Chapter 4
“Hey, I’m home!” Rayla says, putting her bag on the sofa and reaching for the remote to watch TV.
“Rayla? What took you so long?” Ethari asks, concerned.
“I was talking to my friend and lost track of time…”
“A friend? What friend?” Etahri asks.
“His name is Callum. You know Ezran right?”
“Yeah, the boy in your class who you said was your favorite student.”
“Yeah. Callum is his brother. I met him yesterday at the conference and again today at Barius’ café. Now we’re friends.”
“Okay.”
“I’m gonna go with him and Ezran to the mall this evening.”
“Really? You’re that close already?”
“He is pretty sweet. And a nice person to spend more time with.”
“Kay. Want lunch?”
“Yep.”
— — —
Ezran sees Callum enter the house and shouts, “Finally! You’re back! Where’s my jelly tart?”
Callum grimaces. “Um…”
“What? I told you to bring one for me!”
“Sorry Ez. I forgot.”
“Seriously?!”
“Yeah. Rayla came to the café today. I was talking to her and totally lost track of time and forgot about your jelly tart.”
“Wait, Ms. Ghealach?”
“Yeah.”
“Why do you like her so much?”
“Why do you like her so much?” Callum asks.
“Because she’s kind, funny and sweet.”
“For the same reason.”
“But…”
“What?” Callum asks, raising his eyebrow.
“Nevermind.”
“So, why do you have her number? I don’t think students usually have their teacher’s number.”
“Remember when I was really sick and couldn’t go to school for two whole weeks?”
“Yeah.”
“I missed a lot of things so she gave me her number so that I could call her if I have any questions.”
“Oh, okay.” She cares that much for her students, huh? “Well, give me her number.”
“Why?”
“She told me to ask for it from you.”
“But why?”
“Because we’re friends. Why else?”
“Fine.”
He unlocks his phone and sends Rayla’s number to Callum.
“She’s also coming with us to the mall today.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. What time shall we go?”
“I dunno. About 5:00 or something?”
“Okay.”
Callum goes to his room and texts Rayla.
[Callum] (12:41) Hi Rayla! Is 5:00 okay for you to go to the mall?
[Rayla] (12:45) is this callum
[Callum] (12:45) Yep!
[Rayla] (12:46) kay 5 should be fine for me
[Callum] (12:26) Perfect!
— — —
[Callum] (4:57) Me and Ez are at the mall. Will u be coming soon?
[Rayla] (5:02) im coming to the entrance i just parked my car
[Callum] (5:04) Okay.
Just as Callum sent the last message, he hears Rayla call him.
“Callum! Ezran!”
They both turn to Rayla behind them.
“Hi, Ms. Ghealach!” Ezran says.
“Just call me Rayla.” She says, smiling.
“Okay.” Ezran replies.
“So, what’s the plan?” She asks.
“We’re just gonna explore some shops, maybe buy something, have something for dinner and go home.” Callum answers.
“Sounds good.”
They enter the mall and come across a clothes shop so they decide to go and explore. Callum follows Rayla.
She turns to Callum and says, “Um, this is the women’s section.”
“I know.” He replies, going through the dresses.
“Are you going to buy something for your Mother or…?”
“Um, no. My friend’s birthday is coming up and she loves fancy clothes. I’m looking for a good dress to give her as a present.” He replies.
So he has a girlfriend?
“Oh, that’s very thoughtful of you.”
“Of course. She’s a good friend.”
Ezran approaches them and asks, “There you guys are! What are you doing here, Callum?”
“Trying to find a good dress to give Claudia on her birthday.”
“Oh right! Her birthday is coming! June 16th… this tuesday!”
“Yep.”
“How does your brother remember your girlfriend’s birthday?” Rayla asks, chuckling.
They both stop what they’re doing and give her a surprised look.
“What?” She asks.
“Claudia… is not my girlfriend!” Callum retorts.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I just thought- I shouldn’t have assumed that, sorry.”
But in truth, she was kinda glad that he didn’t have a girlfriend. But wait, maybe he did have one but that wasn’t Claudia.
“It’s alright. Everyone mistakes us for a couple just because we spend a lot of time together. I guess that won’t change until we find our own partners.”
So that means he doesn’t have one, right? Ugh, why does she care so much?!
“Oh… ok.”
“Me and Ez have been friends with her and her brother since our childhood. That’s why we spend a lot of time together. But I did have a crush on her when I was 14 or something but now we’re just good friends. Nothing more.”
“Okay.” She nods. “So…. she likes fancy clothes, huh?” She takes a red dress with a high slit and shows it to him. “Do you think she would like this? I personally do.” She says with a wide smile.
Taking it into his hands, he says, “Oh yeah, I think she would.”
But Rayla said she liked it. It felt wrong to buy a dress that she likes for another girl.
“Are you gonna take anything?” He asks.
“Nah, not that interested. I have enough clothes already.”
“Okay.”
They buy the dress and come out of the shop.
“So… when is your birthday?” Rayla asks Callum.
“Why do you ask?”
“Just… curious.”
“It’s about a month away.”
“Exact date?”
“July 15th.”
So he’s older?
“How many years old are you?”
“Um… twenty… one. Yeah, twenty-one.”
“So, I am older than you, like I expected. I’m 22.”
Callum lets out a slight chuckle.
Just then, a girl about Ezran’s age with blonde hair comes towards them.
“Aanya!” Ezran shouts.
“Hi, Ezran! What are you doing here? And with Ms. Ghealach?” She asks.
“Rayla’s my brother’s friend now so we decided to come to the mall together.”
“Hi, Aanya.” Rayla says.
“Hello, Ms. Ghealach.” She pauses and says, “Ezran, do you wanna come and watch that magic show with me?” She points at a man who was entertaining people with some magic tricks.
“Yeah, sure!” He looks at Callum and says, “Can I?”
“Yeah, go ahead.” He says teasingly with a smirk.
Ezran rolls his eyes and goes with her.
As they leave Callum says, “You know, I think they like each other…”
“Me too… I always see them together at school.” She says, smiling.