team free will • 5sos au

Chapter 3

Electra’s multiple unanswered texts and phone calls were the reason for her to take a visit at my place at 9am. It really messed me up, that girl didn’t have a clue for manners! Who drops by someone’s home that early?! I almost got a heart attack when I heard the doorbell ringing during my sleep, me jiggling from the coziness of my pillow, almost falling over the bed. I gave myself a massive facepalm after I had checked the time on my phone, tossing the blanket off of me, running down to open up the door, to find an angry Electra with her phone in her hands, tapping her foot on the ground. I guess the tapping thingy was a tick of hers, whenever she was nervous.

“Goodmorning, why so early?” I squinted one eye, smiling somehow, muffling one yawn.
“Why weren’t you answering my texts and calls? Do you know how terrified I got?” She threw her arms up in surrender, walking fast inside of my house, so we wouldn’t wake up the whole neighbourhood.
“I was not in the mood to check my phone?!” It was more of a question than an actual excuse.
“Why, what happened?” She sat down at the sofa, placing her phone on the lounge table.
“Nothing, I was a bit under the weather these days. I got out for a walk, Ι listened to some music, I went to the supermarket so I wouldn’t starve to death, pretty cool I can say.” She gave me a deathly glare.
“Was that really a reason not to check your phone?” She was right, and I recognized that, but I didn’t know what to say to defend myself, I was out of excuses anymore, especially when it came to her. “I’m glad you can’t answer.” She laughed to herself.
“Okay, I admit it, I was really mad at that Michael prick.” I raised my hands in the air, grabbing the back of my neck, awkwardly.
“Why? What did he do?” She really had no clue, that was clear.
“Well, he put his lips on my ear, then his hand on my hip and asked me to dance with him.”
“And why is that inappropriate?” She acted like it was the most normal thing! Whoa!
“Girl, I had just met him and he freaking dared to touch my hips! Who did he think he is?!” I was talking in a high pitched voice, which I realized after I finished my sentence, as I tried to calm down.
“He just touched your hips, it’s not like he grabbed your ass or something, he just wanted to dance with you! Why all this overreaction?” I finally sat on the armchair, folding my legs together. I scolded myself for a second because part of me was sure he didn’t have these intentions, but I was not an easily-trusting person.
“He put his loathsome mouth on my ear! And he whispered seductively to me! If he wasn’t planning to fuck me, I don’t know what else he would like to do…” I rested my head on my fist, looking at the wooden floor and the lines that were made.
“You’re being very harsh with him, I still believe you’re exaggerate over nothing.” She frowned.
“Over nothing? Okay, conversation’s over. We won’t agree at any point anyway.” I stood up, walking to the kitchen in order to make some coffee.
“Look how fast you learnt to make a coffee!” She clapped her hands, squealing.
“Excited much?” I quipped.
“You’re being mean, you know that?” She smiled, as she knew I was just joking. I would never really be mean to her. “Can I ask you something a bit snooper?” I nodded a ‘yes’.
“When me and Ashton got tired of dancing and came back at your spot, we found you, with Calum’s head buried in your neck. What’s that supposed to mean?” She seemed troubled, but I couldn’t find out why.
“We were talking about something, he got emotional, as he was tipsy, and we ended up hugging and he buried his face in my neck to wipe his tears away, not to ruin his masculinity, by wiping them away with his hands.” I explained, my heart beating fast for no reason. I mean, that what had happened, and I was telling the truth, why was I squirming that much?
“Yeah, sure.” She razzed me.
“I’m telling the truth!” I shouted, more than I should have.
“C’mon Persie, you like Calum and that’s why you got mad at Michael for touching you! Be honest with me, at least!” She started tapping her foot again, as I set my cup on the table hard; fortunately it didn’t break. I became disgruntled, because a thing I hated most, is being called crooked. I raised my hand up on her face, pointing at her.
“Listen here, there’s not a single person on this planet who ventures calling Persephone dishonest or a liar. Capito?” She gripped my finger, taking it away from her face; I was being rude at that moment, but I was out of my mind.
“Can you relax? I’m just kidding! But you like Calum, right?”
“Why do I have to like Calum?” I sighed.
“Because you have a great relationship with him!”
“Well, that doesn’t mean I have to necessarily like him, or him like me back. I can’t understand this logic.” I was confused.
“You two would be cute together!” She slyly smiled.
“Shut up, you. I don’t like him that way, end of story.” I wanted to end this talk, ‘cause I really had started to feel uncomfortable. Not because I didn’t like Calum, of course I liked him, it’s just being accused for actual liking him made me nervous.
“And who do you like, then?” She was really cheeky and it was just 9.45am.
“I don’t like anyone, go home and get yourself some sleep.” I stood up, walking to the kitchen and drinking my whole coffee drink within seconds. “Besides, I want to talk a walk alone, okay?” I got the puppy eyes, pouting my lips in order to persuade her. She rolled her eyes, letting her arms fall at her sides.
“Fine, I’m gonna go home, besides, I gotta go to the library as well.” She marched at the front door, me following her barefoot.
“What are you doing at the library?” I asked.
“Remember the L.H. guy’s letters I was telling you about? I searched it up on the internet and he’s a poet, a Medieval one, but unfortunately there are no portraiture of him. So I’m going to look him up a little bit more.” She opened the door, stepping outside.
“Tell me if you find anything about the guy, okay? And bring me one of his poems, I want to read one of them!” I came closer to her, taking her in for a hug. My second hug was given to Electra. Another good start.


***

Ι was at the local park, wandering around among the trees and some benches. I was mad at myself for berating Electra; She is my best friend at it wasn’t right threatening her or whatever just because I was easily offended. But from the other hand, I didn’t like being called things I’m not. I know myself, and the feelings I harbor for Calum are not at all amorously. Well, he is extremely charming, and he is gentle with me, but I wouldn’t do anything with him. Maybe he’s not the ‘one’ for me. Maybe some people should just stay friends. But it would be fine by me if Electra volunteered! The way he was looking at her when we picked her up was something different. He had a different kind of sparkle in his eyes. Electra didn’t feel the same way though, I would have seen that. I hope he’s not in love with her or anything, it would be terrible if he liked her and she just turned him down. I had seen Calum - almost - crying and getting heartbroken and it was not my thing, really. And I’m that good at comforting people.


Another thing that kept me busy was the incident at the bar. I didn’t have that many drinks to imagine stuff, I was damn sure that what I saw was Ashton’s eyes being complete pitch black! I even blinked a few times to make sure I wasn’t daydreaming, but I am sure of what I saw. He was really nice with us, and he danced with Electra to make her feel better; it was obvious to everyone she was squirmy. He was also much of source of happiness, he was really smiley and jovial and friendly. Probably the only friend of Calum’s that I sympathized.

Οnly thing that I could think about though was that Michael guy. Yes, I hated him and his bad flirty manners towards me, and his whole existence, but there was something on him that I couldn’t get off of my mind: his eyes. He may was my natural enemy, but these eyes fucked me over, me and my whole brain system. They were illuminated by the dim neon lights of the club and some lighted candles and they looked diamond green. The most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. I shook my head, trying to get rid of the thoughts which were clouding my mind. He was really pretty, but rude.

“Hey, slapping girl.” I voice called me out. I turned to look at the unfamiliar voice, but they had already wrapped their arm around my neck. I glanced up, only to see that douchebag next to me again. I slipped away from his little embrace, walking five steps backwards. What did he want from me?
“Go away, asshole.” I starting marching to the driveway, as fast as I could move.
“That’s a not nice way to talk to people, you know.” He said, enraging me even more. I stopped, spinning around to look at him, but we were face to face. Not efficient for me, huh?
“I don’t like you, okay? Do you want me to slap you even harder than that night?” Fortunately, he was wearing sunglasses and I couldn’t see his eyes, but I could notice my cheeks flushing red.
“Awe, you’re blushing! So cute.” He complimented me, sarcastically.
“Listen here, if you don’t fend off of me, I’m gonna hit you right in your fucking barely-existing manhood, get it?” Suddenly, his right hand cupped my cheek and brought our heads near to each other, our lips crashing. What the actual fuck?! I pushed him away, completely out of myself, my fist finding his nose. Yeah, I did punch him, which at first pleased me and I felt really proud, but when he got this ferocious face on and I gasped as he growled at me, and ran. I hopped a few times, rampaging to an old building that I assumed was the hospital we were kept in. I got in a strait between the hospital and another large apartment , running there as quick as I was able to, but… dead end. There were two options; I would either stay there and die, or climb up the wire mesh, which was confoundedly tall and there was not a slight chance I would escape. I had accepted my faith. He stood still about 3 meters away from me, which calmed down at the beginning, until he walked towards me again. I gripped on the wire, my breathing unstable and furious. He pushed his body onto mine, both of his indexes sliding up the glasses. It’s like he knew my sensitive spot. I hold my breath, his fingers brushing my jawline, then me exhaling keenly. Weird thing, his nose was not bleeding anymore and the blood stains were gone. I tried to focus on something else but not his eyes, but, damn, they were worth looking at. I shut them close, turning my head left and right so he would stop touching my face.
“Easy, easy…” He hummed, against my ear. I gripped the wires tighter, trying not to have a panic attack or something. “I’m not going to hurt you. Unless you want me to.” He winked at me, as I gasped.
“You’re such a pervert! Let me go!” I yelled, as his palm hovered over my mouth, and covered it, but I bit it and he hissed, shaking the pain away.
“You have a hell of a dirty mouth, girl” I made an attempt to move, but his pressed his body on mine more, and I swear I felt a freaking bulge against my crotch.
“Leave me alone, I said!” I quaked, trying to hold my tears back. I wanted to cry, but I didn’t want to show him weakness.
“I’m not playing by your rules, sweetheart.” Did he just fucking call me sweetheart?
“I’m gonna tell Calum, and I swear to God, he will kick your ass!” I snarled in his face.
“He will do nothing to me, I’m his best friend. If it wasn’t for me, he would probably have died at a gas station!” He growled to me.
“What?” My tone calmed down, my emotions changing.
“He didn’t tell you about his savior? That’s sad, I expected to be the hero of the story.” He made a pout face.
“You’re not a hero, you’re a friend, for Christ’s sake, that’s what friends are supposed to do!” I shouted at him. He loosed his position, but his hands gripped the wire, at the height of my head, his legs a bit farther from me.
“I rescued him and I got no credit! That’s unfair. However, I was the one to randomly find him fallen next to gas station, swimming in a blood pool. I put him in the car and drove all the way to the hospital to give him first aid or whatever needed. He was alone, and as I’m older than him, I could make them let him leave. He has no parents, no brothers or sisters, only me. And after he left the hospital, he came to my place, and, at start, it was a bit difficult to handle, ‘cause he didn’t remember who I was, but then it was just fine.” Why Calum hadn’t mentioned any of these to me? He had told me that he had no one.
“Don’t worry, he didn’t lie to you. No chick-flick moments please. He didn’t know he was staying with me, it’s justifiable. He wouldn’t lie to you, anyway. He came home and he couldn’t stop talking about you and the other amnesia girl, Electra.” It was more relaxing now. “And before you ask; no, I have no intention to kill you. I like you.” He winked at me, and I made a disgusted face.
“I don’t.” I exclaimed.
“I know, but I’m working on that.” He smiled, biting his lip. He definitely knew how to make a girl be attracted to him.
“You’re doing the wrong way, you don’t win a girl’s heart like that.” I scowled.
“It’s not? Shame, it works on other girls.” He pulled back, letting me free, finally.
“I’m not a whore. Neither is Electra, for future references.” I roamed to get out of the strait, him following me.
“I had a girlfriend, actually, and it worked on her.” He denoted, as if I cared.
“You did? That’s a new thing.” I spoofed.
“Don’t be mean to me, I loved her!” He stated.
“And it seems you got really hurt. Flirting with me was a sign of your after-love depression.” I derided, rolling my eyes.
“People have to move on, you know. We can’t stay stuck on certain people or situations forever. But, really, I loved her.” His voice got unwell, along with his mood.
“No chick-flick moments, please.” I mimicked his phrase from before.
“You’re a keeper.” He smirked.
“In what way?” I raised an eyebrow.
“In a friendly way.” He answered.
“For how long had you been together? With your girlfriend, I mean.” I questioned him, just for the sake of his, to make him recall nice memories, unlike me.
“Lots of years.”
“Wait, how old are you?” What did he mean by ‘years’? Was he a vampire or something?
“I’m 19, but by saying ‘years’ I mean that we knew and liked each other for a long time, but never admitted. When I was 16 I asked her out and we kissed and it happened.” He had a genuine smile plastered on his face, which made me grin secretely.
“And why did you break up?” I queried again.
“She... She had to go.” His smile faded away, and I felt my stomach knotting.
“She… died?” I stuttered.
“No, she just left. And she forgot about me, just like it never happened.” His lips formed in a strict line.
“That’s sorrowful… I’m sorry.” I really was. How could you forget a person like him? He wasn’t a bad guy, a hoodlum, a bad soul. He was just hurt. Forgotten.
“You don’t have to pity me, I’m perfect. I miss her sometimes, but it’s fine. I guess she’ll move on with her life, like I do.” We reached the swings, as we sat to near ones.
“Have you found that ‘move on’ yet?” I stared at his eyelashes, which were longer than mine, as he drew circles with his shoes.
“No, I don’t think I ever will.” He tipped up his shoulders, he grinned bitterly.
“Don’t say that, you’re only 18, you’ll find the love of your life sooner or later, no need to worry.” I praised him.
“She was my getaway, I considered her my love of my life. I can’t do this with any other girl right now. It’s unbelievable how she’d forgotten me, deleted me out of her life forever.”
“You know what? You don’t need her, you’ll find someone who’s gonna love you even more than her, and you’ll get the kind of love and compassion you deserve.” I was being really emotional at that moment.
“It’s not that easy… It’s kinda complicated, you wouldn’t understand even if I explained you.” He insisted. She was probably bipolar.
“Are you sure?” I interrogated.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore, I’m sorry.”
“Okay, okay. Do you want to get some ice-cream?” I suggested, excitedly.
“My treat, because I didn’t kill you!” I rolled my eyes at him, chuckling.
“Whatever!” I murmured.


***

I was at my place, sitting on my laptop, when my phone rang. It was Electra.

“Hello, girl! All alright?” I spoke.
“You went out with Michael?! I thought you hated each other!” She screeched.
“I still do. I just play good. He hasn’t convinced me yet about his character. How did your research go? Did you find anything?” I asked, swiftly changing subject.
“Yes! So apparently, L.H. stands for Luke Hemmings; he was a famous Medieval poet, but there are no pictures or self-portraits. It’s said his wife got pregnant, but when she was about to give birth, she was crying a lot and died of pain. It’s also said one of his descendants moved here in Australia for a better job and as we speaking, there’s a Luke Hemmings guy, nearly our age.” Too much information.
“Maybe you used to date his son before the accident.” I occurred.
“No, they are just a bunch of old manuscripts, ripped, slightly burnt and decayed. I assume I was collector.” She was speaking really fast and it was really late for that shit.
“That’s interesting…” I said.
“Any news from you?” She asked.
“Calum told Michael to tell me that I’m English.” Pause. Yes, Calum had learnt that I was English, and I moved here with my parents before they died.
“Your accent’s not really different than mine.” She said in surprise.
“Who told you you’re an Aussie?” I laughed. Yes, she was English too.
“What? Are you kidding me?” She briskly spoke.
“Nope, not at all. You should have understood this from Ashton’s accent. He’s really Australian.” For some reason, Calum’s and Michael’s accents were not that much Aussie, but they were Aussies. Strange things happen.
“Ugh that was new…” She mocked.
“Yeah it took me by surprised too, but it’s not that bad, though.” I encouraged her. I didn’t mind being English.
“I gotta hang up, I need a drink. Goodnight.” And she hung up. She was really shocked. When Michael told me, I was staring at him for about two minutes straight, without blinking, not even once.

Although I was being nice to Michael and despite the fact I accepted the ice cream treat, I felt like I couldn’t trust him. His love story was sad. It really hit me that she never called or texted back. It was unfair to leave someone hanging on the edge like that. But I couldn’t be sure of what had happened, he said it was complicated and unexplainable. He is really chatty and friendly when he wants to. But something holds me back, and I gotta figure it out, because I really need some more friends that I can trust, and Calum was the only person who I could blindfolded put my trust on. I needed people like him. I needed them.