Begin Again // Calum Hood

Chapter 24.

Amber's POV

There is something oddly familiar and comforting about waking up in Calum's arms. Honestly, I don't remember exactly how we ended up in this situation. The last thing I remember is spilling my guts to him until about 3 am when I felt content and he had to be feeling bored. He gave me advice on how to get over this and he told me that I should give Michael his space. I know I should, but that will be much easier said than done. I don't know what will happen if I have to work with him. But, if he can be strong around me I think I can do the same.

I turned around slightly so I was still in Calum's grasp but I could see his face. His eyes were still shut and his breathing was slow, but steady. I scooted more into his arm and he tightened it around me. obviously I wasn't going anywhere, any time soon. A smile crept upon my face and my eyes slowly shut. He released a deep sigh and swept my hair off of my face. I opened my eyes to a fully-awake Calum.

"Hey b-Amber." He smiled.

"Good morning, Cal." I whispered. He squeezed me a little tighter and then proceeded to get up. He ruffled his fingers through the front of his hair and almost-drunkenly stumbled out of the door. I gathered up blanket and sunk into the pillow. Being surrounded by warmth and his scent was something I was used to but still enjoyed. I began to feel drowsy again and slowly fell back asleep.

I was woken up by the bed lightly shaking and my name being repeated.

"Amber, I'm trying to surprise you. Wake up. I can't surprise you if you're asleep." He giggled.

"Unless your surprise is letting me sleep longer, than I'm not interested." I pulled the covers over my face.

"Come on, play along." He pulled the covers off of me and threw them on the floor.

"How come I have to play along with you? Why can't you play along with me and let me sleep?" I mumbled and rubbed my eyes. I slowly got out of bed and followed him into the kitchen.

"I made breakfast!" He wore a cheesy grin and gestured towards pancakes and a plate of fruit. "I thought it might cheer you up a little. Did it help?"

I smiled and brought him into a hug. "Yes. It does cheer me up. It means a lot to know that someone still cares about me."

He opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but then stopped. "Go eat your pancakes, nerd." I sat down in front of a plate and he sat across from me at the small table that we rarely used.

"So what are you doing today?" Calum asked me as he cut up his breakfast.

"You're looking at it." I gestured all around the apartment.

"Do you want to do something with me?" He chewed and looked in my eyes.

"What were you going to do?" I furrowed my eyebrows and popped a strawberry into my mouth.

"Well, I haven't decided yet. I might ask Luke and see if he's doing anything today." He shrugged.

"No offense to you or Luke, but that doesn't really sound like something I'd be interested in."

"None taken, but it's probably going to be more fun than sitting around all day." He shoveled pancake into his mouth.

"Let me sit around and wallow in sadness, Calum. I deserve that after yesterday." I sighed.

"That's definitely true, but we could help take your mind off of everything." He paused for a second. "Purposely being sad is not something to look forward to."

"I'm not particularly looking forward to it, I just think that being alone and having some time to reflect might give me a slight sense of closure. You understand, don't you?"

"Yeah I guess I could see where you're coming from. You just have to promise me that you will go out with us soon though, yeah?"

I over-dramatically sighed. "I guess I will." I gave him a slight smile. He had pancake in his cheeks, so his returning smile resembled a human-chipmunk hybrid. It was pretty adorable

Calum walked into my room after getting out of the shower.

"You're sure that you don't want to come with us? Not even a little?" He started buckling his belt.

"I'm sure. I don't to go. Not right now, anyway."

"I'm leaving now, so I'll see you tonight." He left my room as quick as he entered it. "Bye, Amber. Have fun by yourself. I'll be back later."

I felt a little gross after sitting in bed all day, so I finally emerged from my room and got in the shower. The hot water hitting my body was therapeutic and I always do my best deep thinking while in the shower. Soon after, I heard the front door open and shut but I didn't think anything about it. Calum probably came back to get something he forgot. At least I thought that until he opened the bathroom door.

"Come on. You're going with us. I'm not letting you be sad all night. I won't allow it."

"Well, Calum, I can't exactly leave at this moment." I laughed.

"Hurry up and get dressed. We're going to a party." He shut the door.

OOOO NOW DOESN'T THIS JUST SEEM FUN AND INVITING

the alternate title of this story should be "the adventures of cake"

also can we take a moment to appreciate just how awesome she's kinda hot is