Neighbor Calum

Chapter 15

"What do you think of Michael?" Kylie asks casually as the two of us lounge around my room.

"Um, I dunno, he's Michael," I shrug.

"Okay, what do you think of me and Michael?"

I look up then, big wide grin spreading across my features. "Yeah?"

"I think. Well, maybe, I'm not sure. What do you think?" she bites her lip nervously.

"I think you two were practically made for each other."

"Really? You think?" I nod enthusiastically.

"And you think he likes me?" she asks hesitantly.

"I think so, yeah," I beam.

She nods with a small smile on her face then after a moment, "Ya know, I could say the same for you and Calum."

"Don't start," I groan.

"Oh come on! We all know it, you two were actually made for each other," she sits up, slapping at my arm.

"No, we weren't, and just because you think so doesn't change anything."

"But it's not just me is it? It's Luke and Michael and Ashton and Calum and I'm sure even you know it you're just being difficult!"

"I'm not being difficult, I'm being realistic. Me and Cal were over before we started. We tried it remember. It was like a one way ticket straight toward a moving train."

"Then why are you friends?" she air quotes.

"Because I-" and I cut yourself off because, because I missed him so much my chest felt empty and all my days feel off without him sounds like a bit much and it'll only prove her point, one I very much didn't want to believe, one that wasn't true.

"Because you what?" she raises her brows with a smug look.

"Because I want to be his friend, figured it'd be easier for everyone not having to tiptoe around each other," I shrug and almost have myself convinced.

"Or because it was easier for you, just admit it, you did it for your own benefit Kot, because you looovvvve him," she teases, making kissy faces.

"Shut up," I roll my eyes, tossing a pillow at her as I get up to find my shoes.

"You're not denying it," she points out brightly.

"I'm ignoring you because it's absolutely ridiculous, like, drunk Luke ridiculous," I say matter-of-fact.

"Okay Kota, sure."

"You know that's his-" I start before I can even think about what I'm saying and cut myself off again with the smirk on Kylie's face so proud of herself which I roll my eyes at.

"Come on then, are you coming to practice with me?" I attempt to change the subject.

"You mean your lover boy's practice," she wiggles her eyebrows.

"Okay never mind, you're not invited," I pull my jacket on.

"Too late," she springs to her feet, pulling on her shoes and following me downstairs.

Love. I don't love Calum and I'm definitely not in love with Calum. I don't even know what love is but I'm pretty sure it's not him kissing and shagging other girls and getting upset with me for no reason. It's also probably a lot more than late night cuddles and kissing and that. That's not me and Calum.

"Alright? Where are you off to?" My mom greets us from the couch.

"We're off to see her boyfriend," Kylie grins.