Cedar Cliff, CA
Callie
The music played lowly in Callie’s ear. One earbud in, the other tucked into her shirt. After vigorously completing the last of her college applications, she shut down the computer in study hall and leaned back in her seat with a relieved breath. Last year, she had worked her ass off to get a perfect GPA. While her grades had always been good, she desperately needed to get a scholarship otherwise college was out of the question.
Her parents had saved up some money, so had she from working weekend shifts at the cafe on Main street, but that didn’t even account for one semester. While every one of her senior classmates were just starting to think about life after graduation, Callie already had a plan.
She was to get into Stanford, double major in business and environmental studies, then open up her own Business Sustainability consulting firm to help protect the earth from their ever growing carbon footprint. She knew it was going to be hard, but it was all the more reason to stay motivated and ahead of the curve. She could relax when she was dead.
“Cal! – Hello – earth to Callie!”
Turning her head, Callie realized she’d completely forgotten that Jamie was sitting next to her this whole time. She’d zoned out once again.
Jamie laughed quietly, chewing a pen cap on the corner of her mouth. “Where was your head this time around?” She asked, knowing her bestfriend’s habits all too well.
With a shrug, Callie swept her bangs behind her ear. “The usual.”
The bell rang and the girls stood. Callie tossed her purse over her shoulder, carrying her science book in her arm as they made their way out through the doorway.
“Hey! Don’t forget, movies at the park tonight! We’re doubling with the Wallace twins!”
Jamie called behind her as she disappeared around the corner. Callie laughed, heading the opposite direction to go up a flight of stairs to the next class on her schedule – English. After saying Hello to a few people in the hallway, she walked inside, taking a seat in the middle row as others filled into the room.
Just as the teacher was about to close the door, Hunter slide his way inside, giving her a cheeky smile before taking the seat next to me.
“Right on time Mr. Creston.” She commented snidely, closing the door and walking around to her desk to shuffle through a few papers.
“Hey.” He smirked, nudging Callie with his shoulder. “Didn’t see you at the party this weekend.”
Callie offered a smile, popping out her headphones before rolling them up and tucking them into her bag.
“Yeah, I got out of work around 11. I was just too tired to change and go all the way across town. Heard some crazy things went down though.”
He broke out in quiet laughter recalling the event before nodding. “You have no idea. You know Robby?” He waited for her to nod before continuing. “He got so smashed that he lit his parents’ pool umbrella on fire and everyone freaked out cause it starting to get to the bushes so we had to dunk it into the pool.”
“Jesus.” She sighed at their nonsense. Granted, if she was drunk, she would’ve found it hilarious too but in the light of day, it was just stupid.
“Alright. Get comfortable. These will be your seats for the next tear. I’m more likely to remember you by your seat than your name so stick to it.” Mrs. Morgan finally spoke, coming around to the front of her desk with a clipboard and pen in her hand. Her glasses hung low on the bridge of her slender nose so she could read whatever was on the paper.
Callie leaned back, adjusting herself to the fact that she’d have to spend an hour a day next to Hunter.
It’s not that he was a bad guy. They hung around the same people. They ran into each other at every party. But Hunter was different. He and his friends were always loud and rambunctious and couldn’t contain themselves when they drank. It was fun to watch, but it wasn’t something she wanted to be a part of.
Hunter could afford the risk of getting in trouble. His family had practically owned this town since it was founded. His father had investments in every school, hospital, bank, police headquarters – within a 100-mile radius of the county. There was even a plague with the Creston family crest wherever they had put in money. Hunter was set to run the family business when he graduated. Unlike most people, he didn’t have a worry in the world.
According to Callie, that was probably the reason he was such a pompous ass.
At least he was good to look at. If she could learn to drown out the words coming out of his mouth, it could actually be a good year.
Hunter was a classic kind of handsome. Aside from his luxurious chocolate hair that fell slightly above his shoulders, he had a strong chiseled jaw, piercing blue eyes, and skin that was seemingly always sunkissed to compliment his washboard abs – this she knew from watching the guys at football practice a time or two.
“So bored.” He muttered, hanging his head with a fake snore. Class was almost over and aside from taking attendance, all they’d done was listen to Mrs. Morgan go on and on about the beauty of Shakespeare’s imagination.
“It’s like we get it! He’s great! It’s been rammed down our throats since second grade!” Callie added in a harsh whisper, making Hunter laugh.
“I swear, I’m not going to college if I have to take another class about Shakespeare.” He said, shaking his head. “What’re you doin’ after school?”
Callie shrugged her shoulders, scrolling through her twitter feed on her phone. “A few of us are going to the movie showing in the park. You’re more than welcome. Rob and Sam are going to be there, so are the Wallace twins.”
“I got practice right after but the movie ain’t till eight right?”
“Yup” She nodded.
“Well maybe I’ll see you there then. What’s playing?”
“I think it’s that new horror one everyone’s been talking about.”
“Damn, okay, then I’ll definitely be there. I’ve been wanting to see that forever.”
“Alright.” She smiled, standing with her things as the bell rang.
“See you then.”
ooo
“Cal! Over here!”
She looked out at the sea of people laid out on blankets in the grass ready to watch the movie. Her eyes finally landing on Jamie who was waving from the other side, the twins and a few other people gathered on their blanket.
Shuffling her way through, she felt a set of hands poke her from behind and jumped to see Hunter, a wide pearly toothed grin on his face.
“Made it.” He said, shaking his wet hair out of his face. He must’ve just come from practice, dressed in only a gym tank and a pair of basketball shorts. His gym bag still hung on his shoulder.
“Right on time, Mr. Creston.” She teased, mimicking their teacher from earlier.
The two walked through the crowd to take their seats next to their friend. Cameron Wallace threw his arm around Callie while his brother Chris held Jamie tucked into his side. Hunter sat behind them with a few of the other football players that had joined their group.
Cameron wasn’t so bad. He was definitely more mature than Hunter and actually kind of a gentleman. He’d taken Callie out a few times before but a relationship between the two was out of the question. They’d been friends for years and even though Jamie had an enormous crush on Chris, Callie preferred the friends and benefits deal with Cam. It was just easier for the two to deal with. Both of them were way to focused on their future for anything more than a fling.
“You want popcorn or anything, babe?” He asked, leaning his head over hers.
Callie nodded and he turned to ask his brother and everyone else.
“We’ll all go.” Hunter offered.“Got a little while before the movie starts.”
Cam nodded in agreement and the guys got up, walking towards the concession stand set up by the park entrance.
“Seriously, if I wasn’t totally in love with Sam, I’d be all over Hunter.” Amanda leaned over, whispering to Jamie and Cal. Both of them laughed, watching the guys walk away.
“Don’t let him hear you. He’s already full of himself.” Callie warned with a chuckle. Jamie shook her head in disagreement.
“Well maybe I’d like to be full of him too. Shit. “
“Christ! You’re such a hornball.” Amanda laughed, shoving her playfully.
“Listen – I’m a firm beliver in ‘You’re only young once.’ I might as well get all I can now before my tits start to sag and my only chances at love are Match.com and EHarmony.”
“She’s got a point” Cal added. “Have you seen her mom?”
“You bitch!” Jamie yelled out jokingly while the girls laughed.
The guys came back, taking their places again. Cameron handed her one of the buckets, popping a few in his mouth before he groaned in frustration.
“Shit – I forgot to get you a drink.”
“It’s fine – I’ll split with Jamie.”Cal offered, but he shook his head.
“Nah – no need. I’ll be right back.” He stood, walking away again as the screen got dark and the park lights went out.
“Looks like you got Cam pretty whipped.”
She heard Hunter whisper in her ear from behind. The smell of his body spray coating her senses.
“It’s called chivalry babe. Learn it sometime.” Cal retorted.
Hunter snorted, the warm breath from his chuckle sending a shiver down her back. “Please. It’s all an act – he’s just trying to get some tonight.”
She laughed, turning to face him only to be met by his baby blue glare. “He can get some whenever – has it ever occurred to you that he’s just a nice guy?”
He searched her eyes for a moment, shaking his head with a sly smirk. “Oh, he’s got it like that with you?”
“Grow up.” She rolled her eyes, turning back around.
Cam sat back down next to her, setting her drink between them before throwing his arm around her again to tuck her into his side.
“You get that application in?” He whispered close to her ear so he wouldn’t disrupt the movie.
“Yeah, got it done during free block. How many do you have left?”
“Just the one to UCLA. I’m reworking my essay.”
“Isn’t this like your 10th draft?”
“Yeah, but this is for UCLA. It has to be perfect.”
He responded with a nonchalant shrug, like it wasn’t a big deal that his essay was nothing like his original idea at all by this point. It had gone from a paper describing his dreams to a thorough business plan for his future art gallery. Not that it was a bad thing – but it was great to begin with. All of this extra work was just his OCD getting the best of him.
The movie ended up being a lot scarier than planned. Despite the warm night’s air, Callie tucked herself into Cam’s side, a blanket pulled up halfway over her eyes as she watched another gory scene.
Cam’s phone rang and she jumped, holding back a shriek of pure fear.
“Sorry, it’s my mom. I gotta get this.” He whispered, kissing the top of her head before disappearing again.
“Goddamit.” She muttered, curling her arms around her legs, holding them tightly against her chest as she watched the screen.
“Well shit, you really are scared.” Hunter whispered, scooching up next to her, taking Amanda’s place who was now happily occupied with Sam’s tongue down her throat.
“Shut up!” She retorted harshly before another jump scare made her jump right into his arms, tucking her head into his chest and under the blanket. He laughed quietly but wrapped his arms around her to calm her down.
“Chris.” Cam came back, calling out to his brother in a whisper. Hunter immediately let go of Callie even though she took her time pulling away from him.
“Mom wants us home.”He said. His brother let out an irritated groan but didn’t protest.
“Fine, Jamie you need a ride?” Chris asked, the blonde who nodded her head.
Cameron turned towards Callie, nodded his chin. “You hanging around?”
“Yeah. I’m already invested.”
“How are you getting home?”
“I’ll give her a lift. Got my car.” Hunter offered, looking between Callie and Cam.
Turning her head to look at Hunter, she shrugged before turning back to Cam.
“Alright. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He waved at them then everyone else.
“Good luck.”She called out after him as Jamie gave her a hug before following the twins.
“Some boyfriend, he is.” Hunter scoffed, watching him leave.
“Who, Cam? He’s not my boyfriend.” She replied, ripping her eyes off the scream.
He scrunched his brows in confusion, looking down at her. “Then what’s all that talk about ‘he can get it whenever’?”
When she stayed silent, his eyes widened with realization.“OH!” He said almost too loudly.“You guys have one of those relationships.”
She rolled her eyes and he took it as confirmation.
“I don’t know how you can just be friends with benefits. You’re okay with him fucking other girls and shit?”
Callie shrugged and nodded.“Yeah – doesn’t really bother me.”
“And you get to be with other guys?”
“Yeah – if I want. We don’t mess around when we’re in relationships though. Just when we’re both single. Just so happens that neither of us want a relationship this year so ….”
“Still, if you belonged to me – I wouldn’t want you with anyone else.”
“Well I don’t belong to you – or him – or anyone else for that matter.” She stated matter-of-factly.
He smiled, more to himself than to her, and she looked away, back at the screen where the movie was coming to an end and the credit’s started to roll.
Hunter stood, helping Callie up before she folding the blanket she had brought with her and helped Amanda roll the one they’d all been sitting on.
“Are you going back to Sam’s?” Callie asked, waving goodbye to a few of the other guys.
“Yup. Spending the night. His parents are out of town – you know what that means!” She nudged the brunette with her elbow, a sly grin on her face.
Callie laughed, handing her the blanket. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Girl, please. That’s not saying much. Have fun with Hunter!” She waved, running after her boyfriend.
Turning around, Callie spotted Hunter saying goodbye to two of his friends and made her way over there. The two gave her a hug, walking the opposite direction as Hunter took nodded his head across the street to his Range Rover.
She followed him across, taking a seat in the passenger’s side, placing her bag neatly on her lap. It was a nice car. She had to give him. Way better than her mom’s used ford focus.
“Want me to put the address in the GPS?”
“Nah, you live by Kelly right?”
“Yeah.” She cocked a brow.“How’d you know?”
“She mentioned it when I was driving her home over the summer.”
She laughed, relaxing back in the seat.
“I didn’t know Kelly was your type.”
He turned his head to look at her, an amused look on his face. “And what makes you think I have a type?”
Callie shrugged her shoulders. Another habit she had to stop. Her mother could go on and on about the health problems shrugging all the time could cause. Of course there was. Of course there was no proof, but old world beliefs were enough for her mom.
“Oh come on! I’ve known you for what, 3 years now. You definitely have a type.”
He laughed, sliding his hand on the steering wheel, resting it on his lap.
“That’s not a type. That’s a preference. And besides. It’s not like we’ve really known each other. Like, aside from your favorite beer and where you live – I can’t say I know anything about you. When have you ever said more than two words to me at a party? Or even hung out with me one on one?”
She lowered her head to think but came up with nothing. They were always too busy hanging out with their own groups.
“I guess you’re right, but you have to admit it’s a pain in the ass dealing with you when you’re with the guys. All of you are shitheads the moment you’re near each other.”
He laughed at her honesty and nodded his agreement.“Well, we’re young. Once this year is over, we’re all parting ways. Sam’s going to school in Boston. Derek’s going to Houston. Rob’s going to Florida. Some are going to UCLA…”
“And you?”
“Probably the school my dad went to with the rest of his friends’ sons.”
“Is that what you want?” She asked, noticing the unenthusiastic tone.
Hunter looked at her then returned his eyes on the road. He didn’t answer the question, instead, the two fell into an awkward silence of sorts, just the sound of the radio quietly filling the space between them. Callie, lowered her head, picking at her chipped polish for a little while, unsure of what she said to upset him, but this was the first time they’d actually hung out just one on one, she didn’t want to leave on a sour note.
“So – how do you know what my favorite beer is?”
Slowly, his lips curled back into a smile and he glanced over. “You don’t remember? It was like the beginning of last summer at Jesse’s lakehouse and they ran out of Bud Light and you started bawling your eyes out about how it was your favorite and the party was ruined.”
“Oh my god! No way. That entire weekend was a blur, I don’t remember any of that!” She whined, throwing her hands over her face in embarrassment.
He laughed at her reaction and nodded. “Yeah, so I went out with Jesse’s big brother to buy you three more cases to last you the weekend and we wouldn’t let anyone else touch it.”
She laughed, her face beet red, at the thought.“Jesus, I had no idea! Thank you for that – all I remember was waking up the next day to a full stocked mini fridge in the room I was staying in.”
He shook his head, brushing it off with a smile.“It’s cool – I don’t like seeing girls cry.”
He said, turning the corner, he pulled onto her street and Callie pointed out her house at the end of the block. Pulling into her driveway, Hunter watched as she made sure she had all of her things before opening the door.
“Well – thank you.” She smiled, suddenly shy.“For the ride, and for everything else you’ve done that I don’t know about.”
“You’re welcome.” He laughed.“See you tomorrow?”
“You bet.”She returned, shutting the car door and heading the steps to her front door. He waited for her to unlock it, watching her give him a small wave before heading inside.