Chapter Text
“It's Juliette... right? We have English together.” Cal says, recognising the girl in front of her.
“Yeah. And Physics. And Gym. Um, you're Calliope?”, Juliette says, trying to compose herself after bumping into her crush".
“Cal's good”, Calliope says softly.
“Why?” Juliette says abruptly.
“What?”, Cal says confused.
“Oh, I just mean I like Calliope. It's strange. I mean it's beautiful.”, Juliette says trying to recover.
“Is it?”, Calliope says smiling at the bumbling girl.
“Classic? Classical?”, Juliette says becoming unsure of what she was even saying to her crush.
“You should meet my brothers Theseus and Apollo.”, Cal says making Juliette laugh aloud.
Calliope turns towards her bike, getting ready to leave. Juliette glances over Cal’s shoulder and catches sight of Ben making a fool of himself dancing.
‘Oh the party’, Juliette realises.
“Um, but there's a party.”, Juliette says, while Cal turns back to face her.
“Tonight at Noah's. My friend Ben is making me go”, Jules says looking for the courage to outwardly incite Calliope.
“I'm not big on parties”, Cal responds, wincing at the thought of attending yet another party at a school where she knew maybe 3 people by name.
“Me either, they're dumb. but I promised I’d go so I’ll be there. If you decide to go too, then maybe I’ll see you?”, Juliette says hopeful at the possibility of seeing Calliope after school.
“Yeah, okay. Cool”, Calliope says, unsure on the probability of her actually going to the party.
‘What would Elinor do? Come on do something’ Juliette thinks.
“Actually, could I get your number? So I can send you on the plans for later and the address”, Juliette blurts out without think.
“Yeah, I would really like that”, Calliope says with a wide smile. “Give me your phone”, she says smiling.
Juliette rushes to take out her phone from the front pouch of her bag. Her hand brushes off of Calliope’s as she hands over her phone, she feels immediate sparks. Calliope starts typing into her phone smiling down at Juliette’s phone.
Ben catches Juliette’s eye, beaming at her and giving her a double thumbs up.
“Woo”, Ben mouths at her, proud of his best friend. Juliette looks away rolling her eyes.
“Text me now? So I have your number”, Calliope says smiling at her.
“Yeah, of course”, Juliette says smiling back at Calliope.
Typing, “Hi Calliope :)” and sending it to her right then and there.
“Sent”, she says with a smile.
“Cool!”, Calliope says, “ I need to go grab something before English but I guess I’ll see you there?”.
“Yes, I will definitely be there. Catch me in the third row”, Juliette says wanting to die of embarrassment.
Calliope laughs as she walks away.
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“Oh wow, that ending”, Ben says grimacing. “But I mean, you got her number so that’s good isn’t it?”
“She doesn’t like parties”, Juliette says worried about later as they walked back into school.
“I think she’ll still show up though Jules”, Ben says trying to encourage his best friend. “But if you’re doubting her, maybe you should change your plans.” Ben says nudging her shoulder.
Standing at the door to English. “What do you mean? I promised that I would go to Noah’s with you” Juliette says confused.
“Well I am releasing you from that promise, you are going to text that newly added number in your phone.” Ben says, smiling down at Juliette.
“Saying what? ‘I know I invited you to a party but change of plans, me and you let’s go on a date.’” Juliette says baffled by Ben’s change of heart.
“Wow! A date, I was thinking of a casual hang but you should definitely go with that.” Ben says excitedly.
Juliette shakes her head towards Ben as the school bell rings.
“Nope, that will not be happening” Juliette says as she turns to enter her English classroom.
“Do it Jules. She likes you, I swear. Her eyes outside, bedroom eyes”, Ben says loudly.
“Shut up”, Jules shouts back. Ben’s laugh vibrates through the hall as he walks towards his own class.
Juliette reaches he seat and looks around. ‘No Calliope’ she thinks.
Minutes later she sees Calliope enter the room.
“Clocks work the same in every school” the teacher states snarkily. “Seeing as your up, you will read for the class.” He says, smiling proudly to himself.
Calliope grabs the book and grips it harshly. She begins to read to the class, confidently, speaking each work with purpose.
‘She is absolutely stunning’ Juliette thinks smiling towards her. Time moves quickly and in seconds the teacher is thanking Calliope as she takes her seat.
Juliette looks over, catching Calliope’s eye. Juliette smiles brightly at her as Calliope sends an embarrassed smile back her way.
Thinking back on what Ben had said, Juliette decided she would text Calliope, right now in fact. Juliette bends down to her bag and grabs her phone out of her bags front pouch.
Unlocking it, Juliette takes a deep breath and begins to type. ‘Hi Calliope, I know, texting so soon. Can we talk after class? :D’. Juliette sends it without a second thought and quickly looks over at Calliope.
Juliette’s breath catches in her throat as she sees Calliope taking out her phone. ‘Typing, what is she typing’ Juliette thinks worriedly.
*ping*
Juliette unlocks her phone, opening the new text. ‘Yeah, talk to you in the hallway after class’. Juliette can’t contain her huge smile while she waited for the English class to end.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The bell rings loudly though the room and Juliette packs up her bag quickly and runs out of the class quickly looking for Calliope. Calliope smiles at her as she leans on the lockers opposite the English classroom.
“Hey”, Cal whispers, “Is everything ok, no more party?”. She says with an awkward laugh.
“No, oh no I’m sorry if I worried you”, Juliette stutters out. “I actually was wondering if you and me could do something together. Like before the party?, Juliette asks excitedly.
“What happened to your promise?”, Cal asks with a smirk.
“Oh don’t worry, this date has been given Ben’s approval”, Juliette responds happily.
“Wait, a date?”, Cal says acting shocking.
‘Oh shit, she doesn’t want a relationship relationship. Just a friendship’, Juliette thinks in a panic.
“Oh…well…I mean, friendship?”, Juliette says trying to save face.
Calliope laughs, reaching out and grabbing Juliette’s shoulder, “Juliette, calm down. I would really like to go out with you, on a not friendship date”, Calliope says smiling.
“Will I pick you up from yours?”, Calliope asks.
“Yeah, that sounds good. Date and then maybe then go to Noah’s party afterwards?”, Juliette says, panicked that she hadn’t thought out a concrete plan.
“Yeah cool, text me your address and I will come pick you up. Around 6?” Calliope says.
“Yeah, that sounds good.”, Juliette says.
“See you later”, Cal says giving Juliette’s shoulder one final squeeze.
Juliette releases a breath she hadn’t known she was keeping in.
“I’ve got to find Ben”, Juliette mutters with a soft smile on her face.