The sun had started setting and we were both still out here, dallying, talking, wasting time like we had all the time in the world.

"Dinner is an hour," he stated, glancing at the time on his phone.

"Do you want to head back inside?" I asked.

"Only if you do."

I smiled, "Let's go. We can come back later." We headed inside but when we got to the door, he halted. "What's wrong?" I questioned, looking at him in confusion.

"Uh, nothing," he cleared his throat.

Before he could open the door, someone else pushed it open from the outside. We both stumbled back to avoid getting hit in the face and then froze when we saw the librarian. She saw us, getting startled. "What is going on here?" she huffed, her hand resting on her chest where her heart was probably pounding. "This balcony isn't meant for students," she scolded.

"I know, but I brought her here," he said quickly. "We just wanted to talk alone. Without other students interfering," he shrugged.

They both just stared at each other silently for a minute and I was convinced they were communicating with their eyes.

"Hmm, be on your way then," she nodded, stepping aside.

"Thank you," he smiled, grabbing a hold of my hand and taking me out with him.

"How come she didn't say anything?" I asked once we made it out of the library.

"She doesn't. She's caught me there before once or twice. It's okay, she doesn't care," he shrugged.

"I get the feeling that teachers like you around here, do they?"

"Way more than the students do, that's for sure," he scoffed.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Move, move, move! Out of the way!"

I frowned, looking up into the hallway where a group of freshman boys were chasing each other.

He grabbed my hand, pushing me into the wall.

"Hoi," I gasped, grabbing fistfuls of his shirt because I stumbled backward unexpectedly.

He stood in front of me, his body nearly touching mine. His face was only inches away. And he put his hand on the wall, caging me in, while his other hand was on the small of my back, making sure I didn't hit the wall too hard. He huffed, glaring at the back of their heads while the boys ran past us and to the staircase, rushing downstairs.

I wasn't breathing. I was aware that I wasn't breathing. And I still wasn't breathing. I don't know if it's because he pushed me against the wall or if it's because he's so close. I can't decide which one out of those two knocked the air out of me.

"Clara?"

I cleared my throat, finally taking in some air and blinking quickly, clearing my head before I looked up at his face. "Yes?"

"I asked you if you were okay?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm good, why?"

"Because I just... pinned you against the wall?" he chuckled.

"Was that supposed to hurt?" I frowned.

"It didn't?" He seems confused.

I blinked, looking down at his hand that went around my waist and to my back.

His eyes followed mine before he realized. "O-oh," he stammered, clearing his throat awkwardly before stepping back, his arms dropping to his sides.

"You didn't have to do that. But thank you," I smiled.

"Of course," he nodded. We went downstairs and started walking to the cafeteria, deciding to eat early. "Will you um, stay in your own room tonight?" he asked, glancing at me.

"Yeah. Unless you feel sick or you need anything," I answered. "Do you?" I raised my brows at him.

He shook his head slowly. "No."

"Then yeah, I'll be in my own room. Just in case you need anything, you can come by anytime. And anyhow, you have the spare keys," I shrugged.

He nodded in response as we entered the cafeteria.

Halfway through eating, Daisy and Wyatt joined us. "Hey," she smiled.

"Hey, you're back. What did you do with your dad?" I asked while Wyatt and Callum went to grab drinks for themselves.

"Nothing much. I was home for the most part but we went for some breakfast this morning. What did you do?" she asked. "With Callum?"

"Nothing much. I helped him with some history stuff today since he's feeling fine now," I answered while they came back.

Callum took his seat beside me, setting down a can of coke on my tray.

I looked at it then at him. "Huh?"

"Do you want it?" he asked.

"I didn't ask for one though."

"I know. But I got you one anyway. If you don't want it, I'll take it to my room," he shrugged. "Do you?"

"Um, sure," I replied.

He grabbed the can and then opened it for me, setting it back on my tray before resuming his conversation with Wyatt.

Daisy looked between us then glanced at my phone. She nodded at it. I looked at the screen while she grabbed her phone, typing out a text and sending it. A second later, my phone dinged.

What is going on between you two?

I looked at her in confusion, typing out and sending my reply.

Nothing. What are you talking about?

She rolled her eyes.

There is definitely something going on between you two. There's just a vibe, y'know?

I blinked, staring at the text.

What vibe?

She sighed.

Just a vibe! You like him, don't you?

I scoffed, looking up at her.

No, I don't like him.

She shot me a pointed look.

You can't even lie in your texts. Tell me. You do, don't you?

I bit down on my bottom lip, falling into thought. I do like him. But she told me since the beginning to stay away from him, so would it be a good idea to tell her the truth?

I sent out a text.

Maybe.

I put my phone, screen-down on the table, locking it. Then it dinged again. I huffed, grabbing it and reading her text from the notification.

You can admit it, you know.

I looked up at her and found her smirking, looking at me like she already knew my answer and only wanted me to admit it out loud. Or well, through the text. I glared at her, unlocking my phone and rapidly typing.

No, no, no. I don't like him. I don't, so stop saying that I do or I swear to god, I'll kill you.

I sighed, putting my phone back down. Both of us turned to Callum when his phone dinged. Daisy and I looked at each other. It dawned on both of us and our eyes widened.

"Don't check that!" I exclaimed, trying to grab his phone off the table to delete the text but he already grabbed it.

He looked at me weirdly. "Why did you text me?" he frowned in confusion, unlocking his phone.

"No, Callum. Don't check that! It wasn't meant for you!" I tried reaching for it but he stood up. I stood up with him, trying to snatch his phone.

"Ay, it's my phone. Let me read it," he said, pushing my hand away.

"No, no, no, Callum. Please, give it to me."

He clicked his tongue, holding it up over his head.

I stood on the chair, trying to grab it but he took a step back. "Callum," I whined, trying to grab his shirt to pull him closer and steal his phone.

"No, no, no. I don't—" he began reading out loud. "I don't, so stop—"

I shrieked, my foot falling off the edge of the chair. He stepped forward, putting his back to me so I could grab onto his shoulders. I did and he leaned down to keep me up so I was somewhat on his back with my chin hovering above his shoulder. I stared at the screen over his shoulder, reading the text with him. He turned to look at me over his shoulder. I closed my eyes, putting my head down on his shoulder.

"Too late," Daisy cleared her throat.

I flipped her off without even looking at her. I looked back up at Callum, noticing that his jaw was clenched.

"Get down," he said slowly.

I sighed, stepping off the chair. He turned to me and just watched me for a minute. "I—" He grabbed my hand, dragging me out of the cafeteria. "Okay," I mumbled to myself, walking behind him.

He shut the cafeteria door behind us and stood in front of me while I leaned on the wall. "Who was that text for?"

"Daisy," I answered.

"And who was it about?" He cocked a brow at me.

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, folding my arms across my chest. "I don't have to tell you," I mumbled.

"You know, generally when your friends tease you about you liking someone, you do like them. It happens to everyone."

"So?"

"So, tell me. Who was that about?"

"No one. I'm hungry, let me eat," I said, trying to walk around him. And I did.

But then he grabbed the waistband of my sweatpants, his fingers touching my lower back, sending a jolt through me as he pulled me back and trapped me against the wall. He let out an agitated huff. He seemed angry "Who was that text about, Clara?"

I looked up at him through my lashes, trying to keep my head down without making it obvious that I didn't want to make too much eye contact.

He huffed, leaning in closer, his body nearly pressing into mine. "Clara, who—"

"You." I pushed myself off the wall, my body crashing into his. "It was about you."

He blinked in... surprise?

"Now what?" I asked, tilting my chin up.

"Are you just saying that because—"

"No," I rolled my eyes. "I'm not just saying that. That text was about you. What about it?"

He stared at me, not knowing what to say. Or do.

Goddamn it. Kiss me, Callum.

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