heal// 5SOS

29

Calum

"This is yummy,"

"Good. You both seem to have had a busy day!"

"We have," Gia said, "Where are we going to school next year?"

"Well, I was thinking the school near us that you can walk to. It's where I went,"

"I wanna go where Sage goes,"

"The school Sage goes to is a bit different, so you guys need to go to another school. I enjoyed it, you guys will too,"

"Oh. Okay. It's scary,"

"I'm sure you two will make lots of new friends!"

"Maybe,"

"What made you think of that?"

"Our teacher was talking about it,"

"I will sort it all out, don't worry,"

"The deadline is tomorrow,"

I choked a little on my food then nodded and gave a reassuring smile. Time had moved so fast lately.

After tea, they went off, so I grabbed the laptop and began to sort out their applications. I couldn't believe I had forgotten to do this, it was so important. Their education was vital, and it had almost been screwed up by me.

Sending them off to big school was terrifying to me too, because they were so quiet and innocent. I finally understood my mum.

The doorbell rang so I answered, Ash and Sage at the door; he gave me a smile and then nodded, walking away as Sage came inside.

"Did you have fun?"

"I dunno,"

"Oh. What happened?"

"The usual,"

"What's the usual?"

"Why don't you listen?"

They pushed past me, but I lightly grabbed their arm and stopped them, taking their hand instead.

"Come on, let's talk,"

"No,"

"Yes,"

"No!"

When I sat down, it pulled them with me, so they sat opposite and sulked.

"What is going on?"

"Nothing,"

"Something is. Whatever it is, I will support you,"

"I'm fine," they said, their voice wobbling, "I am fine, Calum."

"You're not, Sage. You're not fine, so I need you to talk to me,"

"Go away!"

"No," I said firmly, biting back my tears because I was genuinely so worried for them, "What's wrong?"

They scoffed and looked away, so we waited in silence for a bit, but they became uncomfortable.

"It sounds stupid,"

"Your feelings aren't stupid,"

"I just... after admitting to you I maybe wanted to go back to the hospital, I felt really vulnerable. I wanted to show you that you couldn't take advantage of me, and that I wasn't weak,"

"Admitting that did not make you weak. It made you the strongest person I know,"

"Really?"

"Really. It shows so much bravery, and resilience, and self awareness. I wish I could be as brave as you sometimes, Sage,"