IS IT LOVE? CTH

She is also my girlfriend...

I lay back on my bed in an overs sized t-shirt, my arms covering my eyes.
I thought back to a few hours ago, it was unbearable.

After Ashton woke the boys up things became a lot busier and awkward. I wanted to get out of that apartment and away from Calum as soon as possible, but I didn't. I silently helped tidy some of the worst mess not looking Calum in the eyes once. After we sorted out the main damage Scott gave me a lift home.

When we announced we were leaving their was a huge fuss. One after the other Ashton, Luke and Michael said their goodbyes to Scott and me. As Ashton hugged me he whispered in my ear.

"Don't worry about it, I will speak to them later"

We pulled away and I smiled at him wearily. Then it was Calum's turn, I silently groaned in my head. He lazily walked up to me brushing his fingers through his messy hair and hugged me. His body was so crushed up against me, I had no choice but the wrap my arms around him but I still didn't look him in the eye once. Then we pulled away. Awkward silence filled the room and looks were exchanged.

Calum cleared his throat "Mia?"

I looked up "yeah?" I said with a strained smile on my face.

"You should come to out Sheffield gig tonight... if you want to?"

I have never seen Calum like this before, he went from confident to a shy innocent boy.

"Uh yeah, sure" I said trying to reassure him "I'd love to come." I edged my way closer to the door desperate to go home. "Bye then!" I said hurriedly slamming out of the apartment with Scott.

+++

My phone buzzed for my attention and it was a text from Scott.

"Pick you up in an hour"

Why was he being like this? So formal and cold. I thought back to the car journey home. He didn't even open the door for me like he always did, we travelled in silence not looking at each other once. Scott's eyes stayed glued to the road and mines scanning out the window. Even when I climbed out of the car I just mumbled a 'goodbye' and hurried into my apartment.

Now that leaves me here, lying on my bed fresh from the shower. I unlocked my phone and replied to Scott.

"Alright, see you later"

Suppose I better start getting ready then. I rolled off my bed and opened my wardrobe. I tried to find something decent to wear, I needed to sort this situation with Scott out tonight I couldn't stand not being able to talk to him normally without it being awkward. I looked in the mirror at the hickey Calum left me. It has turned blotchy and a strange shade of purple. I rubbed my fingers over it hoping I had some sort of magic touch to make it disappear but no luck. Finally I decided on wearing a pair of 50's vintage 'mom' high waited jeans, paired with a brown belt, black creepers, a white flowing crop top and a chunky knit cardigan. Casual vintage. I applied simple make up with red lipstick for a pop of colour and tied my hair up in a messy bun.
Ready.

Scott did his usual knock my door and I opened it reluctantly. He stood their awkwardly with his hands hooked into the front pockets of his jeans, shoulders hunched up and looking downwards so his brown hair fell infront of his eyes.

"Oh Scott!" I said, pulling him into my apartment and a tight hug.

"Look I'm sorry. I'm going to forget everything that happened, I should have listened to what you said and stay away from Calum. I'm really sorry" I mumbled still strongly embraced.

I slowly but surely felt Scott breath a sigh of relief and respond to my touch by wrapping his arms tightly around my waist.

"I'm sorry too love, I was a right idiot I don't know what came over me" he replied.

We pulled back and stared at each other. I instantly saw my bestfriend bounce back, his cheeky grin plastering his face.

"Let's roll girl" he called.

+++

I was sitting back stage watching the boys warm up for their gig. I sat on some sort of black crate. I felt so out of place. Luke was in the dressing room styling his hair, wearing black jeans and a grey jumper. Ashton was sitting on the char next to me patting his knees in a drumming pattern and gazing off into space, he looked the quickest to get ready wearing black skinny jeans and a black vest.

Then wandered in Calum, shirtless wearing sunglasses and coming his hair with his fingers.

Oh. My. God.

As soon as he saw me he flushed a deep shade of red and grabbed his t-shirt, pulling it over his head.

"Sorry Mia, I thought you were arriving later" he said, his cheeks still slightly flushed.

"Oh no worries, it's my fault for invading your space" I blushes idiotically.

I turned back to face Ashton and Calum who were now both sitting of the sofa together. Calum there his sunglasses of the coffee table.

"Im going for a smoke, you coming babe?" Calum asked. Babe? What the hell.

"I don't smoke" I replied.

"It's easy, I'll show ya" he smirked pulling his lighter out and flicking it so the shot up glimmering, waving side to side.

"No" I said firmly, crossing my arms over my chest.

"You sure?" he said teasingly.

He was flirting with me! Oh my god. His sly smirk was sending butterflies to my stomach.

"Leave off mate" Ashton sighed.

"I was only messing, god" Calum said chuckling, drawing his intense eye contact away from me.

"Oh you going for a fag Cal?" Scott asked. Calum nodded, tilting his head towards the door gesturing Scott to follow him.

Being backstage was just as stressful. I moved from the crate and to were Calum was previously sitting. Michael was raiding the mini bar for beer.

"Anyone up for pre-drinking?" he called.

We all simultaneously said "yes!" back to him. He soon came back and threw us all a beer. The sound of clicking and fizzing of opening cans filled the room.

"Cheers!" Luke called. We all copied clinking our cans together.

Then Scott and Calum returned, they were not alone. They were being loud and laughing at some sort of personal joke. A tall slim girl had her arms around Calum's neck, their faces were close. She was beautiful. Calum looked different his facial expression was soft as he started into the eyes of the slim girl. They all stopped as they saw us.

"Hey guys look who came to visit!" he said gesturing to the flawless girl.

"Mia" Calum said. I looked the room went tranquil. He looked rather embarrassed and ashamed of himself.

He cleared his throat. "This is Olivia, she's coming on the tour with us. She is also my girlfriend."