"Thanks for agreeing to see me, it's been a while." I addressed Callum truthfully as he sat across me at the table for lunch.

I'm surprised Callum picked up the phone even after everything. It makes me happy to know he hasn't changed his mind and that there might be something left worth ravaging from our rocky start.

I have lost wholesome of friends over the years for various reasons and it hurt, but if Callum adds to that list I'll be more than devastated. The past weeks have made me miss him, a lot. I can't decipher the thing I miss more about Callum. Whether it's his kind gestures or the thoughtful things he does or the way he always manages to say the right things, I can't truly decide. Seeing him again was thrilling.

"You know I can't refuse you." He replied. "And a good turkey offer." Callum chuckled causing me to laugh.

And he still looks as attractive as when I last saw him. His blonde curls pushed back, bright sky blue eyes, wonderful smile and the highest level of modesty.

"Well enjoy this while it lasts." I smiled.

"I'm paying for this though." He argued again, for the tenth time. "Yours too."

Not a chance, this is my chance to do something for Callum. And I know it's not much but it's a nice start. Callum has treated me to lunch a couple of times, it's my turn to return the favor.

"We're not having this conversation again." I said.

"Of course we aren't, it's settled, I'm paying." He grinned at me.

Stubborn much.

I and Will discovered this awesome barbeque restaurant close to campus a week ago and I figured why not ask Callum to meet me here.

"Have you been okay?" He asked as I played with my fork.

"Yes." I nodded. "I want to make it up to you for the trouble I've caused between you and James. You didn't deserve that and I know you said you forgive me but I can't help but feel guilty. I should have said something when you asked."

Callum sighed.

"Don't feel guilty Lizy. There's no innocent one in a game of two or three or four. Have you cleared your head already?" He asked hopefully.

"Yes I have. And I'm sure of what I want now. I'm just not sure if what you want is the same thing that I want?" I replied nervously.

Callum never legit said he wanted us to be in a relationship so I could be going over my head about this. I want to try this though. I've never been in a true relationship and I believe that Callum is a good first shot.

"And what do you want Elisabeth?"

I looked at his eyes.

"To give us a shot." I chew on my bottom lip. "Perhaps something good can come out of this and I do like you alot_"

I sigh. How do I turn what I'm thinking into words that actually make sense? I need to form coherent sentences before I embarrass myself.

"Relax. I get it." He placed his hand on mine that was laying on the table and I just stared at the contact. The touch made me feel warm. "I have feelings for you too. And yes I know it's been a short time, too short to even start a relationship but I can't help how I feel. And I really like you Elisabeth. Probably more than I should."

I smiled. My eyes were still fixed on our hands as they lay on each other by the table. No one has ever confessed their feelings to me before. And I have never done the same. It's actually scary opening up to the one you care about, wondering if they feel the same. But it's different with Callum compared to James.

With Callum I wasn't as scared, I don't know the exact reason to why I wasn't that scared to be rejected by him. I could never tell James how I feel, I was to scared he would end things and it hurt. I'm happy that it's not the same with Callum though. Reciprocation is a safe feeling. A safe place to possibly lay my heart when I'm ready too.

"I'm guessing you want to start our rollercoaster?" He asked me and I shifted my eyes from the table to his blue. I could see the honesty there, the truth and the feelings.

He truly cared for me.

"Start a relationship with me and be my girlfriend?"

I choked on air when he said that and began coughing uncontrollably. He was next to my seat in a second and rubbing my back as I drunk a glass of water.

"Are you okay?" He sounded tense.

"I'm fine Callum."

He stood next to me with his hand on my back, soothing me.

"It's just that no one ever asked me to be their girlfriend before and when you said those words they hit me in a different way and I'm honestly nervous." I confessed.

Callum took a seat and smiled at me.

"I'll be your girlfriend." I responded.

"You sound unsure." He frowned. "You don't have to...."

"No no...that's not it." I sighed. "I honestly don't want to mess this up. This is so new to me and I don't know." I mumbled.

Callum furrowed his eyebrows.

"I mean I do know. I want to be your girlfriend, I really do." I said quickly. "I want you to be my boyfriend and to begin a rollercoaster with you. I'm sure."

Callum smiled and before I knew it he was leaning over the table, reaching for the side of my face, and giving my lips a kiss.

It was a hard kiss and my eyes flattered shut from the feeling of it. His lips moved on mine and I reciprocated the warm contact. I was kissing my boyfriend and not just some guy. I don't know why I expected it to feel different. Like may be some butterflies or it'll make my toes curl. But it was just warm and safe and good. He was obviously a great kisser.

I wanted to feel more. I couldn't deny that there was something missing, but I know it's a void that will eventually be filled. I'm yet to fall in love with Callum and may be that's why the kiss didn't carry a deeper meaning as how I hoped it would.

When our lips parted Callum gave my forehead a quick peck and sat back down.

My cheeks were flushed and my mouth tingly, the familiar feeling any girl would get after physical contact between her and the guy she has feelings for. The body always reacts and sends bundles of nerves to wherever it can.

I hoped that one day it will be more than that. That one day I'll be able to taste his soul in his tongue and not just the warmth and wetness.

••

"I'm happy for you Lisa." Will gave my shoulders a squeeze. "I have to meet this guy though."

My smile fell.

If William finds out that the Callum I'm referring to is Callum Stevenson who so happens to be James's best friend he'll disapprove. Why did I lie by creating a ridiculous surname as Callum Harper? I lied to Will and he'll have more reasons to judge this relationship.

And so what? Callum isn't James. He's a good guy, and he obviously cares for me and he's decent enough to ask for something real with me. If anyone has something to say about us then they can rumble all they want because I don't care.

"Why are you frowning. Aren't you happy?" Will asked.

"There's something I need to confess." I began. "About Callum."

He gave me a worried look.

"Of course you do, Spill." He folded his arms.

I took a deep breathe. "I'm not dating Callum Harper, my boyfriend's name is Callum Stevenson."

William seemed confused for a second but I think he processed my words and his eyes showed ........ dissappointment.

"Are you out of your mind Elisabeth? You lied to me so you can go fuck around with Callum Stevenson?" He was being disrespectful. "Callum Stevenson? James's friend. What the heck is wrong with you? After James treated you like nothing you decide to date his closest friend so you'll be treated like trash. Fucking unbelievable." He sounded baffled but spoke in his usual low tone.

I tried to ignore his extensive use of curse words.

What happened to him being happy for me?

"Callum isn't like that and I'm not having sex with him." I defended him.

"Do you honestly think that?" He shakes his head. "Why did I ever take you to that place? I shouldn't have brought you there, it was a big mistake on my part. If I never accepted that stupid invitation then you'll have never met James and you'll not be dating Callum now. This is all my fault." He breathed.

Why is he taking the blame for any of this? I was the one who got involved with James. He's always so hard on himself.

The day I and James first met. I don't even want to think about that day. It's a bitter sweet memory now far away. I didn't even know that the down to earth guy who swept me of my feet had a girlfriend until a week after that night.

"You haven't met Callum so don't judge him so terribly, he is nothing like James. You can't assume that just because James didn't treat me right then Callum will do the same. These are two different people. How you are putting them in the same boat isn't fair at all." I explained calmly.

"Not fair? You're defending that guy. This is messed up." He ruffled his hair.

"Why are you so against this William? You're being so unreasonable. You're making this a way bigger deal than it needs to be. "

He looked at me with disbelief. And I honesty don't know why.

"How can you be so naive? It's obvious that he's playing with you. I'm very certain that he and James are both using you. And you are too desperate for affection to see it."

Wow.

"Do not talk to me like that." I warned feeling sad that he'll degrade me in such a way.

"I will talk to you however I want Betty. What's gotten into your head? You jump from James and then you land on Callum. Is this some sort of game you are playing? Is it fun for you getting involved with two men who happen to be bestfriends. How did you even meet Callum? "

"At the club I worked before." I blunted without thinking, forgetting I once told William I met callum in campus.

And how is this a game? I don't understand his view of this.

William's jaw dropped.

"That is even more reason to stay miles away from him. A club isn't the place to find love." He insisted. "You met a guy at a strip club and decide he's the best option for a boyfriend. What girl in her right mind would get involved with someone like that? And not to mention that Callum is close with very same man who has been using you for sex for a while now. I bet they're all having a conversation right now about how they enjoy making a fool out of you."

What? No....

He continued, "I'm sure they are both plotting ways on how they can use you, make a fool out of you and then toss you aside. They're best friends, I'm sure they tell each other everything. You're probably some sort of a toy to them. Pay attention to the warning signs Betty, the man spends his weekends at a strip club."

I know how bad this may look but Callum isn't that type of person. I won't let William talk shit about him. He doesn't even know the whole story. If he would listen to me for a second then may be he'll get it and support me.

"He wasn't at that strip club to stare at half naked women, he accompanied his brother." I explained.

William chuckled bitterly and with malice on his features.

"You're even more delusional than I thought. Callum is an adult, a grown ass guy and you think he'll go to some place he doesn't want to just because his brother made him do it? Can you hear yourself?."

Delusional?

Although the rest of his words made sense, I know for a fact that Callum wouldn't treat me like trash. That's just not him.

"I trust him." I said.

"Like how you trusted James. And when you found out he had a girlfriend you go and fuck him behind my back even after I warned you to stay away from that douche. Look where that got you. You now have a broken heart, no dignity and any selfrespect left that you go running around with his best friend. You are dumber than I thought." He frowned.

My heart sunk. William has never talked to me like that.

"I didn't go running to him. It wasn't like that."

"When he goes and breaks your heart don't come crawling to anyone for comfort. Especially not to me." He warned spitefully.

"Don't worry about it. You won't see me crawling to you for comfort because Callum wouldn't do that to me." I sounded sad. "Now get out of my room. I won't stand here and listen to you degrade me like I'm some worthless person."

"Then stop acting like it. You've lowered your stardards like some...." He stopped, realization hit him and he almost looked guilty.

He didn't even have to finish his sentence. I know exactly what he intended to say.

Instead of William being the one to exit my room, I left immediately and shut the door behind me with tears in my crimson red cheeks.

Who knew that friends can break your heart too?

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