The Only Reason || Calum Hood

Chapter 5

"So...what's everyone up to tomorrow?" Ashton says as he and Stella come back, holding our ice-creams.

"Well, me and Beth are going to have a quiet day. Alone." Michael says, apparently the last time the two of them tried to have A day like that, the boys invaded.

"Yea...sorry about last time mate." Ashton says, scratching the back of his neck.

"We're going to the beach. We're gonna try out surfing." Rachel says and Luke smiles down at her.

"Yea, we're already pro at bogie boarding." They highfive each other and ask what Ashton and Stella are doing.

"We're gonna go see the Lego Movie." Ashton says and Stella laughs and continues to eat her ice-cream. "What you guys gonna do?" Ashton asks, pointing his spoon to me and Calum.

"We're going ice-skating. Together." Calum says and everyone looks at us.

"Like a date?" Michael asks, looking almost proud of Calum. Calum instantly goes red, making me blush.

"Awww, cute!" Beth says and Michael grins down at her.

"Not as cute as you though." Michael says and pokes her nose.

"Aww, thanks Mikey. But Im not cute." Everyone laughs and Beth just shrugs.

***

"Thanks for today." I say and smile as Calum and I walk home.

"It's ok, thanks for actually coming." He says and laughs.

"Hey, I would go anywhere with you." I wink and unlock my door. "Wanna come in for a while? My parents are out." I ask and he shrugs.

"Why not." We both plop down on the couch and I turn the TV on. Calum squeals.

"Spongebob!" I laugh at his sudden childish outburst.

"Weirdo, you want anything? We just stocked up the pantry." I say and he thinks.

"You got any oreos?" He asks and I laugh.

Calum's P.O.V.

"You got any oreos?" I ask, making her laugh. The answer being obvious.

"Duh. We're the only ones who eat them." She says and walks back into the lounge holding a packet of oreos and two cans of Lift.

"You know me to well." I say and take one. We keep watching TV, but I can't help thinking of her. Its been about a year since I've developed feelings for her. But I've been too much of a wimp to ask her out. What if asking her out is a bad decision? What if it'll ruin our friendship?

She might not even like me.

I laugh at myself at how stupid Im being. She said yes, she may not feel exactly the same way, but at least she doesn't hate me, right?

"You ok Cal? You've been really quit for the past hour..." Crap. I've been thinking for an hour?!

"Sorry, I was caught up in thought." I say and she laughs.

"Calum Hood caught up in thought eh? What about?" She asks and smiles sweetly.

"Oh, um...band stuff. You know... And that I get to go around the world and stuff. But Im happy to be home at the moment." I say and she nods.

"I understand. I guess Im lucky my mum works with Liz, or I wouldn't be able to go with you guys everywhere." She smiles and hugs me. "Thanks for being here for me Cal. Especially last month. I still need to make that up for you." I see a tear threaten to spill.

"Hey," I say softly and wipe the tear away. "Anything for you Aleah. The guy was a total jerk. You shouldn't have been treated like that." I rub my thumb softly across her arms.

"You know, I stopped for you-and the boys." She says and I smile.

"I know, and I couldn't be prouder of you. You're so brave and strong." I say and she hugs me and starts sobbing into my shoulder.

"S-sorry." She stutters.

"You're fine." I say and rub her back, soothing her.

"You're the best Cal. You mean so much to me. You're like the big brother I never had." She says.

My heart instantly breaks in two.