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⚡︎⟡₊ ⊹
"calum, please! just look at me," you plead, voice trembling as you cling to his sleeve, desperation heavy in your grip. he keeps his focus on packing, stuffing belongings into his bag with a furious silence that's louder than words.
since you'd left the theater, he hadn't spoken a single word, his expression stony and unreadable.
the moment you stepped into your house, he'd stormed to the guest room, and now you stand here, helpless as he hastily gathers his things.
ashton hovers in the doorway, his face solemn, lips pressed into a tight line.
then, abruptly, calum halts.
the suddenness of it makes you stagger back, and when he finally lifts his gaze to meet yours, his eyes blaze with a mix of hurt and anger that knots your stomach.
"you knew how i felt about you," he says, voice cold and accusing. "you knew, and you let me believe you felt the same way. you made me think i mattered, that i had a chance—only for me to find out you're playing some tasteless game with that prat."
your shoulders slump, a hollow ache spreading through your chest because, deep down, you know he's right.
"i...i'm sorry," you whisper, but the words sound empty even to you.
he shakes his head, jaw clenched as he zips up his bag. his movements are quick, decisive, like he's severing a tie he can't afford to keep.
"don't contact me again," he mutters, stopping at the threshold without a backward glance.
you open your mouth to protest, to say something, anything to make him stay, but no words come. you watch him walk out, ashton trailing behind him, likely to offer him the goodbye you couldn't.
seconds later, your mom steps in, her face etched with shock and concern.
"what happened?" she asks softly, her voice gentle.
at her question, the weight of everything hits you like a wave, and you crumble into a quiet sob.
she crosses the room to sit beside you, wrapping you in her arms, pulling you close without a single demand for answers.
for now, it's enough.
you let yourself fall into her embrace, clinging to the comfort she offers as the reality of calum's departure settles heavily in your chest.
✰
the soft drumming of rain on the roof mirrors the ache in your chest, the sky outside bleak as the storm brewing inside you.
you lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, regret twisting like a knife. every nerve itches to grab your phone and text calum, to make sure he made it home safe. but you know you have to respect his wishes—he'll reach out if he's ever ready.
midnight's come and gone, the house still and quiet with sleep, yet you're wide awake, weighed down by the thought of just how much damage you've done.
your oldest friendship, shattered because of your own selfish games.
why are you so destructive?
you sigh, rolling onto your side, trying to push the guilt away as sleep finally starts to close in around you.
tap, tap, tap.
your brow furrows, the faint noise breaking the silence. you sit up slightly, straining to listen as the sound repeats, more insistent this time.
tossing back the covers, you swing your legs out of bed, pulling the oversized t-shirt down over your hips as you shuffle to the window.
you squint through the rain-speckled glass—and your heart skips a beat when you see him. harry, standing there in the dark, hands shoved into his jacket pockets, oblivious to your gaze. just as you open the window, a pebble flicks right against your forehead, and you let out a surprised gasp, rubbing the spot.
harry's eyes widen, horror flashing across his face as he claps a hand over his mouth.
you can't help but chuckle, crossing your arms as you feign annoyance.
"what are you doing here, harry?"
"did i get ya in the 'ead? i'm sorry, love!" he shouts, stifling a laugh.
his voice is loud enough to wake half the neighborhood, so you shush him quickly, closing the window and slipping on some pajama pants and slides before tiptoeing down the stairs and out the front door.
rounding the yard to the back, you find him swaying a little, a tipsy grin plastered on his face.
you approach cautiously, heart thrumming in your chest. despite everything that happened today, there's an undeniable pull towards him, a magnetism you can't ignore.
"are you drunk?" you ask, eyebrows raised. he straightens, his grin fading as he steps closer, closing the gap until you can feel his warm breath on your cheek.
"it was the only way i could work up the courage to come here," he murmurs, his hand reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. the simple touch sends shivers racing down your spine, his green eyes fixed intently on yours.
your pulse quickens.
"h, i'm really confused. are you feeling oka—"
"i'm not a good person." he cuts you off. "everyone's told me that so many times i've started to believe it." his voice wavers slightly, and you feel the tension in his words. "that night, at the party, that prick was saying nasty things about serena and you and i just lost it. i shouldn't have gone in with fists; i know that. but... hearing him talk about you, it just—" he breaks off, raking a hand through his hair. "i don't blame you if you're disappointed."
you open your mouth to speak, but he raises a hand, his thumb grazing your cheek as he takes your face in his hands.
"please, let me finish. you can tell me to fuck off after, but just... let me say this." his breath mingles with yours, and you're entranced, eyes tracing the soft curve of his lips, the flush on his cheeks from the chill.
"the truth is," he continues, his voice dropping lower, "you weren't wrong about the jealousy. i've never felt this way before, not about anyone. it's like... i'd do anything, everything to protect you." he pauses, his eyes searching yours, his fingers trembling as they brush your skin. "and when i realized how far i was willing to go, i knew i had to back off. because the biggest threat to you... might just be me."
the wind whips around you, silence stretching thick between you.
you're at a loss for words, your mind whirling with the weight of his confession, but all you know is you can't step back.
somewhere along the way, your hands have found their way to his sides, fingers gripping him like he's the only thing tethering you to the ground.
he's watching you, his expression guarded, vulnerable in a way you've never seen before.
he expects rejection, you realize. he expects you to push him away.
but you don't.
instead, you lean in, the heat between you crackling, your lips hovering over his, the space between you charged, aching.
and when you finally close that gap, letting your lips brush against his, the world falls away, leaving just the two of you in the rain.
