close as strangers | calum hood

twenty nine

Jaden

Ever since I got that call from Danielle from ABC news, we had been coordinating my interview. Danielle and I have had video calls to talk about some of the pieces they'd like me to showcase. After being in talks with her, we confirmed a day for my interview.

That day was today.

I was wearing a casual royal blue wrap dress. It was short sleeved and stopped just above my knees. I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror, tying the belt into a bow, just off the centre. As I was getting ready, Calum walked into the view of the mirror. He was accompanying me to my interview.

Calum wore black jeans and a casual white button up. I watched as he smiled at me through the mirror. I was told not to do my makeup because there was a makeup crew on set and they needed a specific look for the camera, so I left with no makeup on.

"You nervous?" Calum asked as we drove up to the ABC broadcast centre.

"I'm not feeling the nerves yet, but I'm sure they'll hit when we get there." I said.

We pulled into the building's parking lot, and Calum parked on the space that was labelled Guest Parking. When we walked into the building, we registered the car and signed our names in. There, we met up with Danielle.

"So glad you both could make it! Jaden, loving the dress. We have to get you to hair and makeup. Right this way." Danielle said as she began walking quickly ahead of us. Calum and I tried our best to stay close. We were lead to the hair and makeup rooms, where I was sat down in a chair and 3 people began working on me.

Calum chuckled as he watched me, "This is nothing new to me."

I rolled my eyes, "Shut up."

Right after hair and makeup, Calum and I were brought to the waiting room. We both sat on the sofa in the room. Not too long after, Danielle walked in.

"Hey guys, there's beverages in the mini fridge, please help yourselves. Jaden, you're on in 10 minutes. I'll be back to get you." She said and left as quickly as she came.

I looked over at Calum and smiled nervously. "I'm starting to feel the nerves."

"Don't worry," Cal chuckled, "You're just having a conversation. Remember, don't let your answers get too long. Just answer the question and that's that."

I nodded, "Okay. I would kiss you but they're really stingy on the makeup."

"I know that all too well." He laughed. Talking to Calum calmed me down. Just as we were talking, Danielle came in to bring me to the set. We all walked over, standing behind the curtain.

"Alright, just walk on when you're introduced!" Danielle smiled at me before walking off, writing notes on her clipboard.

I looked up at Calum and he nodded reassuringly. "You got this. If you get nervous, just look over at me."

"Okay. Thanks, baby. I love you." I smiled at him.

Calum smiled back, "I love you, too."

"This local artist in Sydney has been making original artwork for clients ranging from paintings to sculptures. After a successful pop-up art gallery and her recent feature in Apollo Magazine, this artist has made quite the name for herself in the art world. Here with us today is Jaden Jones." Virginia, the news anchor, introduced. I took a deep breath before walking out onto the set. I waved at the crowd as they applauded my arrival, and I took a seat in front of the desk that Virginia was seated at.

"Hello Jaden, so glad you could join us today." Virginia smiled.

"Thank you, I'm so happy to be here." I smiled back at her, then out at the crowd.

"So tell me, Jaden. What got you into art?" She asked.

I took a deep breath. "Well, as a kid, I never had that many friends. So I needed a hobby that would allow me to express myself. I found art to be that hobby would I could be free and creative."

"Wow, amazing! How did you get so good?"

"I definitely took art lessons and classes. I also went to University of Sydney for their visual arts honours program, that really developed my skills." I explained.

"Did you find it difficult to choose between going into art or a traditional career path?" She asked.

"No, the choice was easy. Art was my passion, and my parents fully supported me." I said with a smile. I looked back at the audience. I felt like if I stared at Virginia for too long, it would be awkward.

"That's wonderful. I understand you brought some art with you today. How about you tell us about that." Virginia smiled and stood from her desk. I stood as well and walked over to my 2 paintings, that were stood up on easels. One was finished, the other was unfinished.

"I love painting different paintings, I'm not set on one art style. Clients can ask me for surrealism, modernism, imperialism, contemporary, I would be able to fulfill their desired artwork. This finished piece here is a minimalist landscape painting. These pieces of art are usually very geometric, using many lines and solid colours. I work one on one with my clients to best understand what they'd like, and this client chose these colours for me." I explained.

"Interesting. I do love the way this piece looks. How about this one, it's unfinished." Virginia asked as she moved onto the next painting.

"It is unfinished," I confirmed. "I'm working on this abstract contemporary piece. I've added the bold colours, now it's a matter of blending and working the colours together. Contemporary is difficult because it's all about technique. If you paint these types of pieces incorrectly, it will end up being brown smudges on the canvas."

"That's amazing. You're very talented, Jaden. Do you have any advice for aspiring artists out there?" She asked.

"I know the struggle of building up your name with no foundation. Keep trying, keep pushing, and don't give up on your passion." I said as I smiled at the audience and the cameras.

"That's beautiful. Thank you, Jaden. We all have one question we'd like the ask." Virginia said.

I looked back at her and nodded, "Sure."

"Sources tell us that you're dating Calum Hood, bassist in Five Seconds of Summer. Is this a statement that you can confirm?" Virginia asked.

I bit my lip and glanced backstage, where Calum immediately met my eyes. He smiled and nodded slowly at me, indicating that I could say it to the world.

"Yeah, I can confirm. I'm dating Calum." I smiled shyly.

"You heard it here first, fans of Five Seconds of Summer. Calum Hood is confirmed to be in a relationship with Jaden Jones. We'll be back with the weather, right after the commercial break." Virginia smiled at the cameras, and cut was yelled.

I exhaled deeply. It felt like I was holding my breath the entire time. Calum ran onto set and up to me. 

"Jaden! You did so well! That's my girl!" He exclaimed and pulled me into a hug.

I giggled, "Thanks baby."

Calum pulled out of the hug so he could see my face, and flashed me a smirk. "And now the world knows we're official."

"Yeah, it's cool. But even if the world didn't know, you'd still be my boy."