Strings C.H

Chapter 11- Backyards

"An intervention." Michael smiled brightly.

"Maybe I should go." I rose up from my seat and all the boys protested, except Calum of course. He didn't say anything, but I could feel his eyes on me and I just wanted to get out.

"What? No, stay." Ashton said, an insisting tone to his voice; I offered him a small smile.

"No; you should leave." Reed's nasally voice said snottily following Ashton's statement.

Oh fuck no.

"Reed, back off," Michael began "Hey Calum, can you control your girlfriend?" he gestured towards Reed with an annoyed expression on his features. He always had my back.

Calum didn't say anything though, he avoided my gaze as I waited for him to put Reed in her place before I had to. He never did and it caused a jealousy to burn inside me. Why did he not defend me? I guess we really were done. Just as I had wanted I suppose.

"You shouldn't leave just yet, Gracey poo, we haven't even made fun of the fact that Michael is balding yet." Luke joked in attempt to lighten up the mood, it worked for a few seconds as we all laughed, except Michael of course, who instead flipped Luke the bird and rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, Grace, sit down. Reed is leaving, not you." Ash added as his eyes landed on Reed's bitter face.

The witch- oh I mean Reed shrieked. "I'm not leaving." she cried.

Seriously is she five? I peeked down at their intertwined hands again but this time I could see Calum trying to pry his hands from hers subtly but she resisted, holding on to his with an even tighter grip. Pathetic, I left out a small laugh at that.

"Reed what the hell, your shift is over, you dont have to pretend behind the scenes." I stated sassily, I saw as she scowled and let go of Calum's hand.

Michael and Luke laughed, and even Calum let out a small chuckle and shook his head.

"Im only leaving if Cal wants me to." She gave Cal a hopeful look but he merely let out a breath with a comical look on his face as he stepped aside from her and made room for her to get to the door. His way of telling her that he, in fact, did not want her to say.

Just as I thought. Reed gave him a dumbfounded look but was too embarrassed to say anything more as she stormed out and we all heard a slam as she exited the front door.

What a bitch.

"I know right?" Michael said.

"Oh did I say that out loud?" we both chuckled at that.

I moved slightly from my place at the table a small sigh escaping my lips, despite the fact that I desperately wanted to stay here and chat with the boys I knew that's I'd had to be home soon, it was almost twelve in the morning, and also Calum was here now and I didn't know if I can stand to be around him right now. I looked towards Michael a sarcastic smile on my face.

"Michael, I think you should take me home now it's getting late and I have class in the morning."

"No can do, i'm intoxicated, remember?" He said, raising the Corona in his hand. Oh right.

I noticed Michael snickered and look over to Luke and Ash who followed along in the small laughs. What were they laughing about?

"Grace," Luke began "The only one here who hasn't been drinking tonight is you and Calum." I wasn't following.

"Ok and?" I inquired.

"Ok and since you didn't drive here you need someone to take you." Ashton said, he then gestured to the black haired boy who still stood at the door since Reed left.

Calum looked at me and shoved his hands in his pocket and then put his head down, I could tell he was trying to hide a smirk. What the hell?

"I'm not going with him," before my brain got the opportunity to process what I was saying I blurted it out.

Luke threw the keys that sat on the table at Calum and he caught them swiftly.

"If you plan on getting home tonight your best bet is to let me take you," the first thing Calum Hood said to me for the night.

"Oh so now you speak?" I raised an eyebrow placing a hand on my hip sassily, giving him a quizzical look.

He smiled his breath taking smile at me that I hated so much because of how it made my heart warm up and feel all fuzzy. "Grace, just come on." he told me and began walking back into the house.

Wolf whistles came from the boys and I couldn't help but to roll my eyes and do exactly what Calum told me to and begin exiting the patio as well.

"Goodnight boys." I offered them one last wave and made my way out to Calum who had seemingly went out the front door already.

I don't have a good feeling about this at all.

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