how? || 5sos fanfiction

Chapter Seventeen

Calum's POV

Rachel and I cried in the boys bathroom for what? Another hour? I don't know. We walked out of the bathroom hand in hand, eyes still red after minutes of re doing our *cough* her makeup. I saw everybody eye us suspiciously, and rolled my eyes when Layne looked at me, smiling widely, and obviously fakely. She fluttered her eyelashes, which were obviously fake, and Rachel snorted. I looked at her, and smiled weakly. She did the same back.
We ignored the curious stares from the rest of eleventh grade as we headed towards our gang. Nobody knew we were related, so they probably thought we were dating. We kept walking until I spotted Michaels pink hair. To my surprise, Ash, Luke, Mike, Dylan and Eric were all grouped up with Rachel's friends. She looked at me and raised her eyebrows, as I did the same.
Ashton was obviously flirting with Christina, winking every five seconds. Eric was making goofy faces at Alex, and she was blushing hard. Man, that girl looked like a tomato! A really hot tomato, but still a tomato! Dylan gave Noelene a peck on the cheek and she giggled, snapping a selfie with him. Michelle and Luke were flirting with each other. From where me and Rachel were standing, I could hear them.
"So Michelle, what's your favorite colour?"
"Definitely mint green!"
Miranda spoke up from behind them. She looked green with envy.
"Oh..Luke!Luke! My favorite color is orange!" Luke flushed and looked down towards his jeans. I snorted and everybody looked up.
"Cal! Rach! What's wrong? Are you guys alright?"they exclaimed, obviously taking a note of our red eyes.
"Yeah, were okay."muttered Rach, looking confusedly at me, her eyes asking why I had snorted at Luke. In my mind, I was having a laughing spasm. Luke eyed my, his eyes scary but pleading. He had a secret associated with the color orange. Only I knew. Oh, and his parents too.
Aalya's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Guys, what's wrong? You've obviously been crying, and most probably been doing it together!"
"Oh... It's nothing really.."i replied.
"It's jut that my-our mum..had a stroke...last night...and the doctors said that..." I couldn't continue. Rachel finished the sentence for me.
"She only has until tonight to live.."
Their stares were comforting and sending big sorries. my stomach suddenly felt sick. Eileen ran up to hug me, and for some reason, I just couldn't let go.

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Michaels POV

Everybody stayed silent as Eileen reached up to hug Calum. Their mum was dying? Wow, harsh man. Calum's face was solid and stiff, and I felt sorry for him, yeah, but Rachel looked like a post puppy. Her brown eyes were just so beautiful and sad, and I could easily see the tears welling up in them. I couldn't stand seeing her like this. I reached over, and pulled her into a hug. She was still, but then rested her head onto my shoulder. I could feel a tear stain on my blue shirt, and so could she. Rachel pulled away, smiling.
"Sorry about that!"
"That's okay, Rach. Are you alright?"
She sniffed and nodded. Eileen and Calum seemed to be going through a similar exchange. Out of the corner of my eye, I could still see Luke blushing beetroot red. This had all began when Miranda, who was looking enviously at Michelle, mentioned the color orange. Calum had snickered earlier, so he obviously knew. I took my iPhone out and texted Cal.
Hey mate, what's with the orange?
He heard his phone beeped and I saw him grin widely as he took in the message. I soon got a reply.
Nothing, much man. I'll tell you later.
I glared at him jokingly but unwillingly gave in.
Fine man, but you better spill.
The bell rung, and we all headed separate ways for period 5.

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Eileen's POV

"Hey Eileen!"
Miranda was calling me. I slowly stopped walking as I waited for her to catch up with Michelle, Rachel, Noelene and me.
"Hey Miranda!"
"Hey guys!"
The bell for the end of school had just rung, and we were going to Miranda's house. Aalya, Alex and Christina were walking together. Noelenes interested voice piped up from the corner.
"So, Rach. What's going on with you and Mike?"
Rachel looked down at the concrete, and embarrassment was plastered over her face.
"Nothing's going on guys!! Were just friends!"
I snickered. "Where have I heard that before?!"
"What about you and Luke?"Rachel asked to Michelle, trying to not be the one with the attention. As soon as the word 'Luke' was mentioned, I felt the tension between Miranda and Michelle. Michelle obviously had a connection with Luke, what with all that flirting and stuff, and Miranda kind of looked like the jealous one. Miranda is pretty, smart, and really funny, but I don't think Michelle wants to share.
We stayed silent for the rest of the walk to Miranda's. I couldn't get the image of Calum hugging me out of my head.