"So," I asked, a smile on my face as we walked farther down the street. "Where are we going?"
"Well, Miss America," I rolled my eyes, seeing that he had gone back to the old nickname. I blushed when his hand brushed mine, and I secretly wished he would hold my hand as we walked, but nothing more happened. "I thought that we could go to a diner down the street, grab something to eat, then maybe swim at one of my friend's house."
"One problem with your genius plan. I don't have a swimsuit." I stated, causing him to frown.
"I didn't think about that," Ashton admitted, and I laughed. "But he has a sister, you probably take about the same size. If not, he can always lend you a t-shirt or something, I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Calum's pretty chill."
"Oh, speaking of friends, the strangest thing happened today," I said, looking both ways before I began crossing the street. "Would you happen to know someone with the name Michael? Bright hair, eyebrow piercing? You couldn't miss him."
"Uh, yeah."
"That's it?" I asked, waiting. "'Uh, yeah'? Can I hear more? Who is he?"
"Why are you asking me this?" Ashton asked.
"Because he talked to me today!" I quietly exclaimed, not wanting to draw too much attention to us as we walked. "He knew my name, and I had never seen him before in my life. Luke had to tell me who he was, but he didn't tell me much about him."
"You're still hanging out with that Luke guy?"
"Will you focus?" I asked, and Ashton rolled his eyes. "This isn't about Luke, and this isn't about you either. I need to know how this guy found out about me."
"He's Michael Clifford," Ashton said, as if it was obvious. "He knows everyone. Just...Try not to get too involved with the guy, okay?" I merely nodded as we continued walking, the silence more awkward than comfortable this time. I didn't like our fights - Big or small.
I almost jumped when Ashton's hand brushed mine again, and I looked over at him to see he was already looking at me. I cleared my throat, turning my head back to the sidewalk.
"Can I hold your hand?" His question came quickly.
"What?" I asked, slightly caught off guard. I wasn't expecting him to ask, I thought if he had wanted to do it, he would have just done it.
"Can I hold your hand?" He repeated, slower this time. I blushed before nodding, allowing him to take my hand in his. His hand was bigger than mine, and they were soft and rough all at once. I liked it.
Just like that, the silence had gone from slightly awkward back to soothing and welcoming in a matter of seconds.
*****
I didn't order anything but a soda at the diner, considering the fact that I was probably going to go back home and eat with my mother after going swimming. I wasn't sure if she was going to get take-out like she had these past few nights, or actually cook something. She knew I wasn't picky, but it would have been nice to eat a home-cooked meal like we used to have almost every night.
The walk to the house really wasn't as far as I thought it would be, which was good because we'd have more time to spend in the water.
"We don't need to knock," Ashton said, opening the unlocked door. "We've been friends for awhile, he doesn't mind."
"Is that you, Ash?" A voice called from another room. We went inside before closing the door behind us, standing there, waiting.
"Hey, Calum." Ashton greeted his friend as a boy walked in the room. The phrase tall, dark and handsome could definitely be used to describe this boy. His eyes landed on me and he smiled.
"You're Natalie, I'm guessing?" I nodded, fiddling with the sleeves of my sweater. "Knew it. In the past two weeks, all I ever here this guy talking about is Natalie. Natalie this, Nat-" He was cut off by Ashton's hand covering his mouth, eyes wide.
"What he means is- Ew, don't lick me!" He yelped, pulling his hand away to wipe on his jeans.
"What I mean is that this guy definitely has something going on in that head of his. It's cute. Nice to meet you, Natalie. I'm Calum." He spoke once Ashton's hand was removed from his mouth. I, at this point, was laughing at the two. It was obvious they were good friends.
"You too." I said between small laughs.
"Do you guys wanna swim? It's hot outside today. Pool's out back."
"I was actually thinking Natalie could borrow a swimsuit from your sister? We weren't prepa-"
"No!" I suddenly almost-yelled, cutting him off. I couldn't believe I had been this stupid. I couldn't change! I hadn't worn bracelets under my sweater today, and I wasn't going to expose my scars.
"What's wrong?" Ashton asked.
"I, um, don't feel like going completely in the water. But could I maybe borrow a pair of shorts?" I asked timidly. They looked at me strangely, but nodded as Calum headed down the hall to another room.
"Are you okay? You seem kind of off, suddenly." Ashton said once his friend was out of earshot. I nodded, giving a small smile.
"Yeah, I'm great. Just don't want to go through all the trouble of drying off and putting all my clothes back on before we leave, you know?" He shrugged.
"Natalie, I'm pretty sure these are your size. They're kinda short, but they're the only thing I could find. I have no idea where my sister keeps her stuff," Calum said, handing me a grey pair of shorts as I mumbled a 'thank you'. "The bathroom is straight down the hall, last door on the left if you want to change there."
*****
"I sure wish you'd come in," Ashton pouted, arms on the side of the pool, the rest of his body in the water. I had my legs only in the water, not wanting to get my sweater wet. "I'm lonely."
"I'm here too, you jerk!" Calum laughed, but Ashton simply turned, flipping him off before turning back to me.
"Please come in."
"No, I don't think so." I laughed, causing Ashton to pout.
"Fine. If you don't come in, I'll get out." He pulled himself up out of the water, sitting right next to me, his legs in the water too.
"Great, just leave me in here by myself. Really kind, Ashton." He again, gave his friend the middle finger, his attention still on me.
"Are you going to get in now?"
"Nope."
"Yes, you are." Ashton said, but I folded my arms across my chest like a stubborn five-year-old.
"Make me." I instantly regretted my words, Ashton's hands on my back, gently - yet firmly - pushing me off the edge. I let out a cry of surprise as I hit the water, holding my breath. I heard another splash, probably Ashton jumping back in the water too.
"Ashton!" I shreiked as I came back up to the surface. I splashed him, wiping at my eyes as I exhailed through my nose, trying to get out excess water. "Fuck you!"
"You said 'make me'!" Ashton defended, laughing as he swam towards me. "Water up your nose?"
"You're an ass." I laughed.
"Wanna see who can hold their breath the longest?" He challenged, smiling.
"You're on." I replied, taking in a breath as he counted down. Three, two, one, I closed my eyes as I went under, holding my breath. I almost gasped as I almost instantly felt something against my lips, but that would have required air, something I was lacking at this moment in time.
I felt hands on my sides as I was pulled closer against him, my heart beating rapidly as his lips continued to move against mine in a perfect underwater kiss. His lips were soft and warm, despite the fact that we were in the water. Butterflies were an understatement as bombs and fireworks went off in my mind and stomach. It seemed like our lips were connected for minutes, even though it couldn't have been more than ten or fifteen seconds, before we both decided we needed to breathe.
Ashton pulled away, and I allowed myself to go back to the surface for air, - which I was in desperate need of at this point - him following a few seconds after.
"What was that?" I asked, a blush on my cheeks.
"That was me coming out of the water after you," He responded with a slight smirk. "I win."
*****
A/N: Long-ish chapter! Yay!
THEY HELD HANDS!
WE FINALLY GOT TO MEET CALUM!
HE KISSED HER, HE KISSED HER, HE KISSED HER!
I'M SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW, THIS CHAPTER WAS SO MUCH FUN TO WRITE!
Ahem, I'm good. I'm chill, yo.
Please comment? Vote maybe?
I'll try and update again soon.
ily!!
Callie xx