Pretending (A Calum Hood Fan Fiction)

Chapter 43: Him

I woke up with the feeling of someone sleeping in my arms. A smile automatically escaped from my lips at the sight of pink hair tips, and small arms wrapped around my torso. I kissed her head, being happy about everything that happened last night. The first time I set my eyes on her, I never even thought that we would come this far. I never expected everything to turn out like this. All the feelings, all the butterflies, I never thought I'd have them from her. I wanted to pinch myself, I might just be dreaming. But I wasn't, and there's no doubt about that. Having her here laying beside me is an enough proof to let me know that this isn't just a dream. I love her, she loves me. There is no better feeling than knowing that the person who mean the world to you, feels the same way you feel about them. We're done pretending, we're done hiding. We are in love, and that makes everything better.

I took my remaining time and just looked at her. She looked so tired, yet so peaceful. Her arms never left my body, feeling me breathing in sync with her. Her mouth hang open a little, as she snores lightly. I caressed her face slowly, feeling her cold face in my warm hands. I would probably never get tired of looking at her. She's so beautiful, no matter what.

My alarm clock started ringing, startling me. I moved and reached for it, making it stop. When I turned back to look at her again, she's smiling already, her gray eyes staring at my brown ones. She never fails to mesmerize me.

I smiled and lowered my body down, making our faces just inches away from each other.

"Good morning, beautiful." I uttered and smiled, and kissed her nose.

"Morning, rockstar." She replied with a smile. "You're a nice pillow."

"You sleep like a baby."

"We should get up." She said, opening her eyes again, meeting mine. "We have school today."

"Five more minutes?" I pleaded and pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her.

Kristen chuckled lightly as I bury my face on her neck, giving her soft kisses. She lowered her head down, and reached for my lips. I smiled between the soft kiss, pulling her a lot more closer. We remained like that for minutes, savoring the moment. Her soft chuckles would probably a perfect thing to start the day. I know my ears love them. Her sweet smiles, her lovely looks. I can never get enough of all of this. I love her so much.

"Cal," She uttered with a chuckle. "We have school."

"I'd rather stay here." I said, my voice being muffled as I talk with my head still buried on her neck.

"No more cuddles for you anymore then?" She cupped my face with her cold hands, making me laugh about how I looked.

"Okay let's go to school." I hurriedly stood up and she laughed. "Who's going to shower first?"

"You're being mental." She remained laughing and I joined in. "I'll go first."

"Canicomewithyou?" I asked and grinned widely, not wanting for her to understand me but she did. A pillow landed on my face, and another one. I fell on the bed ad we both laughed in unison.

"Stop being pervy, Hood!" She shouted and laughed, and headed inside the bathroom. "Don't come in here or I'll punch your balls!"

"Better lock the door!"

"Calum what the hell!"

I just laughed hysterically as a reply. I heard her getting started and I flopped back down on the bed, burying my face on my pillow. I couldn't help but smile, and maybe I might be blushing. In my whole life, this is probably the first morning I've ever loved. The best morning I've ever had. I woke up with the person sleeping beside me. We cuddled, and bantered. I couldn't ask for more than this. All I ever wanted was to be happy, but I got more than I asked for. I'm irrevocably in love, and undeniably happy.

I hope to wake up to more mornings like this.

*

"How was your day?" I asked as we walk, hand in hand, smiling at each other.

"Nothing different." She looked down and smiled. "But somehow, unusual."

We went to school at the same time today. I didn't drive since we both agreed to walk this morning. Everything wasn't like the same anymore. Everyone knows we're dating, but we both know before that we're only pretending. When we reached the campus, she held my hand tighter, with her head held high and a smile on her face. She seemed to be always ashamed to be seen with me before, but it wasn't like that anymore now. I couldn't stop smiling about it. We still get confused looks and death glares from a lot of people at school, but she didn't seem to care anymore like what she did before. I'm happy that she's starting to feel comfortable, not only with me, but with everything around her. I love to see her like this, and I know I'd probably keep her this way.

"Where are we going?" She asked, taking me back from my thoughts.

"Oh," I smiled. "You'll see."

"You always do that thing." She uttered and grinned.

"Do what?"

"Surprises. You like surprising me."

"I love you." I stated and smiled. I ran out of things to say, and that was the first thing that popped out of my head. There's no way that I'll get tired of telling her that everyday.

"I love you." She smiled.

I opened the door for her and let her enter the café first. When we got to the familiar spot, she immediately grinned, her cheeks turning bright red. I chuckled at her expression, making her cover her face.

"Take a sit, ma'am." I offered with a grin and she did.

She took her hands off of her face and grinned at me. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Seriously?" She stated with a laugh. "Here?"

"I could still remember how nervous you looked when you came walking inside and kissed me without any warning." I said, sounding serious but not really. I looked at her and laughed, earning a light punch on the arm from her.

"You kissed me back, you prick." She retorted with a smirk, crossing her arms.

"I'm a good kisser."

"Oh my god, please."

"You know it."

We remained bantering for the next few hours. I thought at first it would be completely awkward to take her back here. Who would've thought that the next we'd get back here, we'd be more than pretending couples? I couldn't help but wonder about things. What if I agreed to practice with my band that night? What if I didn't stay here for hours that night? What if Chris weren't out there chasing Kristen? What if she didn't come up to me and kiss me, and didn't ask me to pretend to be his boyfriend? What if I didn't say yes? What if none of it happened? What would be us right now if none of those things happened? I couldn't help but wonder. I guess it's just that everything happens for a reason. I had doubts about pretending. But if I said no, I wouldn't be really this happy today. I wouldn't have the rare chance of getting to know her better. I wouldn't be able to make her happy. I wouldn't be able to feel this. And I would probably be sad.

"This place means a lot to me." She admitted after the short silence we have created. I looked at her and she did the same thing. We smiled at each other, knowing each other's feelings.

"The same thing goes for me." I admitted and leaned in closer, giving her a kiss.

"You mean a lot to me."