Back to Normal - Calum Hood

Part 3: Party Time...

Vote. Comment. Enjoy!

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—Ella's Pov-

"Kennedy, here's your mixed drink," I yell over the music. She thanks me quickly taking a sip.

"I thought you didn't like mixed drinks?" Calum asks, looking at my cup. I shrug and sip on my cup, checking the party for potential hotties. Just as my eyes lock with a guy in the corner, Michael grabs my arm. He demands I dance with him, pulling me onto the dance floor. My feet jump around, white girl dancing with him. Our signature party move whenever we are together. Someone's hands move on my waist. Before checking who it was, I move more into Michael, only to realize it was Ashton who was behind me.

"Sorry to scare you," he yells. Dancing is so tiring.

"I'll be right back. Do you guys want a drink?" I yell. They nod their head no and find the closest girl to dance with. Trudging though the kitchen became a harder task than I thought. Right as I was about to make it to the counter someone cuts me off.

"Need help?" Calum asks. He grabs my hand, pushing the guy out of the way, getting me to the beautiful display of alcohol.

"Shots?" I ask. He pours two vodka shots, making mine a double. We cheers before shooting them back. He teases me as I use a chaser. My hand collides with his shoulder, as my eyes involuntary roll, "Do you know where Luke and Kennedy went? I really want to dance with her," I tell him.

"Sorry if this is tmi but I think they went upstairs not too long ago," he tells me. I can't fight the disgusted face that appears on my face. He nudges my shoulder as I pour another two shots for us, "should you really be taking three shots back to back?" He asks. I shrug shooting it back.

"What's the worst that can happen?" I ask. He takes his shot and leads me to the dance floor with the other guys.

"Look who decided to join us," Michael says, twirling me away from Calum.

"It's a celebration isn't it?" Calum sasses.

"You're right. Our first killer gig at a place that didn't smell like piss and beer," Michael cheers.

"I saw some hot girls taking our business cards. Expect some flirty dms boys," Ashton tells them. We decide to leave the loud music so we can actually hear each other. A fire pit blazes in the backyard smelling of weed and sweat. Ashton grabs some lawn chairs from the stoners, who don't even realize where they are anymore.

We set up not too far from the fire but far enough where other people won't annoy us. I raise an eyebrow realizing Ashton only grabbed 3 chairs. Before I can walk to get another one, Michael pulls me onto his lap.

"I'm too heavy, I can get another chair," I tell him, trying to get up. He pulls me closer to him, not letting me up.

"You're fine, plus it's cold...you're warm," he says. I put one of my arms around his shoulder and lean against him, looking at the guys.

"I'm gonna miss this when you guys go to college," I mutter. Michael rubs my arms as the other two zone out.

"Maybe our band will blow up and we won't even go to college," Ashton says. The guys laugh at the dream.

"I think you guys could. If you let Kennedy and I help you film some videos and shit like that, your social media presence would skyrocket," I tell them.

"You think so?" Michael asks.

"I do"

Calum sits silently, sipping on the beer he snagged from an outside cooler. Ashton taps out the beat of the music that floods through the backyard. Michael squeezes my side, tickling me. He gives me a look...oh no. He starts tickling my sides making me scream. I stand up off him, running from him. He chases me around the bonfire. Just as I pass the other guys Ashton grabs me, holding me for Michael. I scream trying to break from his grasp. My laugh spreads throughout the group as Calum steals me from Ashton. He grabs my hand and runs me inside away from the other boys. We find a door that leads to the basement finding it completely empty.

I find myself out of breath, leaning against the wall, "thanks cal pal" I pant awkwardly. He eyes me up...staring at me. I can't help but fidget under his gaze not knowing what to do.

"Why are you so different around me?" He asks, passing me a beer. Where the fuck does he keep finding beer? I open it, sliding down the wall, sipping the beverage before answering. The alcohol in me is enough liquid courage for me to not walk away. He sits down next to me, resting his head against the wall.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"You dance with Michael...jokingly flirt with Ashton..but with me you shut down or give me short responses," he tells me. I play with the beer in my hands. The music upstairs feels like it's getting quieter with each second that passes.

"I don't know," I whisper, taking another drink of the beer.

"See what I mean? With anyone else you would have some smartass reply at the ready," he says with a light laugh.

"I'm sorry"

I look over at him and see him intensely staring down at me. My eyes connect with his as he tries to look for some sort of response other than the ones I'm giving. My breath gets caught in my throat as he moves closer to me. His eyes closing as well as mine, just as the basement door swings open with someone running down. I pull away, not realizing I was moving closer, clearing my throat. Michael looks at us with a curious look as Ashton follows shortly after.

"We looked everywhere for you two," Ashton says, looking out of breath.

"I'm going to go find Kennedy," I whisper, walking past the pair to get to the stairs.

What just almost happened?