Maven // Calum Hood

five - tears and panic attacks

I think I let Calum go inside the house for warmth at some point of his story but eitherway, we were sat on the guest room's bed with me trying so hard not to cry nor pity him in his saddest state.

"Patrick revealed that he had impregnated a woman two months after the funeral. Sad thing was, she was pregnant for five months."

"Aw, man. He is such a... Ugh," I said in disbelief.

"It's okay to say jerkhead, you know," he said, sniffling. But you and I know he didn't say jerk.

If it were not for his heartfelt story about his sister's death, I would've smacked him upside the head.

Calum shifted on the bed to face me. "Thanks for listening. Anyway..." his stare was instense as his eyes were puffy with tears.

"You better clean yourself up vefore showing face. They'll think I beat you up or something." I laughed despite the awkward situation.

He then pulled me near for a ribcage-breaking hug amd then all I can sense is my labored breathing.

Panic attack! Panic attack, my mind raced as I tried to keep it together at least for Calum's sake. Keyword: tried.

Soon, I was hyperventilating and pins and needles were cramping up my hands, feet and face.

"Oh my God, Zharah, what's wrong? What's wrong?" Calum carried me out of the room. "Aunt Jem! Uncle Ant! Zharah's having a siezure, I think!"

"Cal," I said through gritted teeth.

"Yeah? How are you feeling?" Calum set me down on the sofa.

"Calm down. It wears off."

He was sweating like a mad man. He was crying again, and his features were set to a worried expression.

"Just as long as you'll be fine...," he trailed off, obviously thinking of something else, if not his sister.

My panic attack subsided and I tried to breathe normally. "I'm good now," I informed him.

His features softened and a sigh escaped his lips. "Thank Goodness. What the heck happened?" I hadn't realized but Calum was kneeled in front of me and was rubbing circles on my arm.

I shivered as I swatted his hand away. "My lungs slightly suck at being lungs. They're highly sensitive. It's worse than having asthma."

"Sorry. Remind me not to hug you that tight next time." Calum laughed.

Is there even gonna be a next time?, I questioned myself, not sure if wether the positive or the negative will ease my thoughts.

"Zhar?" Calum snapped his fingers in front of my face. "Zhar?"

I swiftly sat up, groaning as dizziness took ahold of me. "Ugh, I should've learned not to do that a long time ago."

"You're such an idiot."

"I'm not sure if you're talking to me or yourself. Though that applies to both, I must agree."

Then Aunt Jem decided to come out of her hiding spot behind the doorway to the kitchen. "What happened?" Her voice rang of worry but all I could hear was mischief.

"I had an attack," I said truthfully.

A ghost of a smirk appeared almost instantaneously on my aunt's lips. "But Calum made sure everything was fine, right?"

I rolled my eyes as Calum flushed red. I can see right through her intentions. Besides, it runs through the family. We were always the teasing type. 'Tease it till they make it,' my grandma used to say.

"Anyway, I'm preparing dinner. Want to stay, Calum?"

"Actually, he's about to leave," I butted in. "He has, uh, something important to, uh... arrange."

Calum then looked at me wildly. "I have?" he mouthed. I nodded, asking him to go along. "I mean, uh, yeah! It would be nice to stay for dinner but my cousins from America are arriving tonight so we need all the manpower in the house."

Aunt Jem raised an eyebrow. "Well then, you shoukd get going."

"Yes he should," I agreed.

Calum nodded, standing up to leave but before he could move, he asked, "Can I use the bathroom first? I probably look like Zharah's rage."

It took me a lot of effort not to punch him--I mean a lot. "Why you little--" I stood up to strangle him but he sprinted down the hall while Aunt Jem shouted directions to the bathroom.

*

After Calum had washed away the redness of his eyes, I led him to the front door.

"Bye," I said. "I hope no one would actually beat you up." Because I want to distort that beautiful face myself, I almost added.

He saluted me before going out of the door with not as much as a "Bye."

I scoffed. "Rude." I slammed it shut before turning around abruptly.

Welp, this day turned out to be... weird.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

this day actually lasted five chapters lol

and it took me more than two months, i think, to write this.

but if you're still reading this, i hope you vote despite my knack for irregular updates. also, comment if there's something in your mind about this story, i would appreciate it :)

byeeee,
-Mae