"That was uncalled for, David. For goodness's sake, she just got back and you're already acting like a dick."

He didn't deny it. "I know, I just...sort of freaked out."

Simon snapped his head towards his friend and rolled his eyes in exasperation. "I've known you for seven years, Dave. Storming off like that isn't called 'freaking out'."

It was Sunday and David opted for a peaceful morning in his house, maybe write something to get his mind off of things but was disturbed by Simon, who came barging in earlier and had bombarded him with his stupid stunt he pulled two nights ago.

David rubbed his aching temples and sat down on the sofa, still garbed in his robe, a freshly-brewed coffee in hand.

Simon clicked his tongue, staring at David's left wrist where a familiar bracelet dangled. He felt the corners of his lips lift and crossed his arms. Catching Simon's stare, he felt heat racing to his pale cheeks before clearing his throat and setting the cup down on the glass table.

"Simon." He warned dangerously, eyes squinted.

Simon chuckled. "Not doing anything, Walliams."

"But it's pretty clear that you're still in that web you put yourself through." He added.

David groaned. "Obvious?"

His friend bobbed his head. "Terribly."

"What am I supposed to do? I messed it up, again! That was a good first impression."

"First in a long time." Simon corrected.

"You're not helping, Si."

Simon frowned and sat down next to him, nudging him playfully. "Listen, what made you fall for her in the first place?"

"I don't think—"

"Just answer the damn question."

David's eyes grew but wondered about it. What did Callie do to make him fall in love with her?

Simple.

She was very adamant to get what she wants. She would do almost everything when she puts her heart into it. She's absolutely funny and David would find himself laughing at her jokes, even if they're all a poor attempt. She would make anyone laugh.

"She's weird." He sums up, rubbing his hand on his stubble and chuckling when he reminisced how Callie would claim to pepper it with kisses three years ago, and David would scrunched his nose in disapproval and feign gag noises.

"Absolutely hyperactive, quirky, mad, and has a very bad dancing skill." He smiles fondly, twirling the bracelet between his fingers. "She's considerate, fucking selfless, her cooking skills are also terrible."

Simon smirked, letting his friend do all the talk because as oblivious as David was, he was madly in love with her.

"So, you're basically saying you love her."

David nodded without a second thought. "Callista. Yes."

There was sudden pause that hovered like a hornet in the air. If it wasn't for Simon's smug expression, David would truly miss his point.

"I'm in love with her?" He asks, mouth agape.

Simon laughed, patting David on the back.

"And it took you, what, three years to figure that out? David, you hold on that bracelet wherever you go and whenever we bring Callie up, your whole face would brighten like the fourth of July."

"I'm in love with her." David repeated, quietly still surprised but ecstatic. "Oh, shit."

"What're you going to do about it?"

David looked at him, determination in his brown irises. One thing is for sure, David is in love with her, he doesn't know if she still harbors feelings for him but he is persistent to win her back.

"I'll make it up to her." He announced.  "I just have to formulate a good plan."

Simon winked before fishing out his phone. "Let me help you with that."

| THE NEXT MORNING |

It was a dull, mundane afternoon. The clouds were a decaying gray, the wind a bit chilly, and the mood that nestled between the two figures in the make-up room was thick, a knife could slice through it.

David wore his plain white crisp shirt, the first two buttons undone. He kept checking on his watch, anxious as to why his other companions were nowhere to be found.

Simon, you short devil, this might not be one of your schemes.

From his peripheral, he could tell Callista was growing antsy.

His heart skipped a beat thinking they were alone. She was tapping profusely on her phone, but he could tell her attention didn't solely focus on the device on her hands, considering her phone was upside down.

"It's upside down," David enunciated before he could stop himself.

Callista jumped in mild shock. "I-I'm sorry?"

"Your phone," David pointed out, smiling softly. "Upside down."

Callista frowned and realized he was indeed right. She blushed before muttering curses.

"Y-yeah, I figured that. Thanks." She says dismissively, ashamed.

David chuckled. "You're welcome, Callie."

Callie pursed her lips, eyebrows threaded together. She opened her lips but decided against it and closed them once more.

David swallowed, mustering enough courage.

'You can do this, Walliams. Come on, win her back. Do it.'

"So, Callie, how was your weekend?"

The young female was mildly surprise and was skeptic as to why David finally acknowledge her. Perhaps it was to pass the time, albeit she went along with it.

"It's alright." She answered simply before putting on her earrings.

"Oh."

Clasping the other pair, Callie gave him a sideway glance.

"How about you? How was your weekend?"

David fully turned to her on his chair, giving her his undivided attention.

"Delightful."

Callie smirked. "From that, I can say it's horrid."

"Bingo. Bert kept shitting all over the house, I don't know what happened. Maybe it was the lasagna I fed him the other day."

She cackled, putting her hand on her mouth to stop her fit of giggles. David's grin widen.

"Figures. I mean, I would with your ghastly cooking skills."

He feigned offended. "Excuse me, Gordon Ramsay tasted my spaghetti and he said it was amazing."

After applying a bit of blush on her cheeks, Callie set the brush down and crossed her legs, face turning to David with an open-mouth smile.

"Only because your mum was there." She teased, eyebrows wiggling.

David rolled his eyes and pushed an imaginary buzzer on his right hand mimicking the noise.

"It's a no for me, Ms. Miller. Get out."

She bursted out laughing and David felt elated to see her so happy again. It suited her, everything about her screamed Aphrodite. David couldn't get enough, he wanted to make her smile more.

"They're taking too long, aren't they?" She asks after a minute and glanced at the door. "Even the make-up artists, too."

David agreed.

"Do you think this is one of Simon's plan to..."

He caught on to her and fought an incoming blush. "Oh, that. Maybe, maybe not. Or maybe they're just stuck at traffic."

Callie nodded. "Yeah, yeah. You're right."

There was a provocative pause again. He took a deep breath.

"Callie. Listen, I'm sorry."

"About what, Dave?"

"Last time, when you came back. I'm sorry if I just left. I-I was really ashamed and scared." He admits, bowing his head in shame.

"But that doesn't give you the right to do that." She pointed heatedly. "Regardless of your excuses."

"I know and I'm really, really sorry. Can I make it up to you?"

Callista saw the sincerity in his actions and her features softened. Gnawing at the inside of her cheek, she tapped her chin thoughtfully and shrugged.

"You could accompany me to the orphanage this week." She offers.

David could do a fistbump if he was alone. He repressed his joy with a cough and nodded imperceptibly.

"Sure, yeah. That would be great. It's a date then."

Callista nearly choked on her saliva and stared wide-eyed but before she could comment, the door burst open revealing the phantoms they were looking for.

The girls looked a bit annoyed and Simon, as usual, appeared laid-back.

"Took you long enough." Callie uttered as Amanda and Alesha sat on their respective chairs. The make-up artists trailing behind.

"Blame it on Simon. He was the one who volunteered to get all of us." Amanda rolled her eyes and glared at Simon who could only shake his head.

"I was taking safety precautions." He defended and gave David a knowing look.

"Oh, shut it, Si." Alesha countered.

Barbara, Callie's make-up artist, apologized for the delay and began her work.

By fifteen minutes, they were all done and it was time to start the show.

Callista had her head in the clouds as David gave her one final smile before walking with Simon.

It was unbecoming of David to be this nice to her. Was she missing anything?

'Be still, don't let him walk over you again like last time.' She tells herself before going out with her best friends who were unaware of her internal fight.