Carry On. || Calum Hood

i.

"It's time to get up in the morning," I started to sing into the nearest vent, getting obnoxiously louder and louder. "Got macdonalds breakfast for you. . ."

"McDonalds?!" A childish voice echoed through my room. I smiled.

"Not McDonalds, Jack, but food! Who doesn't love food?" I replied, laughing as I heard a faint huff and the squeaking of a bed, along with a few other whines of disappointment.

I sat up on my bed, throwing my head over to collect my hair into a quick bun. I yawned and stretched my arms over my head, groaning after I heard the familiar crack of my back. Perks of being old.

Pulling out some black short overalls and a grey v-neck, I quickly got dressed and brushed my teeth before walking into the hall, not bothering to check the mirror.

8:15 am. Right on time. I grinned, slowly turning on the handle of the 10-13 year olds' bedroom. Counting to ten, I quickly swung the door open before diving on the closest bed, shaking whoever was in it and repeatedly yelling "Wake up! It's time to get up!"

I had probably jumped up and down by myself for a solid ten seconds before I had realized that there was no one actually in the bed. I rested my hands on my knees and scanned the room, revealing that none of the kids were there, either. What was going on?

"Hello?" I called out confusedly, standing up and putting my hands on my hips. This was odd. No one usually gets up before 8.

"Well that was a waste," I mumbled to myself, slowly stepping out of the room towards the dining hall.

"Ray, none of the middles are in the room, so they're either hiding or pranking," I called out as I passed through the head matron's office. I heard nothing, and cut my stride short before peeking my head in through the open door. She wasn't in there. Weird. She's always in her office.

Rubbing my eyes, I sighed before pushing the double doors of the dining hall open. "I swear, if everyone in here left me for de-"

"Surprise!" an uncoordinated orchestra of voices suddenly screamed out at me. I squealed in surprise, nearly tripping over a streamer on the floor. "What? What's going on?"

I looked around to find the all too familiar faces of this house surrounding me. From Ray to Jack and all the kids in between. The orchestra sounded again, "Happy 17th Birthday, Ara!"

Children's screams and everyone else's cheers flooded the room as all the little ones ran up to me, throwing themselves to my body in a group hug.

My eyes widened. I didn't even realize that I was another year older today. "What the? All this. . ."

I looked around the room. Along with over fifty tired, but bright smiles, there were turquoise blue and grey decorations placed all along the walls and the ceiling. My favorite colors.

Balloons and streamers and letters spelling out the occasion littered the usually white and dull dining hall, making the atmosphere light and airy.

I gestured to the hard work. ". . .For me?"

"Of course!" the little ones at my feet replied cheerfully. I giggled and a ruffled some of their hair before they ran off to go play.

"You definitely deserve it," Ray's voice interrupted through the happy chatter, her stepping forward with her arms out. I accepted them as I wrapped my arms around her in a hug.

"You really didn't have to do this," I murmured against her shoulder. "Thank you so much."

"Everyone would've gone mad if I didn't," she laughed, gesturing to everyone around us. The boys and girls playing a game in a circle, people my age were chatting away with some snacks in their hands, and the volunteers were holding the babies in their arms. "It was their idea."

My heart warmed as I looked around, the party they set up finally settling in. "I'm a lucky girl."

"We're lucky to have you," she replied with a smile. "Besides, we had nothing better to do anyways."

I gasped and made an expression of mock hurt, holding my hand over my chest. She laughed as I shook my head, more amused than I thought I could be so early in the morning.

Besides Ray, who was 24 years old (and quite young to be running an orphanage), one of my closest friends was Christina, who was a year older than me and was preparing to move in with her boyfriend once she turns 18.

As I made my pathway to the food table, voices of different ages greeted me and wished me a happy birthday, giving me giant hugs and doing random, sleep-deprived things that made me smile. These were the people I loved.

"Wow, kiwis? My favorite," I praised as I approached the food, eagerly grabbing a handful with some tongs. "You guys really had everything planned out, huh?"

"Just wait until you get your present," a different voice said from behind me. A pair of arms wrapped around my waist before Christina hugged me tightly from behind and squealed, "I can't believe you're 17! You're old and gross now!"

"Oh god, don't remind me," I groaned as I turned around to hug her back. "And I swear, if you got me anything more than a few band t-shirts, I'm gonna be pissed."

"I guess you're gonna explode then," she drawled out, winking and grabbing my hand before leading me towards the center of the room. She noticed my slightly serious facial expression, so she assured, "Don't worry, this gift is from all of us here. And as much as I know you probably won't understand it at first, you'll thank me later. I promise."

"Promises are meant to be broken," I taunted, pointing a finger at her. "And shouldn't I open my present after I eat, oh yeah, and have some cake? It's like you've never thrown a party before."

"Oh shut up," she sassed once again, rolling her eyes and pushing me to sit down in one of the chairs. "We want you to know this as soon as possible. Close your eyes!"

By now, most of the people had say down in different chairs surrounding mine, knowing smiles painted on their faces as the watched me in amusement.

"Okay okay," I gave in, closing my eyes. "Wait, I'm supposed to know my gift? That doesn't make any sense."

A small wave of whispered giggles and laughs sounded around me, and I smiled at the fact I made them happy.

I felt something cool and smooth on the surface of my hands, and it's crinkled as my finger wrapped around it. Was this paper?

"Okay, open!" I heard Ray say, and I opened my eyes. Looking down, a small poster was laid on the surface of my legs. My eyebrows furrowed as I read the title:

Sounds Live, Feels Live Tour:
5 Seconds of Summer

__________________________________________________________________________

A/N: I was writing so much I had to split it into two chapters lol so you'll see what happens next! It should be up soon;) Be sure to vote and comment your thoughts! Thanks for reading!

-M