Calum's P.O.V.
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I waited. I waited and I waited until I knew Ashton would be alone. As soon as the clock turned half eight, I raced over to his house, it was no problem on my bike, three minutes tops. We lived in such a small town that anything and everything was under ten minutes away. It was good and bad, but definitely had its moments.
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Ashton swung the door open straight away, a bag of frozen peas covering his left eye. A pang of guilt hit my stomach as I felt like such a jerk. Followed by a huge gush of guilt because he actually smiled at me the minute he saw me.
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Not a fake smile, or a 'I have to be your friend so I'm gonna smile' smile, but a genuine, happy smile. After everything I put him through, he still wanted to be my best friend.
"I'm so sorry." I blurted, forgetting the entire speech I had planned.
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His grin never faltered for a minute as he stood slightly to the side. "Why are you still standing outside?" He chuckled, opening his front door further.
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I hopped inside, breathing in the familiar smell of the Irwin's, it always smelt like warm cookies here, every time without fail. I followed him up to his room like I had done a thousand times before.
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I slumped myself down onto his bed, staring up at him with pity. "Ash, I'm so sorry. About everything, but especially today. It was unacceptable and you're such a good friend, I should've known-"
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"Don't worry about it." He cut me off before I could finish. "You were jealous and tricked. Besides I made a mistake in this too remember?" He moaned in pain as he slowly seated himself next to me. I opened my mouth to apologise again, guiltier than ever, when he interrupted me again. "Don't say it." He gave me a small smile through his pain. "We all know I bruise like a peach." He giggled slightly.
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I smiled nodding, my shoulders relaxing greatly. "I guess." I shrugged, knowing it was the truth, but also knowing he was bluffing. I knew I had hit him harder than he was letting on. I knew he was in a lot of pain, and I felt awful for it.
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"Besides, it's not me you should be worried about." His voice became serious, matching his grave expression. "Bailey, is pissed."
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I bit my lip guiltily. I had no idea where to even start apologising to her.
"Shit." I cursed, sinking onto his mattress and resting my face in my hands. Ashton slapped my back in response. "I've really messed everything up this time." I groaned at my own idiocy.
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"Klara messed everything up." He corrected. "She knows exactly how to go about things in order to receive what she wants." I looked up to face him, raising my eyebrows knowingly. "But, you didn't help yourself earlier today." He finished.
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I sighed thinking of ways to get Bailey to talk to me again. "What the hell am I gonna do?" I asked, seriously concerned.
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"You sit next to her in math right?" He asked. I nodded, unsure as to where he was going with this one. "Well, she's kind of forced next to you for an hour. Use it." He advised, standing up to go and get a drink.
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~The next day.~
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Bailey's P.O.V.
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The awkward tension began the moment I sat down. I scooted my chair as far to the corner as possible, not wishing to be anywhere near him.
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I could feel him watching me, his eyes felt like they were burning holes into my head. I focused on what my teacher was saying, desperate to pass this class.
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By the time we began doing individual work in our books, Calum had gotten so dangerously close that I could feel his breathing against my skin. I had to do something.
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"Will you quit staring at me like that?" I snapped, looking up at him properly for the first time in ages.
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He looked hurt, his eyes still watching me intently as he took a noticeable gulp. "You have no idea how sorry I am Bailey, I mean it. I should of trusted you, I should of believed you from the start." He began.
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I nodded agreeing. He should of listened to me. He was right. But he never did.
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"Me and Ashton made up by the way, I don't know if that will ease your anger." He encouraged me to forgive him softly.
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"You just don't get it do you?" I whisper shouted, making sure nobody was listening in. He looked confused, shaking his head expectantly.
"I think my father is a disgusting, vile pig, and you just acted the exact same as him." I croaked, my voice strained.
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His expression turned panicked as he shook his head violently. "Nononono! I would never, ever, ever be anything like your father. I'm nothing like him, I swear. I was so jealous and Ashton is a guy, I'd never lay a finger on a girl." He rushed out.
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I sighed, rubbing my temple. Why was this so difficult. My feelings refused to budge for Calum, no matter how much I fought it, every time he smiled my stomach exploded, and every time he said my name I melted on the spot.
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"Please talk to me Bailey, at least be my best friend again." He pleaded and I let out a small smile. I couldn't resist it, he was adorable. He grinned, nudging my shoulder softly. "Is that a smile I see?" He chuckled. "If we weren't in the middle of a lesson I would hug you so tight right now." He blushed shamelessly.
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Just as I was about to speak, I was rudely interrupted by a forced cough.
I span my head around to see Klara standing poised and elegant as usual, clutching her bag as always.
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Calum looked as though he wanted to rip her head off, instead choosing to grip onto the table to let out his anger. His fingers turning pale at the force. Maybe he had learnt something.
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"Nice to see you two are friends again." She smiled, reaching into her bag. "Shame things didn't work out in a romantic way between you two though, but I guess some people just aren't meant to be."
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My heart sank at her words. I watched as she pulled out a similar looking brown envelope to the one I had been introduced to yesterday.
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"I think you should see these." She leant forward and whispered in my ear. "You know, girl to girl."
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I turned to face Calum who's eyes had glazed over and was looking at me desperately.
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I pulled out the photos and my heart stopped. These were different to my ones. These were Calum and Klara. Not only were they kissing, but her legs were wrapped around his waist as she sat on his lap, this wasn't just a simple kiss.
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I looked back up to Calum helplessly.
"It doesn't matter, these are fake right? Like mine and Ashton's?" I asked, my voice pained, wishing I was right, even though it was clearly them.
He looked at me guiltily, not saying a word. "Calum, tell me this isn't you!" Tears formed in my eyes threatening to spill. "Tell me you and Klara didn't kiss." I begged. "Tell me right now." I sniffed.
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". . . I'm so sorry Bailey." He looked down shamefully, my heart shattering.
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"You're sorry? Oh that's great. Everything's sorted now then is it? Everything fine because Calum is sorry." I spat bitterly.
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He tried to reach out for my hand as I yanked it away. His brown eyes watered over as he looked at me pleadingly. "I didn't mean for it to happen, I just-"
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"It's fine!" I cut him off, taking a deep breath. "We weren't together or anything were we? You and Klara have a whole history together. I'm sorry I got in the way of that." I told him quietly, packing my things away and leaving the classroom, ignoring my teachers warning yells.
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I couldn't hold back the tears anymore as they fell heavily down my cheeks, cascading down and dripping onto my shirt, soaking the hem. I waited until I was locked away in a cubicle to place my hands over my eyes and start sobbing.
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Even not talking to anyone hurt less than this.
YOU ARE READING
Shy // Calum Hood
Romance"Why don't you talk to anyone?" "Why don't you?" Bailey moves schools constantly. She's always been too shy to talk to anybody, but this all changes when she gets partnered with Calum Hood, who's almost as nervous as her. The two quickly find friend...
