My Girl

06 | meet me again

"So, he left just like that?" Keisha's voice echoes in my ear as I talk to her on the phone, my eyes glued to the TV as I lay back on the couch in the living room.

My mind, however, is not revolving around whatever it is I'm watching.

"Yeah, he did," I whisper, trying to keep my voice down. It would be a problem if Dad knew that I'm talking about a boy. He's always nosy when it comes to this topic.

I lean over the couch to check the stairs, hoping that he wouldn't just appear out of the blue, because Keisha doesn't look like she's going to stop asking me about this hot vocalist who just left me dumbfounded yesterday while I was only trying to help his sister.

"Not even a 'thank you'?" Keisha asks.

I don't need Cal to thank me, but I wish he would understand that I meant no harm to Jasmine. I do understand his point, though, and that was why I informed the bartender about where we were.

I didn't know that he was going to return soon from the band studio.

"Trust me. You two will meet again," Keisha teases, and I roll my eyes. "Come on. He purposely made you keep his jacket."

I remember that was exactly what Cal said when he walked me home, but then he turned cold as soon as I barged into his personal space.

"What about his friends?" Keisha chuckles, her voice sounding dreamy. "Are they hot and good-looking too? Damn, I wish I could have gone with you to that bar."

My stomach churns as I remember the dark atmosphere surrounding that place and the look the lead guitarist tossed me that sent shivers down my spine.

"I don't think..." I falter, feeling like they're not the kind of guys I want my best friend to hang out with. Cal's friends seem more dangerous. "I don't think it's a good idea to go to that place again. It's horrible. It felt cold and smelt awful with all the smokes."

Keisha laughs. "You always feel cold, Mia."

Just when I'm about to retort, the doorbell rings. I turn my head toward the kitchen, knowing that Mom is still busy preparing our dinner, and it's about time I move my lazy ass from the couch.

"I'm sorry, babe. I'll call you again later. Someone is waiting at the door." I stand up. After I hear her say 'bye', I hang up.

I huff and walk toward the door, wondering who it is because Mom and Dad didn't tell me anything about having a guest tonight. I open the door, and my eyes widen in surprise.

There standing before me is Cal, dressed in that black leather jacket I'm already familiar with, a black t-shirt underneath it. As usual, he's wearing jeans and a pair of black boots.

My gaze darts on his face, and I'm met again with his signature messy dark hair and ocean eyes, which land on my face and then drop to my body.

Only then do I realize what I'm wearing --  a white tank top and super short denim shorts.

Cal tears his gaze away from me for a second, raking his fingers through his hair. My heart thuds as his gaze darts back on me. Both of us are too flustered to speak.

"I'm sorry for yesterday," he finally says.

His voice sounds genuine. I swallow, waiting for him to say more.

"I was acting like a jerk, while you were just trying to help me," he says. "I didn't expect Jasmine to be there, and I was already pissed because of some shit I had to deal with my band."

He looks irritated, as though those circumstances have just flashed back in his mind.

"Thanks for keeping Jasmine company," he continues. "I didn't plan to leave her at the bar in the first place, but the thing I had to settle at the studio caused her to wait longer than I thought."

I feel my shoulders relax a bit after hearing him say it.

"I was just worried about her. You didn't deserve that," Cal says. "Jasmine is declaring war with me now because of the way I left you yesterday. I'm sorry, Amy."

A small smile forms on my lips. "It's okay, Cal. I understand." To be honest, I would have done the same had I had a little sister.

Cal looks into my eyes. "So, we're good?"

I nod. "Yeah."

He smiles, and my heart skips a beat. None of us says anything, and my pulse quickens as a few more seconds pass in silence.

"We're going to have another gig this weekend," he starts again. "We're going to play some more songs, and it won't be at the same bar. The place will be better, I promise." His charming smile is still plastered on his face, but I can hear the hesitance in his voice, like he's wondering whether I would be comfortable to see him again or not. "That's...If you want to listen to our music again," he adds.

I stare at him. I don't know what to say.

But then, I quickly compose myself. "That's great, Cal," I say, and he watches me intently, waiting for me to say more. "I'd like to."

He smirks, while I can only stare at him again, silently cursing at myself for allowing this guy to affect me this much. I can't help but admit that seeing him again makes me happy.

"Wild Rover Pub," Cal informs the name of the place. "It's nothing like Wily, I swear," he admits how bad the previous bar is. "Friday night, 8 pm."

I take note of the schedule of their next performance. While I don't say anything, another small smirk creeps on the corner of his lips.

"I'll see you soon, then," he whispers. With that, he takes a few steps backward, bows slightly to me, and walks away with his hands shoved into his pants pockets.

Taking a deep breath, I turn around and close the door behind me, only to find that Dad has arrived in the living room.

"Who's that?" He frowns, his brows furrowing as he eyes me suspiciously.

Right. Dad has always been overprotective when it comes to this clumsy daughter of his, the one and only child in this house.

I roll my eyes and head upstairs without taking his question seriously. "Just a friend, Dad."

***

AN:
Hi, everyone. It's a double update :) You can proceed to the next chapter now.