Hanging Tree

Chapter 22

Calum

We were all seated on Ashton’s couch. The boys were talking about something I wasn’t quite bothered about. I scrolled through my phone mindlessly. The only reason I was on my phone was because I’m hoping for Violet’s name to flash across the screen of my phone. I’m pathetic. I know.

The gig’s tomorrow and we’ve been practising really hard. The setlist was quite similar to what we performed last time. I’ve been trying my hardest to give it all during my practices but I know I’m not. I need to get over Violet. I really have to. I can’t be like this forever. Maybe I just need time.
 

Something circular hit my face which distracted me from my thoughts. I looked down on my lap to find a M&M’s. I looked up to see all the boy’s eyes glued on me. “What?” I asked.

“Mikey was saying something to you,” Ashton said.
 

I looked at Mikey and he said, “You excited for tomorrow man? I heard there’s going to be more people compared to last time.”

I nodded at him and said, “Yea, I’m excited.”

“That’s it?” Luke asked.

I just shrugged my shoulders. I didn’t know what to answer him. I wasn’t bothered to be honest. Like yea, we were going to be performing in front of a huge crowd. That’s going to be cool but I just wasn’t in the mood to talk about it.

Ashton sighed and looked at me, “You can’t stay like this forever, Calum. I know you miss her but c’mon. At least try getting pumped for tomorrow.”

I didn’t say anything because I didn’t know what to say. I know what Ashton is saying is right but its not as simple as ‘ABC’ to move on from her. I wasn’t even dating her but I’m more than smitten with that girl.
 

“Cal. C’mon man. Be happy. We miss our old Calum. If the two of you were really meant to be together then fate would bring you back together. Whatever happens, we’ll be here for you, bro.” Mikey advised me.

I looked at my best friends. They were so nice. They’ve been there for me since day 1. I’m honestly beyond grateful to have these three idiots as my friends. I smiled at my bunch of friends and said, “Thanks guy. Thanks for literally being there for me ever since she let me down. You have no idea how grateful I am for y’all. I promise I’ll be hyped by tomorrow.”

They smiled at me and come over to me. I knew what was going to happen after this. All 3 boys jumped on me in an attempt of giving me a hug. I couldn’t help but laugh at how idiotic my friends are.

○●○●○●○●○●

The crowd cheered as the band who was performing before us went up on stage. I could feel myself getting nervous. I looked down at my bass and played with the strings silently. I could hear the boys chatting and walking towards me. “You nervous, pal?” Ashton asked me.

I smiled at them and nodded. I had to admit I did feel a lot better compared to how I felt the past few days. I guess its cause of the crowd and the adrenaline rush. Luke phone went off, indicating he got a text message. “Guys I’ll be right back,” Luke said as he rushed off somewhere.

Me and the boys continued with our chatter as we waited for the band on stage to be done. Luke appeared again with a smile plastered across his face. He looked suspicious but I didn’t bother much about it. The band which played before us rushed out of stage drenching with sweat. They smiled at us and went away.

“Its us next,” Michael whispered getting excited.

“We would next like to present 5 Seconds of Summer onto stage!” the emcee announced.