risk// 5SOS

22

Calum

"Put it all in the washer then," I said, stepping back as Gia put her clothes in, and Rider put his duvet cover in, "And then we will watch a film once Sage is out the shower,"

"Really?"

"Yeah, bud. You two can choose it!"

"Thank you,"

"One of my friends is going to buy you a green duvet, and we will put it on tonight,"

"Sage green,"

"Yeah. How have your clothes been feeling?"

"Good,"

"I'm glad. Now, you said you wanted a hair cut,"-

"From Sage,"

"That's okay,"

"You can style it but not cut it,"

"Bud, that's okay. I was going to offer to take you to a proper barber,"

"Maybe, but I also want Sage,"

"They can do that later then, if they're up to it,"

"They will be", he insisted, "It is my hair!"

"Rider, I have just said I am not going to cut your hair. Please don't shout,"

His cheeks went red and he fiddled with his top, his lip quivering ever so slightly.

"Come on, we need to choose a film,"

"Sorry,"

"I forgive you, and I am sorry too for making you feel uncomfortable,"

"You're sorry too?"

"Yeah,"

"Thank you,"

We went to the movie cupboard and Gia helped him look, picking out a film together to watch. As I put it in, Sage came downstairs and sat on the sofa.

"Your cheeks look pretty normal, both of you, so that's good.

"My mouth is bleeding,"

"Can I take a look?"

"No,"

"We must have gauze in the bathroom," I said, holding my hand out, "Gia, you know how to sort the film, don't you?"

"Yeah,"

Hesitantly, they took my hand and followed me to the bathroom, where I washed my hands and found some gauze.

"Wait,"

"I'll be gentle,"

"Is Rider okay? What if he needs the gauze?"

"He doesn't because he had no teeth removed,"

Sometimes I felt Sage forgot they were only 14. Still naive, still young, and still in need of someone to care for them. The amount of worry they had for Rider was explainable, and valid, but I hoped someday they would let me be the one who has the worry.

I put the gauze in and then they looked in the mirror from the corner of their eye, sighing.

"I will get you a hair cut soon, before you start school. Have you got any schools in mind?"

"I don't wanna go,"

"You get to go in as yourself. It will be a fresh start,"

"I never understand,"

"Well I think now you don't have to worry about Rider, or home, you might get better. I am always prepared to sit with you and help,"

"I'm not used to you," they said, laughing nervously, "I feel like you're all over us,"

"Oh, I am sorry. I didn't mean to,"

"I'm just not used to it,"

"You haven't been here long, don't put pressure on yourself. Are you up to watching the film?"

They nodded, so we went downstairs and sat on the sofa; Gia sat beside me, and Rider cuddled up to Sage. He loved them so much, and it was beautiful.

I pressed play on the film and then watched, despite not really being bothered, because I knew Gia loved to engage with me throughout and ask questions. She had a curious soul when she was confident enough to show it.

Once it was over, she kissed my cheek, then hopped off the sofa and went to draw at the table, most likely about the film.

"Calum, may Rider and I go to the garden?"

"Of course, you don't have to ask. If you need anything you can let me know, and if you need a team to play football with, Gia and I will," I smiled, "But be warned, I am a great footballer,"

"I want to learn football! School have a club,"

"Well maybe we can ask about it soon,"

Giddily, he ran to get his shoes on, and they both went outside, so I grabbed the laptop. I had a good idea of the schools round here because Gia- now Rider too- only had one more year in their school.

However, if Sage was really struggling, I didn't want to bombard them with a new school and a ton of subjects.

I had heard about one school, a bit out of town, which I think Sage would fit into great. No uniform, or dress code, which meant they could express themselves. Also, they could take their maths, English and science, then in a couple of years add a vocational course, or a different subject if they pleased. I just wanted to make sure they had the basics, but that it wouldn't limit them to only have that. Luke had trained there, and had praised it.

I applied them, because we could always change our minds, then realised I still hadn't phoned Gia's school, and that they had phoned me instead. Leaving them a guilty voicemail, I went to the kitchen to start lunch.

Gia also wandered through, and hovered round the cupboard.

"You'll be too full for lunch,"

"I just want to look, to see if we have enough for me- everyone,"

"We have enough, angel, but you can look if you want,"

"What are you making?"

"Vegetable soup,"

"Rider is fed up of soup,"

"I know, but they cannot have hard food yet,"

"Does Rider still like me?"

"Why wouldn't he?"

"He's with Sage a lot," she mumbled.

"Sage is his sibling too, and they went through some really tough times together, so when they come to a new place like our home they are going to stick together. They'll always stick together, but you are their sister, and you will make a bond with both of them too,"

"But I already have one with Rider,"

"I know, and he knows that! But sometimes him and Sage might want to talk the same way you like to colour with Rider. If Sage likes cooking, maybe you can show them baking,"

"Okay, I miss you, dad," she sighed.

"I'm still here for you, and love you so so much," I said, putting the knife down to hug her instead, "Your needs are still super important,"

"Are they your new favourites?"

"I don't have a favourite,"

"Well you're my favourite,"

I kissed her head and and buried it into my shoulder, and I could tell this was a very needed hug.