Negative Space (Calum Hood A.U.)

Chapter 6 - I Want the Labels Back

Calum's POV

I couldn't sleep last night. I kept on tossing and turning because my mind was filled with what Luke said. 

'It's Maya. She's the suspected arsonist.'

Why would she plan on burning the house down. Although Luke didn't have any physical evidence that Maya was indeed behind the incident, he heard her say it.

Maybe she didn't go through with it?

But why the hell would there be fire? Was it only a coincidence? Or did she really burn it down?

However, with what June was showing with her dreams, she seemed scared about the fire, maybe she really didn't go through with it. I'll settle on that for now until I find concrete evidence or a confession.

How will I fucking get a confession if she doesn't remember anything?! 

Ugh.

Today's the day we're flying to New York and our flight's this noon. June and I already had most of our luggages shipped ahead, as to avoid bringing too much from the airport. We only have with us a few bags with the most important things like money, cards, food for June, and such.

I got out of bed and took a shower. Mom told me to drop by their house for breakfast so I didn't bother ordering food.

--

I parked my car in front of my parents' house, my luggages are already in the trunk, unfortunately, I cannot bring my car to New York as well so I made sure to reserve a car rental. I know Luke did, too. Calling an Uber everytime we have to go somwhere is more expensive.

When I got inside, everyone's already seated at the dining table. "Oh, Calum, you're here. Come sit." Mom called, a crack in her voice obviously present.

I slowly sat beside June and looked at my mom weirdly, "Mom, are you okay?" That was when she started crying. Wait, why is she crying?

"I'm sorry, it's just, this will be the last meal we'll all share before you guys go and be adults." She fans her eyes with her hands while she was still tearing up.

I thought last night's dinner was the last meal but Mom required all of us to be here for breakfast.

Dad side-hugged mom, "Honey, don't cry, they'll be back for Thanksgiving. Right, guys?" June and I both nodded and I chuckled at how mom overreacted.

"I know, but it's just, they grow up so fast, it was like it's only the other day that I gave birth to Calum and yesterday that June moved in with us." She cried a lot more. Why do moms get emotional? No, why do women get so freaking emotional?

Okay, that was a little sexist.

"Joy, I'm sure they'll be okay as long as they sleep in separate rooms." I choked on my food when Uncle Frank said that. June handed me a glass of water and I drank it before thanking her.

"Of course, Uncle Frank, uh, there are three rooms in the apartment." He and I never talked about June's past ever since we fought about it that time. It's like it never happened.

"Good." I awkwardly smiled and continued eating breakfast.

--

"Hey, man." Luke greeted us when we arrived. His parents are here with him so do are June and mine.

Unfortunately, Luke had to change flights because a spot opened on another flight which lands on the closest airport from Cornell, which also leaves the same as our plane.

"Look, Cal, about yesterday-"

"Let's not talk about that. Let's pause on that for a while and be normal university students." I told Luke and he nodded in understanding. I knew he regretted keeping that from me but he's right, that totally changed what I think about Maya, moreover, of June.