The Space Between a Rock and a Hard Place- 5SOS

Chapter Fourteen

Matter of Time (Interlude)- Ashton Irwin

Calum Hood:

"Hey Mali,"

"Hey Cal, did you talk to Aviana yet?" Mali asks.

"I did..."

"How'd it go?"

"She said no, she doesn't want me..." My hands are shaking and my eyes are red from days worth of crying. I've never been this heartbroken before.

I'm a mess, and it's too embarrassing for me to talk to any of the boys about, so I've been stuck here by myself instead.

"Mali, I can't wait for you to get here, I don't want to be alone anymore," I choked out through my returning tears.

"I'm coming bud, and I'm bringing Duke back, too. Be patient, and things will get better. I wish I could give you a hug right now, Cal, I'm so sorry,"

"I don't know how to deal with this, I've never been in love like this. It hurts so much, Mali, I care about her so much,"

"I know, Cal, I know. It's only a matter of time until everything will be okay again,"

I love Mali so much, but not even she can piece my heart back together.

When I fell for Av, I fell hard. I never realized until that moment that what I felt was stronger than friendship, that I couldn't be without her.

"Nothing helps Mali," I say, doubting her words, as I sit in my empty house, the hole in my heart consuming me.

"Cal, it's going to hurt for a little while, I'm sorry. I promise, you'll find someone amazing, now just might not be the right time," she consoles me again, "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah, thank you, Mali, love you,"

"Love you, bud," she finishes and ends the conversation.

I was back to being alone. I can't wait to see Duke again, though. That little pup is so damn lazy sometimes, yet, absolutely adorable.

The first time I finally smiled again was when he ran in the door, announcing Mali's arrival the following day.

"Duke! Hi, buddy, I missed you so much!" I exclaim as I crouch down to meet him. I finally felt a bit of happiness as he jumped around, happy to see me after months. I stopped giving him my full attention to thank Mali for coming all the way out to LA again, and Duke protests by lightly clawing at my feet.

"Aw, bud, did you miss me too?" I ask, picking him up to cradle him like a baby. Now he's gonna regret asking for all that attention.

"Thanks again, Mali,"

"He sure is happy to see you, Cal,"

"I'm happy to see both of you, I haven't seen anyone in days," I state.

"How are you holding up?" Mali dives right into the deep end, sending me back into my depressive state.

My smile leaves my face as I put Duke down and try to process my thoughts. "We haven't spoken since, and I just can't live a life without her, Mali... I ruined it all,"

"Hey, Cal, come here, let's talk through it, it can't be that bad," my sister reassures me and pulls me into a hug. I missed her so badly, and she gives the best hugs, pulling you in just a bit longer instead of letting you go so soon. She makes me feel safe.

Eventually, she pulls away though, and we take a seat on the couch, her arm still wrapped around my back, holding me.

"I'm so sorry I'm a mess, Mali, it's so embarrassing, I wish not even you had to see me like this,"

"Calum, I promise you, it's okay," she continues, "Can we talk through what happened? You don't have to, but it might help,"

"Okay," I agree, "Well, I went to her house, and I told her I wanted to talk to her about something. And I could tell she was nervous, but then she thought it was something completely different, and obviously it wasn't that-"

"Calum, slow down, take your time. What did she think it was?"

"Uhm, we got into a bit of a fight the last time I was home. It's really nothing now, but then I told her I liked her, and she didn't answer," I explained, "It was so scary, Mali, and then she said she wasn't sure because things were different or something..."

"I'm sorry Cal, everything will be better in time. I think she just needs some time,"

"Yeah, she said that too," I admit.

"Well, I'll always be here for you, Cal. Mom and Dad, and even Duke too," she says with a smile.

"Thanks for everything, Mali,"

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DUKE CONTENT. Also big sis Mali being a queen again per usual :)