Diana: 4 months in the UK

(15)

Song of the chapter: This Love by Maroon 5

It has been about 6 days since the party. Things between Michael and Calum have died down a bit but I don't think Calum is ready to forgive him. I've been hanging out with Calum alot since the party and I feel like our friendship has strengthened somehow. We are back to our old selves and I'm hoping to keep it that way. I can't bear to lose him again. 

But at the same time, I have been with Michael. We have been meeting outside early in the mornings for some time alone. We wake up at about 5am and sit down on the front steps and get to know each other. I feel that the other boys would be comfortable with Michael and I being together but the only thing that stops us from announcing it is Calum. 

"I just really want to tell him. It hurts that I'm keeping something so big from him, especially since he's my best friend." I explain to Michael at 5:30am. The sky is slowly opening up to sunlight and the birds are singing their morning songs. 

"I know, babe. I want to tell him too but 1) he won't talk to me and 2) he wouldn't believe me." He wraps an arm around me for comfort. Keeping this secret from Calum is eating me up inside every day but the thought of him finding out terrifies me at the same time. I am torn between my boyfriend and my best friend. 

"Could we at least tell the other boys?" Maybe it would take some pressure off my shoulders if someone else knew. 

"We'll tell Ashton. He's the oldest and the most understanding." 

"Okay." I am in my dance pants and a singlet in the cold. Great outfit choice, Diana. 

"Hey, look at me." I look into those brown eyes that captivated me that night of the party. 

"We're going to make it through this. I promise." He grips my hand lightly. The gesture is small but means a lot to me. I nod and he leans into me. 

His lips find mine and they move in sync with his. I hold his face gently and savour the moment. We are rudely interrupted by a passing car that toots. It gives me the biggest fright in the world and my heart almost bursts out of my chest. We both laugh and go back inside. 

"Want a hot chocolate?" He offers as he walks to the cupboards. 

"That would be lovely." I reply. I go back into my room and throw on a jumper. Calum is fast asleep when I leave again. I join Michael in the kitchen where our hot chocolates are ready. 

"Thank you." I raise the cup to my mouth. The temperature is perfect and the blend of chocolate and milk satisfies me. 

"You're welcome." He bends down to give me a kiss on the cheek. "Wanna watch a movie?" We walk into the lounge and turn the TV on. Irish channels are much different to New Zealand channels. Everything is completely backwards and my brain can't function properly at quarter to six in the morning. 

"Let's watch a DVD then?" He nods and picks some movies at random. Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince is among the mix. 

"HARRY POTTER!" I exclaim but cover my mouth quickly, remembering that there are 4 other teenage boys in the house and would get extremely menstrual about waking up early. I am thankful that Michael wakes up early for me, even though he loves his sleep. 

"Okay, okay." He gets the DVD ready while I find some blankets. I grab two big, fluffy ones and wait for the movie to start. The movie starts and I end up drifting off into a soft snooze. 

"A MOVIE?! AND IT'S HARRY POTTER. YOU DIDN'T BOTHER TO TELL ME!" A booming voice awakens me. Ashton. 

"Sorry, you were asleep." Michael replies. Ashton runs over and squeezes in between Michael and I. We exchange an awkward look but return to the movie. Ashton and I converse about the books and our thoughts/opinions on each character. I'm sure Michael got sick of us chatting because he fell asleep.