c a l u m:

School was an axe wound and I needed a drink. Thankfully Michael felt the same and didn't hesitate to pull out a water bottle of not h2o. We hid out on the roof of the school, and although it was broad daylight and out in the open, no one ever came up here. It became our getaway and number one spot to drink.

"I wanna drop out," Michael stated, taking a swig of the bottle. His face cringed from the warm alcohol slipping through his throat. We sat on the concrete floor, with our backs up against the brick wall.

I grabbed the bottle from his hand and took a gulp of the vodka. I winced, "same here. There really isn't a point of getting a diploma if I'm not going to do anything with it."

"So like, what's going on with you and that Geisha girl," Michael asked, changing the topic, "I saw you almost kill some of our classmates and she got into your car."

"Nothing man," I shrugged, "she was making such a scene at the intersection and I wanted to shut her up. She wouldn't leave me alone. She's fùcking crazy as hell."

Lies.

"Jesus," Michael raised his brows in disbelief, "I guess it's true what they say-- the quiet ones are always the most mental."

I could tell Michael that spending time with Gwen would ultimately piss off Hemmings till he cracks, but I knew how my best friend thinks. He'd want to be in on the plan and this was my battle to fight.

The two of us killed the remaining drops of alcohol in the plastic bottle, giving us both a nice buzz. We switched our position from sitting up, to lying face up staring at the blue sky. I threw my forearm on my forehead to keep from being blinded by the sun.

"I think it's time for 5th period," Michael informed.

"Be my guest, go learn biology," I told him, my eyes fixated on the white clouds that slowly passed by.

"I'm just telling you that it's 5th period dumb fùck," Michael sassed, "not that I actually want to learn the process of mitosis."

"Calm your tits sassy pants," I laughed, "I'm only teasing. If we weren't so buzzed I'd actually suggest we run to the car and skip the rest of the day."

"Except for you are buzzed and I'm suggesting you both skip your way to the principal's office immediately!" a voice bellowed, infiltrating our ears and sending a shockwave to our hearts.

Standing above us was the stern face of Professor Douglass. White hair, circle glasses and a brown, tweed sports coat, Professor Douglass was the epitome of a 40-year-old virgin. I always had this strong inkling that he still lived in the basement of his mother's house and whacked off to weird fetish porn-- like bestiality.

Michael and I sat up, glaring up at the authority figure who unfortunately found out of our hiding place.

"You two are in big trouble," Professor Douglass declared, throwing his fists to his hips.

Duh... we were caught drinking on school grounds. Can he be anymore cliche?

"Yes, Mister Hood I can be very more cliche!" he said, Michael bursting into laughter.

"Oh shit. I actually said that out loud," I thought, "man I'm on a trip. What kind of vodka did you give me?"

Michael opened his mouth to speak but was immediately cut off by Professor Douglass, "enough! Get up, the both of you! I will personally escort you to the principal's office!"

I groaned loudly, standing up. My legs felt like jelly and my head was heavy. It felt as if my neck would snap by how enormous my head seemed to be. Professor Douglass grabbed both Michael and I by our collars and pulled us towards the rooftop door. We all squeezed into the narrow stairwell, and I tried my hardest to not fall face first, though Professor 40-year-old virgin made it very difficult.

We reached the main corridor where our peers walked through, and they all stared at Michael and I with judgmental eyes. Quickly they whispered to their friends, while some pulled out their phones to record or take photos for Snapchat.

"Sit down," Professor Douglass commanded the moment we stepped into the main office.

Michael and I looked at one another as be both plopped down on the chairs across from the secretary's desk.

She was a milf.

Michael nudged me with his elbow, gesturing for the secretary with his head. He gave me a mischievous smile, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

I smirked, "she's way out of your league dude. Have you thought about shagging one of the janitor ladies instead?"

"Fück you in the asshole Hood," Michael shoved me to the side. I chuckled at his expense.

I noticed a pair of legs approach the pair of us and I drifted my attention to Principal Alonzo. In previous years, there was a running joke that he was my father. I don't know what kind of coke they were sniffing, but Principal Alonzo and I looked nothing alike. We both had dark hair and the same complexion but if that bodes true for everything, then fücking Zayn from One Direction and I could be cousins.

"Here comes your dad," Michael teased. I flicked him off.

"Mister Hood," Principal Alonzo sternly said, "come on, in my office."

I stood up from my chair and followed him past the secretary's desk and a group of student assistants-- one of which was Charlie. She glanced over at me in between filing papers into a cabinet and I glared at her back as I entered the principal's office.

"Take a seat Mister Hood," he told me, gesturing for one of the cushioned rolling chairs before his desk, as he took a seat opposite from me.

I crossed my arms across my chest, waiting for my lecture and punishment. Though when Principal Alonzo sighed deeply and laced his fingers on top of his desk, a reprimand never came.

"What are you doing?" he asked me, concern in his eyes.

"Um, sitting in your office," I retorted.

"Calum, your behavior in the past year has been unacceptable. At first I thought it was just a phase, some hardship after Janet Riley--"

"Don't you frigging bring her up!" I bellowed.

Principal Alonzo threw his hands up, "I'm sorry, I don't want to upset you. But you used to be a decent student here at Mesa Vale. Good grades, excellent footballer, an obedient kid."

"What's your point? That I'm a bad kid; that I'm a piece of scum taking up space at your precious school. Go ahead an expel me then," I challenged, my eyebrows furrowed as I glared angrily.

"I'm not going to expel you Mister Hood," Principal Alonzo shook his head, "it seems to me that expelling you would only fulfill your wishes."

"Then what? Send me to jail?" I questioned.

He shook his head again,"I'm not sending you to jail either. I want you to try Calum. I want you to try your hardest to graduate. You're not some stupid kid. You're smart, witty, and I've seen what can happen when you apply yourself. Your sister dropped by this morning--"

"What? My sister? As in Mali?" I lifted my brows, "what the hell was she doing here?"

"Visiting from university," Principal Alonzo replied, "she's concerned, as is your mother and I. We all want you to succeed."

Why didn't my sister tell me she was visiting? I haven't seen her in ages and I was offended that she didn't even bother to see me. We used to be pretty close and even though we aren't really best friends anymore, I would still expect her to meet up with me. I am her damned brother for God's sake.

"Then what? What's my punishment? Tutoring sessions with some lonely nerd?" I sneered.

"Only if you need it. You will maintain at least a C-average in all your classes. Also, I was looking through your file and it looks like you're missing 100 volunteer hours of the 120 required to graduate," he informed.

I forgot about those stupid hours. The school gives you the last two years before graduation to fulfill volunteer hours and being that Janet Riley was an over achiever, pressured me into starting early instead of saving them for the last minute. I only completed 20 hours before...

"Here is a list of all the places you can serve your hours," a yellow piece of paper landed in front of me with about thirty non-profit organizations listed, "pick any of those places but I suggest you consider number 21 on the list."

I looked down at number 21 which was already circled in red ink. It was the Youth Outreach Program-- the same one Gwen volunteers at.

"I have been informed that you and Miss Guzman are partners for your English class. If she's someone you can get along with, then I say you spend your 100 volunteer hours there," he suggested. "She's a good girl, you can learn a lot from her."

"Doubt it," I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

Principal Alonzo stood up from his desk, rounding it and opening up the door. I stood too, the yellow paper in my hand. I walked out the door and as I did the principal gave me one last statement, "you can turn this whole thing around Calum."

Why the hell did he care so freaking much? He's not my dad, despite what everyone else thinks. He's just the principal of the school-- he doesn't know me or my life. And what the hell was my sister's problem coming to her alma mater to express her concerns about me to the f-cking principal?! If she's so damned worried about me, why doesn't she call me? Text me? Or come home more often to see me?

Everyone seems to care, but they have a retarded way of showing it.

When I made my way back towards the exit, I found Michael having a conversation with the secretary about God knows what. She was leaning over, showing Michael some packet. The lilac-haired boy pretended to be interested, but I could see his eyes glued onto the secretary's cleavage. I chuckled.

"Mister Clifford, your turn!" Principal Alonzo bellowed, prompting Michael to turn his attention away from the boobs.

I gave Michael a smirk, "see ya later buddy."

I pushed the office doors open and walked into the main corridor which was once again filled with passing students. The school day was basically over with one more class period in the day, and with my buzz already gone I was itching to skip. I could feel my keys burn through my pocket, egging me on to run out the school doors. It wasn't until I caught glimpse of a head of long black hair and the smell of innocence surround me that I changed my mind.

I ran.

"Gwen!" I called out, running down the crowded hallway. I bumped into a few students but pushed them to the side as they continued to get in my way. I finally caught up to her and I grabbed her shoulder.

She turned around, "Calum?"

"Hey Gwen," I tried to catch my breath, "let me take you to the outreach center again after class."

"Why?" she raised a brow.

"I'm volunteering there too,"

//

Hey guys!

It's been so long since I've updated. I'M SORRY! I've been really busy! But alas, here is chapter 11. I really hope you like it! If you do, please vote, comment and share it with your friends.

Raise your hands if you believe in Calum! Cuz I do! He can do anything he sets his mind on! <3