Kryptonite

Chapter 5: Prince

L U K E

"Do your parents know I'm even coming over?" I've been dragged by Calum from school and now we're on our way to his house. It's Friday, and since we have a few quizzes on Monday, Calum thought it'd be a good idea to study together.

I really didn't have an issue with staying at Calum's. I've been to his house several times before. I know his parents, his siblings, his room, I've basically memorized their entire house. I've also slept over before, it's not really a big deal. His mom and dad are more than welcoming, and the twins seem happy when I'm there so I guess it's not intruding. Calum's house was only a few blocks away from mine. It took 15 minutes to walk there. Our houses were really different, though. My house looked like any standard model house, plain and boring. The Hood family's residence was two stories high and had house plants adorning the outside.

"Yes, they know you're coming over. I texted mom and she said it's fine, as usual."

"Did you tell them that you're forcing me to sleep over?" I pointed out, feeling a smile tug on my lips. I've lost count how many times I've slept over at theirs, some of my clothes are permanently in his closet now. He steals those clothes sometimes, wearing them out of the blue.

It's incredibly cute.

Calum didn't let go of my wrist even when we stepped inside. Most of the chatter sounded like it came from the kitchen. "Mom! I'm home!" Calum called out. His mom, Joy, was chopping vegetables with her favorite blue apron on and his dad, David, was sitting at the dining table with his laptop in front of him.

"Luke! It's so good to see you!" Joy temporarily stopped and came up to give me a hug. I hugged her back just as tightly. "Nice to see you too, Joy." Once Joy had let go of me, I greeted Calum's dad. "Hi David." He gave me a smile and a curt nod. "Hey Luke, how are you?"

"I'm alright."

"You're sleeping over, right? The twins will be delighted." Joy grinned, skillfully using her knife to slide the chopped onions into a bowl. "Speaking of the twins, where are they?" Calum asked. "In their bedroom, playing. Mali should be coming home tomorrow."

"Okay mom, we'll be upstairs!" Calum grabbed my arm, dragging me again to the stairs when I faintly heard his dad say, "Use protection!"

It was a running joke whenever I stayed over. Still, I got flustered like crazy. Calum sighed in annoyance. "Every damn time."

We knocked on the twin's bedroom before swinging it open. Carly and Coda were sat on the carpet, playing with their toys. They saw Calum first, and then got completely excited once their eyes landed on me. They came running, giving me bear hugs. I stumbled a bit but was able to keep my balance, the two kids had their arms wrapped around my waist.

"Lukey! We missed you!" Carly squealed. It made me laugh seeing her that happy. "Aww, I missed you too!"

"Hey, don't call him Lukey." Calum was pouting slightly, his shoulder leaning against the door frame.

"Why? You call him that all the time." Coda pointed out, both of them still hugging me.

"Yeah. I only call him that."

"Jeez, who knew you got jealous so easily."

"He's not jealous," I poked Carly on the nose. "He's just being a big baby." I could already feel Calum glaring even without me looking back to check.

Coda shook his head. "Nuh-uh! We tried calling you Lukey before, but he always says to think of another nickname."

"I thought of Goldilocks." Carly looked proud of her idea. I raised my eyebrow. "Goldilocks. Because of my hair?"

"Did you know Calum hates it when you wear hats? He said they hid your hair, and he really likes your hair," Coda said. I glanced at Calum who looked too betrayed at his own brother to say anything. "And when we were watching Cinderella, he told us that the prince reminded him of you--"

"Okay, Coda, that's enough!" Calum coughed loudly, both of the twins laughing at his embarrassment. "We'll be studying now." He gestured for me to follow him. I waved goodbye to the twins before I was pushed into Calum's bedroom. His was bigger than mine, neater too. Posters of our favorite bands were hung on one side of the wall. There was My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, Red Hot Chili Pepper's, and more.

"Okay, studying." Calum clapped his hands, walking past me to sit down on his bed. I stood in front of him, my arms crossed over my chest with a not-so-subtle smug look on my face.

"What?"

"You think I'm like a Prince, huh?" Calum had gorgeous light brown skin, but even if that was the case I could see the light blushing of his cheeks.

"Shut up."

"Aww, Cal. I'm flattered, really." I continued, sitting beside him. He scooted away from me then decided to lay down, stretching his legs so that they were on top of my lap. "I was sleepy that time. I was talking nonsense," Calum said.

"Right." I tickled the bottom of his sock-clad feet. He jerked his foot away before pressing the same foot against my face "Don't be so smug, you overgrown breadstick."

His feet didn't have a smell. Calum always smelled like vanilla, his cologne is probably vanilla scented. But, then again, he lights way too many of those scented candles. I wouldn't be surprised if he grew old and the smell of fruits and flowers still stuck to him.

"Get your foot off my face." I laughed, grabbing his ankle and pushing his foot gently away. It landed behind my back, his other foot still laying on my lap. I was literally sat in between his legs. Calum, of course, didn't seem to realize. His gaze was on the ceiling where he stuck dozens of tiny glow in the dark stars.

This boy was just too cute, I swear.

I moved away from between his legs and crawled until I was laying beside him, a hand behind the back of my head.

"You know, if we turned off the light, we could pretend we're actually gazing up at the stars."

"I miss stargazing. We should definitely do that more often." Calum sighed, leaning closer to my side before splaying his arm across my chest, palm facing upwards. I nodded in agreement.

"Luke?"

"Yeah?"

"Does it bother you that people always seems to think we're actually a couple?"

My eyes widened, surprised at the sudden topic change. He never acknowledged the things people suspected about us, whether they were good or bad. I had guessed he was just used to the teasing.

"Umm, not really." I coughed. "I've grown used to it. I understand where they're coming from, though."

"Okay, that's good."

I lifted my head a bit, looking directly at the shorter boy. "Why? Does it bother you?"

"No, not really."

"Oh."

There was a short silence before Calum spoke up again. "I just always thought you were a bit bothered since you always seemed to be mistaken as gay."

If I were to be honest, I never pondered too much about my sexuality. I knew I liked Calum, and I've also slept with girls before. I never bothered with titles. I was actually quite jealous of Calum because he didn't care what anyone said about him, and he's never afraid to show who he really is.

The time I found out he was gay, I was thrilled. My selfish old self thought that it meant there was a bigger chance of Calum liking me back. But what happened was, he started having crushes on boys who were not me.

"It never bothered me, Calum. Don't worry."

"So, you never thought that it was... weird?"

My eyebrows knotted together. "Like, bad weird?"

"No, of course not." He shook his head.

The silence reminded me of Michael's plan. I needed to make the first move, so I could see how Calum would react. Before I could convince myself to back out, I took the chance and motioned to place my arm under his head. I was surprised how fast he responded, laying his head on my bicep and snuggling against my side.

I just hoped with how close Calum was he couldn't feel the stupid pounding in my chest.

Calum was always the one to do sweet gestures. He'd trace my tattoos, rub his hand against my back, get piggy-back rides, hug me when he wanted to. The side of me that was too scared for Calum to know kept me from doing similar things. This moment was a rare thing. I wish I did it more often.

And maybe I will.

I started tracing his cheek with the back of my index finger, humming some random tune to distract myself from how nervous I actually felt.

Calum seemed content, a small smile gracing his face.

"I thought we were supposed to be studying?" I asked, keeping my voice quite so I wouldn't ruin the moment.

I heard Calum sigh before moving closer to my side. "Maybe tomorrow."