Saving Callista

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Callista

The Sunday after the incident in the boys bathroom, I was feeling a little down and when my mom yelled at me like I was a little kid, it didn't help. I started thinking about how great it would be if Cole would join the church, and then I smelt it, heaven and muscle all wrapped into one. I saw the sweep of, slightly curled at the edges, blonde locks. A gasp found it's way from my speechless lips.

What is he doing here? Why right after what happened? The questions zoomed through my thoughts. All I knew was that I had to avoid him. But, the whole entire sacrament meeting I kept smelling him and as I felt my day improve, I knew it would be one of the hardest things I had ever had to do to stay away from him and that smell.

I originally thought Bella was my medicine. My solace in the storm that was my life. But smelling Cole, being near him, I started doubting how powerful the "Bella doses" actually were. I especially doubted it when she dragged me over to talk to him, and he was clearly amused by my anger.

The rest of the day I wondered I he was actually serious about the church like I was. The day got even more awkward as Bella wouldn't stop rambling about how perfect we were and trying to get Cole to flirt. Cola and I ended up speaking at the same time, which resulted in me blushing.

I swear though. He gets more amazing every time I see him. Because of that thought I worked extra hard at my house, to keep Susan off my back, and ignored Cole at school. But every single day, every single second we were in the same room, I felt his gaze, trying to read me. My thoughts, when I let them drift, always floated to him, but I snapped out of it quickly. I just didn't have the time to spare during the day. But at night, I always fell asleep imagining his strong arms around me.

Oh my gosh!!! In biology we had to pair up and my partner just happened to be sick today, so I was left to dissect the nasty little frog by myself. Until the teacher said Cole's and my name in the same sentence. Apparently his previous partner had left early. I felt his gaze on my back the second he heard my name, but I refused to turn. It was odd, I could feel him draw closer to me, like the connection we had that I tried so hard to deny was getting stronger.

As I walked over he said "Hey Cali" and I sat down heavily. The way he said my nickname, with such fondness in his voice, weakened my knees enough to bring me down hard. As I looked up at him I saw vaguely masked disappointment that was quickly covered up with amusement.

"What being my partner, going to bring down your grade?" He said with a smile, tinted with sadness.

"Oh no Cole, I'm just not lookin forward to cutting open a frog" I replied quickly, too quickly, even if it was true, it sounded guilty. "I'm sure be great help, I'm glad you're my partner" I said a little slower.

A smile lit up his handsome face. "Really?" I wondered why that made him so happy... I'm not all that important, so why does my opinion matter?

"Of course" I smiled with an expression of sincerity. "Why ever not Cole?" I inquired, quite curious.

"Oh... It's nothing just didn't think you liked me very much, that's all". I frowned, he probably thought that because I avoided him and stopped myself from looking at him.

"Oh my goodness Cole! I'm so sorry you thought that, it's just this week has been super busy, and I haven't had time to talk to anyone, even Bella, outside of school".

As we started to dissect the frog he said, "It's fine. What has kept you so busy at home? I know you finish your homework during class". I almost panicked. Even though I had practiced what to say in these situations, gazing into his eyes I forgot the rehearsed words. I looked away and they unstuck from my dumbstruck brain.

"Um, just some family stuff, taking care of my sister's kids".

"That's cool, what are their names?"

"Well there's Chris, Hope, Brayden, Gabe, and Violet" I listed them off with a proud smile for the last four.

"They must be very important to you, Jesse's kids" he said hesitantly.

Smiling I replied "Yes, they are" without realizing before that he knew enough about me to know that Chris wasn't one of Jesse's kids. I'm pretty sure he set that up. But what would he learn from that? All that I know now is that my slip up wouldn't have occurred if it hadn't had been him asking and his heaven and muscles scent wasn't ruining my instincts.

------sorry I took more than a week to post. I hope you like it.-------