College [c. hood]

16

Calum successfully avoided Alyssa for the next week, though he would answer her texts. He did see her in class, but they never spoke. They sat in opposite ends of the room.

He knew that Alyssa knew something was going on, but he wouldn't say anything to her.

Calum was currently waiting to pay for his snacks he was going to have while binge watching Netflix since he's hiding from everybody.

The bored worker at the cash took his student card to swipe so he could pay and move on. Calum was impatient, and quickly tried to walk off as soon as he got his card back, but once he was a few steps away from the counter, Alyssa was standing in front of him.

"Hey, Calum-"

Calum sighs, interrupting her, "Alyssa, I really can't talk right now."

He tries to move around her, but she doesn't let him. She wasn't going to let him get away this time.

"Did I do something?" She asks, frowning at him, pulling the marble notebook in her hands even tighter to her chest.

He frowns, feeling so hurt that he's upsetting Alyssa this way, "No, just personal issues, really. I promise."

He didn't know what else to say to her besides that. He couldn't tell her about Danielle and his situation. Not yet.

"Please, Calum, just please come watch one movie with me." She weakly begs, not even sure what to do anymore. She just needed something to spend time with him again. He was one of her closest friends.

Calum pauses, debating wether or not he should. He didn't want to cut Alyssa out of his life, but he knew this was so wrong.

But of course, Calum doesn't make a smart decision, and sighs before replying to her.

"Okay. I'll watch a movie with you. But, Alyssa, I really will be spending more time alone. I- I can't be around anybody right now." Calum tells her, and she tries to hide her frown as she nods, accepting his comment.

She decided to not push him for now, she was at least getting to spend some time with him and she didn't want to ruin it, "Alright. Let's go."

-

Before their movie started, Calum texted his sister to make sure she'd be home with their parents. He scheduled a FaceTime call with them so he could tell them what's going on with Danielle.

He had just left Alyssa's room, and he was breathing heavily as he walked back to his room. He was so nervous. He didn't know what to say.

Once he was back in his room he texted his sister, letting her know he was ready to talk to them whenever they had time.

Calum wasn't expecting a reply as quick as he got it. He hoped to have some time to overthink about Alyssa, but he doesn't.

Sitting in front of his laptop at his desk was stressing him out so much, he felt like he couldn't breathe. He thought he might pass out.

The second the call comes through, his breathing hitched. This was happening, and there was no way he could get out of it.

"Hey, guys!" Calum smiles, putting on the best fake smile he could.

"Hi, Calum! It's so nice to hear from you!" His Mom smiles, waving at him.

Calum lets out a small laugh, waving back.

"So, Calum, what do you need? You've barely contacted us the whole time you've been gone." His dad jokes, earning a gentle shove from his mom.

Calum takes a deep breath, "Okay, so, I do have something to tell you guys..."

"Go ahead, we're listening."

Calum takes a deep breath, trying to prepare for how angry his family is going to be at him.

"Okay, so, I never thought I'd have to be telling you this, like ever. I- uh, it would've been nice to do this in person, but I can't, so-"

"Calum, what's wrong, honey? You're worrying me." His mother replies, looking at her soon through the screen with worried eyes.

Calum could feel the tears pooling in his eyes before he speaks again, "I- I need to tell you guys that Danielle's pregnant. We- we're having a baby."

Silence surrounded them.

Calum couldn't say anything else without breaking down.

His family couldn't say anything because they were in shock.

"How could you, Calum?" His mom finally speaks, raising her voice at her son.

Calum nervously bites his lip, "Mom, I- I'm so sorry, I never thought-"

"I can't even look at you." She replies, before getting up and walking away.

"Dad?" Calum calls, desperate to have somebody say something that won't make this even worse.

"I- I'll have to go talk to her." He replies, also leaving.

Calum nods, him and his sister both sitting in silence.

"Cal... I- I can come visit, if you need." She tells him, giving him a weak smile.

"Thanks, but I'll be okay, I think. I just need you to try and make sure our parents don't completely hate me." Calum sighs, disappointed that he's disappointing his parents.

She nods, "I'll do what I can. I'm happy you and Danielle are happy."

Calum avoids looking anywhere near the laptop, knowing what he'll be saying is a lie, "Yeah, we are."

-

When Michael walks into their shared room, all he could hear were sobs. He immediately frowned, knowing something happening with Alyssa or Danielle.

He sets his bag down on the wooden table before walking to Calum's door and lightly knocking.

The cries stop the second Michael knocks, and he knew it was because Calum thought he wouldn't be home so early.

"Uh, yeah?" Calum calls, clearing his throat.

"Hey, are you okay?" Michael asks through the door. He was hoping Calum would let him in, but this would do for now.

"Oh, yeah. I'm good." Calum replies, before sniffling.

Michael sighs, "Dude, just open the door and talk to me."

There's silence on the other side, until Michael hears some shuffling and the door unlock.

Calum looks up at Michel with puffy eyes, and tear stained cheeks.

Michael frowns, not knowing what to do.

"What happened?" Michael questions, following Calum into his room.

"I told my family. My mom hates me. I know she'll get over it eventually, but she fucking hates me." Calum tells him, before his eyes fill with tears once again.

"Fuck, dude, I'm sorry." Michael sighs, not knowing what else to say.

Calum just hides his face in his pillow, "I'll be fine. I just need to cry a lot first."

"Okay, well if you want to talk more about it, I'm only a few steps away." Michael tells him, before leaving him alone.

He knew Calum just wanted to be alone and cry. He didn't want to bother him.

Calum heard the door close behind Michael as he walked out. He appreciated everything that Michael did for him, he just couldn't deal with anybody right now.

He hasn't even called Danielle about the situation, but he didn't want to. Eventually she'd hear about it.

All he wanted to do was cry. That's all he ever wanted to do now. But he'd have to get over it, and soon.

__________

thanks to the four of u that've stuck around and continue to read this I luv u