beside you • c.h

eight

Thursday came quicker than expected and the gig was all that the boys were able to talk about.

"I'm so ready for tonight!" Luke said excitedly.

"Yeah. Can't wait." I said with a nervous smile.

I looked over at Calum and he was fixated on his phone. I liked that he had something that was sort of a crutch to him. Even if it was his phone.

I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket. I looked over at Calum and he slightly nodded.

Calum🐨: "I know I'm right in front of you but I can't speak, I'm so nervous. I can't think straight."

"Don't be nervous. Imagine that it's just like rehearsal. Imagine that no one is here but us and the guys. I promise. Everything will be fine. I swear." I hit send and shoved my phone in my pocket and sighed.

"5 Seconds of Summer?" A lady called as she walked towards us.

"That's us." Michael said with a half smile.

"You're on in 5." She said. She seemed annoyed. I looked at Calum, who was fidgeting with his bracelets that adorned his wrists.

"Alright. Thank you." Luke spoke. I couldn't keep my eyes off of Calum.

I watched as the guys grabbed their guitars and drumsticks. Calum, of all people was starting to struggle. I noticed that he was having a severe amount of trouble getting the strap for his bass on the instrument.

"Hey. Let me help." I said softly. I grabbed the strap and placed it over his shoulder. I clipped it onto the bass guitar and he sighed.

"Do you really think we'll do good?" He asked as he searched his pockets for a pick. I searched mine and found one.

"You'll do great. I've watched you practice this all week." I replied.

"TWO MINUTES!" The lady shouted and I looked at Calum.

"Good luck." I said hugging him tightly. I kissed his cheek and he blushed.

"Thank you." He whispered.

I watched as the four took the stage. They started with their song 'Out Of My Limit' which was followed by 'Try Hard'. This was the song Ash had drummed out for me at school.

Once they had finished their performance, Calum rushed back to where I was and hugged me tightly.

"I DID IT!" He shouted in my ear.

"I told you so! So proud of you guys." I said placing a hand on Calum's shoulder.

"Thank you!" The four said in unison. They all had huge smiles on their faces.

As we loaded their equipment into the car, a person, no more that 19 came up and started talking to the guys.

"Hi! I'm Louis Tomlinson. I saw your cover of 'Teenage Dirtbag' and decided to come see you lot live." He spoke.

I looked at Louis and gave him a slight smile. The Louis Tomlinson of One Direction was standing next to me. I tried so hard to contain my inner fan girl.

"I have a proposition for you lads." He spoke.

The guys came together in a semi-circle and we all listened to Louis' proposition, whatever it may be.

"Your performance was amazing. Will you join us on tour?" The man asked.

The boys exchanged glances and nodded excitedly.

"Tour starts tomorrow. Meet us at the arena." He said before walking away.

What was happening? I could feel my stomach tightening. They just got offered to tour with the, and I say this quite literally, biggest band on the planet.

I watched as Louis walked away and I looked at the guys. They were all excited and all on their phones at once, calling their parents, smiling from all the excitement.

I pulled out my phone and saw a message from my Mum.

Mummy🎀: "Be home tomorrow! Can't wait to see you!"

"See you tomorrow! Love you mum! xx" I hit send and slid my phone into my pocket.

"You ready to go?" Calum asked as his arm snaked its way around my waist.

I stepped forward and nodded. I looked over at Luke, who was looking in Calum's direction and shrugged.

The boys and I piled into my cramped car and I drove them all home. Calum being the last stop before I headed home.

We pulled into his driveway, I turned the music  down and sighed. As I put my car in park, I leaned back and looked out my window. I quickly shut the car off and got out before Calum could say anything.

I leaned against the trunk of my car and held my face in my hands. I heard the car door open and shut in one quick motion. The next thing I heard, was Calum's feet tapping the cement driveway as he walked towards me.

I quickly dried my cheeks and looked up at him. He had a look on his face, that screamed 'I know you were crying'.

"Why are you crying babe?" He asked as he took my hands in his. I pulled away and crossed my arms over my chest.

"I'm just tired." I said. He rolled his eyes and placed his hands on my shoulders. I looked up at him and our eyes met in the pale light of the full moon.

"I promise, I won't ever forget you. I know that we've known each other for less than a week, but I really care for you." He said.

"Calum?" I heard a female voice say.

"Hey Mali. Be inside in a few." Calum said. We heard the door close and he lifted my chin with his index finger.

"I promise. I won't forget you." He said. He stuck out his pinky and I locked it with mine.

"Be safe." I said hugging him tightly.

I felt this immense weight on my chest when he let go and walked inside, his bass guitar case in hand.

"Please don't forget. Please don't break my heart." I whispered as he closed the front door of his house.

**********

A/N;

Hi! Finally getting to update bc of writer's block.

I hope you enjoy this update xx