End Up Here

how did we end up talking in the first place

Calum and I decided to have a picnic at the park on campus. When six o'clock rolls around, I grab the brownies I made, and leave my dorm and start heading over. I'm wearing a knee length black floral dress with my denim jacket and black high top converse. It's a little bit out of my comfort zone, but I wanted to be cute since the setting felt more like a date than the last time we hung out. 

When I arrive, I see Calum on a blanket smiling up at me. He has his guitar with him, and there is a platter of sandwiches in front of him. He reaches behind him and pulls out a bottle of sparkling grape juice and some champagne flutes. I take a seat and reveal the plate of brownies. Cal is bouncing with excitement like the literal child he is, and I can tell this is going to be a fun night.

"Those look great! But not as great as you," he winks.

I start to blush and look away when the butterflies hit my stomach. "Aw, thanks. You look pretty great yourself." He is wearing a gray NASA shirt with his signature black jeans and beanie. He also has on a denim jacket and vans. 

Before we do the interview, we decide to eat since we're so hungry. We both grab a sandwich, and Cal pours us glasses of the sparkling grape juice. 

I decide to make a toast. "To 5SOS and the record deal. I'm so proud of you, Cal!" We clink glasses and take a sip. As we eat, we discuss more about the album and this summer. 

"I can't believe this is happening. You've probably dreamed about this for so long!" 

Calum nods as he engulfs a giant bite of his sandwich. 

"Mmmhmmf," he mumbles. I giggle. 

"No really," he says, after he swallows the bite. "You don't the half of it. I'm so ecstatic!" 

"I can only imagine. I hope one day I'll be able to make it in the music industry, too."

"Like I said before, you should write something with us sometime! I know you're incredible."

"You haven't even heard one of my songs. How do you know if I'm any good?" I laugh. 

"I just have a feeling."

Once we finish eating dinner, I take out my phone and turn on the voice memos app. I ask him the questions I had prepared and he gives amazing answers. I'm so glad that my professor suggested to do it with just him because he was much more coherent than the others. The interview only takes ten minutes. 

"Thank you," I say, when it's over. "You don't know how much it means to me that you were willing to help me out with this."

"I'm a little sad now actually."

"Why?"

"Because I loved having an excuse to see you."

His eyes linger on mine for a few seconds, then turn down to my lips. Before I realize what's happening, he scoots up next to me and pulls me in for a kiss. This one lasts longer than the first, and feels more magical. I can hardly believe that this is all happening, especially so fast. How did we end up here? 

Once we pull apart from the kiss, Cal smiles at me and grabs his guitar. 

"What? Are you gonna play something for me?" I grin.

He says nothing but starts playing. I recognize it immediately as "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry.

You, make, me, feel like I'm living a,
Teen-, age, dream, the way you turn me on,
I, can't, sleep, let's run away and
Don't ever look back, don't ever look back
My, heart, stops, when you look at me,
Just, one, touch, now baby I believe,
This, is, real, let's take a chance and
Don't ever look back, don't ever look back

As he finishes the chorus, we both laugh. 

"Wow, is that an original? That's gonna be a big hit one day," I joke. 

"Damn, you caught me. I'm really Katy Perry." 

We laugh again and he holds out the guitar as if he wants me to take it. I give him a questioning look.

"What's this?" I say. "Do you want me to play something?"

"Come on, Nova you're a songwriting major! I know you have to be working on something."

The truth was I had some chord progressions in mind and a few lyric ideas floating through my head. But I was a very introverted person and didn't like to share my songs until I knew they were ready, so this was new. I sighed and grabbed the guitar and began to strum. 

I played a C chord, saying the first line that came to my head. 

How did we end up talking, in the first place

I continue to strum the chords that go with C, but I was at a loss for more lyrics. When I looked up at Calum, his face was in awe.

"That sounds so good, Nova!"

I blush. "I just kinda came up with it on the spot. I had that line in my head when we were kissing."

"Well, I'd be happy to give you more inspiration," he winks. 

I put down the guitar and we go in for another kiss. This time, the sunset throws golden light onto us, and creates a beautiful effect. It feels so incredible to be with him. I can definitely confirm that this is a date now. Once we pull apart, we lean on each other and finish watching the sun set. As it goes down, I remember what Lia had told me about Luke. I had promised myself to put in a good word for her.

"I just remembered something that Lia told me. She only wanted to stay this summer if she knew for sure that Luke likes her, because she doesn't want to be a third wheel."

"Well shit," he says. "I know he's definitely interested. Maybe we should go on a double date this Saturday to see how it goes."

"I love that idea! But where should we go?"

We both think for a minute, but then I see Calum's shirt.

"Oh my god! We could go to the Griffith Observatory! That would be so cute."

"Yeah, sounds good to me! I'll talk to Luke and let you know." 

As the sun sets beneath the horizon, he grabs my hand. I couldn't have asked for a better night.