Callan's Complicated Crush

On a Monday morning, Callan was reading his Zane Tiri book during morning recess.

The Tylas went up to Callan.

Tyla A: Can you help us with something?

Callan rolled his eyes from underneath his hair.

Callan: Here it goes…

Tyla B: Would you help us raise a million dollars to help protect endangered elephants?

Tyla Q: They’re all about to go extinct because people are killing them for their tusks.

Callan glared at the Tylas.

Callan: Does this LOOK like I care?

Tyla T: Let’s get out of here. He doesn’t appreciate the beauty of living things…

The Tylas left.

Callan’s heart began beating.

Callan: What-what’s going on?

He began to blush.

Callan: I must be sick… I gotta see the nurse.

~ ~ ~

Callan went into the nurse’s office.

The school nurse, Isaiah, rolled up to Callan.

Isaiah: What seems to be the problem?

Callan: I think I might be sick…

Isaiah grabbed a thermometer and stuck it in Callan’s ear.

It beeped.

Isaiah: You’re not sick, Callan. There isn’t some spelling test you want to get out of...is there?

Callan: No! But my heart’s been beating and I’ve been blushing.

Isaiah: Say no more. That’s a clear sign that… You’re in love!

Callan: LOVE?! Gross!

Isaiah: Yep! I displayed those signs when I first met my fiancee, Bea. As well as my good friend, Lexx.

Callan: But I CAN’T be in love! Who would I possibly be in love with?

Isaiah shrugged.

Isaiah: I don’t know. But you’re about to be late for your next class!

Callan nodded, and left.

~ ~ ~

Callan entered Loki’s classroom.

Loki: You’re late, Callan. Is there anything wrong?

Callan sighed.

Callan: No…

Callan sat down in his usual seat by Tyla A and Tyla Q.

Tyla A whispered to Tyla Q.

Tyla A: Is there something up with Callan?

Tyla Q: Probably being his usual weird self like always.

Callan shouted out.

Callan: YOU KNOW WHAT?

Loki: Is there a problem?

Callan slunk down in his seat.

Callan: No…

Loki: Okay. Now, where was I…

As Loki continued teaching, Callan kept staring at Tyla A.

Tyla A noticed this and whispered to Tyla Q.

Tyla A: Why is Callan staring at me? It’s kinda creeping me out…

Tyla Q: I don’t know! We should focus on Mr. Santiago’s lesson.

Tyla A: Gladly.

Callan sighed dreamily.

~ ~ ~

During lunch, Callan wouldn’t eat the hamburger and french fries on his plate.

Cadden noticed this and went up to him.

Cadden: What’s wrong?

Callan: I don’t know. I have this weird lump in my throat and I keep blushing and my heart keeps racing...and oddly enough…it’s all because of Tyla A!

Cadden’s eyes widened.

Cadden: You have a crush on Tyla A!

Callan: Don’t be ridiculous. I HATE Tyla A and her snooty, fake band of loyal followers!

Callan began smiling.

Callan: But her hair. It’s so… right.

Callan grumbled to himself.

Callan: UGH! Nurse Isaiah was RIGHT! I DO like Tyla A! And this feeling HAS to go!

Cadden: You know, Tyla A isn’t THAT bad. She’s rather nice. I bet you’d be happy together.

Callan sighed.

Callan: Unfortunately…

~ ~ ~

After school, Callan still had Tyla A on his mind.

Sonny, Anti-Greyson, and Junie were watching a movie.

Sonny: Callan! Come watch The Willoughbys with us!

Callan: Pass.

Anti-Greyson: What’s wrong? I thought you LOVED this movie!

Junie: Here’s that “funny” part you like when the kids planned to send their parents to meet their doom like you’ve always liked.

Callan: No thanks. Mr. Santiago assigned a new homework assignment I really need to get started on.

Callan rushed to his room.

Sonny: Weird. Callan NEVER rushes to do his homework.

Anti-Greyson: Something’s up…

~ ~ ~

In Callan’s room, Callan began pacing around.

Callan: I can’t like Tyla A! I can’t like ANYBODY! I’m BAD!

Sonny came into Callan’s room.

Sonny: Is there anything wrong? You wouldn’t even see the Willoughbys!

Callan: Will you PLEASE leave? I’m NOT in the mood!

Sonny: Okay… But if there’s anything you need to talk about, don’t be afraid to come to your father and me.

Sonny left.

Callan: Yeah. OR I could go to 1519 to see the great Zane Tiri. Surely HE’LL distract me from that… Tyla A.

Callan snapped his fingers and suddenly vanished.

~ ~ ~

In Corona in 1519, Callan landed at the Corona castle.

Callan: Now… Zane Tiri…

Callan began walking and bumped into Varia and Cassandro.

Callan: SHOO! I need to find Zane Tiri!

Varia: Right. Him. Callan, we’ve told you billions of times, he’s NOT your friend.

Cassandro: He’s literally a shape-shifting demon out to destroy the world!

Callan: I don’t care! Now move!

Callan pushed past Varia and Cassandro.

Varia: Looks like SOMEBODY could use some consoling…

Cassandro: I wonder if Izzy will ever stop by here again…

~ ~ ~

Callan stopped at Zane Tiri’s Great Tree.

Zane Tiri stepped out and noticed Callan.

Zane Tiri: Well, well, well…

Callan: Zane Tiri! We need to have a talk!

Zane Tiri: Oooo, goody! So, how’d those pathetic Tylas take us crashing their party last month?

Callan: They were miserable…

Callan began blushing.

Callan: But… I kinda like Tyla A now.

Zane Tiri looked shocked.

Zane Tiri: You DO?! She refused to invite you to her birthday party! That snob must die!

Callan: I know. THAT’S the problem! You’ve been in love. How’d that work out for you?

Zane Tiri: If you’re referring to my no-good ex-wife, Georgia Von Strangle, then you know EXACTLY how it went.

Callan: I know. But...did YOU feel different when you started crushing on her?

Zane Tiri: Well, I did blush a lot. And then my heart began racing. And then… Oh, I think you could only imagine.

Callan: That’s exactly how I’M feeling! I can’t like Tyla A! She’s not right for me!

Zane Tiri took Callan’s hands.

Zane Tiri: You, Callan Fairywinkle, are a strong, independent guy. You don’t need anybody. All you need to do is help me destroy the world.

Callan looked up at Zane Tiri, and then began blushing.

His heart began racing again.

Callan: Uh...uh...Yeah. Right. I gotta go.

Callan ran out of the Great Tree nervously.

Zane Tiri: Was it something I said?

Zane Tiri shrugged.

Zane Tiri: At least Callan gets what I’m saying. I hope.

~ ~ ~

Callan ran past Varia and Cassandro, and hid in the corner of the castle.

Varia and Cassandro noticed this and went up to him.

Varia: Something go down with Zane Tiri?

Cassandro: It’s clear he’s manipulating you and you don’t want to do any of his evil schemes.

Callan: But… He’s not! I LIKE Zane Tiri!

Cassandro: Yes. I know you like Zane Tiri. You CONSTANTLY worship him.

Varia: Yeah! You love what he does for you. Is that it?

Callan: Well… I...love him love him. You know… like you two love each other.

Cassandro and Varia looked at each other, then began laughing.

Callan: See. I knew I was crazy. I’m outta here!

Callan ran away, and flashed out.

Cassandro: No, wait! Callan!

Cassandro turned around to see Callan already gone.

Varia: What did we do?

Cassandro: This is exactly like how I reacted when I was questioning my feelings towards you!

Varia: Yep. Like it was yesterday!

Varia and Cassandro hugged.

~ ~ ~

Callan arrived back in his room in 2049.

Sonny and Anti-Greyson went in.

Sonny: Callan, I know there’s something bugging you.

Anti-Greyson: You know, you can always tell us.

Callan sighed.

Callan: Fine. I like someone.

Callan sighed again.

Callan: Like more than a friend.

Sonny and Anti-Greyson looked at each other and squealed.

Sonny: Our little one has his first crush!

Anti-Greyson: Tell me! Who is she?

Callan gulped.

Callan: Well. She...and he.

Sonny and Anti-Greyson looked confused.

Sonny: He?

Callan sighed.

Callan: It’s Tyla A...AND Zane Tiri. I’m smitten with both of them!

Anti-Greyson: That’s… beautiful. Isn’t it, Sonny?

Sonny began crying.

Sonny: YES!

Callan and his parents hugged.

Junie went in.

Junie: Uhhh… Did I miss anything?

Anti-Greyson: Nothing much. Other than that our little one has his first… CRUSHES!

Junie: Oh, sweet! I KNEW you weren’t totally heartless, Callan! Way to go!

Junie patted Callan on the back.

Callan: Yes. But telling them how I feel will drive me insane.

Junie: Just be brave! You got this!

Sonny: We support you 100 percent!

Anti-Greyson: Ditto.

The Fairywinkle family hugged.

~ ~ ~

The next day at school, Callan went up to the Tylas.

Callan: Tylas, I have something to say!

Tyla A: Well, if it isn’t Callan. Here to rub it in that you ruined my sensational 7?

Callan: No… It’s a matter between me and Tyla A only.

Tyla B: Well. Be careful, Tyla A.

Tyla Q: If you don’t play this right, he’ll kill you.

Tyla T: Catch ya later, bud.

The rest of the Tylas ran off.

Tyla A crossed her arms and looked sternly at Callan.

Tyla A: Yes? What is it, Callan?

Callan blushed.

Callan: Well… Tyla A. I like you.

Tyla A looked surprised.

Tyla A: You LIKE me? Come on, Callan. For months, you’ve always bullied me and my fellow Tylas for no reason at all. And for what? Being kind and compassionate people?

Callan began crying.

Callan: I know! I don’t know what’s wrong with me! At some moments, I hate you. I can’t stand you. I wanna destroy you...BUT at another moment… You’re cute. I love you. And…

Callan blushed.

Callan: Will you be mine?

Tyla A looked shocked.

Tyla A: Wow. I don’t know what to say… but…

Tyla A began to blush.

Tyla A: Sure. I’d love to be yours.

Tyla A took Callan’s hand and kissed it.

Callan began to blush...but not because of Tyla A this time.

Tyla A: Why don’t we have a nice picnic at my place after school?

Callan wasn’t paying attention.

Callan: Yes. But there’s something I must do first…

Tyla A: Whatever you say. Catch ya later, Callan.

Tyla A left.

Callan: Surely I can now tell Zane Tiri the same thing I told Tyla A. This will be exhausting…

Callan snapped his fingers and flashed out of the playground.

~ ~ ~

Callan landed in Corona.

He could see Zane Tiri arguing with Varia and Cassandro.

Varia: NO, Zane Tiri! We’re NOT letting you get the sundrop and moonstone!

Cassandro: YOU’VE caused enough damage!

Varia: WE are outta here!

Varia and Cassandro stormed off.

Zane Tiri turned around and noticed Callan.

Zane Tiri: Callan! You heard everything, didn’t you?

Callan: Why do you let them treat you like that? I’d just take that sundrop and moonstone and destroy those two wannabes.

Zane Tiri: You’re...RIGHT!

Callan: And Zane Tiri, I have something I wanna tell you.

Zane Tiri: Okay. Spill. But be brief. I need to tutor Madeleine on everything there is to know about destroying Corona.

Callan blushed.

Callan: Well… I like you, Zane Tiri.

Zane Tiri rolled his eyes.

Zane Tiri: I KNOW you like me, Callan. Please. Give me something new.

Callan: I mean. Like more than a friend. Like more than a mentor. Like… How you and Georgia were before, you know, she betrayed you.

Zane Tiri looked stunned.

Zane Tiri: So… You’re saying… You… Like me romantically?

Callan: Yes.

Zane Tiri: Oh. I’m flattered. Really. I am. But… I’m NOT in the mood to have a relationship...especially with someone so… young. I’m sorry.

Callan started to cry, but held his tears in.

Callan: Oh. Okay. I must go. Get back to school. I don’t wanna be late for Mr. Santiago’s class again.

Callan burst into tears and flashed out.

Zane Tiri looked guilty.

Zane Tiri: What did I do? I hope he doesn’t hate me for this…

~ ~ ~

Callan made it in Loki’s classroom.

Loki: Callan, you’re late again.

Callan wiped a tear off his face.

Callan: I know. It won’t happen again.

Callan sat down.

Cadden turned around and noticed Callan.

Cadden: So? How are you and Tyla A doing?

Callan: Fine.

Cadden: Something wrong?

Callan sighed.

Callan: I’ll tell you after class…

Cadden nodded and turned around again.

Callan (to viewers): Though Zane Tiri doesn’t feel the same way...I should be glad Tyla A feels the same way about me. She really is something special. I shouldn’t let her go.