Negative Space (Calum Hood A.U.)

Chapter 32 - Fifth Second

June's POV

"You guys are coming to my New Year's party, right?" Jackson asked, playing with the soccer ball with his feet.

Soccer practice is over, so is cheerleading practice and we're all just sitting in our apartment, watching whatever's on TV.

My sister came back out of the living room with Cassie holding two bowls of popcorn. Oh God I love saying that, 'my sister.'

Having a sister is as surreal as it can get. Don't get me wrong, Mikhaela is like a sister to me but having a real sister is much more different, and I'm happy I actually have three sisters now, Malia, Mikhaela, and Cassie.

I haven't seen Ellie, my mother supposedly, since that incident in the baby shower because I'm not yet ready to see her. I don't know if it's because I'm mad at her or upset with her or just because I don't know what to say when I see her.

Calum never brought her up which is a relief and every chance they get, Ethan and Cassie come over so they could tell me things about me and Malia that we don't remember, only good things though.

I've been dreading the day that I'd have to talk about Elliot because as far as everybody thinks, I actually remember every single episode I have, even the scariest episodes that include him.

"Depends. Booze?" Ashton asked, clicking away on his phone.

"Dude, do you even know me at all?" Jackson joked. When Malia finally sat down, he looked at her and then to me, "How are you two handling this twins thing so calmly? If I were you, I would throw hit everywhere!"

"Because they're not you." Malcolm pointed out, earning laughs from all of us. In their group, Jackson's always the person to get playfully bullied.

The news came up on TV and the next story had us all by surprise and excitement. It was a feature story about Tom being the new Spider-man.

"Wait. Tom is the new Spider-man?! That's why he left?!" Cassie exclaimed, turning the volume up.

"His name is Tom Holland, a 21-year old actor from London." The news reporter introduced Tom and showed various photos of him doing plays.

"Ooh I remember that, he played a really good Fiyero in Wicked for his finals last year." Malcolm stated.

Aww. I was wishing there'd be an interview with him but I guess it's too soon to have one. It also said in the feature that he'll be first playing Spider-man in the upcoming Captain America film next year and I can't wait for it.

I turn to Calum to see how he's reacting and to my surprise, it's like, seeing Tom doesn't concern him.

"I'm not bothered." He whispered, reading my mind. "Come on let's face it, he's my friend, too, and you're here with ME now, aren't you?" I playfully elbowed him and reached for my phone. I texted Tom.

To: Spider-Man 🕸

I saw you on the news today!! They announced you're Spiderman! So proud of youuuuu.

I kinda miss Tom. Sure, we talk through Instagram comments or Twitter but it's different actually talking to him. He's one of the closest people I have in NYU and it's sad to not see him bumping into me anymore.

From: Spider-man 🕸

They already did? Wow. It's still so surreal to me. Thanks.

I smiled at his reaction and frankly, I can imagine him saying those things, like I can hear his British voice inside my head.

To: Spider-Man 🕸