the photographer [c.h.]

sixteen

"I'd die for you, " that's easy to say
We have a list of people that we would take
A bullet for them, a bullet for you
A bullet for everybody in this room
But I don't seem to see many bullets coming through
See many bullets coming through
Metaphorically, I'm the man
But literally, I don't know what I'd do"

I laughed as Calum messed up the lyrics and he laughed, groaning to himself. I smiled a little to myself when he toyed with my fingers on the center console. I kept my eyes on the highway and switched lanes, sitting back in my seat.

"Do you miss your family?" Calum asked after a while and I nodded, not saying anything. "You and Sophie seem really close."

"Um, yeah." I stuttered and sighed as Calum cocked an eyebrow. "When was the last time you saw your mom?"

"A few months ago. She came and saw a show while you were gone." I nodded and he interlocked our fingers. "Let's play twenty questions."

"Okay," I laughed a little and thought of something to ask. "How old were you when you lost your virginity?"

"I see how this is gonna go." Calum smirked. "17, you?"

"15." I muttered and his eyes widened. "I was drunk."

"I'm not judging." He said and I just let out a breath. "Who was it with?"

"My best friend." I stiffly answered and Calum frowned. "Next question."

We went on like that until we got to the venue and I honestly was thankful to get out of the car. Calum kept asking questions about my past and it got kind of annoying. I grabbed my bag and found Leah as she got off of the bus. I laughed as she had messy hair and was trying to cover her neck up.

"Have fun?" I joked and she flushed, grabbing her bag from Ashton's hands.

"Same could go for you." She retaliated and hooked her arm with mine.

We walked into the venue and found the dressing room, setting our bags down. Leah grabbed my arm and tugged me out to the main area, walking up into the seats. We sat down and watched the guys mess around on stage.

"What did you do last night?" Leah asked and I shrugged, a smile finding it's way to my face. "You did not." She gaped.

"What?" I asked, turning to face her.

"You and Calum did the dirty." She laughed and I swatted her arm.

"Keep it down." I hissed. "Okay, maybe we did."

"Was it good?" She pried and I laughed.

"Stop." I giggled as she made smooching noises. "But, yes. It was really good."

I hopped up from my seat and Leah laughed, chasing me down the stairs. I got onto the main floor and jogged to the stage, away from Leah. I caught Calum's eye and he shook his head, laughing at our craziness. I jumped up onto the stage and ran to Calum, holding onto his back.

"Calum Hood, you are in big trouble." Leah cackled and Calum turned to me, confused.

"What did I do?" He asked, slinging an arm across my shoulders.

"You fucked my little sister." She pointed a finger at him and I gasped at her words.

"Leah!" I exclaimed and all the other guys laughed, coming to join our conversation.

"Little Calum and Katie here had some fun, I see." Michael joked and I groaned, leaning into Calum.

They all joked about us and I finally had enough, burying my face in his chest. Calum laughed and wrapped his arms around my mid back, resting his chin on top of my head. The boys finally stopped the teasing and went back to their own business. Leah left me alone and went to sit with Ashton. I looked up, propping my chin on Calum's chest and he smiled down at me.

"Wanna go find something to eat?" I nodded, reluctantly, and followed him off the stage.

Calum bent down and motioned for me to get on his back. I rolled my eyes and held onto his shoulders, jumping up. Calum grabbed my thighs as I wrapped my legs around his waist and I rested my head on his shoulder as he walked down the corridor.

"So this is what it feels like to be tall." I voiced my thoughts and Calum laughed, taking a peak over at me.

"Lovely world up here." He joked and I laughed, draping my arms around his neck.

"I'm just closer to hell." I whispered with a straight face and Calum looked terrified. I just giggled to let him know I was joking. "Kidding."

"My god, I thought you were serious for a second there." He breathed out and we finally got to a room full of snacks.

I stayed on Calum's back as he went throughout the room, getting a huge plate of junk food. Just looking at it made me feel sick. I reminded myself that I needed to eat so I stole his apple. I heard a click and saw a flash in my peripheral vision so I turned my head to see Annie holding her phone up.

"Y'all are too cute. I had to take a picture." She shrugged and I smiled a little, hopping off of his back.

We went and sat down on the edge of the stage with our food. Calum nudged my shoulder continuously and I swung my legs back and forth, taking a bite out of the apple. Calum chowed down on his chips and we sat in a comfortable silence, watching people set up the sound system and lights. My phone rang and I pulled it out to see Alex's picture on the front. I quickly answered and he cut me off before I could say hello.

"We have a problem." I furrowed my eyebrows. "I accidentally told Sophie that you're her mom."

"You what?" I practically shouted, causing Calum to jump. "Alex, we agreed not to tell her until I got back."

"I'm sorry, okay?" He exasperated and I could only imagine him running his hands through his curly hair. "It just slipped out."

"What did Soph say?" I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"She wants you to call her later. But she seemed happy. Look, Katie, I have to go, but I give me a call when you talk to her, alright?" I mumbled a goodbye and hung up, laying back on the stage with a groan.

"You okay?" Calum chuckled and I sighed, knowing that he would find out sooner or later.

"Calum, there's something I have to tell you."