Negative Space (Calum Hood A.U.)

Chapter 1 - Ice Cream Solves Everything

Calum's POV

"Calum, I'm adopted."

Well shit. I knew something like this happened but it still took me by surprise.

She cried a bit more as I put my hand on her head to soothe her.

"There's no point in being mad at him. June, he raised you. I know you're upset but-"

"I'm not mad at him. I'm mad at myself, because even though I'm technically not his blood, he was so good to me, he raised me, he gave me education, he provided me food and shelter, Cal. I didn't deserve any of those! I lied to him, dozen times! I was the worst daughter ever." She answered. 

I turned her around so she would look at me, "Listen, June, you were the best daughter he could ever have. Just like you said, you may not be his blood, but he loved you, and will always love you. You're his daughter."

She shook her head stubbornly, "I'm not my father's daughter."

I sighed and hugged her as she sobs uncontrollably, "You are his daughter. Remember that. Come on, it's getting colder in here."

I stood up from where I was sitting on the porch and offered my hand to her. She took it and let me pull her inside the apartment.

She sat on the couch, taking a throw pillow with her and hugging it. "I'd have to call them and tell them you're okay, then I'll drive you back to my parents' house."

"Can I stay here instead? I freaked out in front of my dad and I-" 

"Yeah, you can sleep in my room." I walked over to her and kissed her head before exiting to the kitchen.

I heard the television open as I prepare hot chocolate for June. 

I picked my phone up and called Luke. He answered just as quickly, "Did you find her?! We're dying out here."

"Yeah, found her, she's with me. Please tell everybody not to worry and uh that she's staying here for the night." I told Luke and I heard him sigh out of relief. I hung up and continued making those hot chocos.

When I walked back out, holding two mugs, June already has a blanket around her and searching through Netflix.

"Where did you get that blanket?" I sat down beside her and she answered, "Your room." She took one of the mugs from my hand and clicked, 'Tangled' on Netflix.

"Tangled, really?" I chuckled, settling myself beside her, sipping through my cup.

"What? I haven't fully watched it, then next we'll watch 'The Little Mermaid' how bow dah?" Did she seriously say, 'how bow dah'?

I chuckled and shook my head at her childishness but went on with it anyway.

"There's also ice cream in my fridge." June stood up only a second after I said that. She loves ice cream too much, she'll eat it even in this cold night.

Halfway through the movie and June gushing over Flynn Rider, she spoke, "Cal?" I hummed in response and she continued, "Did you know?"

I turned to look at her but her eyes were situated on the television. "Did I know what?"

"That I'm adopted." I knew she would ask that but there's no point in lying now is there?

I sighed and answered honestly, "For a while now but I wasn't sure then, now I am. I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay, you said you weren't sure. I believe you."

After that, we were silent for a moment until she spoke again, "Why do you think my real parents left me?" For one, your father died, in which he deserved, two, I don't know why her mom did.