Shy // Calum Hood

*•Roller coasters•*

Bailey's P.O.V.
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My eyes glanced back to the school grounds as we eagerly paced further away. We walked in a comfortable silence, the only sounds to be heard were the faint cars from the distant road about a block away, and are shoes crunching against the leaves and twigs. This was so much better than science. This was so much better than many things.
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"Do you have a bucket list?" Calum broke the silence.
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"Yeah, do you?" I asked, becoming curious.
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"Yeah. Talk me through yours." He asked, clearly very interested in the subject.
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"Um, go traveling, ride an elephant, skydive, go on a roller coaster-"
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"You've never been on a roller coaster?" He interrupted, clearly surprised.
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"Yeah, I haven't done a lot of things. My mum's always busy and yeah."
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"Let's go." He stopped walking and turned to me, staring me directly in the eyes.
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"Huh?" I scrunched my eyebrows, baffled and confused.
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"Let's go." He repeated, determined. "Let's go to a theme park and ride a damn roller coaster."
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My eyes light up with delight and my heart fluttered with excitement. I had to tightly press my lips together, so they didn't let out a small squeal.
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"You mean it?" I grinned.
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"Of course I mean it! I know a brilliant theme park round the corner, let's go!"
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I wanted to hug him so bad, just reach out my arms to embrace him, and thank him for all of this. But I couldn't, I felt like he would push me off or find me clingy and annoying.
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Instead I thanked him with words and followed him quickly until we arrived at the entrance to the theme park. We strode over to the women behind glass, who was engrossed in a rather large book. As I got closer, I realised she was a girl from our school in the year above. I glanced up at Calum as he let out a small, forceful cough, informing the women of our presence.
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The women's cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson, as her head darted up to see us waiting, impatient to ride a roller coaster. "I'm so sorry!" The red haired girl chirped into the microphone.
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My throat closed up as I tried to tell her it was fine, Calum had almost made me forget how shy I was this lunch time, and I was extremely grateful for that. I snuck a peak at Calum, who obviously remembered the same thing, because he nodded awkwardly to her.
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I watched intently as her chubby fingers lowered the book slowly, a small giggle bubbling inside of me as soon as I read the title 'Fifty shades of grey.' written across the top. I nudged Calum's muscular arm carefully and hinted towards the novel. His chocolate eyes light up with laughter as soon as it sunk in and a quiet chuckle escaped from his plump lips.
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The women grew more embarrassed and became impatient with our snickering. I think she is friends with Klara but I'm not sure, I've definitely seen her around. She sat up straight in her large chair and passed us two tickets and a receipt through the small window in the sheet of glass, to which Calum nodded and passed forward the money.
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"I'll pay." I insisted, my cold fingers grasping ahold of my purse.
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"No." He stopped me. "I'm paying, it's fine."
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I rolled my eyes but gave in, not willing to fight in front of the girl who seemed stunned. "I thought you didn't talk." She grinned devilishly, lazily pointing a finger at me.
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I sunk into my coat as my breathing quickened rapidly, this couldn't happen, not here, not now.
My body seemed to ignore me, my throat closing up harshly whilst my legs and arms were trembling. Soon after, a rush of feeling queasy flushed over me and I bit my lip incredibly hard to prevent myself from crying. I couldn't let Calum see me this way, nobody at this new school had seen me this way.
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If I had a panic attack now, I don't know what I would do. I would be humiliated beyond belief, and if this girl told Klara it could happen to me, I'm sure she'd use it against me. Just like the rest. Calum quickly became aware of my state and rushed to my aid.
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"She can talk, so can I, shocker!" Calum snapped sarcastically.
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Her round face grimaced before she leant forward smirking.
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"We all know you can talk Hood." She winked, causing Calum to shudder, and me to feel utterly confused on what they were talking about.
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"Whatever. Just leave her alone Tracy." He huffed, irritated and upset, this girl had clearly struck a touchy subject. She chuckled at Calum's frustration, her long ginger ringlets bouncing against her broad shoulders. Whereas I was confused as to how he knew her name.
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"I don't care that you can talk, I care that she can talk." She turned her attention to me. "Why don't you talk to anyone then? What's the gossip? Mum died? Self conscious? Come on, spill!" She licked her lips eagerly, her green eyes locked on me.
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Before I could even contemplate replying, Calum's large yet gentle hand clasped ahold of mine and tugged me behind him swiftly.
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"I said leave her the fuck alone!" He hissed before dragging me away from the situation.
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"Sorry about that." He mumbled, embarrassed of the events that had just taken place.
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"It's fine, thank you for the ticket and thanks for standing up to me." I smiled, gratefully.
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A blush crept over his soft cheeks as he looked down at our still intertwined hands, causing my heart to pound against my chest violently.
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"Sorry . . ." He mumbled, pulling his warm hand away from mine instantly.
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"It's fine." I blushed too.
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"So where do you want to go first?" He questioned after letting out an awkward cough and nervously scratching the back of his neck.
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"Wherever the biggest one is!" I looked around excitedly, searching for the perfect first one.
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I glanced back to Calum who was shaking his head and laughing softly at my childish behaviour, causing me to blush a deep crimson colour again. I looked down at my feet and shuffled them round, embarrassed that I'd just acted like a five year old on Christmas morning over something as petty as a roller coaster.
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Calum's P.O.V.
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She was so sweet, I watched intently over her actions before reaching out and squeezing her upper arm softly.
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"I know the best one here, as long as you don't mind heights?" I quizzed, making sure she wouldn't be too frightened.
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"I guess we'll find out." She grinned cheekily.
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I led her over to the scariest roller coaster they had, I'd never felt the urge to go on it myself but a few years ago, when I had friends, they would always boast about the fun they'd shared on it.
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As it was still school hours and it was a Wednesday, nobody was around, meaning we could waltz straight to the ride attendant. The dazed elderly man appeared baffled as to why we were there when we should be at school, but thankfully, failed to ask any questions. he nodded his wrinkly head lightly, signifying it was okay for us to ride the machine.
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I stepped to the side cautiously whilst holding out my arms to the side dramatically.
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"My lady." I joked, gesturing for her to go before me into the flaming red cart.
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She chuckled at my behaviour, before seating herself down gracefully.
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"Why thank you kind dork." She teased once she had sat down causing me to laugh gently. "Aren't you coming in?" She raised her eyebrows knowingly.
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I plonked down next to her, coming into the realisation of how close we were and blushing furiously, I am definitely certain of my feelings for her now. I definitely like her, a lot. Despite this, I knew nothing could ever happen as we'd only just met, and not only is she way out of my league, but she would never like me in return. Especially if she found out what I used to be like.
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A short buzzer occurred, signifying the ride was beginning, which caused Bailey to turn and grin widely at me. I gripped my fingernails into the decaying foam that was coating the metal bar which was containing us in the cart cautiously. I peered over at Bailey as the cart began to move, to find her face had fallen in fear, the colouring to her delicate cheeks had vanished.
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"I've changed my mind Calum, I'm not sure I'm ready for this." She panicked.
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"You've got this Bailey, I'm right here." I assured her gently. My words didn't seem to help as I watched her fingers frightfully shake. After hardly contemplating the thought, I took her cold hand in mine, squeezing softly to let her know she'd be okay.
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She smiled up at me gingerly and my cheeks began to burn as I began to rethink my decision. What if she thought this was odd? What if my hand was sweaty? I had no time to act on my 'what if's' as moments later, my stomach dropped as the roller coaster soared up the first mountain, reminding me that I needed her comfort as much as she may need mine.