CHAPTER 64: DEFENDING ME

Hailee’s POV

Clara stopped right in front of my desk, her arms crossed, that annoying smirk on her overly lip-glossed face.

"Well, well, someone’s popular lately."

Jannet snickered. "You’re glowing, Hailee. Must’ve had a good day, huh?"

I blinked at them, confused, but only for a second.

Then it hit me.

The video.

The damn video of me and Callum making out.

Clara tilted her head dramatically. "That hot moment between you and Callum was... quite the show."

My stomach dropped.

"Oh," Jannet added mockingly, "and here I thought Nathan was the one you were always drooling over. But maybe you’re a whore?"

I stiffened, my jaw tightening. I could feel everyone’s eyes slowly turning in our direction, the whispers starting like wildfire. I didn’t even have a chance to form a comeback before Callum stood up beside me.

And just like that, the air shifted.

He was calm. Way too calm. His tall frame loomed over Clara, and when he looked at her, his expression was cool but deadly.

"Are you done?" he asked, his voice low and sharp.

Clara’s smirk faltered. "Excuse me?"

Callum stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "I suggest you stop talking before I make it worse for you."

Rita opened her mouth like she wanted to say something snarky, but Callum’s gaze snapped to her, and she shut it again, swallowing visibly.

Clara’s frown deepened. "What is so special about..."

"She’s everything you are not and will ever be." Callum cut her off.

Clara her eyes widened.

"We’re dating," Callum continued, loud enough for the whole class to hear. "So if I decide to make out with my girlfriend in my apartment or anywhere else, it’s no one’s business. Definitely not yours."

I froze.

Clara’s eyes went wide, her mouth parting in disbelief. "You’re what—?"

"You heard me," Callum said simply.

And before I could even react, he turned to me and gently cupped my face.

Then he kissed me.

Right there in front of everyone. His lips were soft, firm, and for a moment, everything else faded. The classroom, the whispers, even the heat of Clara’s burning stare. All I could feel was the way his thumb brushed against my cheek as he kissed me like I was his.

When he pulled away, his eyes met mine for a brief second, and he smiled genuinely at me.

Lila let out a dramatic gasp across the room, followed by a low whistle. A few of the students giggled, others gawked like they couldn’t believe it.

Clara stood there, red-faced and speechless. For once.

"Well," Callum said coolly, brushing past her like she didn’t exist, "if that clears things up, I’d like to enjoy break now."

Jannet and Rita grabbed Clara and practically dragged her away.

I blinked up at him, my heart pounding. "Callum... what was that?"

He gave me a small smile, his voice barely above a whisper. "I did what I should’ve done a long time ago." He smirked and walked off, leaving me speechless.

Lila and I sat under the big shady tree at the far end of the courtyard, where we always had lunch. The cafeteria was buzzing with noise, but out here, it was just us and the hum of the breeze.

She tore open her juice box, watching me like I was about to spill all the secrets of the universe.

"So..." she finally said, dragging the word out. "Are you gonna tell me, or should I just guess the rest?"

I sighed, poking at my salad. "Fine. Last night, Nathan showed up."

Her eyes went wide. "At your place?!"

I nodded.

She leaned in. "And?"

I hesitated, my cheeks heating. "We talked... and things got emotional. One thing led to another and—"

Her hand flew to her mouth. "No. You didn’t."

"I didn’t lose my virginity," I clarified quickly. "But... let’s just say it got pretty intense."

Lila exhaled dramatically. "Girl. And here I thought you’d still be clutching your V-card after graduation."

I laughed under my breath, but I couldn’t ignore the flutter in my chest. My gaze drifted across the lawn, and there was Dane.

Sitting at a nearby table with a bunch of the rich, powerful kids. Effortlessly cool. His silver hair catching the sunlight. His laugh low and smooth. His eyes met mine for a brief second, and he gave a slow, knowing smirk before looking away again.

Lila caught the exchange. "Okay. So. Let’s talk."

I groaned. "Do we have to?"

"Yes. I need answers." She leaned forward. "What exactly do you feel for Callum... and Dane?"

I looked down at my lap, fingers twisting the cap of my water bottle. "I don’t know," I whispered. "Callum... he’s safe. He’s strong, protective. I feel something when I’m with him. But Dane... he’s like gravity. Mysterious and reckless and way too charming."

"Sounds like a dilemma," she said softly.

"It is." I sighed. "And I haven’t even told you the full story about Nathan yet."

"I’m not even judging anymore," Lila said with a laugh. "But you don’t need to figure everything out today. Just breathe. Go with the flow. Stop pressuring yourself so much."

I nodded slowly. Maybe she was right.

Eventually, the bell rang, and we got up to head back to class. The afternoon passed in a blur of lessons, notes, and sideways glances from both Dane and Callum that only made my heart more confused.

By the time school ended, Lila was packing up her things in a rush.

"My boyfriend’s picking me up," she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder with a smile. "Try not to think too hard about all your drama, okay?"

"Easy for you to say," I muttered, but smiled anyway.

She waved goodbye and left me alone in the classroom, still zipping up my bag.

"Need a ride?"

I turned and saw Callum standing at the doorway, car keys twirling between his fingers.

"I... I was just going to walk," I said.

He shrugged. "It’s hot. And you’re not walking."

Something about his tone left no room for argument. I hesitated for a second, then nodded.

"Alright. Thanks."

As we walked out of the building together, side by side, I realized that even with all the confusion in my heart...

There was still a small part of me that felt completely safe when I was with him.

The ride was quiet.

Callum didn’t say a word as he drove, his hand gripping the wheel, his jaw clenched in that way he always did when something was on his mind. The tinted windows were up.

I kept stealing glances at him, unsure what to say. When we finally pulled outside my apartment building, he put the car in park but didn’t move.

I reached for the door handle, needing some air, needing space.

"Thank you," I said softly, my hand on the door.

But before I could open it, his arm shot out.

He gripped my waist and, in one smooth move, pulled me across the console like I weighed nothing.

I gasped, landing awkwardly on his lap, my knees on either side of him, my chest pressed to his. My hands automatically braced against his shoulders, my eyes wide in shock.

"Callum—what are you—"

He didn’t answer right away.

Instead, he leaned back in his seat, dragging me fully against him, his voice low and rough as his eyes held mine.

"I’ve been waiting to do this all day," he murmured.

And then he kissed me.