Chapter Four

The next morning, I woke up before my alarm had even rang. I raced to the shower, praying that there would be hot water and that Eliza hadn't switched it off again. I turned the water on, running it over my hand. Thankfully it was hot and I could actually enjoy my shower.

When I was done, I quickly got dressed for school, feeling excited about it for the first time in a long time. I hurriedly packed my bag, filling it with note books and an assortment of pens. The book that I'd been reading, noticeably missing. Eliza taking my book away from me may have affected me in that moment, but by the time I got home I was over it. The minute I got off from work, I bought an ebook version of the The Testaments, and finished it that very night. Suck it Eliza.

After I had all of my things, I bolted down the stairs, and ran straight out the door that way no one could attempt to ruin my morning.

Once I got to school, I easily found a parking spot, and headed in. I made my way to my locker, and saw that Callum wasn't at his which made me frown a bit. As I continued to put my things away, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to find my gorgeous, six-foot-something, green-eyed, new friend standing over me.

"Good morning, Dylan." He said, beaming.

"Good morning Callum." I responded, trying not to smile so much. "That was one hell of a tip you left last night." I said, looking up at him.

"What can I say, the food was great, and I had excellent service." He stated, with a smirk.

I grinned at him and said "So are we still on for ice cream? I wouldn't want to disappoint Sara."

"Oh yea, we're definitely still on. Sara wouldn't know what to do with herself if you'd canceled." He said, semi seriously.

"Oh really?" I questioned.

"Yup." He responded, popping his P at the end.

"Good, I look forward to it, I think I'm really gonna enjoy her company." I said, nodding my head.

"I just know you will." He said, nodding back, smirking.

After our exchange, we both went our separate ways to class, agreeing to meet up for lunch.

"Psst, hey you." I heard, whispered behind me. I figured they weren't talking to me so I continued to copy down my trigonometry notes.

"Hey, turn around." The whisper continued, and then I felt a pencil hit my back. I turned around in annoyance. The culprit had been Amy Fisher, a raven haired beauty and the wealthiest girl in the senior class.

"Yes?" I asked, staring back at her.

"What's up with you and the new kid? Are you guys like dating or something?" She asked, her blue eyes squinted.

"No, we are just friends." I whispered back, trying not to draw attention to myself.

"So it'd be cool if I made a move, right?" She questioned, flicking her hair back.

"Go ahead." I responded, pretending to be unbothered, and turned back around to finish my notes. I immediately felt a knot in my stomach and an emotion that I rarely ever felt. Jealousy. I was jealous at the thought of Amy and Callum. She was beautiful, rich, and popular. She was everything that a guy could want. I just hoped that she wasn't everything that Callum wanted.

As the day went on, I couldn't get my conversation with Amy out of my mind. I didn't really even know Callum, and yet I felt like a jealous girlfriend.

The bell rang for lunch, and I sprung out of my seat and sped to my locker where I found Callum waiting.

"Took you long enough." He said, jokingly.

I laughed and replied "I bet you just got here a second ago."

"And you my friend, are correct." He said, laughing. He threw his arm over my shoulders as we walked to the cafeteria.

I felt major butterflies in my stomach as we walked, but I knew nothing would come of it. Callum only saw me as his friend, that was clear.

After we got our food, we sat down at the same table we sat at yesterday. Hopefully there'd be no fighting this time around.

"I wasn't kidding about Sara being excited about ice cream today, she's kind of obsessed with you now." Callum said. "She wouldn't shut up about you the entire car ride home, and then proceeded to tell our parents all about you." He continued.

I felt by cheeks betray me once again and start to get hot.

"Aww, that is so sweet." I blushed. "I really enjoyed her company too, she is the cutest." I said.

"She can be cute at times, but most of the time she's a handful." He said, with a laugh.

"Are you two close?" I asked.

"We are, even though there is an eleven year age gap, I consider her my best friend. Not to sound cheesy or anything." He responded, sheepishly.

"That isn't cheesy, I think that's sweet. I've always wanted a little sister." I said.

"Are you an only child?" He asked.

I didn't really know how to answer that question, but I didn't want to lie to him.

So I said "Kind of, I have two step siblings but we aren't close. And my stepmother is pregnant, so I guess I won't really be an only child anymore." I said quietly.

"Why aren't you close with them, is it an age thing?" He asked, curiously.

"Not, it isn't that. I'm actually the same age as them. They're twins." I stated. Before he could say another word, we were interrupted.

"Hey Dylan, want to introduce me to your friend?" Amy Fisher asked, the minute she approached our table.

Interesting that'd she called me Dylan, because just a few hours ago she hadn't known my name.

I remained silent and turned to Callum.

"Well then." She scoffed. "I'm Amy, I know you're new here, so I just wanted to introduce myself." She said, her eyes focused on Callum.

"Nice to meet you." He responded blankly.

She put her hand on the table to support her body as she showed off major cleavage. I held in a laugh at her desperation.

"I just wanted to let you know that I am throwing the first party of the year this Friday, and I want you to be there." She said confidently.

He turned to me and back to her, as I sat in silence.

"Alright, is it cool if I bring Dylan with me?" He asked. Surprised, I choked on my spit a little and started to cough so quickly downed my bottle of water.

"You okay?" He asked, looking at me concerned.

"Mhmm." I hummed, not being able to form an actual sentence.

Amy cleared her throat, reminding us that she was still present, and said "The more the merrier." While quickly throwing me a dirty look. "I guess I'll see you around then." She said, before she walked away.

"That was interesting." Callum stated,

"Callum, I don't go to parties." I said.

"Why not?" He asked.

"Well, you see, no one has ever invited me to one." I replied softly.

"Well you're invited now, plus I'll be with you so we'll have a great time." He said, smiling brightly at me.

"Okay." I responded, sending him a small, closed mouthed smile back.

Lunch was almost over, and I started to get up to throw my things away.

"I got it." Callum said, as he took my trash and his, and walked over to the garbage can. Could this boy get anymore attractive, I thought to myself.

He walked back over, looking like a male model. I was on the verge of drooling.

"So, about our ice cream plans. I completely spaced and forgot I have detention after school, and won't be out till three." He said while rubbing the back of his neck, embarrassed.

"That's alright, I can just meet you and Sara at the ice cream place when you get out. I'm not working tonight, so time isn't an issue." I responded.

"Oh thank God." He said beaming. "How about this, after detention I'll go home and get Sara, and then we'll pick you up and all go to the ice cream place together?" He suggested.

"That works." I said with a smile.

"Great, can you hand me your cellphone?" He asked.

"Sure." I responded, confused.

I unlocked it and gave it to him. He began typing away, and then handed it back to me.

"I texted myself so that I have your number, and you have mine." He said.

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, so I got up and grabbed my bag, walking beside him.

"Text me your address when you leave school." He said as we were about to go to our individual classes.

"I will, have fun in detention." I said, grinning at him.

"You know I will." He responded, with a wink, and went on his way.