... and it all started with a tattoo (COMPLETED)

You poor, delusional boy...

We arrived at the arena 10 minutes late for their soundcheck, but no one cared because we were all pumped. The guys were bouncing off the wall, psyching themselves up for a two-hour gig, while Annalea and Lauren practised their elbowing twelve-year-olds-in-the-face techniques.

What can we say? They're that desperate to be at the front, they'd probably murder anyone that got in their way. I'm just glad that we're on their side, otherwise, it could have got messy.

Luke opened a drawer on the side of the bus and took out five lanyards with 'VIP' written on them. "Here you go!", he chirped while he handed each of us one. "If you want, this will let you backstage. But also you can go straight into the arena and these will let you bypass security and go straight to the front of the mosh pit."

I wanted to just get our places and chill but, of course, the girls wanted to go backstage and run around like nutters. I looked at Ash and Luke pleadingly, and they must have understood because Ash said, "Go take a break. We got this."

I couldn't help but beam. Ash understood my need for a bit of peace, I think it's because he has siblings of his own, which immediately earned him brownie points in my good book. I mouthed a 'Thank you!', then told the girls to run ahead, I'd be there in a minute, I just want to talk to Calum for a second.

While the others ran, skipped and jumped ahead, Calum went over to a set of sofas in the reception of the backstage area. He relaxed, slouched into the sofa and patted the bit right next to him.

It's obvious that he wants to get up close and personal, but he doesn't know what you're going to say to him... Do you know what you're going to say to him? No? Things just got newsworthy.

I couldn't help noticing that Calum was smirking, which just pissed me off. I mean, he looked like he knew exactly what I was going to say, and looked forward to finally getting his girl. He barely knew me but he already apparently could read my mind.

BASTARD!

When I tried to sit as far away from him as possible on the same sofa, he realized something was wrong, so he took my hand in his and asked, "What's up?"

"Calum... Did the guys tell you anything that I said to them on the phone the day they arranged the meetup?"

"Yeah. They told me that they'd rung you up to get your number and talk to you, then they joked around about... The way I'd describe you." At least he was admitting it, that was quite refreshing. "They told me you were really modest and you denied everything." He was blushing now, his face a bright shade of red.

So this is the shy, vulnerable side of Calum Hood. Why can't we see this side more often? Why does he have to act like an asshole whenever we're near?

"Was that all?"

"Well, yeah. Why, was there something they didn't tell me?" You could see his face cloud over with dread and confusion. He really didn't want to hear what I had to say, just in case it was bad. "Well, there's something you need to know that they didn't tell you and you're not gonna like it... Calum, you're a GREAT guy and you'll make someone a great boyfriend but that girl's not me because I don't like you that way."

His face screwed up with disbelief and he turned away, refusing to look at me.

Shit! He doesn't believe you! 

"No, they didn't tell me that... But they would've- they wouldn't leave me hanging like that. Something's happened, hasn't it? One of the guys said something, didn't they? You DID like me until they said something- please don't interrupt me -they said something, and now you're holding back your feelings. Well, I'll prove myself to you- please stop trying to interrupt me! -I'll prove myself worthy of your feelings, and after I have, you'll realize you need to be with me and we'll be happy together, I promise! Now, I've got to go to the stage for a soundcheck, but I'll be back!"