REMEMBER // Calum Hood

Sixty eight // all about you

"I'll be here at 3.30 to pick you up then we go to your apartment" Cal informed me this morning when he dropped me off at work, before heading to the studio "Is that okay?"
"Yes, my love. That's okay" Ashton replied from the backseat, mocking his best friend
Calum rolled his eyes at him before repeating the last part, specifically to me. I leaned over the driver's window to kiss him on the lips, trying to easy off his mood. Calum had been buzzing the whole morning and even though he only drank 1 cup of coffee it seemed like he had a dozen.
"Yeah, sure" I nodded "But I was thinking... If maybe we could go to my parents house tonight"
"Why?" He asked with a frown "Has something happened?"
"Well" I pretended to think about it "I am moving in with my amazing boyfriend and I don't want to tell them the good news over the phone"
"Touché" Cal smiled wide before pecking my lips and I love that none of us cared about amount of people walking by or how late I was "Have a nice day, baby"
"Have a nice day, baby" Ashton repeated in a high pitched tone making both of us laugh
"You too. I love you" I say before pecking his lips one more time "Bye Ash"
That was how my day started and it's funny to think how things go out of plan. Not long after lunch I received a text from Cal telling me that he was stuck in the studio, recording bass lines for a new song and that he would meet me at the apartment around 7pm.

When I was 9 years old, the plan was to buy a car when I was 16, move out of my parents house to study fashion with my best friend at the time, Clarice, in Milan and get married not long after I turned 25. But in reality, I only managed to fully move out of my parents house when I was 19, to study International Business and live in an apartment of the size of an eggshell with Jason and Drew because quite honestly, I don't even know what happened to Clarice after she transferred schools when we were 10. But it was because Clarice transferred schools that I became friends with Jason and I couldn't be more thankful that it happened.
I also couldn't be more thankful that he is coming to pick me up at work because I really don't feel like taking the bus today. And as I wait for Jas in front of Plus Co building I think about how much I wish I had a car. Not Calum's car that I feel guilty for using and scared to death to damage it because I won't have money to pay for a repair. Not Jason's old collection car that I have to ask permission to drive and swear to God that I won't go past 30 miles/hour. My own car.
"Thank God" I mutter to myself when this same old collection car appears in sight
"Get in" Jason rushes me "Hurry up! I can't park here"
Have I ever mentioned how much I love the fact that Calum never rushes me? Seriously. It seems like such a silly thing but it makes such a difference. He never pressures me. Just this morning, he parked the car in this very same spot and we took our sweet time saying goodbye to each other. We were both late for work and Calum was risking getting a ticket while Ashton pestered us for being too clingy and still, he never rushed me.
"Jesus, chill" I groan "Hello to you too"
"If I get a ticket for parking here you are the one paying for it" Jason warns making me roll my eyes
He literally parked the car for 1 minute.
"I can't wait to have my own car" I confess, drawing a laughter from my friend
"I don't mind giving you a ride" He says looking at me in a very Jason way and I know this is his way of apologizing
"I know you don't" I reply, exchanging a smile with him
Red Hot Chilli Peppers is playing on the radio and the sun is shining in the sky. Jason drums his fingertips against the steering wheel as we seat in silence in the middle of L.A. traffic.
"How is the plan going?" He asks me "To buy the car"
My own car, the one I was supposed to buy when I turned 16. But 6 years later than planned, I'm still saving money to buy it.
"Not so good" I admit, thinking how I used practically the entire money I had on my savings account
"How much is the car you want?"
"17,000" I say drawing an indignant look from the boy sitting beside me "What? I said it's the one that I want not the one I could afford to buy"
"Alright" Jason rolls his eyes at me "How much is the car you intend to buy?"
"9,500"
"And how much you lent to Derek?"
I know Jason long enough to know he was getting somewhere with all these questions. When we found out Drew was going out with older women because he needed the money to help his irresponsible brother, we drew a plan. Jason got a job as a bartender in the golf club and his entire paycheck goes to Drew. I payed Drew's part of the rent so he can save the money he's getting paid working double shifts at the restaurant.
"I didn't lend money to Derek, I lent it to Drew because he is my friend and he is the one I care about" I am quick to reply "I couldn't care less about Derek's sorry ass getting beaten"
I also lent part of the money I was saving to buy my own car. It wasn't that much of a noble gesture if you think that I considered I would be unemployed in a few months and wouldn't need a car for anything, since I live 5minutes away from my University's main building. I am a good friend but I'm still too much of a control freak to do things without planning ahead. I like to play safe.
"And still you gave 5,000 to save Derek's ass from getting beaten" Jason comments clearly trying to piss me off
"I gave Drew 5,000 so he doesn't need to worry about the only family he's got left dying because his brother is an irresponsible prick who..."
"Jesus, chill" He mocks me, letting out a chuckle "I'm only teasing, G"
"You're trying to piss me off that's what you are"
"Just admit you like Derek already" Jason fires back
I laugh thinking how this one hour stuck in traffic with Jason is going to be long.
"How was the weekend getaway in the country house with Mr. hot guy in a boyband?"
Way too long.
"He is not in a boyband, Jason" I argue
"He is in a band with other boys, therefore..."
"They are not boys, Ashton is our age" I calmly say, trying hard not to roll my eyes at him "They play instruments and they don't dance"
"I'm pretty sure I saw Calum dance at the party" Jason tells me with a mischievous smile that tells me how much he's trying to piss me off "Anyway, how was the trip? Did you clean up after having sex in every available room?"
Exhaustingly long. Right now, taking the bus doesn't sound like a bad idea.
"I have news" I say, not being able to hold back a smile
"You're pregnant?" It's the first thing my best friend says
"What? No!" I exclaim "I have good news but I want to tell you and Drew together"
"You are paying Derek's debt yourself because you finally realized you secretly love him?"
"Yeah, sure" I say, finally giving in to Jas' jokes
"I knew it!"