Chapter 16-
When I saw Calvin looking at Christian with a scowl on his face made me want to turn back time and forget about this stupid plan of mine.
What was I thinking?
I sent a lamb into a lion's den.
Way to go, Reina.
I stayed hidden between the booths set up in the carnival as I watched at them from a far. Calvin was wearing a grey Nike hoodie and dark jeans. He had his hands in his pockets with a glare while Christian was wearing a white T shirt and light jeans.
What polar opposites.
Calvin looked as if he is either going to gut him or walk away at any moment judging by his expression and stance.
I really hope he didn't walk away from him and leave this friendship at a stop.
I really want them to at least try to make up so I had to do push Christian to meet Calvin.
Christian was such a nice friend to Calvin, and Calvin thought he was only trying to get himself killed by allowing Christian to help him back then.
I wondered what ever happened to Calvin when he transferred due to the school beginning to suspect that he was getting abused at home. Did Erik beat Calvin up for it?
Calvin is secretly a good guy disguised as a black wolf in my opinion.
He secretly cared about his friends even though he doesn't show it.
At that very moment I wish that I could hear what they are saying, but I am pretty far away, hidden from view behind one of the stalls. Christian is grinning at him happily and waving his hands around as he points to the Ferris wheel.
Calvin just stared at him with bored eyes as Christian spoke on. He looked everywhere but at Christian, clearly already getting bored at listening.
That's when his eyes landed on mine.
It was as if he could sense me no matter where I was and my heart dropped to my stomach.
Crap.
He might as well just call me out right there and then, but he doesn't. He turned back to Christian. After a moment, I saw Calvin mumble something to him which caused Christian to laugh loudly at his response. Once in a while Calvin would glance at me then back at Chris. I gulped; I am so dead.
"What are you doing here, Reina?!"
I jumped and almost have a heart attack when Megan appeared out of nowhere. She looked at me curiously with Andy beside her. She was wearing a jean jacket with black tights. Her hair was pushed to one side of her shoulder to the front with her sunglasses resting on the top of her hair. Andy was wearing a dark navy blue shirt and chino pants. Megan was holding marshmallows on a stick while Andy was holding a small bag of popcorn.
They continued to stare, waiting for me to answer.
Could this get any worse?
"Did you come here to meet up with Calvin because Megan told you? Or are you with someone else?" Andy asked, looking past me to look at Calvin and Christian that he was referring too. He eyes raised when he saw Calvin talking to Christian. He looked back to me, waiting for me to explain who the other guy was.
"Oh my gosh Reina Caverly! You were on a date? Why didn't you call me? We could have done a double date instead of me inviting Calvin!" Megan jumped to a conclusion as soon as she spotted Chris.
"I thought she was dating Calvin?" Andy said, confused.
"I'm not even sure anymore actually. Care to explain?" Megan said as she eyed Christian.
"We're just going as friends. Plus I didn't know that you guys were going to be at the carnival for a date," I pointed out. I truly didn't. If I did, I would had had no problem inviting them along with Chris and I.
Actually seeing them now, I'm a bit relieved that I won't be alone with a guy all day since I learned too much about Calvin that my head would explode soon enough if I heard anything else.
"So you're not going out with either of them?" Andy jumped in.
I liked how neither of them are listening to me. Just as I was about to say something to clear it up someone called out my name.
"Reina!"
All three of us turned to see Christian coming towards me with Calvin behind him looking a bit pissed.
Crap.
"Guess who I met by to the Ferris wheel?" Christian said smiling with a wink.
"What a coincidence seeing Calvin here, huh?" I said with a small smile to hide the fact that I knew he would be there. I could tell Calvin knew as well by his stiff posture.
Damn.
Judging by his face expression, they didn't exactly make up yet.
"Yeah, what a surprise seeing you two here, "Calvin said, more like growled at me.
I gulped, now I feel like the lamb as he asked me, "Are you guys on a date?"
It is nice seeing the possessive and protective side of Calvin again.
Not.
"No we're just hanging out as friends. How about you guys?" Christian explained, not even noticing that Calvin was on the verge of gutting him right there and then if he actually did say that we are on a date.
"Well me and Andy are, but we felt like dragging Calvin along because we didn't want him to rot at home. I was going to invite Joshua but he said he was busy. Oh I'm sorry. I'm Megan by the way and this is Andy," Megan introduced herself and Andy to Christian.
"Nice to meet you. I've heard all about you before and Joshua. I'm Christian by the way but you can call me Chris. Chris Wilson," Christian said as Megan and Andy shook his hand.
"I was surprised when Calvin agreed to hang out with us so last minute though," Andy said, talking about the topic we were having before.
Christian looked at Calvin from the corner of his eye. I knew that we had the same thought, not that Christian would say anything about that anyways.
I wondered what they talked before.
Are they friends now?
I doubt it.
I stayed quiet and so do Calvin and Chris.
"Well since we're all here, why don't we go on the Ferris wheel and enjoy the rest of the night? I already went and I would love to go again since the view is amazing from up there," Andy asked, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. I admired the fact that he wanted to at least try to lighten up the mood. Megan nodded eagerly and dragged me towards the line with her. I looked at the Ferris wheel. I didn't realize how high up it is until I was standing right beneath it. I have been scared of heights ever since I was little so you would have to knock me out to get me to go on it.
"Um, I think I'm going to just wait for you guys here," I said, taking a step back when I saw how high that thing was.
"Why?" Christian questioned looking at the Ferris wheel then me.
"Because it doesn't look safe, and I don't like it," I mumbled, not wanting to actually admit that I have an issue with heights. I've known Megan for a while but we never went somewhere that involved high things like roller coasters or climbing rocks so she doesn't know that I don't like heights unlike Joshua who wouldn't even bat about jumping off a moving airplane for fun.
"Come on! It's safe!" Megan tried to reassure me, pulling me back onto the short line.
My heart was starting to race, and anxiety kicks in just thinking about it.
"Um, it's okay. I'll just stay here, really," I shook my head adamantly.
Christian frowned, "Reina, it's perfectly safe! I rode it more than once, and not once was there-"
"She said no so fuck off."
Everyone is quiet when Calvin cut in.
Even I look at him curiously, but his eyes are trained on Megan and Christian.
Calvin was tensed as he looked at them angrily. I have never seen him with that look on his face- pure anger.
Well I did see it when he directed it at his step father but never at his friends.
Heck, he doesn't even get mad at all in school. He was always bored and collected when it came to Megan and Joshua until now.
"She said no how many times now? If she doesn't want to go on the damn Ferris wheel, then drop it. You go on it by yourself then. You're making her uncomfortable," he growled. Some people are now staring at Calvin and the rest of us.
"We didn't mean to," Megan said. She looks a bit hurt but I didn't think Calvin even noticed.
"I'm sure Megan didn't mean too," Andy added in, defending Megan.
"Calvin, we were only trying to get Reina to have fun. We didn't realize we were making her uncomfortable," Christian cut in as well, trying to defuse the situation.
"How can you not tell? She already said she doesn't want to, but you guys have to drag her on the fucking line when she obviously doesn't want to go," Calvin said.
I saw that even the security guards looked a bit uneasy as Calvin looked angrier by the minute. Megan hid behind Andy. Christian on the other hand was standing there stunned at his sudden outburst.
I quickly decided that I needed to get Calvin away from them to let him cool down. If a fight starts right here then I'll be the one to blame. I took a deep breath and grab Calvin's hand before leading him away from everyone.
I am a bit glad that the others didn't follow us. We continued to walk until I found a mostly deserted place where there wasn't many people at. I let go of his hand and looked at Calvin.
He refused look at me, concentrating on the ground instead, with one hand balled up into a fist.
This wasn't a good day at all given what happened yesterday and now this.
We are quiet for God knows how long until I finally break the silence, not liking it anymore.
"Are you okay?"
It's funny how many times we have said those words to one another.
"What were you doing here with Christian?" he said, ignoring my question.
I could tell they still weren't on friend terms as Calvin would still call him by his actual name rather than his preferred nickname.
"I was just hanging out with him as friends," I said, not wanting to tell him what we talked about in the car. That would just make things worse for all of us.
"Do you like him?"
"...excuse me?"
"Do you like Christian?" he said finally looking me in the eyes. I couldn't help but stare back, getting a bit lost in them.
"What? No, I only think of him as a friend! Why would you think something like that?"
He shrugged, "Well you did come here with him on your own without telling anyone..."
I couldn't help it, but I be taken back by his words.
"Calvin Young, are you...jealous?"
It was a bit weird but I couldn't help but tease him about it, just a bit since he was acting jealous.
"No, I'm just looking out for you. He doesn't seem like the right person for you," he said defensively. He didn't know that I knew that he was thinking that only because Christian knew too much about his past.
He was afraid I might abandon him or blackmail him after hearing about his past.
"Plus you're my friend so I don't want people trying to steal them. I know Christian for a long time so I know what his type is and I know you're not his type and shit," he added on.
So he was jealous.
"Don't worry, he's not my type either. And thank you," I said, glad that he stood up for me. Even Megan couldn't tell that I was uncomfortable.
He shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal.
"So what did you and Chris talk about before?"
"Were you spying on me?" he asked though he knew as well as I do that I was there.
"Possibly," I answered as I stared at some of the ants on the floor.
I saw him shaking his head but a small grin of disbelief was there. I couldn't help but grin myself.
"Nothing much. He was asking me what I was doing here and some other stuff," he said not going into details.
"Have you considered being his friend again after you saw him again in San Fransisco?" I asked even though I kind of got the understanding that they might be but I'll be a long way. He's a bit surprised that I asked that question and I mentally stabbed myself.
That was suppose to be a secret between me and Chris until Calvin felt comfortable enough to tell me himself and here I am blurting it out.
He sighed, shaking his head, "How much did that stupid shit tell you?"
"Just about the whole thing. Calvin, Chris was only trying to help you back then you know that right?" I asked as I took a seat near the food booth. I gestured for him to sit next to me and he does.
My eyes softened as I thought about it if the situation was the other way around.
"Well I don't need his help. I was fine until he called the police on me. Did he tell you that? He made his father get the police involved," he snapped, clearly not liking the fact that I am defending Christian.
"You were both young! He didn't know what to do but to tell his dad and the police! He didn't know it would cause you to move and to transfer to another school!"
He snorted and took a pause.
I was wondering myself if he was going to tell me or not. He looked hesitant for a moment but shook his head, running one of his hands through his hair.
"It cost me a fucking beating of a life time that put me in the hospital. And it put him in danger as well. I don't need any help from anyone. It only gets them harm and I can't risk it. I rather be the only one that gets killed. I don't want other people hurt by my actions."
"How bad was it?" I whispered as I glanced at him. He stayed quiet and I winced, knowing I stepped out of the line.
"You don't need to tell me if you don't want to," I finally said.
Again, he shook his head. A bit hesitant at first but he was determined to let me know.
God knows why.
"Because he told the police on me, Erik got so fucking pissed he beat the shit out of me. He demanded I tell him who was the one who told the police. I kept my mouth shut, and because of that, I was in and out the hospital for a few months. I had to lie to the hospital staff, saying I was getting bullied at school since Erik threatened me. Everything was fine until Christian had to tell his father. He put both himself and me in danger. Shit, I thought I was a good as dead."
I let the information sink in. I don't know what to say or to do. Christian was only trying to help him, but there were no good outcomes, only serious consequences.
"But he was only trying to help you Calvin. He didn't know that that would happen. He thought he was trying to help you, not get you hurt. He didn't know it'll cost you to also move and transfer to another school. He didn't do it on purpose."
"He should have kept his mouth shut," he snapped once again.
"Calvin, he was only trying to help his best friend. He told me that he wants to be friends with you again, and he didn't know that telling would cost him your friendship. Think of it this way. If I were getting beaten at home, wouldn't you tell someone or try to help me out in some way?"
"Are you?" he suddenly snapped, his full focused on me now.
"No, but did you notice your reaction? That's how Christian was feeling during that time. He wanted to help his best friend. Like I said, you both were kids at the time. He couldn't do anything but ask an adult for help," I reasoned with him.
Calvin ran his hand through his hair roughly and sighed as I continued to stare at him.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Huh?" I asked him, confused.
"Why are you trying so hard to fix me? To fix this? You entered my life and completely flipped it around," he mumbled as he let his head fall onwards as he stared at the sky.
"Because I care," I said, trying not to overanalyze why I was so hung up with the question.
"...fine."
"Fine what?"
"Fine, I get it. I'll give it a go if you want with Christian since you clearly care so much, but if it doesn't go as well as you think it would, then it's the end of the conversation."
I'm surprised at his words.
I gaped at him like a fish, which made him chuckle.
"Did you actually expect me to say no?"
"Kinda," I admitted.
He raised an eyebrow. "So you're saying that after all that, you were expecting me to say no? Unbelievable," he said the last word with a grin as I playfully hit him in the shoulder.
"So you're going to give it a go?" I asked, happy about the possibility that they might be friends again. I know that Calvin won't trust Christian right away, but he's going to at least try. I mean if he warmed up to Joshua, he would to Christian again.
"Sure. Now let's go meet them back there."
"Are you going to say sorry to them though?"
He blinked at me, confused, "For what?"
"You kind of exploded on them before. I mean I'm really glad you actually noticed that I was scared, but you looked as if you wanted to start a fight with them."
He groaned, "This isn't my day, is it?"
"It will be if you make up with all of them," I attempted to brighten up his mood.
"Only if you answer one question," he bargained and I raised my eyebrows in suspicion.
"What?"
"Why are you so set on me and Christian being friends again?"
"Because I want you to know that there's more people that care about you," I said truthfully while I held myself back from saying, "and if I'm not here in the future, I want you to know there's someone there for you."
"Fine, now let's go."
I'm surprised and taken aback when he grabbed my hand as we make our way back to the Ferris wheel.
I feel my heart beat wildly, but I didn't pull away.
I mean we're going to be in a crowded area, and he just doesn't want to lose me.
Yeah, that's why.
I was a bit taken back when we didn't go straight to the Ferris wheel like I first thought.
I looked at him a bit confused.
"Calvin, the Ferris wheel is that way," I pointed out.
"Yeah I know but the night is still young so why don't I take you out on that friend date you promised me before a few weeks ago?"
I stared at him a bit confused as I try to remember what he was talking about.
That's when it hit me. It was when I promised him that if he told me about his older sister, Becca then I would go have dinner with him.
"You were serious?" I gaped.
I didn't even remember that incident anymore because he stopped talking about it. I thought he was joking.
"Yes I was. Now let's find somewhere to sit and eat I'm starving. Afterwards we can go find the others and I'll apologize. Now that I think about it I was a bit harsh," he admitted.
"Try really harsh. Megan was about to cry because of you," I accused.
He shrugged, not really effected by that news.
"Well it's her fault so not being able to read your body language."
I was about to defend Megan but stopped.
It was true, not even Megan, Christian or Andy figured out I was freaking out about going on but Calvin. He was the only one that notice.
But what does that make me to him?
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Reasons to Live: 16. "Humans are born fighters so why give up when you have the strength to carry on?"