After All • Calum Hood (Sequel to ISTTY)

45

Days went by with the same absurd monotony, the only fun thing my days had was Wyatt's spontaneity and Mali coming over with any weird, wicked plan. I use to talk with Calum through FaceTime daily, but some days the conversation weren't too long either because he was tired or because he was heading out. There's just one week left to go to New Zealand, everything's already planned, we're
just waiting for the countdown to end.

Today, I decided to do something "different" so I drove to my parent's house, again, without letting them know I was heading there. When I knocked the door my mom opened it up for me

—Mm, come in -she says harshly, without even looking at her nor answering, I walk past her- oh and Madeleine? -I turn around to see her- I hope you're happy

—Happy because...?

—You convinced your father to do that stupid trip to New Zelanda, I hope he's okay during te trip because if something happens to him, how are you managing to move on with your life when you were the one so attached to those plans? -an ironic smirk is formed on her lips now, I feel my blood begin to boil. How can a person be so grown up yet so immature?-

—Annie, you know what? Fuck you -I spit out, turning my back on her, hearing her gasp-

—How dare you? -I turn around to face her again, her hand was resting on her chest-

—How dare you to talk to me like that? As if I don't care about my father at all, I can assure you that the purest love he's ever had is mine, I can assure you my love is sincere, unlike yours. So quit trying to punish me for the situations we go through -I point her daringly with my index finger- do you realise all my dad wanted was to have a "family trip" along with Wyatt and I? I bet you don't because you never look at the bigger picture

—Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?

—I'm not feeling superior, but you want to know why I talk to you like that? Because I'm not your teenage daughter who you could manipulate however you'd like to, Annie

—Annie? I'm your mother!

—Then act like it! -I say clearly mad, leaving her there-

Once I go inside my parent's bedroom, I find him there, crying... Seeing him like that made my heart shatter to pieces, feeling like I'm letting him down because says ago, he told me to fix our problems

—Daddy... -I bashfully say-

—Madeleine, I'm not in the mood right now... Please, I don't want to -I quickly shake my head like a little girl-

I put Wyatt on his bed, close to him, my son starts to babble and laugh, trying to caught my dad's attention. He looks at the baby and smiles, taking him in his arms, I let out a sigh

—I'll be right back, I'll go talk my mum -I inform him, he nods-

I couldn't let my dad to be this sad, even though I actually don't want to talk to my mum due to the mean things she said, the least I need right now is for my dad to feel insecure, I don't want him to feel like he's the reason why my mum and I fought. I close the door behind me, trying to find the right words to make my mother swallow her pride. I make my way downstairs and I find her pouring herself scotch... Scotch? Oh well

—Can we talk? -I ask her, making her jump a little and spill some scotch on the crystal table-

—Mhm -she says without looking my way, trying to find something to clean the little mess she accidentally made-

When she returns, she grabs the scotch glass and swallows it all at once, puts the glass on the table and looks at me with both hands on her face waist

—Then?

I'm going to need so much patience with this woman...

—Can we stop fighting already? Let's fix everything, my dad's having a rough time because of us and I don't want to see him like that

—But you do want him to take an unsafe trip for -I cut her off-

—Why can't you just accept the fact that my dad was the one who wanted to travel? He had the idea, and all because we've never traveled all together before, because he's never seen Calum on concert before, because Wyatt hasn't seen his dad on concert before. Leave your ego aside, if I would've wanted to ask my dad for a trip, I would've done it already -I raise my voice a little- you know that if I asked him to get me the world, he'd do it and I still haven't done that, as you can see Calum and I managed to live a good life throughout the years I was left behind by the two of you.

My mum just stares at me, leaving a long sigh out

—Madeleine, I just don't want your dad to get worse. I'm stressed out m, I feel like I'm trapped in this house with him waiting for his time to come -her voice cracks- right now I just—I want to get drunk and cry until I'm dehydrated -tears begin to appear on her eyes and my heart sinks a little, after all, she's my mother- he's just the love of my life, I understand he's your dad, I understand you love him, but I love him differently that you do. He's the one that made me fall in love, he's the one that made me woman and mother, the only man I've ever loved. That's why I feel like I'm submerged in sadness, I want him to live longer, I'm staying alone

To this point, my mother is crying so bad

—You won't stay alone -I assure her- you have a daughter, a grandson, my family is your family as well and whenever you feel lonely or sad, Calum and I will be pleased to receive you

~

Calum's p.o.v

Shots before every concert to calm down the shots of adrenaline that makes us feel playing in front of so many people

—And what are we doing after-show? -Sierra asks-

—I have different plans for us -Luke answer with a smirk, making us feel... disgusted-

—You can save the details, we don't need to know when are you guys having sex -Michael says making Sierra blush-

—I want to sleep tonight, I need to rest -I admit-

—No! -Ashton shouts euphoric, I roll my eyes- we need to do something

—We went out last night, today I want to lay down to rest and talk to my girlfriend and son -I say seriously but everyone laughs, I furrow my face in confusion- what? I'm a family man -I joke-

—I feel like we lost you -Ash says-

—A long time ago mate -I giggle-

———
I understand if you want to kill me because I spent way too much time without adding another chapter and for that I'm really sorry, I promise I won't ghost you guys again❤️

P.S, what are you thoughts on Easier? I've been playing it on repeat since it came out. And please, let's not talk about Calum there 'cause I might die a little -too much-