The Quarterback, Outcast and Me ✔

Chapter Twenty-Three - Jingle Bell Hell

It was odd walking down the halls of Everhill High amidst red, green and white garlands hanging across the ceiling. Thanksgiving was over and we had moved straight into the world of Christmas. Students were chatting away about their upcoming holiday plans and the fact that there were only two and a half weeks left of school for the year.

I was lounging against my locker, waiting for Carrie to arrive so that we could walk to home room together and chat about this weekend's events. Despite the fact that we had been texting all weekend and fully knew all the details of what the other had been up to, we still needed to catch each other up verbally.

I had pulled my red hair back in a short ponytail and I was twisting the end around my finger, scanning the hall for my friend.

Carrie rounded the corner and I pushed off the wall, but stopped when I saw Taylor trailing after her, his hand locked in hers. Carrie was beaming when she spotted me, her blonde hair curled to perfection today, completing her dark skinny jeans, light green shirt with a grey cardigan and blue/grey scarf outfit. She looked great. It almost made me feel underdressed in my denim jeans and red checkered plaid shirt.

"Hi Chicka," Carrie said, practically skipping over to kiss me on the cheek. Taylor had stopped a few feet behind us, obviously giving us space. How kind of him.

"Hi stranger," I replied, raising a brow at her whole beaming personality.

"I know, I know, I've been a terrible friend these past few weeks, but Taylor and I really wanted some time together. You understand, right?" And that was the thing. Despite how much I had missed hanging out with my partner-in-crime, I did understand. All too well. I hugged her to show my answer and over her shoulder I caught Caleb's eye. I sort of froze. He had been MIA for two days after the holidays, and when he came back he didn't give any explanations. Not that that wasn't his usual style, but I was not having any more of it. If he and I were to have anything real, he needed to come clean. My mom was right. I couldn't keep doing this to myself, not knowing where this was leading. I needed to know if we were just friends, or something more.

I let go of Carrie, not taking my eyes off of Caleb who was standing by his own locker.

"Hon, I need to go," I said, giving Taylor a smile before I strode across the hallway. I dodged an errand garland and came up to stand next to Caleb. He politely shut his locker and turned to me.

"Have a good holiday?" He asked.

"Fine, thanks, and you?"

He shrugged. "Alright. Mom had to work."

"That sucks."

"That's life."

"Caleb, I need to know something."

"Walk with me," he said, leading the way towards home room.

"We're friends, right?" I asked, looking at him sideways.

"Sure, you're practically the only friend I have in this place," Caleb said, sounding so sincere that I felt a lump form in my throat.

"But," I started, then hesitated. Caleb stopped walking and turned to face me.

"Chloe, what's going on?" The crease in his forehead made him look so serious, and so damn hot. It made me frustrated.

"I uhm, I want to know what we are." I waved a hand between us. "This, us, what is this?"

"What do you mean?"

"We kissed," I whispered, lowering my voice enough so that only he could hear. No need to let anyone else know. The rumour mill would have a field day with this. "I mean, I kissed you, I know that, but you kissed me back, at least I'm fairly positive that you did. Didn't you?" I was rambling.

"Chloe, you know I like you. I wouldn't hang out with you if I didn't. And yes, I did kiss you back, despite you taking me by surprise. It was nice, really nice. I just can't." His hand went to his hair, crunching it up. "It's messed up timing and it's been screwing with my head."

The lump in my throat grew to the size of a melon. I swallowed, forcing it down where it landed in my stomach with a heavy thump.

"I'm sorry." I felt my hands trembling.

"No, God no, you don't need to apologise, Chloe," he said, enveloping my hands in his. "This is not your fault. I'm just. I'm messed up."

People were watching us, I could tell from the corner of my eye, but I couldn't be bothered right now. Let them watch.

Suddenly, Caleb pulled me into his embrace, wrapping his strong arms around me, hiding me completely from the onlookers in the hallway. I felt his head rest on top of mine. It all felt so natural somehow, despite this actually being our fist hug.

"Chloe, listen, I do really like you and I don't want to push you away from me. I'm just not used to being in a friendship, especially not one that makes me feel like this." I managed to untangle myself enough to gaze up at his face. He was looking down at me with such a soft expression on his face that I found it hard to control my breathing. Words were forming on my lips, but I couldn't voice them. My eyes focused on his lips, the memory of how they had felt against mine moved to the forefront of my mind. My heart was racing in my chest. I had no doubt that Caleb could hear it, heck he could probably feel it with me squished so close against him.

It finally dawned on me what we were doing and where we were doing it. PDA in the hallways were against the rules, though many students, mainly Jace and, yuck, Stacy Keegan, had been bending that rule all too much recently. I didn't want to become another of those people, however much I wanted to right now. I took a ginger step backwards, though I kept my hand entwined with Caleb's.

"School, remember?" I took my first look around and saw to my horror how many people had stopped to openly gauge at us. Blood rushed to my face and I felt like running off to hide in the girls' bathroom.

"We should probably go to class," I said, my voice only a little shook up. I tightened my grip on Caleb's hand and began walking.

"I do want to ask you something," I said as we turned the corner that lead to our home room class.

"And what might that be?" Caleb said. We were still holding hands; none of us had wanted to let go.

"My mom and Jace's dad are getting married on Christmas Eve and I." I stopped in my tracks to look at him and to see his full reaction. "And I want you to be my plus one."

"Christmas Eve?" Was all he said.

"I know it's a bit short notice and you probably have family plans, but you don't have to be there for long. I just didn't know who else to ask and I didn't really feel like being there alone and"

"And I'd love to go."

"And... Really? You would?" A smile broke out on my face.

"Yes, I would. It ought to be an interesting day."

"Why is that?"

"I heard Jace is taking Stacy Keegan as his date."

I cringed inwardly.

"Yeah, sadly, he is. He could have had his pick of anyone at this school, heck, probably in the entire state and yet he chose the one I despise the most."

Caleb raised an eyebrow and I shrugged. "Well that's the truth. She's not a nice girl."

"I can't say that I have spoken with her, but I'll take your word for it." Caleb said, making my shoulders relax.

When we finally entered the class room, Carrie was sitting in her seat, oblivious to anyone around her as she typed away on her phone.

"So does this mean I need to bring a present? I've never been to a wedding before. Or will it need to be a christmas present as well?" Caleb asked as we settled into our seats next to each other.

"Don't worry, I'll have you covered. You just need to turn up looking nice in a suit or tux, your choice." Caleb nodded, looking like he was already thinking about wardrobe options already. How cute.

"Settle down, class," our teacher said as he entered the room and shut the door behind him.