Shy // Calum Hood

*•No!•*

Bailey's P.O.V.
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"But do you like him?" Calum pestered for the tenth time this morning.
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"How can I like someone I just met?" I sighed in irritation.
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I watched Calum's shoulders untense dramatically. His whole attitude changed as I carried on trying to figure out question one, I took a quick peek over to Calum's worksheet only to find him on question eight already.
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"You told me you understood." He raised his eyebrows disapprovingly.
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"Calum, it's math. I will never understand!" I tried not to be embarrassed at my own stupidity.
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I watched his jawline strengthen and unstrengthen as he re explained it to me. I however was too distracted on something far more intriguing than algebra.
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"So Eden did say something interesting . . . I didn't know you two were friends?" I acted as though it was no big deal though secretly I wished he would of told me before.
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"Uh, yeah . . ." Calum mumbled, subconsciously edging away from me as his shoulders became tense once more.
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"What happened?"
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"There were some rumours and stuff but I really don't want to get into this right now." He refused to look at me, his eyes fixated on the stupid piece of paper.
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I didn't respond as I didn't know how. It was clearly a touchy subject and I trusted he would tell me when he was ready, however my curiosity was soaring and I desperately wanted to know the information.
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We didn't talk for the rest of the lesson and for the first time in our relationship it was almost awkward . . .
Calum was really moody after yesterday and I had no idea why. Every time I asked him about it he would only tell me bluntly that he was fine. I didn't know what to do.
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When the bell rang we were walking to our tree when Calum caught sight of something ahead, immediately turning to face me.
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"Hey, I just remembered I, er. . . need to go and . . . yeah. See you at lunch, I really am sorry!" He got louder as he walked further off, giving me no chance to answer him.
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For a moment I was suspicious, panicked that he didn't want to be my friend anymore, maybe he'd gotten sick of me, or this whole thing was a dare from Klara. Until I remembered he was my best friend, and realised my thoughts were totally irrational.
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I searched the crowds to try and discover what had scared him away when my eyes darted to Eden, striding towards me at full speed.
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Crap. I had been vigorously avoiding him all day but we'd made eye contact now and there was no getting away.
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"Can I talk to you for a second Bailey?" He gestured to an abandoned classroom.
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I nodded my head timidly, I didn't trust this boy. But then again I didn't trust anyone except Calum so maybe I just needed to loosen up. Not everyone is mean . . . Right?
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I followed him into the dark room as he switched on the light and sat on a nearby desk.
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"I just wanted to tell you that I really do like you a lot." He smiled a lazy smile as he confidently wrapped an arm around me and pulled me over to sit next to him.
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"And because I like you so much, you need to listen to me very carefully okay?" His grip around me tightened and I became extremely nervous as I nodded my head quickly.
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"Stay away from Calum, he's going to make it look like I'm the bad guy but you have to believe me when I say he's truly evil."
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"I'm sorry, but I can't do that." I muttered nervously.
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His grip tightened yet again, it had become painful now and I tried to pull away but he wasn't having that. He pulled me back harder and dug his nails into me.
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"Pardon?" His voice was on edge.
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"Calum's my best friend, I can't ju-"
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"Fine." He growled, punching the desk I was sat on. "I've given you the nice option and now we're gonna do things my way." He spat sternly into my ear.
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"You're gonna date me or your precious Calum is going to get mysteriously injured . . . got it?" His large hands were clasped around my wrists now as he began to twist them harshly.
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"Okay! Okay . . ." I cried, terrified from his personality change.
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I didn't care if he hurt me but I wasn't having Calum in pain because of me, it wasn't fair on him.
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"Now I'm going to join you two at lunch and your going to pretend you really like me, now a very important rule, no telling Calum about this. Or his pain will come much worse."
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I nodded my head, not knowing what to do but agree.
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He gave me a light nod of the head before walking out of the classroom, leaving me there alone and confused.
This was exactly why I didn't trust people.
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Calum's P.O.V.
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I know that this was unfair on Bailey but I couldn't take this. I couldn't be around them, especially when I knew he didn't even care about her.
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I stormed away, not even bothering to look back as I knew he'd already be there. I didn't know where to go or what to do so I just wandered. I wandered around the different blocks, weaving through the corridors and classrooms.
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Why didn't I just pluck up some courage for once in my life? Why didn't I just go and meet her like I was supposed to?
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~~~
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By the time lunch rolled around I had decided against leaving Bailey again, however was determined not to let Eden find us. Instead the moment I found her, my palm clasped around her tiny wrist and dragged her behind me.
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"Calum, where are we going so quickly?" She whined as I tactfully dodged the surrounding others.
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"Same place as always, new route." I responded flatly.
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I knew I was being blunt and moody for no reason. It wasn't her fault Eden had targeted her as his next victim, yet I couldn't help but get angry that she appeared to like him back.
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When we had arrived behind the privacy of our tree I was desperate to receive some answers, I had to know the truth.
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"So what happened at break?" She quizzed, clearly in disbelief that I had to be elsewhere.
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"I'm sorry I-"
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"Hey guys!" Eden's annoying voice cut me off.
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Damn, how did he even find this place?
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He sat down next to Bailey, slinging an arm lazily around her as if that was the easiest thing to do in the world. A smirk instantly grew across my face as I carefully inspected Bailey, who was clearly uncomfortable as she edged away slightly.
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I noticed immediately how he roughly pulled her back into him, the clothing on her arm dipping from where his nails were digging in. Something wasn't right.
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Eden noticed my glance at Bailey's arm and loosened his grip immediately. He winked devilishly, shooting me a smug smirk in the process.
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"Bailey?" He began.
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She looked up at him nervously, clearly not enjoying his presence.
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"You, me, date friday night?"
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WHAT?
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Bailey forced a smile, nodding her head softly. He grinned in victory, reaching out and taking her hand his.
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The bell went and Bailey looked up at me helplessly, her sad eyes begging for something, however I wasn't quite sure what. She did after all agree.