Melting His Jet Black Heart [cake au] ✔

14.

Chapter 14

Luke finished packing his bag and headed downstairs to go home. He'd gotten homework for Calum even though he'd told him not to – he planned on using doing homework as an excuse to spend time with Calum, and hoped that he'd cooperate. The days were beginning to get longer and warmer, but it was still quite chilly at that time of day. Michael caught up with him and slapped him on the back.

"Hey Luke. So where's your boyfriend today?"

Luke blushed a deep red as the blood swirled in his cheeks. "He's not my boyfriend, Mikey... besides. He's in court today."

"Oh." Michael's eyes widened and he paused. "What for? He's not a bad guy is he?"

He sighed, stretching his arms. "Of course not you moron. He's been falsely accused of..." Luke hesitated. He didn't want to make Calum appear bad, that was the least he wanted. At the same time he didn't want to lie, not to one of his closest friends. "Basically his parents were murdered a long time ago and for some reason someone is accusing him of doing it. But I swear to God, he didn't do it. He wouldn't. He couldn't, he was so young at the time that..."

"Okay, slow down there. Obviously you feel... strongly about this. But believe in him, he'll be fine. I don't need to know what's happening to know how much you're worrying so calm down and take it easy. Call him or something."

He became slightly flustered at the thought of calling Calum. How would that feel? Would it be awkward? Or would they laugh and joke like normal friends? "Thanks Michael. I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"What? You're not even gonna invite me round? Fine, bitch."

Luke chuckled and patted his friend on the back, waving goodbye to a group of girls that were saying goodbye to him. "Maybe another time. Hey, band rehearsal tomorrow lunchtime yeah?" He nodded and Luke headed on home, eager to know what had happened with Calum's trial.

~

"I'm afraid on this occasion we are unable to come to a verdict. This hearing shall be postponed until further notice."

Calum threw his head back in frustration as the prosecutor shot him a death glare. He heard Mali's sobs from behind and his lawyer stood up, trying to defend them – but it was useless; a conclusion had not been made and further questioning/evidence was required. She understood that yet... it was so unfair to leave it like this.

"Please your Honour, can you reconsider?" she begged. He shook his head.

"I'm terribly sorry. We can't. You'll be notified via post when our next meeting will be. Until then, Mr Hood, please get some rest and be ready to come in again." The judge stood and left the room with the jury, leaving Calum with his head in his hands, holding back the urge to kick something. Mali approached him slowly.

"C'mon Cal, let's go home... have something to eat. You can call Luke if you want... tell him the news..."

Luke? No. He couldn't face Luke. He said he'd win the case but he hadn't. He couldn't persuade them that he didn't kill his own parents. He was probably better off locked up. "Calum? C'mon."

Calum stood up angrily and sighed, walking past the audience members to the door where numerous reporters were shoving microphones in his face, and photographers snapping constantly and telling him to look their way. He pushed his way through them all and without waiting for Mali, ran off, as far away from the magistrate's court as his legs would allow. His phone began to vibrate in his pocket but he ignored it. It wasn't going to be anyone important, anyway.

Eventually he slowed down to a walking pace and found himself walking home, where Mali awaited him with tears still brimming in her eyes. He checked his phone once in the warmth, and saw that it was Luke who'd called. He texted him quickly to say he was fine and that there would be another hearing, before switching off his phone and collapsing on the sofa.

"Here, eat something Cal," Mali sobbed, offering him a plate of pasta.

"I'm not hungry."

She sniffed, put the plate down and sat next to him. "Please Cal. Don't let this hearing get to you. There's no way they'd actually come to the conclusion that you're guilty – it's just not possible. Please eat. You need to stay healthy, and you haven't eaten all day. Okay?"

Reluctantly he sat up and took the pasta, grabbing a fork from the table and sitting down to eat. Mali smiled firmly and joined him, turning the TV on and switching the channel to a music channel. Luke had texted back almost immediately but Calum hadn't seen it. He didn't intend on going to school for a while, so there was no need to him to contact Luke.

Luke on the other hand was pacing his room having sent his text ten minutes ago with no response. He almost wanted to go to Calum's house and ask him directly but he couldn't remember exactly which block he lived in, or which flat number it was. Frustrated, he laid down on his bed sulking till his mother called him down for dinner.

~

A week later, Mali was ready to give up on Calum. It hadn't been easy in the slightest – he was completely out of touch with the world and hardly ate a mouthful a day let alone three meals. She resorted to calling Luke.

"Hello?"

"Hi Luke. This is Mali... could you possibly come over? Calum's being really unresponsive and he's adamant on not going to school. I've got to pop to work now, I was wondering if you could come over and sort him out? I really wouldn't be asking you this on a normal occasion but I'm really tied up right now."

Luke was actually slightly ecstatic to be hearing this, and smiled. "Of course I can. Could you text me your address? I'll be over as soon as I can."

Now relieved, Mali took a deep breath and smiled too. "Yep, I'll do that now – thank you ever so much Luke, and I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise! I want to help as much as I can, even if it means missing school. Thank you for calling me."

"Great. I'll see you soon then!"

"Yeah, see you!"

Luke hung up and soon after received a message with their housing details. Minutes later he was on his feet, backpack full of snacks, running to Calum's house. His mum had already gone to work and Jack was in bed still.

He couldn't wait to see the guy he'd been itching to see for what felt like decades.

***

Thanks for reading!

Don't forget to leave a vote/comment  - I really do appreciate it and will send you lots of love in return!

Kimmy xx