Carry On. || Calum Hood

vii.

(A/N: ohohO, no Cal in this chap, friends ;))

Ara

"So we're taking the long way home," I hummed softly to the tune playing from my (new) phone, facing the mirror of my (own) dressing room as i put my hair up into a ponytail. "Cause i don't wanna be wasting my time alone.."

After the guys had gotten off their initial high of the VIP show, they only had a few to cool down before prepping for meet-and-greets, so i reassured them all (well, at least Michael) I'd be out of their hair for the remainder of the pre-concert. Calum, being his pouty self, was already out of my sight before i could continue to tell them good luck. Luke gave me a half-attentive nod from his phone screen, while Ashton happily thanked me and gave me a quick hug. Michael, on the other hand, offered to walk me to my dressing room, disregarding my polite protests that he needed time to relax himself:

"Don't you have to be in the room to take our meet-and-greet pics? Because, you're our, you know.. photographer?" Michael asked
me, tilting his head at me like a puppy. I smiled, the image of a shaggy dog with bright green hair running through my mind. "Jack said he has an assistant that'll do stuff like that for me until i've settled in." He made a noise of recognition, nodding while we continued to walk down the slightly busy corridor. As we approached the dressing room labeled "Michael Clifford" (with the 'rd' crossed out and 'conda' written beside it in red sharpie), he switched to walk next to my left side and crouched down a little, throwing his arm around we my shoulder once more. "Let's see if I can make it past-" "Michael!" a voice called, the face of a woman in her thirties popping out from the door of his dressing room. "We've gotta get you in some new clothes and makeup now, buddy!" "Damn it," he whined, standing to his full height as i twisted to face him, my hands up on his shoulders. He turned his head to the woman, who had already disappeared back behind the door, "I wanted to hang out with this super cool girl who-" "Isn't going to let you be late for multiple fans? Who also probably paid a lot of money to get to know you? You're so right," i told him, nodding my head up and down. "That's your cue, buddy." "What is it with women interrupting me today?" he asked incredulously, attempting to be sly as his hands found their way to my waist. I patted my hands on his shoulders, separating from him, "Good luck! I'll see you soon." "I'm counting on it!" I heard him say as i began to look for my room.

-

Until the guys were done meeting and greeting, I decided to begin my secret search through the archives of Five Seconds of Summer, starting with their first full album. I had to admit, i laughed at the idea that people back at home would even compare these (at the time) adolescent boys to 'punk rock' bands like Green Day. Although the music gave me more pop-like vibes, I couldn't deny this album had some catchy tunes and lyrics that would easily make a normal teen girl swoon. I encountered songs about underwear, some good (but bad) girls, legality, unsaid words, and missing your significant other. Cute. Sad, but cute.

"We're taking the long way home, tonight.." I began to sang, exploring around the room and finding a mini-fridge. Satisfied, i crouched down and opened its door before looking around for a water. "I love that song," a voice surprised me from the door, stepping in as i screamed and fell back flat on my butt. "Oh, sorry! didn't mean to scare ya," she laughed, and I graciously accepted her hand to help myself back to my feet. This is embarrassing. "Don't worry about it! You're fine," I said awkwardly, finally turning to get a good look at her. Black combat boots with some heel, ripped skinny jeans, short-sleeve crop baseball tee (with or without a bra, it's not my place to focus on), short curly hair, and some pretty well-done makeup. "Sorry, I haven't met many people here yet.. what's your name?" I tried to sound nonchalant, but my confidence faltered a little at her tomboy-ish and outgoing presence. First girl i meet and she probably already thinks i'm weird.. great. "I'm Nia," she introduced herself, holding out her hand (again) for me to shake. "I'm Ara," I smiled back, returning the favor. "Yeah, i've heard! Nice name, by the way. I was just walking by when I saw you and thought I should say hi; I'm a part of the guys' opening act." "Oh yeah! Jack told me about your band.. 'Hey Violet'?" she nodded as I let out an 'I see'. We stood there in an awkward silence for a little bit, and i almost slapped myself out of humiliation before she started, "so, how are you liking everything so far? the guys? the tour?" "oh, it's pretty cool!" i began. "seems like they really love what they do, too. Michael is super flirty, but he seems like a nice guy. Ashton is kind, and giggles, which i think is pretty awesome. Luke seemed out of it at first but we've got a cool mutual friendship going on. And Calum, well, i don't know.. he's growing on me, but seems super moody."

"Oh, yeah.. Calum," she trailed off, laughing a little nervously before looking around the room. "Oh, sorry, is he a touchy subject?" I hesitated, silently praying i didn't tick her off just after meeting her. "Oh, no no, it's nothing really. We tried a relationship a few weeks ago, but it didn't work.." she frowned, clearly still affected by it. "I think we've always liked the idea of each other and having something with one another, but actually testing it out.. I don't know what happened. It's different. But we're definitely still attracted to each other.." "Totally understandable," I tried to console, preventing her from starting to ramble and reveal something unnecessary to someone she just met. Now i definitely shouldn't focus on Calum's moodiness. "Well, you have a pretty sick tour ahead of you! I bet you and your band are psyched." That got her out of her funk, a smile reaching her face before she replied, "yeah, definitely! I'm so ready for it."

"Ready for what?" Michael's familiar call questioned from my dressing room door. "Just ready for the-" "date that you're gonna ask her on soon, Mikey!" Nia cut me off, shooting me a wink as my head whipped to look at her, eyes wide in disbelief. "I'll see you soon," she teased, squeezing my shoulder with my hand before leaving the room. Michael took a step into the room with his arms crossed, smirking at me while put my hands on my hips, "we weren't talking about you, if that's what you're thinking." "Doesn't matter. Looks like i need to take you on a date soon, babe."

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A/N: 2018. Woah. AND I haven't posted in almost a year maybe? I am the worst author ever and i'm SO SO sorry- a million 'sorry's couldn't express it enough. I'm so thankful to have received so much support on Spotted and Carry On, and I promise to try and be more active for you all (But still.. What am I..)
ANYWAYS!! I have been struck with a new will to write (paralleling my re-obsession with 5SOS atm) and will be using my last week of winter break to (hopefully) provide new content in (hopefully) all of my stories :-) If you have the mercy to like and comment please do so, it'll be extra motivating for me LMAO. Let me know how your New Year's Eve/Day has been! Until then, enjoy your whatever-time-of-day it is right now, loves <3

-M

P.S. If i get any content wrong whatsoever you have the right to call me out and be a h8ter today HAHA bc i need to catch myself up on literally everything in life