cryptic ⋙ calum hood

14. Cassie

trigger warning

‘Please let me know who this is. I want to help.’

If fucking only. But by now, people knew who I was. I was Cassandra Brooks, girlfriend of Parker Lee, and no there was nothing wrong with me, thank you I really do try to keep myself together.

I hadn’t checked Cedar’s site in about a week, and knowing he answered my question made me smile. I closed my computer and stared at the envelope before me. My parents told me I could check my grades first, without them. They’d both be home for dinner tomorrow night, and were completely aware of the fact that I’d received my grades so there was no hiding it. I grabbed it quickly and tore the envelope open, pulling out the paper that would either make or break my next few months. A sigh of relief escaped my lips when I saw only B’s and A’s. You’re doing it Cassie, you’ve got this.

I was supposed to sleep over Sam’s house tonight, and we could look over our grades together, but she did really well and her parents wanted to take her out to celebrate. I told Parker that I had to go home and talk to my parents about my grades, instead of telling him I was heading over to Michael’s with Calum to finally hear them rehearse. I tucked the paper back inside the envelope and hid it in my drawer. Texting Calum, I made my way down the stairs. I grabbed an apple and chewed it intently until Calum texted me back to let me know he was outside. I threw the core of my apple out and grabbed my bag, running out to his car with a grin spread across my lips.

“Hey!” He smiled widely as he pulled out of my driveway. “Did you check your grades?”

“Yes, A’s and B’s,” I told him excitedly. “How’d you do?”

“A’s,” he grinned sheepishly.

“Of course, Einstein,” I rolled my eyes jokingly. We continued light conversation until he killed the engine in front of a grey house, which I assumed was Michael and Ashton's. He led the way up to the door and rang the bell, talking about Michael’s mother was over for the day and how sweet she was. A mess of curls appeared in the doorway, letting us in and hugging me close.

“Cassie! It’s so nice to see you again!” Ashton said into my hair.

“I’m glad you came to watch! Calum’s real good on the bass,” Michael winked at me before pulling me in for a hug. Luke waved from the couch and I sat next to him, nudging him with my shoulder.

“Okay Lucas, don’t say hi to me,” I rolled my eyes and he grinned.

“We ordered pizza, it should get here soon,” Ashton told me, turning the television off to the boys who were in the middle of a video game. They erupted in groans and shouts and Ashton rolled his eyes. “Get up,” he scoffed and Michael threw a pillow at him. “Hey! Stop that!”

I laughed and was waiting for the boys to stop bickering when a middle aged woman emerged from another room.

“Enough boys,” she shook her head. “Are you Cassie? Oh it’s so nice to meet you!” She took me into her arms and I saw Michael roll his eyes.

“Sorry, she’s a hugger. Mum, we’re heading down now, okay?”

“Alright, do you guys need anything?”

“We’re good,” Mike shook his head.

“Well, if you get bored down there with the boys, I’ll be up here in the kitchen,” she let out a light laugh and lead us into the kitchen where she seemed to be baking. Michael opened a door and we all followed him downstairs to his basement. The boys had decorated a bit and I took in the room and the instruments. I plopped down on a couch placed in front of the instruments, and the boys took their places, fooling around a bit while getting ready to play. They introduced themselves as Five Seconds of Summer, as if they were performing for an actual audience and I laughed, excited to hear them finally play. The stream of songs that hit me next were much better than I actually imagined they would have been. I actually really enjoyed the music and I wanted to keep listening to them play. Needless to say, I was genuinely upset when they were done practicing. I praised them and Michael pretended to flip his hair, giving me a grin while thanking me.