Radio // Calum Hood {ON HOLD}

5. Pathetic A-holes.

The meeting had just ended and I excused myself to go and get a drink from the cafeteria. All of this was a little overwhelming. Just as I was walking down the stairs, I felt a presence behind me. I swiftly, but subtly turned my head around and saw Calum attempting to catch up to me. I slowed down for him and he fell into step with me.

"Hey, Brooke." Calum said.

"Hi. What are you going to get?" I smiled as we stepped into the small café.

"Going to get?" Calum asked, a confused look on his face.

I gestured around the canteen. "To eat or drink. From here... I thought that was why you came down..." I was now the confused one.

"OH! Oh, yeah, um... No?" Calum was fiddling with his sleeves again.

"What are you talking about, Calum?" I giggled.

"I... I wanted to ask you... something." Calum's voice trailed off. He also looked a bit pale. Was he okay?

Calum's POV

Okay. You can do this. All you need to do is ask a damn question. Get it together. Wait. Should I buy her a drink? Should I get myself one too? She's looking at me. Do I look okay? Do I smell okay? I showered this morning. I think. Maybe that was yesterday. Oh god. I bet she thinks I'm ugly. Or stupid. Or both.

"Calum? Are you feeling all right? You look really pale." Brooke stared at me. "Maybe I should get you some water..." She muttered to herself.

"NO!" I exclaimed immediately. She looked up, startled. "It is I, who shall buy you some water." What the hell? Are we in the goddamn 1500's?

See? This is why she thinks your stupid.

"Why? What's wrong with me? Am I pale?"

"No your skin looks fine. I'm not being sarcastic or anything." Oh my god, someone stop me.

"Well now I think your being sarcastic. What's wrong with my skin?" Her eyes widened. "Did I forget to put on concealer? I bet everyone can see my spots." She lifted her hands to her cheeks to hide them.

Wow. I've made her feel insecure. Well done, Calum.

"You look great. Perfect even." I rambled.

"You think I look perfect?" Brooke blushed, removing her hands and looking down. Well this is my chance. I took a deep breath, ready to flirt my ass off.

"If you were a fruit you'd be a fineapple." I tried. Not my best but I'll take what I can think of.

"Oh, wow!" She laughed, throwing her head back.

"You have a beautiful smile." I blurted.

"Thank you, Calum. It's nice of you to say that." She replied. At least she didn't get annoyed. "Oh! Didn't you want to ask me something?" She remembered. Shit. Here we go again.

"I was wondering, um, if maybe I could have, uh, your... number?" I asked while scratching the back of my neck. Okay, that wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I looked to the left to try and avoid her gaze but all I saw were the boys, sitting at a table and laughing at me. Bastards. I started to glare at them but I couldn't for long because Brooke started talking.

"Sure. No problem, Cal. I can call you Cal, right?" I nodded quickly, maybe even too quickly. "Cool. Uh, let me just get my phone." She said. Crap, I need to get my phone out too.

See? Stupid.

We both opened up the contacts application and exchanged phones. Here comes another problem. What do I put my name as?