for lunch; I’ll help cook.” I answered, putting my stuff on the bench and going to change out of my work clothes.