Chapter 8
EIGHT
Birdie
Thirteen Years Old
I’ve been dreading this day.
The day I would have to see my best friend being all lovey-dovey with another girl. It makes my stomach ache, twisting and churning uncontrollably.
I’ve decided that I hate the eighth grade. It’s the grade that Callum got his first girlfriend, Josie Ellerly.
Ugh, Josie is such a stupid name.
Okay, I can’t lie...I really love her name.
I actually think it’s very pretty. And before Callum asked her out, I thought she was the most gorgeous girl in our grade.
But now that she’s with Cal, I just think that everything is stupid. I wake up every day mad at the world, which is a feeling my mom says will pass. She says it’s all part of being a teenager.
But I don’t know if I believe her because I was perfectly fine until Callum got a girlfriend.
We still sit together on the bus, and he acts like nothing has changed. Or…Callum’s trying his best to act like everything is normal between us. I know that he’s noticed how distant I’ve been over the past few weeks, keeping a safe distance of space between us on the bus instead of sitting so close that our thighs touch. Instead of throwing my arms around his neck because I’m happy to see him, I just flash him a small smile and clasp my hands together in my lap.
Everything just feels…awkward.
Is that normal for two best friends? To feel irritated when the other has a crush on someone that isn't you? Shouldn't I be happy for him?
Winnie tells me that I’m jealous, but she’s only in the third grade, so she doesn't really know what she’s talking about.
A sharp gasp pulls me from my thoughts, and I quickly realize it’s the sound of my own inhale.
Because down the hall, Callum reaches for Josie’s hand and threads his fingers through hers.
He’s holding her hand. His skin is touching hers.
I think I’m actually going to be sick.
For a split second, Callum’s eyes lift and lock onto mine. Not because he’s trying to make me jealous, but because, in a crowded room, we always seem to find each other like two magnets. It must be a best friend thing.
His brows pinch together in confusion as my eyes fill with water. I can’t look at him anymore, or I might lose it.
I swipe my books from inside my locker, hug them to my chest, and quickly spin around. I start walking as fast as I can toward the other end of the hall while fighting back hot tears.
Before I hear him, I feel him. Like feathers against my spine, I sense him drawing closer.
“Birdie!” he shouts from behind me.
I keep walking. My feet pick up speed until I’m almost running .
“Birdie Wren!” he bellows, his voice getting louder. I know that he’s only steps behind me now.
I keep ignoring him, too afraid to let him see me cry. Callum has seen me cry before…but not over him. God, just the thought of Cal seeing me cry over him and Josie has me wanting to disappear and never show my face again.
My skin burns through the cotton of my shirt when I feel Cal’s fingers cup my right shoulder. I suck in a sharp breath when his chest bumps against my back and he turns us down a nearby hall. He stops in front of the boys' bathroom, swiveling his head left and right to survey the hall before speedily pushing us through the door.
Oh no.
This is not good.
I can’t be in here.
“ Callum! What are you doing–”
“Shhh,” he cuts me off, lifting his pointer finger to his lips.
With one hand still on my shoulder, he bends his knees and looks for shoes beneath the four stalls. I’m guessing he doesn't see anyone because he exhales a relieved sigh.
“It’s clear,” he mutters before reaching around my back to turn the lock on the door.
He brings his free hand to my other shoulder, and now, he’s touching me with all ten fingers. His eyes flick between mine, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Callum this close before. Close enough to study his face.
His cobalt eyes look like the clear sky, and his dark hair looks like curls of midnight. He has this freckle beneath his bottom lip that I’ve never noticed before. And I think it's kind of cute.
Is it weird to think that your best friend is…beautiful?
I’d never admit it to Cal, but lately, my stomach has been doing this funny thing when I’m around him. It feels like little creatures are doing cartwheels and backflips in my belly.
“Birdie…” Callum stammers. “What’s going on with you? With us?”
I look up at his tall frame through my lashes. Over the past year, it’s felt like Callum has gotten significantly taller each day.
Through the bathroom door, I hear the hallway go silent at the same time the bell rings.
“We’re late for class,” I say, redirecting the conversation.
He narrows his eyes at me.
“I don’t care about being late right now, Birdie,” he replies, intently holding my stare. “I care about you.”
I care about you, too.
I blink rapidly, trying not to be hypnotized by his intense stare.
“Well, my parents are going to be upset if they find out I’m skipping class for no reason,” I retort, trying not to let him see how much he affects me. “So, I need to go.”
He tilts his head, looking down at me like he knows I’m bluffing.
“You’re not skipping. You’ll just be a few minutes late,” he adds. “Besides, we’re in eighth grade now, not elementary school. No one will call your parents because you’re late for one class.”
“What am I going to say when Mr. Buckley asks where I’ve been in front of the whole class?”
“Just say you were in the bathroom,” he shrugs. “It’s not like it's a lie.”
I roll my eyes because I am not going to say that.
Sorry, Mr. Buckley. I got caught up on the toilet.
Yeah, not freaking happening.
I might as well just get this over with .
“What do you want to talk about?” I huff out, annoyance lacing my tone. “I really do need to get to class.”
With his hands still on my shoulders, he doesn't waste a second before addressing the elephant in the room.
“Are you mad that I’m dating Josie?”
Wow.
Way to get right to the point, Callum.
I arch my brows like I’m offended.
“Excuse me?” I ask.
Instantly, I watch him cringe internally.
“God…” he exhales while running a hand through his hair, looking frustrated with himself. “I feel like such an ass asking you this, but that’s when everything changed between us. When I asked Josie to be my girlfriend.”
Ass.
I’m still getting used to hearing Callum curse. I know he doesn't say things like that around his dad. I don’t know much about Cal’s family, but I know he doesn't like his father. I’ve asked him about his dad multiple times, but Callum refuses to talk about him. It’s almost like he’s scared of his own father.
Silence passes between us as I stare down at my feet. After a few seconds, Callum places a finger beneath my chin and gently tilts my head until I’m staring directly into his blue eyes.
“Birdie Wren,” he whispers, sending shivers down my spine. He always uses my middle name when he’s being serious. “Talk to me.”
My eyes bounce between his.
“I’m not mad…” I trail off before my honesty spills out like vomit. “I’m just still trying to get used to you and Josie. Before her…you were mine. My best friend. My person. My Callum. And now, you’re hers, too. I’m not used to sharing you, Cal.”
My bottom lip trembles as I let my true feelings out.
His throat bobs as he swallows thickly .
“Birdie…” his voice cracks with emotion. “You know that you can always hang out with us, right? Josie wouldn't mind.”
“No,” I reply without hesitation. “I can’t.”
He furrows his brows.
“Why?” Cal prods. “Do you not like Josie? Has she said something mean to you? Because if she has, I’m done with her, Birdie. I’m not kidding.”
His tone lowers like he’s furious at the mere thought of Josie confronting me. Callum has always been overly protective of me.
“No, Callum,” I assure him. “Josie has been nothing but nice to me. But when she’s with you, I’m sure she doesn't want another girl hanging around. You’re her boyfriend, Cal. What you have with her is different from your relationship with me.”
He nods his head like he’s agreeing with me, and even though it shouldn't hurt, it feels like a knife to my chest.
“You’re right,” he finally says. “What I have with you is completely different. Because my friendship with you is more important to me. You will always be the most important, Birdie. Always.”
My breath hitches as my heart skips a few beats. I was not expecting that response. The little creatures in my belly are going crazy, spinning and flipping out of control.
“But she’s your girlfriend…” I breathe.
He completely takes my breath away when he lifts his hands to my face and cups my cheeks between his long fingers. His eyes dart between mine as he cradles my cheeks like I’m a rare treasure.
“But you’re my Birdie,” he states. “ My best friend. My person. And that will never change. Okay?”
Oh, Lord. I need a pulse check.
I slowly nod, wondering if he can feel my blood heating beneath his fingers.
“Yeah?” he asks again.
“Yeah,” I reply, my voice barely a whisper.
I’m not sure how I don’t pass out when he lowers his head and places a tender kiss to my forehead. When he pulls away, he steps back and drops his hands from my cheeks. My skin immediately feels cold when he releases me, yearning for the warmth of his touch.
“Are we good, Birdie?” A soft, charming smile curves his lips.
“We’re good,” I nod. “Always.”
And I mean every word. We have to be okay. Because I don’t know how I would survive in a world without Callum Pierce.