Hit the Target (Calum Hood)

Hit the Target

You were going to be in and out. All you needed were two things from Target. You kept repeating this over and over to yourself, your own little manifesto. Usually when you went into target, no matter your intentions, you stayed for hours and walked out with tons of things you really didn't need. Still, there was something about the store that just put off good vibes. Target, for whatever reason, made you happy, brightening your mood. So it was no wonder the store attracted you like metal to a magnet.

You were still in Target twenty minutes later, your manifesto abandoned as soon as you crossed the threshold. Once again, though, you weren't bothered, even going as far as buying yourself a bag of popcorn to have while you walked around the store, just browsing. All you had needed was cotton balls and a gallon of milk. So far in your cart you had: three new nail polish colors, a new makeup bag, two sets of fairy lights, and a new throw blanket. No cotton balls or milk to be found anywhere.

You were making your was through the home decor section, trying to choose a new coffee mug when you felt someone tap your shoulder lightly. You looked up and saw a broad-shouldered man, who was glancing at you sheepishly.

"Hey, um, sorry to bother you. I'm, uh, I'm Cal." Cal had his hands buried deep in his pockets and his glance adverted. Judging from his body language, he was nervous. You wondered why for a moment before you realized it was you who was making him so nervous. You actually smirked a little. While, in you humble opinion, you were by no means worth getting worked up over, Cal still seemed like he was trying to give a class presentation.

"Hi Cal, I'm Y/N. Is there something I can help you with?" You smiled warmly at the man in front of you, finding him insanely attractive. He was taller than you and had dark curly hair, the kind that you just wanted to run your fingers through.

"Um, kind-kind of? This, well, this is kinda gonna sound strange, but I, um, was wondering if, uh, maybe you could help me with something?" He drew his hands out of his pockets and started twisting the rings on his fingers around and around. You guessed that it was sort of a nervous tick of his, something that he didn't even think about anymore. Something that was just and unconscious habit.

"Sure, what's up?" You kept things light in your tone and choice of words. It was fun to not be the nervous one for once.

"So, my ex, who really likes to rub her mew boyfriend in my face, walked in, and I don't want to look like a sad loner in Target," Cal spoke a little quickly, like he was trying to get through a speech preprepared in his head.

"Hey now. I was a sad loner in Target before you got here." You smiled and winker at the man, not actually that offended. You could only be embarrassed by something if you let yourself, and you had no shame in your love for Target.

"Right, um, sorry. So, anyways, I was wondering if maybe I could walk around with you? At least until she leaves." Cal barely got the last few words out, clearly getting more and more nervous.

"Wow, yeah, ok. Actually, that sounds pretty fun. I'd love to help." You continued to stroll own the isle, still looking for coffee mugs. You were at the other end of the isle before you realized that Cal was still standing dumbfounded at the other end. You cocked you head. "Well?"

You motioned him over towards you with your head, and he half jogged down the isle to catch up with you. As he reached your side, you slipped you hand into his, felling its warmth and how well your hand fit in his. You also felt him flinch a little as you laced your fingers with his.

"Chill Cal. It's more believable." You giggled a little. It was funny how nervous he was, how his cheeks had gotten so flushed so fast.

"Right, um, right." He bit his lip, trying to keep the smile from becoming too evident. How on earth had he convinced the prettiest girl he had ever seen to walk through Taggert and hold hands with him?

"So, what do you do for a living?" You figured you might as well get to know the strange man you were walking through Target hand in hand with. What harm could it do?

"Um, I'm in the music industry. I do a bit of writing." He stumbled on his answer. Usually, he kind of tried to hold back on telling people he was in a band, much less a world famous one. He just never knew how people would react. And, while he trusted you, he had only known you for a short period of time.

"Isn't everyone in this town?" You smiled at him. The music industry was a hard on to crack, but you still hoped for the best for him.

"What about you?" Cal had decided that the two of you had talked enough about him. He much rather talk about the beautiful girl in font of him.

"I'm in advertising. Basically, I'm a glorified party planner. But, it pays well, and I get to travel all over the place." You loved your job, through and through. Sure, it was stressful sometimes, but weren't all jobs at times?

"That's actually really cool. I've always wanted to see the world." While Calum had traveled all over the world, he hadn't really seen it in the sense he wanted to. He hadn't gotten to take his time and explore every city, had gotten to absorb the culture and people of every city.

"Well, I haven't been all over, but I've gotten to see quite a bit of it." The two of you fell into an easy rhythm, chatting and holding hands as you wondered aimlessly around the store. Eventually, you did pick up the cotton balls and milk you had come in here for, but only after spending nearly and hours with Cal. After glancing down at your watch and realizing it was almost midnight (a/n: I know most targets don't close this late, but its a fic so were gonna roll with it), you decided it was time to head home. Cal stayed with you as you checked out, even going so far as to walk you out to the car.

"Well, Cal, I had a wonderful time this evening." You shut the trunk of your car.

"Yeah, me too. Listen, I was wondering if I could maybe have your number?"

"I was wondering if you'd ask." You took his phone and quickly typed your contact info in. "And Cal?"

"Yeah?"

"Next time, just ask instead of making up a couple to walk around Target with a girl for an hour and a half."