#claum hood one shot

[calumance]

Valentine’s Day

Listen, I got zero things for Valentine’s Day yesterday. So here’s a little something I thought about ALL day yesterday. 😊 

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           The alarm makes a horrible buzzing noise that jolts me awake. Through squinted eyes I look at the time. It’s takes a moment for my eyes to adjust before I can see that the clock says five. I cover my head with the blanket and groan. It’s still dark outside, and I still have to get up? This is just dumb. I throw the blanket off me and shut off the alarm still ringing through my ears. Before I trap myself by getting back in bed, I open the bedroom door and head straight for the bathroom. The bathroom light burns my eyes, so I keep them shut long enough for my eyes to adjust. Showers are the easiest way to wake myself up this early on a Friday. I find my balance after taking my pajamas off and hop in the shower.

           It’s fucking Valentine’s Day, I think to myself as I dry my face off with my towel. I hate this day, a day made up just so Hallmark can make some money after the holidays. I mean, sure, the boyfriend made us reservations tonight, but the restaurant is going to be packed, I still have to work all day, and have to listen how sappy everyone else’s significant other is while I work. A groan escapes my chest as I pull out the clothes I am wearing to work today and dress myself before walking to the next room to dry my hair and put on some make up.

           It snowed a couple of days ago, so traffic is terrible. It’s always terrible, though, it’s just extra terrible because of the ice the snow left behind. I turn up my radio so that something keeps my mind off the stop and go movement of the car. The song that comes on sounds familiar, and even after a couple years, it’s still weird to hear your boyfriends voice on the radio. I turn it up a little bit more and grab my phone to see if he’s texted. Nothing. The phone finds its home back on the passenger seat as I look back through the windshield.

           Most days it takes me twenty-five minutes to get to work, today it took me forty. I walk as quickly as possible into the office knowing that I am over fifteen minutes late. I get to my desk and greet everyone who is there already. I pull my jacket off and set it on the back of my chair as I get prepared to complete my to-do list before the weekend. As my work computer starts up I plug my headphones into my phone and put one earbud in. I open my email and groan at the amount of emails I have to respond to. After a deep breath, I get to work.

           As each of my co-workers trickle in, they talk about where they’re going for dinner, or what they got, I just check my phone in silence and continue to concentrate on my work. Just as I go to put my other earbud in my ear, I hear someone say my name. I turn towards the voice and hum in response, “is Calum in town this year for Valentine’s Day? 

           I think about shrugging and acting like I don’t know since I hate people at work knowing my personal business, I go against my better judgement, “Yeah, he is.” I smile a sheepish smile, and nod.

           “That’s great! Are you two doing anything special?” My boss asks responding to my answer.

           I sigh again, not in annoyance, just because I hate Valentine’s day. Not sure how clearer I could make that. “He made reservations at a restaurant downtown somewhere, I’m pretty sure that’s it.” I’m such an awkward conversation holder that my boss leaves it at that.

           Don’t get me wrong, I love my boyfriend with all of my heart, I just don’t think our love life is anyone business. I’ve grown to act like that all the time knowing that at any minute someone can sell that the press and I can see it on all over the internet the next day. I turn back to my computer and my other earbud in and continue cleaning the report I have to turn in by the end of the day. 

           My phone chimes a short chime interrupting my music. I sit back and look at the small screen to see a message from Calum. I unlock my phone and read it to myself, “Good morning, darling, sorry I didn’t text you earlier. It was a late night at the studio, I’m just so tired. How is work going?” 

           I put my pen down to text him back, “It’s fine, I have a bunch of stuff that I have to turn in before I leave, so I’m just trying to get everything done. Sorry to hear about your late night, can’t wait to see you late.” I lock my phone and continue to stare at the papers that have accumulated all over my desk.

           My eyes focus on a paper that looks a bit weird as I notice a figure coming up the stairs directly in front of my desk. My eyes flicker over the top of the paper, not expecting to see my boyfriend standing there. I put the paper down and pull my earbuds out, “Calum?” I notice all the girls I work with poking their heads out of their cubicles. I study him for a second, still surprised he’s here. He lifts his right hand a few inches to wave at me, a closed lip smile stretched across his face. He has flowers and a stuffed dog in his left hand. He has dark circles under his eyes showing the exhaustion from writing a new album. I stand up and walk around my desk to meet him on the other side.

           “I wanted to surprise you since I know you have been working really hard this week, so I woke up and went and got you some flowers and a stuffed puppy that reminded me of the dog you had when you were little.” He shakes the puppies head and I smile. God damn, Calum is cute.

           “Thanks, babe.” I take the puppy out of his hands and set it on my desk. “Let’s go find a vase for these flowers.” I take the flowers out of his hand and walk around him into the break room. I start opening cabinets to find a vase.

           I hear Calum clear his throat and I turn towards him. “I wanted to say sorry for being so distant lately.” He says with an obvious dry throat.

           I swallow hard remembering the fight we had a few nights ago. I had told him I felt selfish and that I didn’t mean anything I said to him. “I told you that we were okay, Calum. I was selfish to tell you that you were being distant, I mean you’re in the middle of writing an album, I shouldn’t have said any of those things.”

          He shakes his head and me and puts his hands on my shoulders, “No, no, you were right. I am being distant, and writing should not be an excuse to give you all of the attention you deserve. I feel like we’re losing each other and it’s all my fault.”

          I pull my eyebrows together in confusion, “Losing each other? I didn’t know you felt like that?” I shrug my shoulders and watch him drop his hands to his side. His Adam’s Apple bounces as he swallows, obviously nervous to have this conversation.

         He says nothing, so I turn, continuing to look for a vase to put the flowers in. As I’m digging through a cabinet he puts his hands on my hips and turns me toward him, “I just want you to know that I am going to make everything up to you tonight.” His places his lips on mine. The lips that I have loved since day one. The lips that always make my knees buckle. The lips that even in the heat of every fight causes every ounce of anger melt away. Damn, I loved him.

           I pulled my lips off his and ran my finger along my bottom lip. He smiled, knowing that I loved everything about his kisses, and then let me finish finding a vase.

           We walked out of the break room together, flowers now equipped with a vase. “So, I’ll, uh, see you later then.” He said while rubbing his left hand up and down the back of his neck. I nodded and gave him a quick peck on the lips before he turned and walked back down the stairs, leaving me with just eyes glued on me. I walked back around my desk and plopped myself in my chair setting the stuffed puppy up so I could look at it for the rest of the day.

           “That was really nice of him!” A voice from behind me says.

           I smile again and look at my flowers for a second, “Yeah, he’s a good guy.”

[qualitylu]

Babygirl // 3 (c.h.) (series)

Summary: Stella, a prospecting art student, is attending her dream school, NYU. When she goes to her first college party she runs into the local drug dealer, Calum, where she finds herself suddenly wrapped up in his world.

Word count: 2060

Rating: PG-13 (still building that burn)

Warnings: drinking, drug use

Taglist: @crownedbyluke @lurhemmings @nostalgia-luke @lmao5sosimagines @clum-thomas @irwlns @biggestslutforcalum @clementinethenerd @rexorangecouny @lukesback

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My head was still spinning from the night before; me finishing my blunt alone and packing the rest of the weed away before I could really sit and think about what had happened. Calum was about to kiss me, or at least I thought he was. To get my mind off of it a bit, I pulled out my laptop and began to finish up some homework. As I was typing out my last few thoughts in paper that wasn’t due until the end of the week, I felt my phone buzz next to me. 

Ashton: get together at my place tonight, come by early and help me set up? please?

I debated before typing back a reply.

Me: sure, what time?

Ashton: in the nest 30 minutes, I’ll buy your favorite vodka if you do :)

I couldn’t pass up on that and after replying I would be I started to get ready. I packed a change of clothes before getting changed into a pair of athletic shorts and an old t-shirt of Ashton’s I had snagged while staying the night. Before I left my place I threw on a pair of tennis shoes and made my way towards my car to drive over to Ashton’s apartment. When I pulled up to Ashton’s place he met me halfway on the street, holding the door to his building open for me to slip past him. Once we got into his place I noticed that it was close to spotless, just needed a good sweep and dusting and then everything would be ready to be set up. I acted fast and picked the broom out of the closet while Ashton began making a list of things he wanted to buy from the liquor store. When I got done with my tasks, Ashton had finished up calling people for their suggestions. He motioned for me to follow him out the door, locking it behind us before made we made our way towards the stairs. 

“So, is Calum coming tonight?” I asked once we got in his car.

“Yeah I think he might stop by. What’s going on with you all? Like is there something there?”

“No, why would you think that?”

‘Actually yes there is, for me at least’, that was the only thought running through my mind as I faintly heard Ashton tell me that there wasn’t a particular reason why he was asking. I sat in the passenger seat still thinking about what to say to Ashton about the whole ‘I thought Calum was about to kiss me last night but that didn’t happen and I’m not sure if he has feelings or not but it’s fine’ situation. My mind was racing as I heard Ashton begin to talk about the party that was happening in a few short hours. It wasn’t long until I was pulled of my state of confusion when Ashton opened his car door and slammed it shut before walking into the small liquor store. Once I saw him disappear I pulled out my phone and opened up the past conversation I had with Calum. Before I could send the message I had typed out Calum had already sent me one.

Calum: you going to Ashton’s tonight?

Me: Yeah, I’m with him now at the liquor store.

Calum: I’ll be over to his place soon, you should stick by me tonight

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped a tad. This man never ceased to amaze me. He was drawing me in and I just wanted to get to know him more. As I thought about it more I debated on typing back, going back and forth on what I wanted to say.

Me: And why should I? I think I can take care of myself

Calum: babygirl, don’t push me. I’m just trying to take care of you. don’t want to  see you getting sloppy.

I rolled my eyes before replying again.

Me: I can handle my liquor, don’t push me, Calum.

I hit send rather hard before locking my phone and sitting it down in the cup holder next to me, not bothering to look at it while it buzzed repeatedly. I rolled my eyes as I felt it buzzed again, this time being from Ashton.

Ashton: open the trunk will ya? got quite a few bags.

I opened my door as soon as he walked out of the store, quickly making my way to the backend and opening the trunk for him. Once he got everything situated we headed back to his place.

“Calum said he’s meeting us at your place.” I said while scrolling through my phone.

“Yeah, he messaged me while I was in there. You all going to be able to control yourselves?” Ashton laughed while sending me a wink.

“Oh my god, Ashton,” I practically squealed, “it’s not like that.”

“Yes, yes it is. All he does is talk about you, but only when he’s high.”

My body froze for second before I decided to look back at the road that was in front of us.

“What does he say?” I let out, barely above a whisper.

“Why don’t you ask him?” I looked out my window as we came to a stop only to see Calum standing outside Ashton’s apartment building, smoking a cigarette. ‘God he’s hot,’ I thought before opening the car door and getting out to help Ashton with the bags. He threw Calum his key so he could open the door for us. Calum followed in behind me, his stare burning into my backside, causing a shiver to run up my body. While we were waiting for Ashton to unlock his apartment door, after Calum grabbed a bag out of Ashton’s hands, I felt Calum’s breath near my ear before he spoke.

“Babygirl, why didn’t you respond to my text?” His voice made my eyes close as I inhaled a sharp breath before I followed Ashton inside.

After everything was set up and we were now just waiting for people to show up, I decided I’d go change into the clothes I really wanted to be in. I changed into a red lingerie set, that I had been saving for the right moment, which seemed to feel right at this point, especially if Calum did feel even a bit the same way I did. I placed a ripped shirt over it before tucking it into a pair of black skinny jeans a pair of red high heels. When I walked out of the bedroom I placed my clothes in Ashton’s bedroom before walking out to notice the two boys on the couch, watching TV. I cleared my throat and caught both of their attention, Calum’s eyes dropping down my body and then slowly raking back, meeting my eyes before he smirked at me.

“Shots?” I questioned before walking into the kitchen area and opening up my favorite type of vodka. I pulled the shot glasses out of the cabinet while both boys walked over to join me in the kitchen. I poured out three shots before passing out the glasses to each guy, cheering before we all downed the shot at once. As Ashton poured the next shot I felt Calum’s arm wrap around my waist and pull me closer to his side. His hand drifted from my waist down to my hip, giving me a light squeeze there before both of us grabbed the shots from Ashton’s hands. After about three to four more shots we took a break to wait for people to arrive.

The first few people to come in were some of Ashton’s closer friends. All of them making their own drinks before joining us on the couch. I was currently sitting in between Ashton and Calum, but when his friend’s came in Ashton turned his attention towards them. I pulled my phone out, mirroring Calum’s actions, but before I could do anything I felt his hand wrap back around my lower back before bringing me close enough to where he could whisper into my ear.

“Babygirl, I’m really not going to be able to keep my eyes off of you tonight.” My body shivered and I heard him lightly laugh before standing up from the couch and making his way to the kitchen. When he turned around and realized that I hadn’t followed him he moved his finger, signaling me to meet him there. When I finally stood beside him he grabbed two red solo cups and a bottle of vodka.

“Wait,” I stopped him, “can we use this one please?” I pouted while grabbing my favorite vodka from the counter and replacing the one he had in his hand with the one I wanted. He smirked at me before shrugging his shoulders and pouring it into the cups before mixing in pineapple juice and handing it to me. My nose crinkled up on the sides when I smell the drink that he had made.

It wasn’t long until I found myself wavering between the line of tipsy and drunk, the party being in full swing and Calum nowhere in sight. ‘So much for keeping an eye on me’ I thought, but it didn’t last long until I felt a pair of hands land on my hips and pull them back into theirs, grinding slowly against me to the beat of the song that was playing. I smiled at the thought of it being Calum but soon realized it wasn’t when I looked down and noticed the hands that were on me were absent of the tattoos that normally were imprinted on Calum’s hand. I turned my head slightly to see who was behind me and it didn’t take long until I realized it was Ashton’s friend, Mike, from earlier.

“Just thought I’d keep you company,” he whispered into my ear.

I broke us apart and decided it was better for us to have a regular conversation over a drink rather than dancing. 

“You want to get a drink?” I yelled over the music. He nodded his head yes before leading me over to the drinks. I copied Calum’s actions from before and then lightly sipped on the drink while Mike and I had our conversation. I could tell he was trying his hardest to flirt with me and possibly get me into bed with him but I couldn’t keep my mind off of another man. A man I couldn’t find. He had probably moved on to someone else that was easy for him. But, alas I was proven wrong as I could feel eyes burning into the back of my head. I slightly turned and made eye contact with dark haired man that had grown to completely incase my mind within the last two days. I watched his jaw harden as he noticed Mike, slowly looking back at me. I bit my lip before turning back to the other man and continuing our conversation.

“Babygirl, you ready?” I was caught off guard as I heard Calum’s voice from behind me, silencing Mike’s voice in my head. I turned to see him giving Mike an absolute death glare. I bit my lip before motioning to speak.

“I’m not going home with you,” I whispered harshly, my speech slurring slightly due to the amount of alcohol that I consumed while listening to Mike’s drowning voice.

“Stella, let me just get you home. You’re close to getting sloppy and remember what I said? I didn’t want to see you get sloppy tonight, so I’m stopping you.” I whined as he grabbed my cup from my hands, but I ended up following him out the door anyways.

“Cal,” I slurred, making him stop in his tracks before he could open the door to his car.

“What, babygirl?” His hand caressed my cheek as I leaned into his touch, my heart fluttering.

“Can I please stay at your place?” I batted my eyelashes and pouted my bottom lip out.

“Now, why do you want to do that?” His smirk was growing by the second.

“Because,” I said in a whiney tone, “I don’t want to be alone tonight.

“Okay, babygirl, get in.” He opened the door for me to slide in.

It wasn’t a long drive to his apartment but I had a feeling I was in for a longer night than I thought.

***

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[calumance]

Miss All American - Part 2 - Chapter 1

So, a while back I had started a story on Wattpad that I never finished. Today I decided to pick that story back up. Since it’s been so long since I had written anything, I decided to make it a Part 2. If you want to read the first four chapters click Here. Otherwise, here’s Part 2 - Chapter 1! 😊

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I stare absent mindedly in front of me and shift my weight as there is an announcement over the loud speaker that is barely understandable. The airport was busy at this time of day, but it was the only time that Liz and Jess could get on a flight. The silver guard rail in front of me shakes as a little kid climbs on it waiting for his loved one to come up the escalator from the terminal. I shifted my weight and looked down at my feet thinking about the reunion that was about to happen.

It’s been just over four years since I left Australia. Liz and Jess have only come out once since I left, and I could never bring myself to go back. My heart broke the day I left, but what was I supposed to do, be miserable for the rest of my life? Since I left Australia, I got my dream job working for a publishing company, I bought my own house, and met so many amazing people. None of those people will ever compare to the people that I met in Australia, though.

Liz, Jess, and I still talk every day. They moved into the city to be closer to school, leaving behind all the people I hung out and loved hearing stories about. I no longer got stories of what they were up to. All I got, and still get, are the stories I read online, and the videos I watch on YouTube. My heart still flutters every time I see his smile. Sometimes, it hurts to see. I shut my laptop down every time my heart strings pull. Apparently, Liz or Jess, I’m not sure which, kept in contact with Ashton, but I never ask.

People start flowing past me as the terminal train lets out. I lift my head and keep a look out for my friends. A smile stretches across my face as I see the familiar girls coming up the escalator. I duck under the guard rail and run towards them. The three of us pull into a pod and hug each other for a minute. Tears flow out of my eyes, so happy to see them. No words are spoken for another full minute until I finally speak, “I’ve never been so happy to see two people in my entire life.” They nod in agreement, wiping the tears from under their eyes. We all take a deep breath and head towards the baggage claim.

I flick the lights on as all three of us make our way through the front door of my house. “Wow, this is even bigger than the pictures!” Jess exclaims. Liz’s mouth is agape as her eyes wander around the house.

I shrug, “It’s not that much, but it’s good enough for me. Worked hard for it, so that’s all that matters. Let me show you to your rooms.” I head up the stairs with Jess and Liz closely behind me. We walk down the hallway and stop at the first room to the left, “Here’s one room, it really doesn’t matter to me who stays in what room, and the other one is right here.” I turn a full 180 and open the door to the second room. “There’s a bathroom in each room so there won’t have to be any fighting over bathroom times, and then my room is the one directly at the end of the hallway if you guys need anything. I took this whole week off, so we can do whatever we want to.” They smile at me and chose their rooms and take off so they can relax.

I open the door to my room and look at my desk with all of the work I brought home so my boss would let me take the whole week off. Thinking it be best to tackle it as quickly as possible, I sit at the desk and start working. The only thing that pulls me out of my work is the sound of a knock on my door. I look around and notice it’s beginning to get dark, how long had I been working? A second knock causes me to jump out of my chair realizing I still hadn’t moved. I pulled the door open and found Liz standing in front of me. She says hi and invites herself into my room, something I’ve been used to since we were little. She sits on my bed and places her hands under her thighs. “so, you’re like this big shot editor now, are you going to forget about us?”

I laugh and sit next to her, “Nah, I like you two too much. I think it’s you two that are going to forget about me since you’ve only been out here once since I moved.”

Liz huffed, “You know you could visit us too, it’s a two-way street.” My chest tightened, and Liz sensed it, “Sorry, I know how badly you DON’T want to go back there. I just don’t understand how you thought it was **that **bad.” I flopped backwards onto my bed bouncing a bit on the mattress. It wasn’t, I just don’t need to be reminded of what I could have had, but she doesn’t need to know that. She lays back with me and clears her throat. I can sense there is something else she wants to say, and for some reason, I feel like I’m not going to like what she has to say. “5 Seconds of Summer are playing a concert while we’re in town.” My lips tighten waiting for the gut punch, “Jess and I got all three of us tickets.” There it is.

“Got?” I ask realizing she specifically used that word.

She cleared her throat again. “Yeah, I had told Ashton that we were coming home to visit, and the timing just happened to line up, so he gave us tickets.” I close my eyes realizing that that means Calum knows. A knot forms in my throat that I can’t seem to swallow. Liz continues, “And he gave us three because I told him we were going to be staying with you.”

“When?” I ask through the knot that has solidified in my throat.

“Tonight.” She says sheepishly, knowing that I was about to lose my mind.

I let my blood boil for a minute. How did I not know they were in town tonight? As much as I don’t want to be reminded of the few months I was in Australia, I followed them closely. How was I not supposed to? They were great friends and made me feel so welcome and so warm inside. My blood begins to cool, and I open my eyes. I pull myself up off the bed and start walking to my bathroom, “I’ll be ready in an hour,” I mumble as I shut the door knowing that even if I tried to say no, they were definitely going to force me.

I felt as if it was weird to drive myself to something I didn’t want to go to, so Liz drove. A sigh fell out of my chest as I stared out of the window. I thought about how Calum and I left things.

“So, you are leaving.” He didn’t say it in a question. He saw the bags behind me and he knew. There was a look in his eyes, a look that caused my heart to shatter. A look that I will never forget, and the look that has caused me to never want to see him again. It was a look of absolute betrayal. I had nodded, replying to his statement, not knowing what to say back. “Okay,” He said back through a broken voice. “I guess that’s it then.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket as it began to ring. “I’ll, uh, see you later then.” There was no hug goodbye, there was nothing, barely even a nod.

I had never seen someone so hurt to watch me leave. I had thought he was going to come back and say goodbye to me, but he didn’t even come with us to the airport. Everything in my body hurt that day. I can’t even begin to imagine what he is going to say to me when I see him again. I felt a tear roll down my face, I didn’t even know I was crying.

Liz pulls into a parking lot, and as she and Jess start walking towards the building, I trail behind them. I continue to stay behind them as they approach the will-call window. “Hi,” Liz greets the lady behind the window, “There should be three tickets on hold here for Liz Johnson. Here is my ID for verification.” The woman takes Liz’s ID and begins to click her mouse a few times and her eyes dart across the screen.

It takes a few moments, but she finally smiles and says “Ah, Mr. Irwin’s guests. There is a gray door just on the other side of the last window. Please meet me over there.” The woman stands up and starts walking away, towards the gray door. Liz and Jess skip towards the door, I hesitate to even move from where I’m standing. The door heaves open and the woman escorts us inside. I thank the woman for holding the door open for me and step off to the side to let Liz and Jess walk ahead of me.

My heart pounds in my chest so hard I can feel it in my ears as we walk down the hallways that are clearly not public hallways. My eyes start to fill with tears as I start to think about seeing these four boys again. As we get closer to our destination, the amount of people running around begins to increase. So much so, I find myself nearly hugging the wall. The woman stops in front of a black door with a piece of paper taped to it that says “5SOS.” My breath hitches as she knocks on the door.

As we wait for the door to open, I contemplate turning and running the other direction. Before I got the chance to run, the door opened. I hadn’t realized I was hiding until Liz and Jess moved and Luke looked at me completely and utterly surprised to see me. “Holy shit,” His accent came out strong, “Ashton told us that Liz and Jess were coming, he said nothing about you. It’s so amazing to see you!” Luke pulled me into a hug and I hesitated before wrapping my arms around him as tight as I could remembering how much I enjoyed his presence. My muscles melted into him, my body realizing how much I had missed our friendship. He pulls away from me and puts his hands on either side of my face and laughs, “You’ve grown up.” Suddenly, something in his eyes changes. “Calum is going to shit a brick when he sees you.”

Luke grabbed my hand and started to pull me down the hallway. I pulled my hand away from his and I stopped. “Luke, I’m not sure I want to see him.” He started to talk but then a very tall and muscular man tells us that we need to go find a spot out front while the guys get ready to start the show. I turn and follow the man’s instructions.

Liz and Jess decide to take front and center, I stay back and take a seat by the booth with all the controls for the sound. Before I knew it, the auditorium was full of people and the lights were being shut off for the first act. I took a sip from my drink and started to prepare myself for what was coming. I feel a tap on my shoulder as a hood figure crouches next to me. My eyes focus through the dark to see Luke again, “Please, don’t leave after the show. I really think you should stay and hang out with us for a little bit. Please.” It amazes me that even after four years, he can sense my internal thoughts. I give in and tell him that I’ll stay. His smile lights up the space between us. He grabs my face and kisses my forehead before ducking and leaving.

After the first act finishes, I grab another drink for myself and take my seat again. I focus on my heart beats as I wait for the moment the lights shut off again. I stir my drink as I count the beats: one, two, three, four. One, two, three, four. The lights shut off: onetwothreefour., onetwothreefour. My head snaps towards the stage and my eyes begin to adjust to the flashing lights. Ashton is the first one onto the stage, and he sits at him drums and pounds a few beats out. The crowd screams and my ears ring. Michael is the second one on the stage and he struts all the way to the left side of the stage. Luke and Calum come out at the same time, Luke taking his position in the center and Calum takes his place at the right of the stage by the keyboard. My eyes focus on Calum, I can barely see him while they play the intro to their first song.

After a silent (musical) second, all of the lights turn on and I can completely see him. The knot in my throat forms again as I can’t seem to take my eyes off of him. I feel my heart skip a beat as he looks out towards the crowd. He looks down at his eyes light up when he sees Liz and Jess. He waves for a second and then gets serious again to play the first song. Out of nervousness, I crack my fingers and look away from the stage.

I realize as the last song plays that I looked at the stage five times the entire time they were up there. The lights turned back on and they exited the stage, I sat completely still as everyone exited the auditorium. People walked past me and all I could look at was the floor. The voices I could hear were talking about how amazing the show was and how cute they all looked. I swallowed the knot in my throat, finally as Liz and Jess approached me. “Ashton said we can go backstage in just a couple of minutes. They’re just cooling down.” Liz says with a huge smile stretched across her face.

“Great.” A fake smile stretched across my cheeks as all of my sarcasm comes out with one word. As much as I wanted to run, I promised Luke I would stay. The auditorium falls quiet as the last few people make their way out the front doors. The same big fella who told us to go out front came and told us we were allowed to go backstage again. My heart skipped again, and I reluctantly pushed myself off my chair to follow behind my two friends.

As we walk through the same hallways we had walked through earlier, it is less chaotic. It’s still chaotic as the crew begins to tear down the equipment. We reach the same door as before, but this time there was no knocking. The big guys busted through the door and I stopped dead in my tracks. I wasn’t ready, I didn’t even get a chance to try to be ready. The guys all give Liz and Jess hugs as I sheepishly enter the room. I put my back against the wall and wait. Luke makes eye contact with me when looking around Calum who is facing him. Luke looks back at Calum and points at me without a word. Calum turns around, a smile stretched across his face, still giddy from the performance. The second his eyes meet mine, the smile vanishes. His Adam’s Apple bounces as he swallows, “Michelle?”