defective :: calum hood

eight

✖defective✖

        :: e i g h t ::

from calum:

sorry about last night

from calum:

I just really wanted the argument to end

to calum:

and kissing me was your only option?

from calum:

yes. you're incredibly stubborn!

to calum:

I am not!

from calum:

you are!

to calum:

no

from calum:

you are proving my point!

from calum:

also, you did kiss me back;)

to calum:

I did not!

from calum:

stubborn

to calum:

shut up!

from calum:

make me;)

to calum:

what would your girlfriend say if she found out?

After that text, Calum had stopped replying to me, realization probably had hit him. He was a cheater, something else I could add to the long list of his flaws.

The last time Calum had texted me, I had been on my way to the gym. Now it was one hour later and I was ending my workout on the treadmill. The loud music was blasting in my ears, but suddenly, my music stopped playing as my phone began to ring.

Calum.

"What do you want?" I said as I continued to walk on the treadmill, a bit out of breath.

"We need to talk about yesterday," Calum said.

"Okay," I said rolling my eyes.

"Look, I just really wanted us to stop arguing, that's why I kissed you. And I'm sorry, really sorry. It shouldn't have happened, and I apologize and hope that we can both forget it happened. Please."

"Basically, you just want me to not tell your girlfriend," I said, stopping the treadmill as a smirk appeared on my lips. "I don't know, if I was her I would want someone to tell me if my boyfriend went around kissing random girls."

"But you're not random—it doesnt even matter. Okay look, I'm really sorry I kissed you and I'm sorry about how I have acted with you. I promise I will never bother you again, just please keep this between us," Calum pled, causing me to let out a laugh.

"I won't tell anyone, but not because you're asking, I'm doing it because I don't want anyone to know about that. I'm embarrassed thinking about it!"

"C'mon, you know you liked—" he stopped mid sentence, realizing he was trying to be nice in order to convince me to keep the secret. "I'm glad we're on the same page then."

"But you have to promise that you will stop bothering me completely."

"I promise."

"Okay then. I won't tell your girlfriend, but you have to promise that you will never, ever bother me again. No going to my job or home to disturb my peace, no texting me from my friends phone or your phone. No calling me either. Nothing, okay? You lose my number and forget that I exist." I told him and I heard a light laugh coming from him.

"Wow, you sound very serious. But I will definitely do as you say. I will disappear from your life. I have no problem doing that. "

"Okay then. Well bye now, hope to never hear from you again," I said, smiling.

"Same here!"

+++

Two weeks.

It had been two weeks since I had spoken to Calum and it had seriously been the best weeks. I had quit the grocery store job and had started a tattoo apprenticeship and I was working with Luke now. I was finally doing something I enjoyed.

"So that's everything?"

"Yup," Erin said as she brought a handful of popcorn to her mouth. We sat on the couch, making a list of everything we had to buy for today. It was Erin's birthday and she was planning to have people over tonight, so I continued to verify the list of what we would be buying at the store.

"So tonight it's going to be us, Luke, Lisa, Harry, plus three of your coworkers—"

"Two. Melody is sick, I'm bummed out about that."

"Okay, so that's seven. Not bad," I told her, placing my phone down as I finished the list of groceries and other things we would be going to get in a few minutes. We had planned to have everything ready yesterday but we had both been incredibly tired after work.

"And Michael!"

I rolled my eyes at her. I didn't quite like Michael, purely out of association, of course. If he was friends with Calum there was definitely something wrong with him.

"So eight people for tonight. They all confirmed?"

"Yup," Erin smiled. "I'm so excited!"

++++

Erin and I had spent the entire day prepping everything and had barely any time to get ready. I was only half way done with my hair when everyone started arriving.

Our small apartment was now filled with laughter and music as everyone arrived. Erin was beaming as she spoke with everyone, proudly standing by Michael's side as she introduced him as her boyfriend.

She was obsessed.

Towards the end of the night, only Michael, Erin, and two of her coworkers remained (all of them incredibly drunk and dying of laughter over every single small thing).

Luke had also stayed but we both sat apart from everyone else, discussing some tattoos he would be working on throughout the week and he was also offering some advice to me.

"You're doing great, in no time you will be tattooing," Luke told me, taking a drink of his beer.

"I'm so excited for that. How long do you think it will be until I can tattoo someone?"

"Just a bit more practice. All depends on your progress. I was actually thinking soon since I want to be your first client," he said smiling.

"You'd let me tattoo you?"

"Of course. I love your art, and I'm confident with practice you'll be great."

"I really appreciate that," I said smiling widely. Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I watched an unfamiliar figure enter the apartment and my smile faded quickly.

I turned to look at him, making eye contact immediately.

Calum.