Forget Me Too

Five

The clock read 9:30 when I finally decided to stop working. There are only three people in the workshop including me and Katie who is already cleaning her area. I stretch my arms.

"You're done?" She chirps.

"Yep. I'll just clean up." I start picking up my stuff, putting them in their respective places. I take the brushes off the solvent and wipe them clean.

Surprisingly, after that guy showed up, my artistic drive fueled up, and I miraculously finished the piece. It must be rage. They say masters used all sorts of emotions; I might be in the anger department. All I need is to let the painting dry and apply the varnish. That is for tomorrow’s work.

"Hey, Grace and I are gonna grab something out, you wanna come?" Katie appears behind me, examining my painting. "It's amazing, Ols."

"Thanks. Also, no thanks, I don't want to third wheel you guys."

"It's not like that." She blushes, the way she always does when I tease her about her girlfriend.

"Kidding, I'll come. God, I'm starving."

"Cool. I'll text Grace."

We walk out of the workshop as soon as I'm done tidying up. As we approach the parking area, my nerves kick in.

I wonder if he has left already. He can't still be there, right? I mean, he shouldn’t. Doesn’t he have work to do? Thirdhand is too popular, I'm sure they're booked. He shouldn't be wasting time loitering here in the first place. I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping his car isn't there anymore, but one can dream.

The car I left earlier is on the same exact spot. f**k.

I grab Katie's arm, prompting her to walk faster.

Perhaps I'm born unlucky because before we could escape, his car lights up and starts honking.

I put my face in my hands wishing that he, would disappear when I open my eyes.

"What's their deal?" Katie asks, slightly annoyed. Who wouldn't be? We're tired, hungry students who want to grab a bite and go home, but this bastard decided to bother us. Well, just me. I'm not dragging Katie into this.

"Actually, that's my uh... friend." The word tastes sour on my tongue.

Katie looks at me in confusion, then her mouth forms an 'Oh'

"Yeah," I scratch my nape, "I forgot we made plans. I can't hang out with you guys, sorry." I say apologetically. That man will receive a punch. I don't care if we're inside a car or not, I will hit him on the face.

"No, no, it's fine." She slaps my arm lightly. "But you sure they're your friend? Not some annoying rando, because I'm ready," she raises a fist.

I laugh. If only she knows who the 'annoying rando' is. I would really love to see her punch one of the reasons she stayed up all night last night.

"I'm really sorry, Katie."

"Told you it's nothing. I'll get going then." She points her thumb backward.

"Have fun!” I cheer.

We separate ways. She heads to her car and I head to prison. I fear that the moment I lay my sight on that person's face, I may become a criminal.

"You're an asshole," I say as soon as I get in. I made an effort to hit his hood before opening the door. He deserved that.

His smile that welcomes me is fuel to fire. I don't give him time to speak. I can't hold it anymore.

"You're such a jerk, you know that? Why are you so stubborn? Who told you to stay here for five hours? Who in their right mind would do that Caleb? What if I left already? What if someone saw you-- What are you looking at?" I glare at him, but the dumbass remains staring with a dumb smile on his dumb face.

He didn't say a thing, instead, lean closer to me. He places a hand on the dashboard as he inches closer.

I back away. "I'm seriously gonna punch you."

"Sure, after this."

I felt the grin on his lips when he presses it on mine. He licks my lower lip, which involuntarily opens, letting his tongue in. It tangles with mine. I’m surprised at how hungry I was responding.

His hand lands on my leg, tracing back and forth from my knee to my inner thighs. There is an irresistible urge to release a moan. My body moves on its own, switching to a position where we're both comfortable. We part to take in air, but he kisses me again after a second—this time softer. I didn't notice my right hand cupping his cheek until he put his over it.

"You're cute when you're mad, Vi," he says when we break off. He pays me a smirk then adds, "You can do it now."

I raise an eyebrow, uncertain of his statement. "What?"

"You said you were going to punch me, right? Do it now."

My sight darkens, presumably from anger, technically because I closed it. I would gladly do that if I’m an asshole like him who doesn’t have any sense of self-control, instead I roll my eyes. "f**k you, Caleb."

"Like, now? That's fine too." He sits back comfortably in the driver's seat, laughing.

"Haha funny," I grumble.

"Sorry, sorry, okay?"

"You're so annoying. Coming here and all this s**t, Caleb. I lied to my friend after that little stunt of yours and you're what? Gonna joke around. If you think this is fun, it's not. So tell me if I'm wasting my time here because I'm tired and starving." Just as I said the last word, a sound of stomach growling takes over. I had to stop for a moment to check if it was from me. It wasn't.

Caleb groans, "Sorry, that's me."

I massage my temples as guilt floods my frontal lobe. God, he makes me older three times quicker.

"Let's get something to eat, then take me home."

"Roger, boss." He twists the key then starts the engine.

"And start talking, you asshat."

---

"So I didn't actually wait for five hours." Caleb slurs the words while chewing a cheeseburger.

I don't know if I'm supposed to be pissed or relieved by this revelation. Apparently, he left for band practice after I did, returning at sundown. Contrary to my speculation, he only stayed for about an hour and a half, not the whole night. I sip my coke in absolute pique.

We're at the nearest place to get food from the University—McDonald's. He ordered a concerning amount of french fries and chicken nuggets, I almost nagged him that we wouldn't finish it until he asked me what I wanted. Now I'm plain disgusted and amazed by how he's eating all that junk food.

"And how long were you planning on sticking around?"

"Until all the lights are off." He says it as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.

"God, you're so dumb. It's annoying."

He wipes his fingers with tissue paper then collects all the ketchup packets and other mess, putting it all in the paper bag. "I prefer dedicated."

"You mean d**k head?" I take another sip of coke. And victory, while he shakes his head slowly without attempting to refute.

I tell him my address, which could easily be one of the worst decisions I ever made unless I draw the line myself.

"This is the last time I will see you, Caleb."

"You don't get to decide that." The man has equal decisiveness as mine. It’s vexing.

"I do. This is my life. You can't just barge in anytime you want."

"Am I barging in or are you running away?"

I bite my tongue. There’s no counterattack.

The ride to my apartment was painfully quiet. I fixed my gaze out the window while he remained silently driving.

"Pull over there.” I point at a curve.

He does what I said with a sigh.

I open the car door and order, "Stay here,” before completely going down.

I jog to my apartment, walking straight inside my room. Sara, who is in the living room, watches as I stride in and out.

When I’m outside, I throw the paper bag I fished from my room inside Caleb’s car. The only thing that ties us together is now back in his hands and there is nothing more he could use to bother me.

“This is the last time I will see you, Caleb,” I repeat, this time with more affirmation.

He returns my measured look, staring at me firmly. My breathing is heavy from the intensity of his look. I look away first, ready to close the door, but before I can finish the task, I hear him say, “You can’t get rid of me that easily, Olivia.” The door slams.

Three times. I’ve only heard him say my whole name three times. The first time was when he decided to call me ‘Vi’. The other two, I can’t exactly say were good memories. This is the fourth time, and I’m pretty sure it groups with the latter.

*

Caleb's singing was amazing.

After half an hour of watching him perform, I felt like my soul was cleansed. His voice, accompanied by his acoustic guitar was immaculate no matter what song he was playing. He could sing the alphabet and I would still fall in love with his voice.

Just to be clear, it's his voice I was falling in love with.

I am sitting at one of the tables in the far corner of Rez's. The bistro was packed by the time I came in, so I thought I could hide from him and surprise him after, but I got spotted even when he was all the way across the room. He smiled in my direction a couple of times while playing and I did the same in return.

It's been a while since I was last here. Their food was amazing, but I was always hesitant to go. If Caleb did not mention performing here, I wouldn't even consider coming.

My ex-boyfriend lives just down the block and we used to hang out in here. Actually, he had been hanging out here long before we met, so it was natural that he was still dropping by a lot. Despite ending things on good terms, it would still be a bit awkward meeting—at least for me. That's why I've been avoiding this place.

My fear came earlier than I expected it to (which was never).

After Caleb's performance, he disappeared with two people for I didn't know how long, and I decided to get a drink. On my way to the bar counter, someone called my name.

"Oli." A voice came from behind me.

I hesitated for a second, but I spun to greet him. "Kevin." I flashed a tight-lipped smile. Last time I saw him was when we broke up a month ago, and then now.

My gaze fell on the blonde girl beside him whose eyes had a beautiful tint of green.

"Oh, this is Steph," he gestured at the girl, then back to me. "Steph, this is Oli."

Steph smiled and said the sweetest "Hi" I have ever heard in my whole life. I attempted to reply with the same amount of sweetness, failing drastically.

Kevin cleared his throat. "I haven't seen you in a while. How have you been?"

"Good. I've been a bit busy though."

Lie. I haven't been busy. Aside from school stuff, my schedule was as empty as my enthusiasm right at the moment.

"That's great," he smiled awkwardly.

We could have avoided this whole conversation if he hadn't called me out, but I guess it was inevitable. Nevertheless, what the heck, Kevin?

I was ready to end our reunion when someone suddenly grabbed me into a hug.

"Holyshit, Oli--" The culprit let go as quickly as he jumped me. Caleb glanced at Kevin and Steph beside me.

I nodded and confirmed whatever was on his mind. He faced them and apologized. From where I was standing, I could see how red his ears were. I swallowed a laugh.

"It's fine. We'll be going then. It's nice to see you again, Ols." Kevin nodded, slipping his arm around Steph's waist.

"You too, Kevin. Steph." I gave them a smile before we parted ways.

"Who's that?" Caleb peeked in the direction the two went.

"My ex." I pulled him to my table. The drink I wanted was past its time now.

"Oh." He took a seat beside me.

"We broke up last month."

His eyes grew wide as he let out another "Oh". I couldn't hold my laughter. "A month, huh? He moves quick."

"Yeah, well, I'm here with you remember?"

He nodded slowly, eye squinting, "Touché."

"Enough about that. Why did you jump me?"

Caleb's face turned brighter. His eyes were sparkling with happiness. "I got a contract offer. They want me to join a record label!" He whisper-screamed excitedly. It was almost like he was trying his best not to bounce.

What a puppy.

"That's amazing, dude." I took the initiative to pull him in. His face fitted perfectly on my neck and I pat his fluffy hair. "You're amazing."

Even though we're slightly different, I was also in the art department. Getting scouted could literally change your life.

"Thanks," he said coolly. "It's not that much. I'll send you a ticket for my first concert." His tone changed but he was still evidently giddy.

I rolled my eyes. "You got an offer the same day I was here. That can't be a coincidence," I said cockily, never expecting him to agree.

"True. I guess you're my lucky charm." He winked, leaning in for a kiss.

We only stopped making out when the actual food came. Despite his lips being tastier, I still needed food to fill my starving belly.

"Hey, do you have anything else for today?"

I was free for the rest of the afternoon, as well as for the next day, and I have an idea why he asked. Still, I wanted to hear it from him. "Why?"

"If you're free, we could hang out in my place," he said casually. I was sure this wasn't the first time he had suggested something like that.

I studied his face. "Should I be having a bad feeling about this?"

"Absolutely not," he smirked, "if you are, then I’ll just have to make you feel good."

"Perv."

We went straight to his place after the meal.

It was a fancy building, about fifteen floors high. Although I wasn't too surprised that he lives in a quaint place, I also didn't expect this much. For all I knew, he could be a suitcase artist staying at some motel.

The inside was even better. There wasn't much furniture, just the usual ones you normally see in a habitable house. And a massive shelf full of vinyl records, which made complete sense since he's a musician.

When we got in, he didn't waste time and pinned me to the door. I, in response, clung to his neck. But we stopped before we could even start.

"We ate onion rings." I quickly covered a hand over my mouth.

Caleb chuckled, stepping away. "Correct." He motioned to his left, and I followed him until we reached the bathroom. The kind host ducked down to scramble inside what I assumed was the supply cabinet, then produced a still sealed toothbrush.

"You have unused toothbrushes just sitting around?" I took the toothbrush then opened it.

He stood up and proceeded to take the one by the sink. "Yeah."

Was this part of being health conscious? I usually buy a new one when it's time. Or perhaps he had this exact situation before and stocked toothbrushes in case he takes a girl home. Either worked for me, not that I care much.

We went down to business, brushing our teeth in front of the mirror, like that scene in Bring It On. The moment I set mine down, Caleb trapped me between him and the sink.

"Let me rinse my mouth first, perv."

"Sure babe, take your time," he said but didn't leave the position.

I felt him watching me through the mirror, so I stuck my tongue out, making him laugh.

After doing all the things you need to do to get the utmost sanitary, I twisted to face him.

"All good now?"

Kissing him was my answer. As if it's rehearsed, he lifts me up the sink without breaking off the kiss.

Deja vu.

We were in this exact position just a couple of weeks ago, except this time we're in a private space. No reason to hold back.

I took his hand and cupped it on my breast. He smiled against my lips. I love it when he does that.

My moans echoed in the closed bathroom, but I didn't care. His tongue was sliding, tangling with mine as my hands explored his body. Hot and hard against my palms. His kisses trailed down to my neck, my collarbone, to the hem of my top. His hands lowered as well. I wore a skirt this day, for a very obvious reason.

I felt him stroking my inner thigh, going higher to the edge of my underwear and finally on my core. A loud, shaky, unruly breath escaped, from him running a finger over me.

Caleb smirked.

He knelt down for a full view of my below. "You're so wet," he says before tracing kisses on my left thigh. All my unspoken desires materialized into a robust mass of man. I was breathless when he finally reached the spot, but he stopped, moving his lips to my right thigh.

It drove me crazy. The way his breath grazed my s*x but didn't touch. I wanted it to. I wanted him to touch me there. I wanted to feel him there.

"Caleb," I half-whispered, half-moaned.

"Yes?" He looked up at me innocently.

At that moment, the memories from the previous week flashed back. How much I teased him when we were inside the car, how frustrated he was. Suddenly, I knew what was happening, and I did not like it.

"Please," I begged, hoping he wouldn't be too cruel. But he stood up and we were eye to eye again.

"Please what?" He grins sheepishly.

If he weren't so hot right now and if I weren't so high from s*x hormones, I would have walked out on this man. But my body grew progressively hot and sensitive. I kissed him.

"You have to say it, Oli." He pulled away, holding me on both shoulders. "Tell me what you want."

I bit my lip. "I want you to touch me."

He smiled, doing as I said. He drew circles over my underwear. Rubbed a finger up and down but it wasn't enough. "More, please."

My words came out like a whisper. Caleb met my eyes, looking expectant.

"Touch me more," I said, trying to sound louder, but only a murmur was what I could manage. Still, he lowered himself down. I screamed when I felt his tongue glide along my panties.

When he slipped the fabric aside, it was finally tongue against flesh. I shivered in pleasure.

A bigger surge of sensation burst across my whole body as he slid a finger inside, then another. He thrusted it in and out while licking my c**t. Lava replaced the blood in my vessels. All I could do was scream his name, again and again, completely abandoning my guard until I reached my peak.

"I'm coming," I muttered under my breath.

Caleb gripped my hip firmly and I leaned back, using both my arms to support my weight as I gushed all over his fingers.

When he was back up, I immediately pulled him into a kiss. I tasted myself on his lips.

"You're so hot, babe." His lips brushed into mine when he spoke

"That's my line!"

"Right now, it’s mine to use," he grinned.

I anchored an arm around his neck, leaving tiny kisses along his jaw as my other hand stretched down to his jeans. I rubbed the bulge over his zipper. "I want you."

Without hesitation, he lifted me off the sink and carried me in his arms. My legs hugged his waist.

In a second, we moved from the bathroom to his bedroom. The next second we're both naked, skin on skin.

"Tell me what you want." A husky, low voice brushed on my ear.

My body was feeling a myriad of things at once. There was a buzz in my brain that blurs everything but this man on top of me. I've never been so certain about anything. This, I knew I wanted. I needed it. "I want you inside me."

His smile grew wide and his eyes were blazing with desire. He needed it too. He needed me. Caleb stretched to the drawer beside the bed, but he was so close to me, his arm rubbed my n****e. I squealed.

"Oops, sorry," he chuckled, going back with a tiny packet. "I want you so bad, Oli."

In a span of four hours, we had hooked up and made out all around his flat. In the bedroom, in the kitchen, in the bedroom again, but on his desk. Finally, we're on the couch, watching a movie I didn't understand what was about. My attention was fully consumed by this man snuggled under my arm.

"Oli?" He tugged the hem of my shirt—his shirt that I borrowed.

"Hmm?"

"What goes after Oli?" Caleb tilted his head upward, looking straight into my eyes.

"What?" I frowned.

"Is Oli just Oli, or..." he trailed off.

It took me a second to process what he was asking. "Oh, it's Olivia."

"Is it just Oli or are there other names?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?"

"Because... Does everyone call you Oli?" He asked again, ignoring my question.

I let him be. "No, my family calls me Liv."

"Okay." He nodded, tucking his head deeper onto my arm. His attention went back to the TV.

"Is that it?" My demand did not receive a response.

I followed his lead and focused on the movie, but it was hard because he began tapping a rhythm on my hip bone. I was still oblivious to his random curiosity. What exactly was the point of that conversation?

I shook the confusion away and fixed my attention on the movie. I didn't know what its title was, nor the plot. All I knew was that it had Linda Cardellini on it.

My hands found the strands of his hair. It tangled, untangled, and tangled again around my index finger. His hair was smooth and smelt like mint. I inhaled the cool scent.

"Vi."

"What?" A confused frown touched my face. He spoke suddenly after being silent in a while.

" Does anyone call you Vi?" He angled up at me again.

No.

"Yes."

"Oh," his face drooped. He looked visibly disappointed, it was cute.

"Just kidding. Why would anyone call me that?"

Sunshine returned to his face. His pupils became sparkly like a tiny puppy does when its owner comes home. He was a puppy. "Can I call you Vi?"

"Why?" Not one individual had ever called me Vi or requested to do so.

This was the first time and considering the person who did was someone I have no other interaction with aside from making out and hooking up, I had to evaluate his proposal properly. Would agreeing mean we have something more special than just casual hookups? But it was a simple nickname anyway. What was the harm of letting someone call me Vi?

I closed my eyes to think for a second. I did not picture him as sentimental, though I thought it was endearing.

Vi, huh?

"Alright." I decided.

Caleb sprung up, then flashed a perfect set of teeth.

"Vi?"

"Yes?"

He leaned closer to bury his face in the crook of my neck.

"Vi?" It was muffled from being pressed on my neck.

"Ye-- Caleb!" I shrieked when he licked a portion of my skin, nibbling it, then leaving a tiny mark. Proudly, he smirked as if putting a hickey was an achievement.

"Hey, do you want to know how many people I slept with this week?" He said, acting like it was the most normal thing on earth.

My brows furrowed. "Seriously?"

"You're not curious?" He air quotes on “curious”.

Who blatantly brags about how many they f****d in a week? I knew I asked before, but it was only to tease him. "Not right now, no."

"Three."

"Oh," was the only thing I could say.

He held his hand up, then started counting with his fingers. "Oli, Liv, Olivia." He clutched his stomach, laughing hysterically upon seeing the scowl that formed on my face.

I hit his arm with as much force as I could give. It left a red mark on his bicep. What a cocky a-hole. The jerk face placed another hand on his stomach, heaving a sigh in an attempt to suppress his laughter.

"Your face, Vi. It's hilarious."

"Your face, Caleb, I will slap it." I rolled my eyes but didn't stop the smile growing on my lips.

"Anyway, do you think four is too much?" He tapped his head on mine, that way if he twisted even a little his lips would touch my ear, "because there's this girl, Vi, I think she's so sexy right now."

"Oh, I see. Vi said she appreciate the compliment, sadly, she's busy."

"What a bummer."

"Yeah, a bummer," I climbed on his lap, taking both his hands to place on my waist, "it's too bad, maybe schedule a meeting."

*