close as strangers | calum hood

thirty one

Calum

We were leaving Australia just as quickly as we came. The months passed too fast, and the boys and I were already announcing our new tour. We were in a meeting with our PR and tour managers, discussing all the details.

"And the final leg, Asia, would end in June next year."

I sighed and slouched into my seat. Don't get me wrong, I loved touring. But I also loved where my life was with Jaden. I wasn't ready to leave.

As the boys and I exited the meeting room, Ashton nudged my shoulder. "You alright, buddy?"

"Yeah. Tours are just so long. We've been in Australia for a year and it felt like only a few months. Now we're leaving again." I frowned.

"Hey! Cheer up, man. Touring again is gonna be amazing!" Mikey exclaimed. I just didn't feel the same way.

I got back to the condo and sighed heavily. As Jaden was making lunch in the kitchen, I sat at the breakfast bar and watched her.

"Everything okay?" She asked as she transferred fried rice onto two plates.

"Yeah, I guess. I just can't believe that a year has passed already, and we're going back on tour." I frowned.

Jaden looked at me in confusion, "You're not happy to be going on tour?"

"I mean," I stuttered, "Not really! I'm leaving you. I'm so happy with you, Jaden."

"Aw," She giggled lightly in response, "Cal, I'm always gonna be right here. But you won't be young forever. You won't get to tour forever. Be more excited! You won't be a big rockstar forever."

"But I won't be young with you forever. I won't live in this condo forever." I debated.

"Doesn't matter, Calum. I'll be with you forever."

I was truly torn. But it didn't matter, because I would be going on that tour, anyway. So, I decided to make the most out of it. The boys and I promoted the hell out of our tour, and our shows quickly sold out. We were booking many interviews, and meetings around the world, and our album and tour dates were trending. I was reminded of how much I loved being in Five Seconds of Summer.

But at night, after all the band stuff was pushed aside, I fell asleep beside the love of my life. A constant reminder of how much I loved that girl.

Seeing her hurt the most when it was at the airport, and I was walking onto a plane without her.

"Calum," Jaden whispered into my ear. It sent shivers down my spine. We were holding each other tight as we waited for my flight to leave. "Please, have fun. For me."

I chuckled and pulled away so I could see her face. "You act like I don't know how to have fun."

"You do." She shrugged, "But sometimes you get so in your head that you don't let yourself have fun."

"Okay." I said and quickly pecked her lips. "I'll have fun. For you."

And just as quickly as we got to Australia, we left.

-

Jaden

It had been a few months since Calum left for tour. I had the condo all to myself, and it was feeling a little empty with just Milo and I. I took more clients, and filled the condo with houseplants. That's what I've become.

Calum made sure to call me every night before he went to sleep, no matter what time it was in Australia. He kept me updated way too often.

I had turned the guest room into my paint room. The laminate floors were covered with plastic wrap, and I had my canvas and stool set up by the window. I had many paintings of the ocean and sunsets because of my setup. Art was the biggest thing keeping me occupied.

As I was working on a piece for a client, I got a call. I glanced over at my phone that was on the ground next to me, and I saw an unknown number. I hopped off my stool and grabbed my phone from the ground, answering the call.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Miss Jaden Jones?" A young mans voice rang through my phone speaker.

"Yes." I replied.

"I'm calling from Apollo Magazine, we're hosting The Apollo Awards in New York City this year. Miss Jones, you're nominated for an award: Artist of the Year. We've emailed you all the details, please RSVP as soon as you can." He explained.

I was shocked, but managed to choke out "Oh my goodness. Thank you."

"We're looking forward to hearing from you, Miss Jones. Have a wonderful day." He spoke before hanging up. I bit my lip to contain my excitement as I continued the painting I was working on.

That night, as Calum called me, I couldn't keep the news to myself.

"Hey baby." Calum smiled as his video popped up.

"Calum! I've been nominated for an award at The Apollo Awards!" I exclaimed as I sat up in bed.

"What? Jaden that's amazing! Congratulations! What's your nomination?" He asked.

"Artist of the Year!" I smiled brightly, "I can't believe my work got noticed."

"You deserve it! When's the ceremony?" Cal asked.

"Uh-" I muttered as I pulled out my laptop from my side table. I quickly opened it and checked the email that Apollo Magazine had sent me regarding the ceremony.

"December 10. In New York City." I said as I read the information on the screen.

I heard shuffling on Calum's end of the call, "Hold on... December 10 in New York?"

"Hmm." I hummed.

"I think I'm in town that same week, actually. We have an appearance on The Tonight Show." Calum confirmed.

"You're playing New York that week?" I asked.

"No," Calum stated, "But we're there for Jimmy Fallon's show."

"Ohh." I sang.

"Yeah. Oh my gosh, I can be your date!" Calum exclaimed.

I giggled, "Yeah, you totally can."

"Maybe I can bring you on set The Tonight Show, too. Who knows." He shrugged.

I nodded, "Now I'm so excited for New York!" I beamed.

"Oh, you've never been before! We'll go site seeing together. It's so funny how we end up in the same places because of work." Cal chuckled.

"I know, coincidence. I guess the universe wants us together." I said quietly, watching the boy on my screen with a smile.

Calum smiled back, "I'm glad. I want us together, too."