Hanging Tree

Chapter 3

Violet

I don't even know this kid. Who is he? Whoever he is, he does seem nice. Well atleast I hope he is.

We walked out of the park together and he told me to wait there as he jogged across the street. He talked to some red haired dude with tattoos and piercing. What is it with people and tattoos and piercings?! But I don't mind it. I find boys with tattoos kind of hot.

He walked back over here and said, "I've got the keys to my car. Let's go." We walked over to his car and he started driving me home with me giving him directions. "So umm was that your friend? The red hair dude?"

He nodded as he kept his eyes on the road. I nodded back and looked out the window. We sat in silence till we reached my house. He parked outside my house and we sat in silence.

Since no one was making a move to speak, I decided I should. "So I guess this is it? Thanks for being some random guy and saving my life." But in the back of my mind I know it wouldn't be the last time for me to do something like this. He turned to me and said, "Promise me something."

I nodded. "Call me. If you need anything. Anything at all. Promise me you will."

I turned to him and nodded again. He smiled at and got out of the car. He came over to my side and opened up the door. I chuckled and said "Such a gentleman."

He smiled and bowed down at me. Before I walk away I turned to him and said, "I never got your name though"

Right before he got into the car, he said, "Calum. Calum Hood." And with that he got into his car and drove away.

☆☆☆

It has been 3 weeks since I met Calum. I'm not going to lie, he's been on my mind ever since. I don't really know what Niall did to Zayn and the boys but they haven't said anything mean to me in a long time. You have no idea how grateful I am for that.

I walked into the library and saw Liam and Niall. I debated with myself whether or not go sit there. Just because they stand up for me doesn't mean they're my friends. I sighed silently and walked past them. I heard Liam call my name, I turned around and went to their table. "Hey. Where were you going? Join us," said Liam.

"Really? I might cause you guys more problems if Harry and the boys find me sitting with you."

"Don't be silly. We don't care about them. Just join us. We're your friends now."

I smiled when Liam said that. "Thanks. Like alot guys."

Niall and Liam just returned the smile and went back to what they were doing.

After school, I decided to go grocery shopping since there was nothing much at home to eat. I haven't told you guys much about my family, so let me tell you now. My parents are overseas most of the time for their work and I have an elder brother who is in University now. So I'm practically always home alone. But my parents do happen to be rich, so, I live in a huge house with a maid. So she's usually my only companion.

I walked into the grocery shop and went over to the frozen food section to get something. I stopped in my tracks when I heard Louis' voice. Shit. I turned to my right and saw the 3 boys there. "Hey! Look! Its that bitch! Violet or whatever her name was." I heard Harry say. Before I knew it, I was pushed up against the wall and they were all making fun of me.

Tears pooled at the bottom of my eyes when I felt a hot sting on my cheek. Zayn had just slapped me across the face. They dropped me onto the floor and laughed at me. "What did I do to you?" I said to them. They just ignored me and laughed more. I heard people talking faintly at the back. "Calum! Dude come here!"

I bit my lip trying to force myself to stop crying in front of those boys. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction they wanted. I could taste blood and that's when I knew my lip was bleeding. I looked up when I heard Harry curse. I didn't want to believe what I was seeing. Calum Hood was here. The Calum who was there by the hanging tree. The Calum who saved my life. The Calum with tattoos and piercing. That Calum Hood.

Calum and a guy with a blonde quiff was trying to beat up the 3 boys. No. I didn't want this to happen. They would get in trouble. "Calum!" I shouted. He looked at me just before his fist made contact with Harry's face. "Stop," I whispered.

"But he just hurt you. I won't let him go."

"No Calum don't. You'll get in trouble. Let them go." And so Calum did let them go.

"You don't know who you're dealing with, dude." Louis said as they were leaving.

"Oh fuck off," Calum's friend flipped them off. Calum came over to me and held his hand out to help me. I took it and stood up. "Are you okay?" I heard Calum ask me filled with concern. I didn't answer him but just looked at the ground. He lifted my face with his fingers and saw that my lip was bleeding. "Fucking bastards," Calum cursed.

"Luke! I'm taking her over to my place to get her patched up. Tell the boys okay?"

His blonde quiff friend who turns out to be name Luke, nodded.

Calum held my hand and pulled me out of the store and into his car.