undo// 5SOS

34

Michael

"Cal, can I have a word?"

"Sure,"

"I know this is stressful, and new, and a test of patience... but please can we just, yanno, be lenient for a few more days- until she feels herself again,"

"I'm sorry,"

"It's frustrating sometimes, I get it. Even just to watch, but she's trying,"

"I know. I hate not being able to help,"

"Don't take it out on her, that's all,"

"Do you reckon I'm too much? Do I need to leave for a few days?"

"No,"

"I might need to,"

"No. She loves you. If she doesn't want me then she wants you, and she always has,"

"She's not a little kid anymore,"

"Yes she is,"

"No she's not," he sighed, "I don't wanna make her feel lame, or uncomfortable,"

"You don't make us feel lame. You make me feel awesome... you never make anyone uncomfortable,"

"I don't make you uncomfortable,"

"Don't leave," I begged, grabbing his hand, "Cal I need you. I don't know what I am doing,"

He twisted his lips and looked away, the hallway filled with the tension from his slow breathing. It was almost like you could hear the clogs in his brain, and the buzz of every possible scenario whirling round.

"Fine,"

"Thank you,"

"I'm worried too," he admit, "But I think school might be the solution, not the cause. Well obviously it is some cause, but I promise that when she feels like she fits in and belongs to people like her then she will love it,"

"She fits in here,"

"Never said she didn't,"

"Oh Cal, I just feel all rubbish. I need a mum and dad to tell me how to mum and dad,"

"You're not meant to 'mum and dad' her,"

"She misses having that though so I wanna give it to her,"

"Let my mum visit then. Just once?"

"I'll think about it,"

"Just remember you physically cannot solve everything. Some things are beyond what family can help you with,"

"Swear this time last week it was all fun and games,"

"She's a teenager," he said, lightly punching my arm, "I propose movies, giving her some spending money, some space, and letting the therapist do the job you have tried to take on board,"

"I am taking on a lot, I suppose,"

"Fuck yeah you are mate. I think we just need to be ourselves, and instead of trying to replace her old situation, we need to be a new family for her,"

"Yeah... yeah,"

We heard her coming upstairs, so didn't dare to say anymore; she seemed a bit freaked out she was entering to silence, but sat next to me nonetheless.

"I feel a bit better,"

"Good,"

"Can I cook tonight?"

"I don't see why not,"

"Sorry I ruined your day, Calum,"

"You didn't ruin anything! Bowling would be better if we did it with Luke and Ashton anyway,"