Naked (Wattys 2022)

Part 8

Light music played as we drove in silence. I stared at the scenery whilst Calhoun focused on the road.

Every once in a while I'd catch his eyes drift toward me. I rolled down the window and appreciated the cold wind cover my warm face. Winter was one of my favourite months.

I thought deeply once again. The love for winter that I possessed, was it genuine bliss or was it because I became accustomed to being left cold and alone? I couldn't decipher many of the questions I had recently. I couldn't tell the difference between past and present any longer.

"I wanted to take you to my special barber but unfortunately this would have to do for now." We pulled up to a rustic looking mall. It had a vintage vibe to it, which made it look extremely sheak and sophisticated.

"While you are at the barber I'm going to get a few things okay?" I nodded. I walked towards the shop that was named Trim.

"Hello" I greeted with a smile on my face. There were a few people that reciprocated my greeting. The others were too occupied with their cellphones.

"Why isn't that a fine mop of hair Bay." the barber turned around and smiled at me. His teeth were pearly white and his skin as dark as chocolate. He had a greying beard and an unmatched energy surrounding his aura.

"Let the kid go first! I need to be here for this transformation." Everyone seemed to agree with her. Did I really look that bad? I stared in the mirror and nearly choked on my tongue.

"Go towards Jesùs, he'll wash your hair good. Go on now." I walked towards him. He was taller then me and had a buzz cut that suited him very well.

"You have some good hair!" He said astounded. He washed it with some apple smelling shampoo.

As his hands delved through my strands and he began massaging my sculp I couldn't help but close my eyes in satisfaction.

He dried my hair and wrapped the towel around my shoulders.

"Thank you Jesùs."

"No worries." Everyone was so kind here. I sat down on the chair and watched as Bay cut off most of my hair. As each strand fell limply to the ground, my lungs felt a little lighter. And for the first time I could see my face again. Many times I didn't want to look at myself, my bruises were prettier than me. So I stared at those most of the time.

A middle path was created and my hair reached just until the middle of my ear. It felt and smelt amazing.

"Thank you bay!" Usually physical contact was not my fortè but my hands seemed to have a mind of its own as I enveloped Bay with a bear hug.

"No problem kid!" He smiled widely at me.

"With your kindness, you will bring magic to a dull persons world. Stay sunny kiddo." He ruffled my hair and I left after greeting everyone again.

I looked to my right and saw Calhoun on the ground.

"Why are you sitting down there?"

"Eli?" Calhoun stared up at me and his eyes widened before looking away. He got up and took a step toward me.

"You're damn handsome Eli." He said raking his hands through my hair. His fingers on my sculp created all sorts of tingles on my head.

"My friends are here. If you're not comfortable with the situation I could just meet them again?" Calhoun seemed agitated. Did he miss them that much? I didn't want Calhoun to not see his friends, so I nodded.

However, he seemed a little more distant than usual as we entered the mall.

Our friendship was new and I knew I wasn't a clingy person, but Calhouns distance when we walked sent unwanted signals. I shook my head. All I did was overthink and cause unnecessary problems.

We walked into a fast food restaurant. It was different this time. They had alot of Italian decor and the spices that wafted up my nose made me grin.

Unaware that Calhoun stopped in his tracks my head collided with his. I popped my head out to the side and noticed several people sitting at a large booth. I wasnt good with new people.

"That was the cutest thing I'd ever seen! Whose your friend Calhoun." One of his friends asked. She sported two pigtails and wore an oversized white hoody that said 'rebel' on it.

All of their attention was now on me and I didn't know how to use  my words.

"This is Eli." He said softly as he sat next to a guy on the opposite side.

There was only one space left next to a guy that had blonde hair.

"Hi, I'm Kane!I apologise, Calhoun has no manners. Let me introduce you to the terrible bunch."

"That's Asher, Tylor, Son, Ava, Max and Sarah." I nodded and could only smile in return. I didn't feel very comfortable with the way everyone was looking at me.

"Is this one of Calhouns many conquests? You know he has a knack for lost birdies." Asher said with a smirk. Confused I stared at Calhoun whose face was downcasted.

"Shut up asher!" Kane said staring seriously at the guy across the table.

After that the group of people kept light conversation and were immensely excited for university. I appreciated them for trying to include me. Especially Sarah.

"Hey Eli! We are going to be attending the same university we should hang out then hey?" I nodded genuinely appreciative of her kind nature.

After we ate Son wrapped an arm around my shoulder as we walked out.

"Becareful when it comes to Calhoun okay?" He sounded genuinely concerned about my relationship with him and I couldn't pinpoint why.

"Let's add him to the group?" Sarah suggested and everyone nodded except Asher, he seemed to be very angry with my presence and kept looking over at Calhoun with a disappointed gaze.

Once we left the ride home was quiet. Calhoun seemed downcasted.

"Hey" We said simultaneously.

"You go first." By the looks of it Calhoun seemed to have more on his mind today.

"There are some things I haven't told you and I'm embarrassed to say these secrets out loud."

"Calhoun, you don't need to tell me anything if you're not ready. I too have secrets that I don't bare to the world. Please don't act uncomfortable around me because of those. We have just met so please don't be so harsh on yourself. " I did something I wouldn't usually do, and gripped his hand in mine, squeezing lightly.

Putting blind faith into someone was one of my many negative attributes. But I wasn't scared of being hurt, what frightened me more was that I welcomed it with open arms.