The boy next door (Calum Hood fic)

Chapter 33

A cold breeze hit me, and it knocked me out of the sleep I was deeply enjoying. My whole body had felt warm due to the amount of blankets I had piled on me at night, and the breeze made me feel unpleasant. Once I struggled to get as much of my eyes open to see what figure stood at the door I studied it, for a moment my brain couldn't process anything. I saw Calum standing there, and for a moment I actually studied the differences I could make out. His eyes seemed weary, like he'd drank four bottles of beer and passed out. His hair was shaggy, messy, seemed unclean but I found it slightly attractive. His skin was tan, his brown eyes gleamed. I saw the way he looked at me. On the outside it seemed like he was being forced to do something he didn't want to do. On the inside, looking deeper into the expression that hid behind his older looking face, he seemed like he was pitying me. It made me feel mad that he looked at me that way. "Pack your stuff, we leave after breakfast. " He said with a dull tone. Leaving? I had almost lost track of the amount of days. Time seemed to pass and I didn't even notice. I realized he was right, and today was leaving day. I lay back from the position I was in to listen to what he was about to say and took a deep breath. God, I couldn't wait to graduate. School had taken a toll on me, and this vacation was the least of what I would think a vacation was. I sat up and shivered, I changed quickly so I could avoid the cold morning air that circled around the small, abandoned room Calum and I had to share. I slipped on my flip flops, maybe not a great pair of shoes to wear when it was cold outside, but neither was the pair of running shorts I wore. I zipped up my hoodie, and headed for the kitchen.

In the kitchen as Calum burned the eggs (he was a terrible cook) I set the plates out on the tables. For a moment, I stopped and looked outside. I saw the crowd of 17 and 18 year olds outside, chatting the day away. I saw my group of friends, laughing and trying to maintain warmth in their bodies. I saw the group of girls that had miserably ruined my time here, and I frowned. I don't know why I let them get to me so badly. I let the feeling just slip away, because I shouldn't fight these girls, they probably have enough fights of their own. Snapping myself back to reality, I set the last plate down, and ran to get the fresh food to place on the tables.

Breakfast was quiet, mostly. There was some chattering going on, but I think everyone was mostly eager to get out of there and go home to their beds, and Internet connection. A few teachers made some announcements about what would continue on further in the year, and the trip back. Some teachers made appreciations, and comments about the trip. Once it was over, everyone was sent to their cabins to gather their stuff and meet at the buses, where we would finally be on our way home.

I got a sort of sad, but relieved feeling when I was finishing everything so I could get to the buses. Calum and I packed in our silence, which I was grateful for. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to this guy. He seriously needed some improvements. You could say that was cruel for me to say, but I don't think I should care for him after all he's put me through. I was seriously glad we had our space.

On the ride back to where we originally had met, had been quick and mostly boring. I tried to avoid conversations, but no one really tried talking to me. Rose and Ashton were giving their full attention to each other. I almost wept trying to get Rose to sit next to me. She definitely grew close to Ashton, and I was slightly jealous she seemed more interested in him than me. Michael made few conversation with me, and Luke, well, he tried. He could see I wasn't in the mood for anything other than listening to the electronic tones of foster the people booming out of my headphones, or the sleep that couldn't resist itself. I was asleep, but Rose has lightly shook me awake once we arrived back at the parking lot of school, where the tires of the bus crushed the small pebbles of the lot. I searched out the window, looking for my other neighbor, Annette, who had wanted to pick me up. I smiled as I saw her leaning against her car. She looked pretty casual, and she radiated sunshine. She was slightly taller than me, she was bigger than me. She had long dark hair, brown eyes even more beautiful than Calum's, and a warm completion that came with her Mexican heritage. We were best friends since we were little, she was like an older sister to me. My dad is Native Colombian, and it seemed when we moved that our parents clicked. We had enjoyed many times together, and although our parents spoke Spanish to each other, I didn't speak much of it. Annette was older, and she was in college. She was recently let out on a break, and she wanted to spend time with me. I didn't argue, it was exactly what I needed. Some sort of getaway from the terrors of high school.

On the drive to my house, we cracked some jokes, laughed until our stomachs hurt. It was great to be together. We stopped to buy some food, but continued the way back. As she pulled into a parking spot in front of my house she said, "Is that Calum?" My face kind of sunk at the mention of his name. I turned and saw him, looking gloomier than ever.