If you've never been to Wal-Mart, well, let me explain you a thing or two here. First of all, civilized dress code does not apply, especially if you're the typical middle class woman who inevitably owns a pair of plaid pajama pants. Secondly, manners are a no go. Cashier going too slow cause she's like 104 years old? Too bad, suffer my wrath. Oh, that man has a broken ankle? So sad, I didn't put down that third Big Mac and am too lazy to walk.

            Sound fun? Didn't think so. This is basically what Callum and I are presently dealing with. Callum sighed as he heard me groan again as I walked past a man with a My Little Pony tattoo. “Tate, it's not the end of the world.” I scowled at him as he pulled me by my hand through the crowds of people doing their overdue Valentine's Day shopping.

            “Excuse me, but I’m not the one who forgot to get his boyfriend a gift.” I sniffed, refusing to look at him and turning my nose up.

            “I told you, I’m just getting something for it that I didn't know it needed. I didn't forget.” I sighed dramatically again, and he chuckled.

            “Come on grumpy, let's get this over with. You can’t see what I’m getting, so go do something while I find what I’m looking for,” Callum said, guiding us out of the way of walking people. I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms bitterly.

            “I don’t wanna. I want to stay with you.” I pouted, and he pouted back, pressing our equally pouty lips together.

            “Too bad. Go to the toy section or something. Better yet, the men’s clothing section. Occupy yourself with the smiling, photo-shopped but still hot male models on the wall.” I rolled my eyes and he snickered, kissing me on the cheek. “See you in a few minutes, I’ll be quick.” With that, he left me standing in the middle of Wal-Mart pouting. What an asshole. I’m totally dumping him when he gets back. Okay, maybe not, but the silent treatment. If I can stop talking long enough.

            I grumbled to myself, sulking on my way over to the toy section. Toys over boys bitch.  Several Wal-Martians bumped into me as I walked, not one apologizing in their rush to buy cancer-ridden Valentine's chocolates for their obviously not-so-significant other. Geez, I sound like a bitter old lady on her 80th birthday. Sigh. I looked up as I reached my destination, the toys. A small smile reached my face as  I walked among the isles-oh my god etch a sketch.

            I cackled as I grabbed it, dodging people as I left the toys to stand where there wasn't masses of people. I sighed as I looked around me, not seeing a space between the crowds. I shoved past a few, heading to the books. Unsurprisingly, not many people over here. I sat down in relief, beginning to play with my etch a sketch. I grinned maniacally as I started to draw a butt on it. I pictured Callum's butt and to the best of  my abilities sketched it. I sat there for a little while, sketching away.

            Damn, it just looks like a normal butt.

            “Excuse me?” I looked up curiously, seeing a Wal-mart employee in front of me with a cart full of books. “I need to stock these, if you're not looking for a book, can you...?” She gestured with her hand for me to move. Immediately my bitterness returned as I pouted, holding my etch a sketch steady as I moved out of her way, and back into the crowds. Instantly I was being shoved past and bumped into again, shaking my etch a sketch and erasing my drawing.

            “My butt!” I cried in horror, looking down at my half erased anus. I didn't even get weird looks since everyone was too focused on whatever they were rushing towards. As I looked around I started to notice just how many people were in Wal-Mart today, particularly around me. I swallowed as I looked over the heads of some people, seeing the cheap Valentine's Day section one aisle and a walkway away from the toy section, where I stood next to.

            Which meant I was practically right in the middle of the crowd. Damn it. Why didn’t I take my etch a sketch to the milk area? I loosened my shirt collar, feeling stuffier by the moment. There were so many people they all sort of started to blend together, none of their faces or features standing out, just becoming a wall of bodies that seemed to be closing in on me from all sides.

            Shit, shit, shit. They're people, Tate, you can move them. You're not trapped. Not enclosed, not stuck, breathe, breathe, breathe. Despite my mental efforts to console myself, my lips grew dry and my heart rate sped up. People continually bumped past me and pressed into me from all sides, their loud voices nearly drowning out my own thoughts.

            “You stay in there, Tate! Stay in there until you're right in the head!” I flinched as my father's voice rang out in my head. I clutched my ears, shaking my head. He's not here, you're not there. Not here, not here, not here.

            Callum. I need Callum. With a deep breath, I did my best to shove by the masses of bodies and out of this congested section, but nearly everywhere I turned another person appeared. I tried to internalize the sound of Callum's voice soothing me, telling me to breathe and think only of him, just him, but it wasn't working. People were shouting, knocking into me, all around me.

            “Let me out! Please let me out of here, I can't breathe! It's too small, please!” I clutched my ears again, dropping to my knees and shutting my eyes tight, curling into a ball on the floor. It's not real, it's not real, it's not real! No walls, just walls of people, but so many people, closing in on me, can't breathe, can't move, can't think. Tears streamed down my cheeks and neck as I struggled to picture myself somewhere else, anywhere else, but people trampled right over and around me, ignoring me as if I were simply a cart full of groceries in their path.

            My breathing became heavier and I started to curl in on myself even more, nearly sobbing now, clutching my head in my hands tightly and raking my fingers across the back of my head and neck. I felt like my own skin was confining me, and I couldn't get out of it.

            “Callum!” I whimpered, opening my eyes and trying to look around, but my eyes were blurry with tears. “Callum, please!” I called again, knowing he couldn't hear me, but calling anyway. I shut my eyes again, trying to shut out the noise when suddenly a familiar pair of arms were around me, clutching me to the chest they were attached to.

            “Sh, Tate, I’m here now, I’m here. It's okay baby, I’ve got you. Just focus on my voice. It's just us, okay? Just you and me.” I clutched Callum's shirt in my hands, burying my head in his chest. He continued whispering anything and nothing into my ear, distracting me from the hustle and bustle around us. Slowly my muscles started to loosen at the sound of his voice, my breathing regulating as I breathed in his scent, the warmth of his arms holding comforting my panicked mind.

            “I-I'm sorry, Callum.” I managed to mumble, sniffling pathetically. He ran his hand through my hair, making me sigh in comfort this time.

            “Don't apologize. Don't ever apologize for something you can't control. It's my fault anyways. I shouldn't have left you alone. For that, I’m so, so sorry.” He pressed his lips gently to my temple, making me smile slightly and fall that much more in love with him. It did make me wonder though, how many people were watching us right now, but seeing as they didn't bat an eye at my panic attack in the middle of the walkway this probably wouldn't disturb their day too much.

            “Can we get out of here, Callum?” I asked, sniffling again and looking up at him.

            “Yeah, absolutely.” He stood, helping me stand with him. He kept his arm firmly around my waist, holding me so close to him as we walked I could feel his heart beating in his chest. Surprisingly, it was beating quickly. I felt a little guilty again, knowing I probably scared the hell out of him just then. Geez, I’m pathetic. Maybe I’ll be a puddle for the rest of my life. That'll be my career. A useless puddle of sour milk on the bottom of the fridge. I am milk.

            We finally exited the store, making our way to where the car was parked. I got in the passenger seat, leaning my head against the window and breathing deeply, now that I could to take full breaths. Callum got in, putting the keys in but not starting it. He took my hand in his, rubbing the back of it with his thumb. “Tate, look at me. Please?” I looked at him, trying not to start crying again. “It wasn't your fault, alright? I can tell you still feel that way. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine for leaving you alone and your donkey shit parents for doing this to you.” I managed to smile a bit at that, because he hardly ever curses. He smiled lightly back. “I want you to know I’ll always be here for you. If you ever need me, not matter how far away I am, I’ll hear you and I’ll come. Okay?”

            I nodded, feeling too emotionally drained to say anything or do much else. He leaned over and kissed my temple again, starting the car. “Just wait until we get home. You'll love your present, I promise.” I felt a little bit better at that, and clutched his hand tight so he knew I heard what he said.            Stupid Wal-Mart, ruining my first Valentine's Day with my boyfriend.

                                                                                    ***

            Callum threw open the door of our apartment and we went inside together. He hurried away to hide whatever he had bought at Wal-Mart as I collapsed on the couch, slinging an arm over my eyes.

            Okay, it was official, I was never going back to Wal-Mart and I was going to make Callum my bitch. He could do all the shopping for us and I would just sit here and look sexy.

            I let out a terrified noise as something touched my shoulder and nearly bashed my head against Callum’s as I sat up. He frowned at me and pulled his hand away from my shoulder.

            “Tate, it’s okay. You’re here with me. You’re safe,” he said softly, pulling me into a hug.

            “Sorry, sorry. Wal-Mart does not agree with me,” I mumbled, hugging him back.

            “Hey, you didn’t have to see the lady with a stomach hanging over her jeans. There were some scary people in the section I was in,” he said.

            “Well obviously you weren’t buying me an etch a sketch,” I said, wondering if some mentally scarred child had discovered half of the ass I had drawn.

            “Did you want an etch a sketch?” he asked, looking alarmed.

            “Nah, I’m over that phase now. It’s too hard to draw the best part of you,” I said, and allowed my hand to slide down his back to his wonderful booty.

            “Tate,” he groaned. “Stop doing that.”

            “Where that bum from?” I grinned and slapped his ass.

            “Tate, I’m going to go return your present,” he warned me.

            “Oh, you mean your ass isn’t your present to me?” I asked in fake disappointment.

            He rolled his eyes. “How did I end up living with a pervert?” he muttered, heading into our room. He came out a minute later with a cheesy Valentine’s Day bag. He held it out to me. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Tate.”

            I eagerly took the gift from his hands and dug into it. I pulled it out and stared at it in confusion.

            “You got me a cord?” I asked.

            “Oops, I meant to bury that in the bottom of the bag. Keep opening. You’ll understand,” he said.

            I pulled out the rest of the tissue paper in the bag. But my confusion only grew as I pulled out the contents.

            “What is it?” I asked, looking up at him.

            “It’s a Roku,” he said. “I know how much you love watching your shows. Since we can’t afford cable TV, I figure this way we can watch Netflix and whatnot together.”

            “Oh! I’ve heard about these!” I said in excitement.

            He nodded. “Yea, I had to buy the HDMI cord for it today,” he said.

            “Aw! Now we can watch TV together and cuddle and be cute!” I cried, flinging my arms around his neck.

            I pulled away from him, my eyes lighting up. “Oh, I got you something!”

            “You did?” he asked curiously, probably knowing that the only money I had to my name was the quarter I found on the floor at school last week.

            “Duh, it’s Valentine’s Day,” I said. I went to the closet, fought off my fear as I opened it, and quickly pulled out the badly wrapped present. I held it out to Callum proudly.

            “I take it you wrapped it by yourself?” he asked, pulling the newspaper off of it.

            “Hey, I’m broke. Wrapping paper is expensive,” I said defensively.

            He laughed and finished taking the newspaper off. He laughed more and smiled at me.

            “A beanie, some chocolate, and a pair of jeans,” he said, holding it all up.

            I nodded eagerly. “You always take my beanie from me, so I figured you could have your own. Chocolate is a tradition on Valentine’s Day. And those jeans will compliment your ass, so it’s a win-win for both of us.”

            “Tate…jeans are expensive. How did you get the money?” he asked.

            I blushed. “Uh…Craig may or may not have leant me some money.”

            He smiled and pulled me into his arms. “Thank you, so much. And I’m glad you and your brother are close again.”

            “I wonder if him and Natalie are spending today together?” I said, grinning.

            Callum rolled his eyes. “I don’t know, and I don’t want to.”

            “Despite Wal-Martians attacking me, this has been the best Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had,” I said, resting my head against Callum’s chest.

            “Well the only other Valentine’s Day you’ve spent with a boyfriend was with Brandon,” he reminded. “Call me cocky, but I’m sure I can do the whole romance thing a lot better than him.”

            “My body appreciated Valentine’s Day with him, but my heart appreciates it with you.” I made a face. “That was perverted and cheesy at the same time, and I promise I will never say anything so cliché and creepy ever again.”

            “I’d be disturbed if you did,” he said and kissed me. “I love you, Tate. Even if I can’t leave you alone in Wal-Mart for more than two minutes.”

            I pulled him over to the couch and we sat down together. I crawled into his lap and kissed him gently.

            “I love you, Callum Cook. You and your horrible name. Honestly, what were your parents thinking? And they obviously didn’t learn. Callum Cook and Cara Cook. I need to have a nice chat with your mother and father.”

            “This would be a lot more romantic if you didn’t talk,” he said with a sigh.

            I grinned and kissed his cheek. “You’d be sad if I didn’t talk.”

            He held me close to himself and stroked my hair. “Tate, I know that you’ll always be scarred from what your parents did. But I love you, and I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise I won’t. I’m always here for you,” he said quietly.

            “I know you are,” I said, cuddling against him. “I feel safe with you, Callum.”

            He smiled lightly and kissed me. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he whispered.

            I returned the smile and buried my face against his neck, breathing in his scent. “I love you. I couldn’t have asked for a better Valentine’s Day.”

            I took his free hand in mine as he continued to stroke my hair. I kissed him gently and we sat together in silence. The smile wouldn’t leave my face as I sat with Callum. This really had been the best Valentine’s Day I could’ve ever asked for. I really loved Callum.

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A.N.- I know it's not Valentine's Day anymore! But the amazing TheLYProject and I wrote this together for you guys, so shhh pretend it's the 14th. So, we hope you enjoy Tate and Callum, and go check out TheLYProject's stories if you enjoyed Take A Chance On Me! :D