Pieces of You

Chapter Six: Closed Doors

I'm currently in the kitchen slaving over a week's worth of baked chicken and potatoes. We've been trying to keep up with meal prepping to save money, but it's a pain in the ass. Of course Calum is no help, as he's currently sat in the living room playing some video game.

I hear a key in the lock, signaling me that one of our friends is showing up unannounced per usual.

"Hello?" A voice calls out.

I hear Cal call out at the same time as me to signify our locations, and I roll my eyes.

"Hello lovely little Cam. How are you today?" Michael chirps as he comes into the kitchen.

"Hey, Mikey what's up?" I ask, having to slap his hand away from the cooling pan of potato on the counter.

"I need to talk to Cal. Why can't I eat it?" He whines at me, and I roll my eyes again.

He comes around the counter, giving me a hug like always.

"It just came out of the oven, it's too hot. Go see your boyfriend and you can eat when it's cooled off. He's playing games in the living room." I inform him, waving him out of the kitchen so I can finish the chicken.

I hear the noise of the TV stop, and muffled voices saying things I can't quite make out. I get back to work, checking on what's in the oven, scrubbing some dishes, and humming quietly to myself.

My peaceful moment is interrupted by the sudden raising of voices. Calum was the first to yell which considering his short fuse is in no way surprising. I am surprised to hear Michael yelling back at him, as I have rarely ever seen him upset enough to yell.

I take this as my queue to enter the room and see what the hell is going on between them.

"I won't fucking do it." Calum is shouting as I enter, his back turned to me.

The look on Michael's face breaks my heart. I know these two never fight like this, and he looks ready to combust or cry.

"I'm not doing that to Cami, it's not fair." He says quieter, not yelling at all. His tone shifted more into concern and away from anger as he spoke.

Michael finally sees me, locking his tired eyes on my face and sighing.

"Cally what's going on?" I announce, making him spin around quickly to look at me. I know the look in his eyes right now, and I know the one person he reserves that much hate for. I've only seen his eyes that dark in regard to one thing, and usually it has to do with me.

"It's Luke isn't it?" I press, knowing for sure that I'm right when his shoulders fall.

"He wants to see Cal and talk. He won't even entertain the idea." Michael says to me with a pleading look in his eyes. I crossed the room and threw my arm around his waist, the poor thing looked like this fight was killing him. I know the boys well enough now, I know Mikey's a big cuddler, and he needed something right now.

"No I won't. I won't fucking forgive that prick for how he's treated Cami." I let out a sigh when I heard him say this. I cross the room fully to where he's standing and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I want you to forgive him, Cal. Actually, don't even fucking start, because you all pushed him away. He... he has a problem with me, and I accepted that. It wasn't fair for you to abandon him. Trust me, it doesn't feel good, I would know." I say sincerely to him. I've wanted for him to try to speak to him forever now but he'd never budge.

"You're at least going to speak with him and that's final, Calum." I said causing him to let out an annoyed groan as Michael cheered.

"Sometimes I'm not sure how we ever functioned without you around, Cam. I can't believe Ash kept you from us for so many years." I smiled at him kindly. Though not as close as Cal and I, I've grown quite close with Michael as well. I hate to admit it but I'm rather attached to these boys and I'm not sure how I ever got on without them either.