daunt

forty one

"i don't know what to do." mali-koa said softly to her phone, her knees pulled to her chest. she probably looked a mess, but her brother looked past that, and focused on trying to make her feel better and talk things out. "i promised him, and myself, that this wouldn't happen."

"it was bound to, really." calum sighed, playing with his sister's hair like he would've done when they were younger, making small plaits.

"but why? he never kissed me or anything like that. he kissed my cheek once when we were in front of his mum, it was just for show. i couldn't help the way my stomach fluttered when he would hug me or even just play fight me." mali sniffed, spluttering into another tissue. she'd managed to go through a whole box with her tears already. "what's he going to say calum? he doesn't even like girls for fuck sake."

calum didn't reply, but kept listening. sometimes mali didn't want someone to tell her what her options were, and he respected that. he was a shoulder for her to cry on, and she adored him for that.

"i love him, calum." mali lifted her head, her eyes shining and lashes wet with tears. "i love luke hemmings."