Club of Misfits [Lashton & Malum]

Chapter 5

Sleep is all Calum wanted. Most teens would love staying up late and not being tired for a long time afterwards, but it's been consuming him now. He wants to go to bed, to lay down and close his eyes then drift off for more than two hours a night at the most. But, he can't.

His mind just won't rest, he's constantly thinking or trying too hard to fall asleep. He tried everything, from warm milk to hot showers to not using technology a few hours before laying down. But, then he just stares. He stares at the walls, the clock by his bed and closes his eyes but then they open again and it's not working.

While laying down, his mind instantly would go to Michael for some reason. Wondering why he's so insecure when he said it himself that he has a good friend and Calum doesn't. Sometimes it would go to Ashton, feeling guilty for hurting his feelings and bullying him. How Ashton snapped at him for passing out in the car, but yet he gave Calum some energy gum and a shortcut home. Like he cared about Calum, but didn't want to.

It's rare, but he would also start thinking about Luke. The guy was so complex, and he was worried about the bruises he saw that day in the locker room. He couldn't stop thinking, which is weird since he can never think at school. The only time he's ever smart is at night and he hated it, because that will never be helpful in life.

That day Ashton saw him passed out, Calum tried going to sleep when he got him. Hoping he would still feel exhausted, but as soon as he laid down it didn't work. Which is why, now he's at school and exhausted while his girlfriend chatted with him, snuggling into his side at lunch while his friends were rambling about the Halloween party coming up.

His eyes started closing, his body slumping slightly and he felt like he wanted to die. He just wanted to sleep, that's all he wanted and of course he couldn't get that. He was so stressed. His dad was forcing him to work harder in track, his mum yelling at him for his grades and he wasn't able to form a nice conversation with his friends just because of his stupid insomnia that he couldn't seem to control.

Once again he kept trying to get his parents to understand. But, it's not like they would believe him and he doesn't blame them. He always lies to get away with his bad grades. One time he said he thought he was Dyslexic when he was fourteen, hoping his teacher would let it slide however he felt instantly guilty and admitted he wasn't telling the truth a week later. Since then his parents never trusted him.

Which is why he was grounded a lot. He use to sneak out all the time with his friend and Maya. She has been his girlfriend for so long now. Ever since ten and it's year twelve now. He didn't mind, she was nice and they were good together. But, he never felt that connection people talk about.

They have had sex a couple times, and it wasn't how he imagined it. He thought it was suppose to be this magical moment and he says I love you to her, but it always feels forced. She seems to mean it, and he would feel guilty about practically lying, however they were never truly together in the way most people are. They need to be together for the school, to keep everything in order. At least, that's what they tell each other to keep their place at the top of the social ladder.

"Cally," Maya's voice broke his thoughts and she pouted from where she was sat on his lap now. He didn't even remember her moving there, too caught up in his thoughts. She tilted her head, examining his face and asked in concern,"Are you alright, sugarplum? You look sick."

He mentally grimaced at the nickname,"I'm just tired."

"People say that when they're..." She trailed off, biting her lip and whispered quietly,"You're not depressed are you? You can talk to me if you want, I will listen if you need. We're dating, you can trust me no matter what honeybunches. I am your girlfriend after all."