Chapter Two

I could feel my heart beating faster and faster as Callum and I approached the cafeteria. The past three years that I have gone to this school, no one has ever asked me to eat lunch with them. After two years of eating alone, I'd decided that I was better off skipping lunch and reading in the library.

"Is something wrong?" Callum asked, with a concerned look on his face.

"No, it's nothing, I just haven't eaten here in a long time." I said quietly.

"I'm sorry, we don't have to if you don't want to, I can go with you to the library if you like?" He suggested.

"No, it's fine, lets go in." I said, my voice picking up.

Before I could even process it, Callum grabbed my hand and pulled me into the cafeteria with him. Almost immediately, all eyes were on us and the whisper began. Great.

"What's up with these people, I've never been to a school like this before." Callum whispered in my ear, so close that his lips were almost touching it.

"This school runs on gossip, and you're basically hanging with the school outcast so I guess that's a big deal." I whispered back, as we walked to the lunch line.

He looked down at me curiously. When we got our food, I released his hand, forgetting that I'd been holding it in the first place. The whispers had calmed down, and it seemed like everyone went back to their normal conversations. Callum and I made our way to an empty table near the exit of the cafeteria.

"So tell me, why are you the school outcast, you seem like a very nice person." Callum questioned.

I laughed, and replied "Well thank you but your guess is as good as mine. I haven't done anything scandalous if that's what your thinking, people just don't talk to me." I said with a shrug. "I'm used to it by now."

I looked up at Callum and saw an angry expression on his face. His bright green eyes seemed darker and his eyebrows furrowed.

"Well you shouldn't be used to it Dylan, people shouldn't be treating you this way." He said, his voice now raised.

"Hey," I said grabbing his hand, which was clenched into a fist. "It's okay, It's senior year, in a couple of months I'll never have to see these people again." I laughed, trying to ease the tension.

"If anyone ever gives you any trouble, I need you to let me know, and I'll handle it." He replied firmly.

I nodded, and I could physically see his body start to relax. This guy was a stranger to me and he cared about my well being more than my own so called family. As if on cue, group of football players begin to approach our table. My step-brother Justin leading the charge.

"Hey man, we heard you played football over at Tollman, you thinking about trying out for the team?" Justin asked looking at Callum, while completely ignoring me.

I was surprised, Callum didn't seem like the football type. But what do I know, we'd only just met.

"Nah, I'm done with football. It isn't really my thing anymore." Callum replied coolly, looking away from Justin and turning his attention back to me.

"So your new thing must be hanging out with losers then." Justin laughed while staring down at me, his teammates cackling along behind him.

I rolled my eyes because this was nothing new, and before I could blink, Callum was on his feet throwing a fist into Justin's face. I gasped and immediately jumped to my feet. In an instant, the entire cafeteria came running over to witness the fight.

Justin fell to the floor and spit out blood, and that was when everything went haywire. Justin's teammates immediately turned their attention to Callum. Fists began to fly, and Callum was dodging every hit. The fight was three on one, but the three seemed to be at a disadvantage. Justin sprung to his feet, while his best friends Aaron and Jace finally caught Callum by both of his arms.

"Let go of him!" I screamed, as Justin landed a punch in Callum's stomach.

He continued to hit Callum, as I tried to pull Aaron off of his arm. Suddenly, a group of teachers came in and pulled the boys off of Callum.

We were all taken to the principals office.

"Do you all realize that today is the first day of school! It is never okay to result to violence, better yet on the first day of your senior year!" Principal Powell yelled. I must have been the only one paying attention, because she banged her fist on the desk and yelled "Look at me when I'm talking to you!"

"What do you all have to say for yourselves?" She questioned.

Callum was the first to speak.

"I'm sorry Ms Powell,but Dylan was not involved in the fight." He replied, looking at me from the corner of his eye.

Butterflies invaded my stomach and my hands started to get clammy. Could this guy get anymore attractive?

"Is that true Miss Gold?" She asked, giving me a death glare.

"I-I um yes, I only tried to stop the fight." I said, feeling intimidated by her hard gaze.

"Fine, you may leave. I don't want to see you back in my office again." She said, lightening up on the glare.

"You won't, I promise." I replied quickly. I got up and went for the door, not before sending Callum a look of gratitude which he responded to with a smile.

Because of the fight, I had missed my free period after lunch, but luckily made it to my final class of the day. Thankfully, the hallway was cleared when I left the principals office. I stopped by my locker before going to English class to grab a notebook. I stared at Callum's locker and smiled. He hit Justin in the face for insulting me. I've wanted to do that for the longest time, I laughed to myself. No one has ever came to my defense like that, and I wasn't sure why he'd done it, but I was grateful.

Once I got to English everyone turned to look at me. This had become the theme of the day. Thankfully, the teacher hadn't arrived yet, so I wouldn't be in trouble for coming in late. I made my way to an empty seat in the back. The class seemed to by quickly, partly because I wasn't really listening but thinking about Callum. I hoped that he hadn't gotten in too much trouble. However, I hoped they threw the book at Justin and his brainless friends.

I made my way to my locker to get a few things before heading home, when I saw Mel and her friends standing in front of it.

"Excuse me, I need to get to my locker." I said weakly.

"What do you think you're doing Dylan? Starting fights and hanging out with guys that are way out of your league." Mel snapped.

So that's what this was about, she was mad that I was hanging out with Callum.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Could you please let me get my things from my locker?" I replied.

"Fine, act clueless. Just so you know, a guy like that will never go for someone like you." She said walking away, not before she slapped the notebooks I had in my hands to the the ground. Her friends laughed as they followed her.

I let out a breath and tried to blink the tears in my eyes away. I couldn't wait to get out of this place. I picked up my things, put them in my locker, grabbed my car keys, and made my way to the exit.

When I got outside, the first thing I saw was Callum leaning against a shiny black motorcycle with a pair of dark sunglasses on. He looked incredibly hot.

I ran down the stairs to meet him.

"Hey, how are you feeling? Didn't you get in a lot of trouble?" I asked quickly.

He took off his sunglasses, showing his beautiful green eyes and replied "Just a week of detention, nothing major. And I'm fine, that Justin kid hits like a bitch." He laughed.

I giggled and said "Well I'm glad, I wanted to thank you for today. For standing up for me and getting me out of trouble with the principal." I said softly, looking down and playing with my fingers.

"I told you Dylan, I'm not going to let anyone mess with you." He replied.

I looked up and smiled at him not knowing how to respond.

"Need a ride home?" He asked, tapping his motorcycle.

"Oh thanks but no, I drove here. I'm also deathly afraid of those things." I laughed.

"You'd be safe with me." He replied as he hopped on his bike.

I'm sure I would be, I thought dreamily.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." He said, putting his sunglasses back on.

"Bye, see you tomorrow." I waved, and made my way to my car.

I smiled to myself as I drove home. This was going to be a good year.