All the Beautiful Things

IV

I am astonished at how we are already over 120 reads! I published the first part 5 days ago. That is so cool! I've never had a book gain reads that quickly!

I just want to establish that this book's new theme song is "Wrapped Around Your Finger" by 5 Seconds of Summer. You don't have to listen, but I put a video above, just in case you want to :)

WARNING: Read at your own discretion. It is only in part of the chapter, not the full thing. Y'all are on Wattpad, you've probably read worse, but still.
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For days, the only thought that crossed both Everest and Calum's minds was the fact that he had laughed and seen an actual color. The sound of Everest's laughter floated through Calum's conscience, and he felt like a proud mother, being the one to make him laugh. He treasured it, and he desperately wanted to hear it again, but record it this time, so he could replay it on a loop like it was doing already in his thoughts.

Some might say Calum was obsessed with it, but could you blame him?

The brunette sat on his bed in his bedroom, staring at his black skinny jean-covered legs as he dangled them off the edge of the green comforter. Music played from his portable speaker, a little too loudly, but that was alright considering his uncle was not home. Very few opportunities were given for him to play the music, so he took them while he could. He sang along with the lyrics, organizing the scattered items that lay around on his floor.

The room he owned was not all that bad, considering the boy's uncle absolutely despised him. He had enough space to hold a full sized bed, a wooden dresser, and a small desk, along with space to move around the room. He had band posters all over his walls and string lights hung up in artfully messy fashions across the ceilings and around the single window. The walls were painted a light shade of green, and his comforter was a gray plaid pattern. He liked the way the room was arranged, it looked nice and it just looked like it would belong to him.

He was speaking on the phone, listening to the soft sound of his mother's voice from the other end. She was in prison for another four years yet, but because she was a low risk inmate, she was allowed to call Calum one day a week. It was a special treat, considering most people who had family members in prison didn't get to speak to them at all.

"So, how was that English test you were worried about?" Leighton asked her son, her voice sounding worn out and dry. This concerned the boy, who had always felt a strong connection towards his mother. "It was okay, I got a C, when I thought I would get a D. I'm proud of myself! Usually when I predict my math scores I get them right, but I was pleasantly surprised! I think I might actually be able to bring my math grade up this quarter, just like I promised you I would, Mom! If I do it, I'll mail you a copy so you can remember," He answered back happily, bouncing up and down on his bed.

Leighton laughed softly, the sound strained with pain. She felt so many regrets for the crime she committed. How she missed the sound of her son's long rambles and constant motions because he just couldn't sit still. Her heart hurt for him. She was supposed to be there, helping him with his math grades beside him instead of talking about it through the phone. "That's great, honey," she said with a smile. "How is your uncle treating you? Are you enjoying it at his house?"

Calum chuckled awkwardly and lightly scratched his lips with his thumb, the way he always did when he was lying or nervous. "Uh... Yeah... We have a lot of fun here! Um.. Yeah... So remember that one boy I was telling you about? Everest? I finally got him to see a color! I got him to laugh!" He exclaimed, abruptly switching the subject and hoping she would overlook that and just assume it was a result of his mind being too clouded over with multiple thoughts, like it usually was.