redefine | calum hood

thiry one

Thirty One

Calum

"Ever since school started she's been acting weird," I mumbled.

"Cal, you gotta remember, she's in high school," Luke said.

"She's distant,"

"She's also trying to navigate through her own emotions," he said, making me sigh. "She'll come around, just give her space," I sighed, but nodded knowing he was right. I never had a problem with her pushing me away, but now I was. She didn't want my help, but I wanted to help her. It hurt to see, knowing that there was nothing I could do.

"Why don't you go out and get dinner?" he offered. "Sierra and I will stay home with Maddie while you and Ashton go get dinner," he said.

"I guess," I sighed. I left with Ashton to get the food we ordered, but was silent as we got in the car.

"Don't blame yourself," Ashton said. "She's starting school, her body is still recovering from everything, she's getting tired easier, plus she's a teenager. I know that her relying on you is something you love, but there are some things she doesn't want to share, and as long as it's not hurting her that's ok," he reminded me.

"I'm afraid that she's hiding it because she doesn;t think she can talk to me,"

"She'll come around, you've done nothing but give her love and support. Right now she needs space to figure all of this out though, and that's ok," he said and I nodded, running my hands over my face. I didn't want her to feel like she had to hide from me, I wanted her to be able to trust me.

Maddie

"Mad, it's Luke and Sierra," Sierra's voice said from the other side of the door. I sighed and unlocked it, then opened it to see the two outside the door.

"What's going on, Mad?" Luke asked.

"So much," I mumbled.

"Let's talk about it, it's only us," Sierra told me and I nodded. We sat on the mattress that was on the floor in my room. I avoided all eye contact as I bit my nail nervously.

"Is it something happening at home?" Luke asked, but I shook my head. "Something at school?" he asked and I nodded.

"Is someone bullying you?" Sierra asked, but I shook my head. "How about we let you talk and we just listen?" she suggested. We were all quiet for a moment as I thought about what to say. I had no idea what to say, where to even started.

"Iris and I kissed," I finally spoke up, looking up at the two.

"Do you like her?" Sierra asked.

"I don't know," my voice cracked as tears filled my vision, "I don't know if I do," I stuttered.

"That's ok, Mad," Luke said as Sierra pulled me into a hug, letting me cry into her shoulder. "It doesn't matter who you like, we'll support you no matter what, all of us will. We love you Maddie," he reassured me, but I shook my head.

"My brothers said this was wrong though," I sobbed.

"Angel, I promise it's not," Sierra pulled away from the hug, wiping my cheeks, but more tears kept falling. "I know exactly how you're feeling, and I know how scary it feels. I promise that we are all here for you and support you no matter what. It doesn't matter who you like, that doesn't change how much we love and support you," she promised.

"I don't want Calum to hate me," I hiccuped.

"He won't, he could never," Luke promised.

"Yes he will, because there are articles about kids getting sent away," my voice cracked.

"And those people who send them away are disgusting people. Calum loves you for you Maddie, he would never send you away,"

"You can tell him whenever you're ready, or you don't have to, that is your decision, but he will love you so much," Sierra promised.

"I want to tell him, but I'm scared," I admitted as I wiped my cheeks.

"Would you like us there with you?" Sierra asked and I quickly nodded. "Then we will be right there," she said. "Do you want to talk about anything else?" she asked. I laid down in my bed, the two following my action with me sandwiched between them.

"I like guys and girls, but I really like Iris," I said, making them smile.

"We could tell she likes you too, you guys were in here giggling all day," Luke said, making me smile.

"She helped me plan my room," I told them.

"We can't wait to see," Sierra smiled and I nodded. I curled up next to Sierra, closing my eyes as I drifted off to sleep from exhaustion.