College [c. hood]

07

Calum and Danielle were walking through the streets of downtown, hand in hand as the cool October air was making them shiver. They were going to go to lunch together. Calum loved being downtown with his girlfriend. He didn't love how taking his car down here is hell, so they had to take the subway.

"Cal? Come on." Danielle calls, leading him into the restaurant.

Calum was a little distracted, he had a report due in two days and he hasn't even started, but it was important he spent time with his girlfriend as well.

The two get seated, and Calum couldn't help but smile at Danielle across from him.

"So is school still going well? Are your classes good? Have you made any new friends?" Danielle questions him.

He chuckles, "Dani, everything is going well. Friends though? Just Michael pretty much. A few other people from the floor maybe, that's it."

Once again, Calum was questioning why he couldn't bring himself to tell Alyssa or Danielle about the other.

"What are you up to tonight?" Calum asks her, assuming she'll just be working.

"Oh, uh, I'm actually going out with the girls." She replies, forcing a smile.

"Oh, okay. Have fun with them, be safe." Calum tells her, and she nods in response just as their waiter was approaching their table.

Calum didn't know what they were going out to do, but he was worried by the way she answered him.

-

After Danielle and Calum made it back to her place, he got in his car and drove down to Ashton and Luke's place.

He was pacing in the living room of their apartment, trying to figure out what it was he needed to figure out with Danielle.

"Cal, man, what's going on with you?" Ashton asks, placing a glass of water on the coffee table for Calum.

"Ashton, I think something's wrong? I don't know I just-"

Ashton grabs his shoulders and makes him sit on the sofa, "Dude, what's wrong?"

He sighs, tears pooling in his eyes, "I don't think I'm in love with her anymore."

"Woah, Cal, are you okay? What's going on here?" Ashton questions, giving Calum a confused look.

"I- I don't know. I don't know." Calum replies, not sure exactly what he's saying or why he's saying it.

"Is it because of that girl? Alyssa?" Ashton asks.

"Dude, I have no idea. I just- I needed to say that." Calum tells him.

Calum really didn't know. He just needed to do something about what's going on. He wasn't sure if telling Ashton was a mistake, he really, truly had no idea.

"Okay, you need to calm down and think this through. You've been with her for so long. I mean, if you want to break up with her I get it but-"

"Hold on, I don't want to leave her. I- I just- I'm having a hard time." Calum replies.

"Oh, uh, sorry. But, dude, you really have sit and think about this. Maybe talk to her." Ashton tells him.

Calum sighs, "Fuck, I know. I'm sorry, you probably don't want to talk about this, considering you're pretty much friends with both of us."

"No, it's okay. Don't worry." Ashton replies.

"Anyways, what are you up to tonight?" Calum asks, changing the subject.

"Uh, Luke and I are going to a party type thing tonight. I'd tell you to come along, but it's kind of a private event thing." Ashton replies.

"Oh, okay. I'll probably be going to some party at the residence with Michael anyways. Who knows. I'm gonna have to head back though. See you soon, okay?" Ashton says, getting up and heading towards the door.

They say their goodbyes, and Calum walks down the dimly lit hall to the elevator. The elevator ride down felt like forever as thoughts of Danielle rushed through his head.

By the time Calum gets back to the residence building, he's had a lot of time to think this all through. He groans the second he walks through the door of their room, before quickly making his way to his room. He plops down on the bed, a sigh escaping his lips.

"You sound like you're having an existential crisis, you good?" Michael calls from the table in the shared part of their room.

"Girlfriend troubles, that's all." Calum replies, as Michael appears in the doorway to Calum's room.

"Now is it girlfriend troubles or troubles with the side bitch?" Michael asks, a slight chuckle slipping past his lips.

Calum looks from the ceiling towards Michael, "Alyssa isn't like that. Don't say shit like that."

"You knew who I was referring to, that says enough. So, what's wrong?" Michael asks, leaning against the doorframe as he does so often.

Calum sighs as he looks back at the ceiling, "I just don't think I love Dani like I used to. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Because of the side bitch, right?" Michael questions, crossing his arms.

"Stop calling her that! She's my friend! Maybe she was a distraction but she can't be the reason I'm falling out of love with Dani, right?"

"I mean, I don't think you're in love with Alyssa, but I think maybe yeah, she's one of the reasons you and Dani may not be working anymore." Michael tells him.

Calum just groans, bringing his hands up to cover his face in frustration.

"Well, I'm going to a house party. It's about five minutes away if you'd like to join me." Michael says, pushing himself off the doorframe.

"I think maybe I should stay home tonight. Thanks though." Calum replies.

"Okay, well Erin, Kristen, Cody and Marcus are all for sure staying back and they're planning on watching a movie in the common room, so head to the lounge if you get bored or lonely." Michael tells him before heading to his room.

Calum already knew he wouldn't be joining some of the others that live on his floor. He was just going to sulk in bed, trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

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