"I'm not tryna go against you. Actually, I'm going with you..."
___
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"I wanna leave," Calum says, with Royce pinned against the wall behind them.
He'd rather be anywhere but here in Jesse Fisher's house with other people he didn't care about and of course he'd only just fucking arrived to find that fucking idiot, Liam Payne, trying to push up on Royce.
"You wanna leave? Let's leave," he says, voice barely above a whisper as his forehead rests against Royce's and he's overcome with the urge to kiss her.
He does.
She's blinking rapidly and Calum hopes he hasn't stepped out of bounds by doing that.
He just really wanted to kiss her.
"Please?" He's begging, now. "Let's leave."
She looks confused. "You just got here."
Calum stares at his shoes because he can't bring himself to face her reaction to the truth he's incapable of holding in, "I only came for you."
But, his heart starts beating because Royce is smiling. "I didn't drive, though."
He shakes his head, "We don't have to go far. We can come back and leave with everybody...When Lola does. Just..." His eyes fall to her lips. He licks his own, "Let's just go."
"Where do you wanna go?"
His lips are so close to hers it's like he can taste her. "Wherever," he replies. "Just not here."
And to his surprise, Royce nods. "Okay."
He blinks. "Okay?"
"Yeah. Let's go."
__
Calum is like, really happy.
Like, he's kind of psyched Royce has agreed to this.
And Luke can tell.
Because he knew Calum was into Royce.
But, like this?
Nah.
Not like this.
"Sweet," Calum replies, and he bites on his lip as he slips his hand into Royce's, practically dragging her from the kitchen. "Let's get the fuck outta here."
Royce is laughing behind him. "Where's there to go? We're in The Bluffs."
"I know," Calum groans, causing her to laugh harder. "Which sucks, but we'll figure it out--"
"You're leaving?"
It's Lola.
"Jeez," she scoffs. "At least pretend like I wasn't late, okay?"
Royce grins. "We'll be back."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Okay," Lola grins. "Good," and as Calum drags Royce away, she reaches out and grabs her arm. "And, when you're done with your quickie, check on Kenn. Like, when you come back."
Royce's scowl transforms immediately into a frown. "Why? What's wrong?"
"She and her man have been weird. Like, all night. Something's wrong."
Calum pulls Royce, now. "Fuck Kennedy," he teases but he's mostly serious. "We'll be back. She can wait like, ten minutes. Let's go."
This is blowing Luke's mind.
Calum is like, really into Royce. Like, at first, Luke'd chalked it all up to the alcohol. But, Calum was sober tonight, and he was staring at Royce like she was the beginning and end of everything.
Ashton really was right.
He's like, evolving and shit.
Becoming a real boy after all.
And Luke stares at the interaction between the two of them and feels a weird mixture of pride and humor but also jealousy, because Royce is smiling back at Calum like she might like him, too.
"Hey. There you are."
And Luke turns from Calum and Royce and stares at the one girl who has kind of fucked him over in his feelings.
"Hey."
Kennedy folds her arms, perfectly arched eyebrow raised. "You okay, Hemmings?"
He nods, swirling the drink in his hands. He hasn't touched it. "Fine."
"Luke."
"What?" And he takes a giant swig of his drink before setting it down. "I said I was fine."
She side-steps him. "Luke, you've been acting weird all night. What's up?"
And he stares into her eyes and frowns. His blue eyes are hard and angry, just like he's been that whole night since he'd seen her.
"Move, Kenn."
She folds her arms and he groans, rolling his eyes.
"God, can you stop being so stubborn? Fuck--"
"No. I can't." She states blankly. "What's wrong?"
He'd been acting strange all night.
"I'm not about to do this, Kenn. Move."
"No. Talk to me, Luke."
And so Luke stares back at her. They're literally standing in Jesse Fisher's kitchen, having a stare-off as people are talking and laughing and drinking around them.
This isn't how Luke does parties.
He frowns. "You don't like me."
"What?" Kennedy can barely hear over the noise. "Huh?"
"You don't like me," he says, a bit louder, so only she can catch these words. And he scowls, sounding like such a fucking wimp as the words ring in his ears. "Forget it. I don't know why I came, anyway--"
But Kennedy's reached out and grabbed his arm. "Why would you say that?"
"'Cause you don't, Kenn," he laughs. "You obviously don't, so why am I wasting my time? I tell you how I feel about you like, every fucking day and you still don't..." His jaw clenches. "Look, I feel like a fucking idiot. Let's just drop it."
"Luke," she whines, sighing loudly. "You know what people say..."
He scowls, now. "What the fuck are you talking about."
"C'mon, Luke!" She laughs bitterly. "It's not like the whole school doesn't talk about you."
"About what? About me?"
She laughs,"Yes!"
"Who the fuck cares? What's anyone else's opinion got to do with me? You know me, Kenn."
She folds her arms. "Don't tell me it's not like you to be fucking some girl right now."
"What the hell? I'm not trying to fuck anybody. When was the last time I fucked anybody?"
"You tell me!"
"Well," he retorts, "my hand and I are gonna tell you that it's been pretty fucking long since I've fucked around with anyone."
"Yeah?" She snorts, "'Cause the whole school seems to think otherwise."
Luke is floored. Kennedy's been acting weird all night -- he'd ridden with her to the party and expected to have a good time. They were friends, right? He'd been nothing but upfront with her about his feelings, and now, this?
He shakes his head. "Where the fuck is this coming from?"
"You--Me," she throws up her hands. "I don't fucking know--"
But, she does know.
Kennedy likes Luke. She does. She knows it. Her friends know it. But, Kennedy also knows that Luke was that popular guy who slept around and Kennedy knows that, too...
She rubs her eyes tiredly. "You only like me 'cause I won't give it up," she says. "And, then what?" She asks, as Luke's jaw falls open again and he shakes his head, walking towards her, "Then what, Luke? Then I'll see you in the hall and you won't call and you won't wanna be around me, right? 'Cause there's no more chase, right? 'Cause I'll be just like the other girls, won't I?"
"Kennedy," he shakes his head, "I'm not here 'cause I'm trying to get in your pants..." He scowls, "or anybody's pants."
She folds her arms. "Then what are you here for, Luke?"
"I dunno, Kenn," he shrugs, "Maybe, for you to give me a fucking chance."
___
"Hey. Remember when I dropped you off from that party?"
"Hey. Remember when you drove?"
Calum's jaw falls as Royce laughs aloud, the night air cool against their faces as they nearly jog from Jesse's house. "Wow. Okay. Fuck you."
"I'm playin'," she laughs. "You've got to admit that was funny."
"You hurt my feelings, Poppy. You really hurt my fucking feelings."
"So," Royce laughs harder as Calum practically drags her from Jesse's. "Where are we going?"
Calum pauses, wrinkling his nose as he pauses in the middle of the street and turns in circles, swinging Royce around with him because his fingers are still linked with hers.
She laughs into the misty night as they stand in front of the mansion -- and the party within it -- on an empty street around midnight in The Bluffs.
"What are you doing?"
He pauses. "How far's your house from here?"
"Ooh," Royce shakes her head. "We'd have to walk like, a mile and a half down the hill," she says. "Jesse's at the top of The Bluffs. I'm like, near the bottom."
"Fuck," Calum curses, and he tugs Royce along, walking to his left, swinging their arms between them. "I was totally gonna say we should crash at your place for a while."
"Actually?" Royce nods, eyes lighting. "Actually, that's not a bad idea. We can tell Lola to meet us there when they're done, y'know?"
"But, Paige--?"
"Is sleeping over at Jesy's, tonight," Royce beams, "AKA Zayn's. She's in love, or something, so...she won't be back."
"Thank God," he whispers, and Royce can't help but laugh. "No offense, or anything."
"Slightly offensive," she grins, "but, none taken."
Calum drops her hand only to run his fingers through his hair. "Tobe's my favorite," he says. "Sorry, not sorry."
Royce nods. "It's kinda impossible not to love him," and she lights up as they begin this walk away from Jesse's place. "I didn't know he knew Michael."
Calum lifts a brow. "He does?"
She hums. "That's his weed man," Royce laughs. "Apparently."
Calum shakes his head, chuckling slightly as they pass huge house after huge house, trekking down the winding hills on the mountain. "And you don't smoke."
Royce shakes her head. "Nope."
Calum can assume why.
Royce stares ahead. "I'm scared to touch that shit."
His hair flops as he turns abruptly. "Scared?"
She nods. "Like, if I like it. Like, if I'll use it and need it..."
He smiles slightly. "I think that's only with alcohol, Royce. Drugs're slightly different."
Royce frowns. "She was an alcoholic, too."
Calum swallows. "Oh."
Royce doesn't reply.
Instead, she shakes her head before Calum can try to say anything comforting or ask any questions.
"Hey? Where'd you meet Emma?"
Calum groans aloud. He'd rather talk about Dina. "Why the hell're we talking about her?"
Royce laughs. "She's cool with my brother, too," she shrugs, "apparently."
"Tobe?"
Royce hums.
Calum pales. "She is?"
"Apparently."
"Wow..." And Calum's voice trails off to nothing. Did Tobe know Snake was Emma's dad? Did Tobe know about him, then? Did Tobe know that he worked for the biggest drug dealer in the city? Did Tobe know that Emma was only around because her dad wanted her to stay out of trouble?
The voice nagging in the back of Calum's head is telling him that Royce, based on her history with her mom, wouldn't be too thrilled to know any of that.
And he wanted Royce to like him.
Not hate him.
Not put him on the same level as her mom.
"Also his weed..." she pauses, "girl--? I guess."
"That's it?" Calum asks abruptly. "That's all he said?"
"Tobe?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah," Royce nods. And she shoves him lightly. "That's why I'm asking you."
Calum sighs, smile spreading across his face. He's relieved to know this was the extent of shared information. "I mean," he shrugs. "She's Michael's friend."
"Or, more than friend?" Royce asks, wagging her eyebrows. "Because it seems like they're really close."
"Ha-!" Calum laughs. "What makes you say that?"
"No offense, but out of the four of you, he's the only one she seems to give a fuck about."
"That doesn't mean he likes her back."
He can't.
"Y'sure about that?" Royce asks.
No.
Calum shrugs. "I dunno."
And Royce's light chuckle dissolves into silence, neither of them speaking; the sound of their shoes upon the damp concrete echoing in their ears.
Calum is thinking about Emma.
Royce is thinking about Emma, too.
For similar, but different reasons, this little blonde druggie chick is occupying both of their thoughts.
Calum hates her, point blank, so he really really hopes Michael doesn't like her, because the second Snake tells 'em that they don't have to keep that little bitch out of trouble anymore, Calum hoped he'd never have to see her again.
Royce, on the other hand, couldn't let that, 'I know you from somewhere' shit, go.
Not yet, anyway.
Not after tonight.
That whole exchange after Emma met Jesse in the kitchen...Like, the way Michael was talking to Emma...Regardless of whatever beef she had with Jesse, Royce couldn't help but feel for her.
She understood.
"Did you hear that!? Did you hear him!? He's gonna fucking disrespect my dad like that and--"
"Em, but he's right."
"The fuck'd you just say, Clifford?"
"Really? Fuck you. You heard me."
"Not if I'm asking you to say it again."
"You're really gonna make me say it!?"
"Yeah, since you know what's best for me all of a fucking sudden!"
All of that...all of that in the foyer, it made Royce feel like she was back in Chris' room when he'd come down for his fall break. She was back with him when Paige had invited her mother over for dinner.
"Royce, if this is about Dina, then-"
"You're damn skippy it's about Dina. What'd you think?"
"Look, Royce you gotta chill-"
"Chill? I'll chill when it's cold out. I'll chill when St. Augustine actually lets me skip Call to Prayer. Hell, I'll fucking chill and watch Netflix, Christian. Dina coming here to where I live does not make me want to chill."
"I'm not happy either, Royce. But I'm trying to make the best of it, alright? It's gonna go by way smoother and way quicker if you pretend like she wasn't-"
"Fuckin' terrible? Uh huh. Okay."
"You have no fuckin' chill, Royce."
"What? Am I just supposed to forget she doesn't give a fuck about me? You're good with that?"
"Of course I'm not good with it, Royce. But, you've gotta grow up one day and realize you can't walk around here being mad at her forever."
Royce was Emma. Whatever shit she'd had going on with Jesse, it reminded Royce so much of what she had going on with her mom.
And for that reason, Royce was curious.
Very, very curious.
"Hey! Swings!"
The statement shakes Royce from her thoughts. "Huh?" She asks, as Calum takes off, jogging excitedly towards a vacant playground.
Royce shakes her head, standing and watching him as he takes a seat on the swings. She immediately pinpoints their location.
"My dad used to bring us here all the time," she says.
"Come on, then," Calum calls, already starting to swing. "Bet I can swing higher than you."
"Bet you can't."
"Bet you I can," he smirks, kicking up sand as he swings higher.
Royce huffs, standing still ass she looks from the bodycon upon her skin and back to the boy playing on the swingset. "I am in a dress, you know."
Calum's hair flops against the wind. "All I'm hearing are excuses, Poppy."
Royce kicks off her shoes, making her way barefoot through the sand. "Whatever..." She grumbles.
"Huh? Can't hear you Royce. Can't hear you from all the way up here."
She snorts, rolling her eyes as she drops her purse and her shoes and takes a seat in the adjacent swing. She kicks slowly, pushing off from the sand. "You're really competitive for someone who doesn't stand a chance."
Calum laughs aloud. "Alright, lemme see, then. Whoever can swing the highest--"
"Gets a gold star for her effort," Royce replies, swinging higher. Her hair flies back and forth in her face. "'Cause I'm not doing anything gross or stupid if I lose."
"Aww, c'mon," He jams his feet in the sand, halting his motion. "You're no fun, Royce."
She continues to swing. "I know you are but what am I?"
Calum stops completely. "Maybe you have been spending too much time with me."
That makes her laugh, and Calum grins, chuckling to himself as he rises from the swing.
Royce slows on her own swing, eyebrow raised as Calum makes his way towards her.
"Hey!" She exclaims with a laugh as he grabs the links of the swing. He towers above her, shooting her this goofy grin.
Calum bites his lip, watching as Royce angles her head upward towards him.
She likes him, he tells himself.
She wants him.
He tries to contain the feelings erupted within him at these thoughts.
He shakes his head. "Too bad we don't have any music."
"Yeah...True."
"Oh, wait," Calum grins slyly. "You could always sing to me? Just a suggestion."
She pokes him in the ribs, swingset creaking. "And you could always sing to me," she replies, "Mr. I-Play-Bass-In-A-Band."
"I do," he grins proudly. "True story."
"And what happened to you playing for me, then?"
His eyes widen. "Whoa--You're being serious?"
"Why would I lie about that?"
"I dunno..." He rubs the back of his neck, chuckling sheepishly. "I didn't think you actually..." He shrugs, clearing his throat. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll play for you sometime."
"Oh yeah?"
He laughs. "Yeah."
"Well, when's that gonna be?" A grin breaks out across her face. "I need specifics, man."
"Sometime," he replies, and he lets go of the swing. "We should probably head back."
Royce furrows her brows, confused all of a sudden. "Okay...?"
"Yeah, uh..." Calum shakes his head, "We should go."
Royce rises from the swings. She cocks her head, "You alright, Cal?"
"Yeah, Royce," he nods, "I'm fine, just..."
"Just?"
"We should head back."
"To Jesse's?"
"Yeah."
And Royce is so confused. Like, what happened? She's wondering what she did, or what they'd spoken about to suddenly turn Calum all the way off.
"Okay," she replies, as she fishes her shoes from the sand. "Whatever you say."
This is why Royce didn't do parties.
___
sorry for the wait, guys. i had to include some lukennedy in there ya feel?
ROYCE WHAT HAPPENED GIRL?
p.s. now royce wants to know where she knows emma too. (cue laughter because i already know from).
guesses?
also, i have a new lil short zayn story to ease the pain of nebula ending, if any of you were reading that lol.
desperado || rihanna