“Marco!” Luke yelled.
“Polo!” Cal, Mikey, Layla, Ash, Lucy and I said back.
“Ha! I know where you are Mike.” Luke said jumping forward and grabbing onto Layla’s shoulders dragging her under the water.
“Luke!” She yelled once she reached the surface. “You idiot.” She fixed her bikini top and hit his shoulder.
“I’m done playing.” I announced.
“Yeah, me too.” Calum said. “My fingers are getting pruney.” We walked up to the shore and took a seat on the sand with towels wrapped ourselves. “Do you want a beer?”
“Yes please.” I watched him as he reached over to the cooler that my mother kindly enough filled for us. “You don’t want one?” I asked as he only took out one bottle.
“No, I have to drive tonight.” I looked over at him.
“What do you mean you have to drive? You're all staying here tonight.”
“No, they are.” He said pointing out to the water. “We on the other hand are driving back to Sydney and staying in a hotel for the weekend.”
“A hotel?”
“Yup. 5 stars, ocean view, 17th floor and free wifi.” I smiled at him. He wasn't looking me in the eyes but rather he was looking at his toes in the sand. I could sense that he was nervous and I knew what it was about.
“You had me at free wifi.” I said trying to ease his nerves with my cheesy jokes. “Are we leaving soon? It’s already 7:30”
“Yeah but first I have something for you. It’s on your bed.”
“Really?” I asked. “Can I go see it now?”
“Of course.” He got up before me and pulled me up. We ran back to the house laughing at each other running in the sand. I sprinted past all the adults who were sipping wine in the kitchen. I pushed open my bedroom door and saw a two boxes on my bed.
“Open the letter first.” Calum said. I did as he said and walked over to my bed and picked up the envelope.
‘Hello baby, I found this gift before I planned this weekend ‘get away’ and I thought that you would make it look beautiful. Actually, you could make anything beautiful. You’d look breath taking in a garbage bag. Enough about you though… I have a surprise and I don’t know how you are going to take it; We are going to my parents house for dinner on Monday and meeting my family. My sister is going to be there too so you should expect it to be like a job interview. So that’s happening. I can’t wait to see you in this… Love, your Cal.’
I turned around and narrowed my eyes at him.
“You were too scared to tell me this in person?”
“I don’t know your thoughts on meeting my parents. Open your present so we can get going.”
“Don’t rush me.” I joked. I lifted the lid off of the box revealing the most gorgeous dress I have ever seen. “Cal… I love it so much.” I gently lifted the dress and looked at it. “It’s beautiful.”
“Open the other one…”
“Is it shoes to match?” I asked turning my head to look at him and his smiling face.
“I’m not telling.” I rolled my eyes and opened the other box.
“CALUM!!!” I yelled. “I love these! These are the ones I wanted!” I pulled out the black Doc Martens and hugged them to my chest. “They’re beautiful.” They were black with ribbon for the laces and the insides were plaid.
“I know they don’t go with the dress but I knew that you wanted them really bad.” I put down the shoes and walked over to him kissing him.
“I love you so much. And I love the presents but you don’t have to spoil me with things, I only want you.”
“I know that.” He wrapped his arms around me. “But you’re my princess and I wanted to get you something special. You’re getting a damn book Hailey… you deserve this.” I blushed at his words.
“So… I’m meeting your parents in 2 days.”
“Yes you are. They aren't as cool as your parents but they are still pretty cool.” As if on cue my mother waltzed into my room.
“Sorry to interrupt but, I need to talk to the both of you.”
“Ok. Come see what Cal got me.”
“I already saw them, I went shopping with him to find the dress a while ago.”
“When the hell were you two at the mall?”
“A few weeks ago, anyways… Hailey you’re going to hate my for saying this but as a mother it is my job to say this. I want to make sure you’re ready for this weekend. Calum, I don’t know anything about your sexual past but Hailey has none…”
“MOM!”
“No, Hailey let me finish. Take extra precaution, I don’t want any of you to get hurt. I knowthat you’re young and in love and it’s all new and exciting, I get that, but just be careful.”
I watched as Calum walked up to her and gave her a hug.
“Sharon, I will take extra care of your daughter for you. I love her very much and I would never do anything to intentionally hurt her.” My mom smiled and rubbed his back.
“I hope one day I get the privilege to call you my son. And if I don't then I will adopt you and Hailey can go find a new family.” I rolled my eyes at her. “Ok, I’ll leave you two.”
“I’m sorry for that.” I said once she left the room.”
“It didn't bother me.” He took a step closer to my and grabbed both my hands. “You know I don’t care if we have sex or not right?” I nodded my head. “Hailey, I love you for you. I don’t want you to think that we need to have sex for me to love you.” I looked at the ground. The subject had crossed my mind about 17 times a day. SEX. It was in bold right at the tip of my brain. Of course I wanted to sleep with him. Sex was something you shared with the person you love most in the world. I just didn’t know if I was ready to be that physically and emotionally naked in front of anyone… let alone Calum.