8

Chapter Song: ILYSB STRIPPED- LANY

I noticed Kylie and Liam sitting very close in the corner of the couch. I gave him a slight nod of approval hoping she didn't notice. He would never let me forget it if Kylie saw me staring.

Riley was on the floor laying on her stomach, while Mason used her butt as a footrest from the couch. Lucas was perched next to him, which was a little weird since Riley invited him. I didn't point it out or anything, deciding I'd ask her later. Livi had decided to lay next to Riley.

Riley was Livi's role model. She idolized her. We even had to put her in ballet classes because she was so strung out on Riley's life. Riley actually taught her dance class once a week. Livi was in complete awe when she found that out.

I handed Riley her mug as I walked toward the opposite corner of Liam where our couch extended making the L shape. My body was almost small enough to fit the whole space. I loved how cozy that spot was. Everyone knew it was my designated spot.

As I sipped my coffee I noticed Tyler and Cal strolling in with bags of popcorn. I watched over the brim of my cup as Tyler sat on the other side of Liam giving him more space than Kylie had.

He eyed Riley and looked towards Lucas and back to Riley with disgust. Did he have a crush on Riley? I couldn't imagine Tyler actually liking someone as genuine as her. At the same time, I don't see why anyone wouldn't like her? I quickly looked away when he caught me watching him. That would be a conversation for another time.

Cal scanned the room looking for a spot. Only I didn't realize that it was next to me. I mean he could have sat on the floor.

"Thanks for saving me a seat Parker." Cal was pleased as he sat down scooting me over more.

He nudged me further away from my spot so he could have more leg room squishing me against him. He gave one final wiggle to get comfortable causing my coffee to slosh over the brim spilling the hot contents over my thigh.

"Shit Cal!" I screamed jumping up trying not to spill anymore. I held my cup of coffee in front of me wincing. Partially because of how much pain I was in and also because I was afraid to spill any more of it on the floor or the couch.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" He jumped up to grab the cup out of my hands. As soon as it was out of my grasp I ran down the hall to my bathroom.

I could feel the tears beginning to form in my eyes. It didn't hurt too bad. I mean it was extremely hot, but it wasn't anything to cry over. Crying was just a defense mechanism I guess. A really annoying defense mechanism.

I grabbed a washcloth from my cabinet and ran it under cool water before pressing it against my leg. The one night I decided to wear some comfy shorts and I get piping hot coffee spilled on me. I couldn't help but shake my head.

"Hey." I heard his soft voice as he gently tapped against the door frame.

"Hi." I sniffled quickly wiping away my tears.

"No really are you okay?" he asked. He did sound genuinely concerned. So that was a plus, unlike the usual teasing I was used to.

He stepped closer towards me and squatted down so he was eye level with my thigh. It was a little awkward at first but he gently grabbed my hand removing the cloth to inspect it. I shoved his hand away motioning that I was fine. It wasn't a big deal.

"Can you let me see it please?" He seemed genuinely scared that he hurt me pretty bad. In reality, it wasn't like he actually planned to spill my coffee all over me. I wasn't mad at him for it.

"Cal I'm fine," I assured him, standing up to face him. "See." I pointed my toe out towards him showing off my thigh.

"It's really fucking red." His eyes grew wide as his eyebrows practically touched his hairline. He was too afraid to meet my eyes. All he kept doing was pulling his bottom lip between his teeth.

Once I looked down I saw that he was right. It was really fucking red. I could tell it wasn't a second or third-degree burn so I wasn't too concerned about it. It did feel a little numb but I'll just try to shake it off. Besides if it was bad later I would ask my dad if he had any burn cream.

"I promise I'm fine." I looked into his eyes placing my hands on his chest.

He met my eyes and then followed my hands to his chest. Immediately I pulled away. Shit, I shouldn't have done that. Maybe that was a little too close for comfort.

"Okay," he whispered. "But I kind of did you a favor." He smirked changing his tone entirely.

"How?" I felt my face scrunch in disgust.

"That shit was gross." His smug grin was plastered on his face. There was the Cal McCormick I knew.

"You don't even know what it was!" I yelled exasperated.

"That pumpkin stuff you girls like so much." He waved away my attitude.

"How did you know that's what it was?" I was kind of impressed actually.

"Parker I could smell it," he winced.

"It's good." I teased him hitting him with my wet rag.

"It's basic." He mocked.

"It is not basic!" I raised my voice slightly offended.

"Are you guys gonna watch the movie or not?" I heard Liam yell.

"Yeah, I just gotta go to the ER first!" I yelled back.

I grabbed a new towel to soak it in cold water. I decided I would let it rest on my leg for a little bit trying to help. If I needed ice I would go grab some. But the rag should help just fine.

I looked back at Cal as he mouthed basic one more time before rolling my eyes walking towards the living room. I could hear his footsteps behind me but I forced myself not to look back. Secretly I was hoping he didn't try to trip me. It's happened before.

"I love you!" Riley beamed at me sipping her warm mug of deliciousness and bad decisions. I just gave her a quick wink while I returned to my cushioned corner.

We settled back in with snacks as the movie began. Cal had grabbed some popcorn and I grabbed the m&ms. After another awkward moment, we decided to share our goods.

At one point I began to shift my body and adjust my legs to go across his legs and tuck them into the arm of the couch. He lightly put his hand on my knee and the touch alone made me shiver. I hoped he couldn't tell.

I was starting to get sleepy as I leaned my head against the couch. Besides I was getting tired of the movie we were watching. I wasn't even sure what we were watching. I still forced my eyes to stay open.

By the second movie, Lucas went home. I think he and Riley were getting into an argument over texting. I'd have to ask her about it later.

Liam had carried Livi upstairs while Cal put in a different movie. Everyone decided on horror much to my dismay. While they both did that I went to grab a blanket from my room before sitting back down.

Everyone knew I hated horror movies. Part of me started to think they did it just to torture me. When the movie started to pick up I would cover my eyes into Cal's shoulder or with my blanket. It didn't feel weird either, almost normal.

I actually used to sit next to Cal all the time during our movie nights. It was a normal thing at one point for us. It did feel like old times tonight, and I was glad for that.

Plus I was beginning to get more tired and he was comfy. I really didn't want everyone to think anything was going on, especially Liam. I focused my attention back on the screen. The girl was walking down the hall with scary music playing increasing my anxiety and then-

I let out a scream as hands gripped my hips digging their fingers in. The room was filled with laughter because they knew how big of a wimp I was. I threw Cal's hands off me and try to scoot away from him. I hated it when any of them would scare me. I didn't get very far.

"Share your blanket." He whined in my ear while tugging at the soft fleece.

His whisper sent shivers down my entire body. It wasn't like I haven't shared a blanket with any of them before.

I had to share a towel with Tyler once. He let me have most of it. It was at a swim meet and he forgot his. I didn't want to relive that memory. Sometimes he would bring it up and I would have to kick him in the shins to get him to stop.

"Shhhh!" I heard Liam look my way.

"C'mon please." He pushed his lips out and I swore his bottom lip grazed my ear.

Oh my god.

I wasn't prepared for him to do any of that again so I surrendered some of my blanket to him as quickly as I could. Smiling triumphantly he pulled, even more, leaving me with a small corner. Little rude.

"I'm cold," I whispered harshly hoping it would get my point across. I even tried to nudge him with my feet but he wouldn't budge. How rude.

"Kenny, did you say you were cold?" Mason whispered to me.

"Uh yeah, actually I am." I nodded his way unsure of how he heard me say that.

Maybe I just really sucked at whispering. I watched as he reached behind the couch to grab another blanket and handed it to me.

"Thanks, Mace." I grinned and turned to stick my tongue at Cal. "Now that is a gentleman." I beamed at him hoping it would irritate Cal. Mason was always the nicest one out of all of them.

"Shhhhh!" Liam said louder this time clearly annoyed. He hated it when we talked during movies.

When I looked back over at Cal he looked annoyed. It was plastered all over his face. I could tell by how clenched his jaw was. Not to mention how tense his body was. I watched out of the corner of my eye as he clenched and unclenched his fists. His brows were furrowed too. I was kind of beginning to think he was forcing himself to focus on the movie.

"You okay?" I mouthed at him nudging him with my foot again. He looked at me and gave a small nod. He really wasn't going to make this easy.

I let out a small sigh and scooted closer to him so I felt his body heat through our blankets. I nudged him again. This time he looked at me raising his eyebrow.

"You sure you're okay?" I whispered hopefully quieter this time. I had to lean my head against his shoulder to whisper into his ear. "Truth or lie?"

"Better now." He whispered back leaning his head against mine.

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Okay, probably not a super long chapter but I split this one up between the last chapter and this one just to get a better effect on this chapter itself. I loved writing this one! I just think it is so cute how Cal cares for her, and how he is starting to show it.

I hope you guys are liking it! Let me know if you have any ideas! I would love to hear them :)

xoxo