S A V E D

nine

Me and Calum had arrived at my house and I hoped that my mom went out or was still sleeping or something so she wouldn't embarrass me...

but of course she was home and awake...

the universe hates me.

Damn right it does, why would it like you? She tells me.

I look down at the ground and think about what she said. Why would anyone like me?

"Kell?" Calum's voice interrupts my thoughts.

"Oh yeah. Help yourself." my head snaps up. "I, uhm, don't really know what to do so..." I shrug. He laughs at my awkwardness.

You're embarrassing yourself. She says. As if I don't know already.

"Kelly?" Mom comes to the front door. "Oh hello." she gives her warm smile to us.

"Mom this is Calum. I-I don't really have much to say about him, uhm... it's okay if he's here right? He invited three other people I think--" I start rambling. "Sorry..."

"No it's fine sweetie. Very nice to meet you Calum. Will you be coming over more often?" she says as her smile slowly grows.

"If it's okay with you guys..." he smiles. It almost makes me smile too.

But I don't.

I bet you this is all a joke to humiliate you more than you already are. She tells me. I only agree.

At that moment, the doorbell rings.

"I'll leave you guys to it then." Mom smiles, again, and goes to her room.

Calum opens the door and the same people I saw this morning were standing right in front of us.

I hid behind Calum as they walked in.

Calum looked over his shoulder to see me and smiled. Then he mouthed 'it's okay' and I nodded. I came up from behind him and it fell to a silence. Until Calum finally spoke.

"So this is Kelly, guys."

"Oh yeah, I forgot to ask you for your name earlier today." the blonde smiles. "I'm Luke."

He probably didn't forget... He just didn't want to know what name such an ugly girl had.

"I'm Ashton." a light brown curly head said to me. I just nod in response.

I look to see the reverse skunk haired boy standing awkwardly next to everyone else. He didn't say anything. He kept his eyes on the ground. That's Michael, isn't it...

I look at Calum and he speaks.

"So uhm, what do you guys wanna do?" He asks us.

"Movie and cuddling?" Luke asks.

"I call Luke as my cuddle-buddy!" Ashton giggles. The boy giggles, how could I not smile at that?

"Fine I get Michael. He's the best cuddler anyways, loosers." Calum claims. The skunk head smiles.

They walk over to the couch which was in front of my medium sized tv, and I follow. Instead of actually sitting on the couch, they lay on the floor and start to hug each other. I lay on the couch and hug a pillow since I don't have a "cuddle-buddy." I haven't had one of those since... 2 years? Maybe 3? Basically I haven't cuddled with someone for a while... Kinda sad.

You'll probably use a pillow instead of a person for the rest of your life.

Calum's head pops up and I can see his eyes.

"I thought you were gonna cuddle with us." he says.

"No it's okay, you guys already called dibs on each other." I lightly smile.

It feels so weird to smile. Unusual.

I can see why you don't, your smile is so ugly.

All of a sudden, Calum is pulling Michael on to the couch and they are sitting on the opposite side, facing me. Michael still doesn't say anything, instead he lays his head on Calum's shoulder and closes his eyes. Probably one of the cutest things I've witnessed in my whole life.

Wanna know what's not cute? Look in the mirror.

And then I'm back to frowning.

"Is something wrong?" Michael speaks as he stares at me. I'm shocked for a moment but quickly recover.

"No." I reply. "So what movie should we watch?" I change subject.