Secret Agent (5 Seconds of Summer)

Chapter 15: Panic

I wasn't sure how long the kiss lasted, but a door slamming shut down the end of a hallway brought me back to reality. Ashton's lips looked slightly swollen as he smiled at me. 

"Calum is using me. How do I know...you aren't too?" I bit my lip. 

Ashton shook his head. "I heard the arguement. I think everyone did. Calum was only making a point to our agent to make sure you didn't get hurt again. Even if you don't believe him...I kind of like you. Kinda a lot."

I wasn't sure how much I trusted Ashton, but for some reason my heart told me I should. I shook my head at him. 

"I...I don't know what to believe right now...I think it's best if I stay away for a bit."

Ashton looked sadly at me. "I don't want you to go."

"Ashton! Where are you?" I heard Luke call out, and I heard his footsteps echo down the hallway. Ashton sighed before edging slightly away from me. He gave me an apologetic look before I understood. He didn't want to break up the band. Luke appeared a few seconds later, a look of confusion on his face. His face relaxed, and he walked over to us, sitting crossed legged in front of me. He took my hands and gave them a squeeze. 

"Hey." He grinned, "Sorry about Cal. He feels awful." He looked over to Ashton, giving him a look. Ashton's jaw dropped. 

"Are you serious? I need to find him." He looked at me, sadness crossing his face. "Promise me you won't go."

I bit my lip, before nodding. Ashton jumped up and ran down the hall. Luke bit his lip.

"See, we're an hour behind schedule because one of us hurt our best groupie." He smirked, and I giggled. 

"Am I the best groupie ever?"

Luke beamed. "The bestest."

Ashton POV

As I crashed through to the green room, I felt my mouth drop open in surprise. 

Calum was surrounded by two of our medics and Michael. Calum had tears streaming down his face and he was breathing heavily. Michael looked up at me, panic hidden behind his eyes. 

"Where's Luke?"

"Distracting Gee." I answered, before rushing over to Calum. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. 

"I've ruined everything. I'm sorry. We worked so hard for so long and I've just-" Calum stuttered out through his tears. I pushed the medics to the side as I tried to comfort Calum. He was having another panic attack. He needed the people he was closest to to calm down. He never got these often, but the whole band were prone to these outbursts. Michael and I were the ones who got angry, yet Luke and Calum were the criers. 

"Calum, listen to me. Listen. Everything is okay. You didn't do anything wrong. Gee is fine. She understands why you said it. Calum?"

Calum had stopped shaking. I put a hand on his shoulder and my heart skipped a beat when Calum fell to the side.

He had passed out.

I was pushed away by one of the medics who checked Calum over. I looked over to Michael. 

"We can't do tonight's show." I mumbled. "Not like this."

Michael nodded. "I hate to tell the fans."

"They'll understand."

"Is Gee really okay with Calum?"

I shrugged. "She will be."

"Calum hasn't had a panic attack since..." He trailed off, and I nodded. Our manager caught my eye and I pulled Michael over to him. 

"We will reschedule the show until Calum is fit to perform."