close as strangers | calum hood

twenty six

Calum

As I stepped off the plane, a waiting room full of people stood, and our names were sung in a disorganized chorus. The three boys and I looked around the room with smiles. Our families were all here to greet us. After a long tour, this is what I needed.

My mum came up to me first. Then Mali. I gave hugs to the boys parents as well. After all the greetings, I realized there was one important person missing. I looked around the crowded room. Where was she?

"Where's Jaden?" I asked Mali, who was beside me talking to Ashton.

"She's grabbing you and the boys some coffee. She said she didn't want to miss your arrival, but thought you guys might enjoy some coffee. She's so cute, she came an hour before all of us. She didn't want to miss your arrival." Mali explained.

I frowned and looked down at her, "Oh no. She did, though. Maybe we should pretend that we're coming off the plane for her."

"Shoot, Mali." I heard Jaden's voice. I looked up and saw her walking towards me from a distance. She was wearing my navy blue zip up hoodie and some sweatpants. Her hair was in a messy bun, and she had a tote bag holding her stuff.

"Sorry, you missed it." My sister said.

Jaden frowned as she held out a tray of coffee for me. "I got you guys coffee."

I chuckled and took the tray from her hands, "Here boys, Jade got us coffee."

Ashton, Luke, and Michael surrounded Jaden and I, each taking a coffee. They all thanked her.

"Jaden! I heard you're some big cheese here." Luke said.

She giggled. "What?"

"You're art! Huge here!" Ashton exclaimed after taking a sip of coffee.

"Oh! Yeah, it's kinda crazy." Jaden nodded.

"She has an interview with ABC news." I said, looking at Jaden proudly.

Michael gasped, "Woah! That's huge! We haven't even been on ABC news."

Jaden rolled her eyes, "Yeah but you've been everywhere else."

We all broke into laughter. As the conversation continued, we broke into other topics. And I couldn't take my eyes off her. Soon after, the boys went back to their families and left. I took a ride home with my mum and Mali while Jaden drove home in her own car.

"Calum," My mum said from the drivers seat.

I looked up at her, "Yes?"

"Are you and Jaden dating?"

I chuckled, "No, mum."

"Why not?" She asked.

"We have different lives. It wouldn't work with us right now." I shrugged.

"But you have feelings for her?" My mum asked.

I blushed at her question. Why was she asking this?

"Yes."

"Then it will work out."

-

Jaden texted me and told me that she would give me time to settle back into my house. I was a little upset, mainly because I didn't get time to properly greet her at the airport. I took a few hours to eat, and get myself organized back in my room.

The boys and I still lived in our parents houses because we were always touring. But we had big plans for after this last tour.

After getting settled in my room, I climbed out onto the roof of the house. I sighed deeply as I got comfy. I looked out at the view of the beach, taking in all the scenery. In the distance, I saw Jaden walking Milo. She always loved walking him on the beach. It was nice to see that she was still the same.

I watched as she took Milo to her backyard, and gave him a rinse. Then they both disappeared into her house. Not too long after, the lights in her bedroom turned on. I heard shuffling, then the lights turned off again. I assumed she went downstairs or something, but then she started climbing out the window.

"Hey," Jaden said and looked up at me.

I flashed her a smile, "Hey."

"Whatcha doing up here?" She asked, taking a seat beside me.

"Just chilling. I was always missing this view on tour." I inhaled deeply, smelling the salty ocean air.

"Yeah, the beach is one hell of a view." She agreed.

I chuckled, "No, I meant you."

"Oh." She blushed.

I looked over at her. She wouldn't meet my eyes. I knew she was feeling nervous, because she doesn't look directly at me when she's nervous.

"What's up?" I asked.

"I feel like I didn't get a proper hello at the airport." Jaden almost whispered.

I smiled and placed a hand on her cheek, turning her head towards mine. Her eyes landed on mine, and flickered between my eyes and my lips. I closed the gap between us, pressing my lips against hers. Jaden immediately kissed back with eagerness. I felt her hands run through my hair, and I melted into her embrace. I broke the kiss and looked down at her.

"Should we go to mine, or yours?"

-

Jaden kept the promise that she made back in Paris. That we would fuck when I got home. It was difficult, because we chose my room. She wanted to be surrounded by my scent, and I couldn't say no to her. We had to be quiet because my mum and Mali were in the next rooms over. It was hot, though.

We were tangled under my sheets. Jaden laid across my chest and I gently rubbed my hand over her bare back.

"How was that for a proper hello?" I asked.

She giggled, "It wouldn't have been a proper hello if we didn't have sex."

We then heard a few knocks at my door, and then it opened. I quickly sat up, and Jaden rolled over and hid under the covers.

"Hey- woah! Calum you should've locked the door!" Mali exclaimed.

"You should've waited for my response after knocking!" I exclaimed back.

"Hey, Jaden." Mali giggled.

"Uh-" Jaden mumbled, then peeked out from under the covers. "Hey."

"Not dating Jaden, huh, Cal?" Mali teased.

"Go away, Mal!" I groaned. 

"I'm surprised I didn't hear you guys." She laughed while leaving, closing the door behind her.

Jaden looked up at me, her cheeks bright red. I chuckled and got out of bed, pulling on some boxers, sweats, and a shirt. I gave Jaden some shorts and a sweater, and we headed downstairs.

My mum was cooking in the kitchen, and Mali was on her laptop in the living room. We said hi to my mum, and joined Mali on the couch.

"When did this all start?" She asked, eyeing both of us.

"Paris." I said with a shrug.

"So you're not a friends with benefits thing?" She asked.

"Mind your business." I said, slightly annoyed. Who wants to talk about this type of thing with their sibling?

"I'm just wondering." She giggled.

"We're not a friends with benefits thing. It's not what either of us wanted. But right now we're just unsure, you know?" Jade responded.

"Unsure of what?" Mali asked.

"Of what we're ready for. Cal just keeps leaving. I'm not sure if I'm ready for anything long distance." She replied, taking my hand in hers and interlocking our fingers.

"But you can't act like you're dating when he's here. That's gonna hurt you just as much." Mali said.

I frowned and looked down at Jaden. She didn't look at me, but I knew she was aware. I felt her thumb caress my hand. It was calming.

"I think it's more like - making the most out of the time he has here."

Jaden then looked up and met my eyes. My god, I was in love with this girl.