End Up Here

i wish i was, beside you

As we're driving back to campus, I realize that Lia and I end up sitting next to Luke and Calum. I could feel my heart beating rapidly as I became aware we were mere inches from each other. 

"So I know this is a basic, boring ass question, but what's your major?" Calum asks me.

"Um, I'm actually a songwriting major," I respond.

"No way, that's dope! You should write a song with us sometime!" he exclaims.

"Really? I'm not even that good. I've written like two decent songs ever," I reply.

I was so nervous around Cal, but so glad that we are actually having a conversation outside of class. He really asked me to write a song with them, how cool! 

Calum arches his eyebrows in disbelief.

"I feel like you're the type of girl to say that she's bad at something when really she's incredible," he says.

I blushed. I snap out of our little daydream when Michael says, "Would you two stop flirting? I'm trying to not get us in an accident here," 

I blush even harder. Calum laughs. I noticed the way he tilts his head back when he laughs, and couldn't help but find it endearing. He caught me staring and winked. 

"Michael's right you know," Lia whispers in my ear so that no one else in the van can hear. She smiles at me. 

I look out the window and see that we're back on campus nearing the dorms. After another minute, we come to a stop and all start unloading ourselves and the instruments. Calum gets out before me, and I instantly feel his warmth go away. I know we're still going to be hanging out for a few more hours, but it sucks that we won't be right next to each other. 

We bring everything to the common area, and everyone starts texting their friends that the location and time has changed. I go to take out my phone to text my friends, but realize Lia is the only one that would be interested, and she's already here. 

We decide to meet back here at 8:30 so we have enough time to change out of our wet clothes, and so the guys can set up. Lia and I split up from the band and head to our dorm. 

"Calum seemed awfully flirty tonight, dontcha think?" Lia asks me.

"I mean, maybe? He could be like that with every girl," I reply.

"Are you crazy? He literally complimented you and winked at you, multiple times dude," she says.

Maybe she's right. Michael too. What if he really does like me back? 

We arrive at our dorm and Lia takes out her card to unlock the door. I always leave it to her to do the unlocking, because I can hardly ever remember my key. 

I look at the time and see that it's only 7:30. I have an hour to get ready, and I debate on if I should put effort into this outfit, or just be comfy and wear sweatpants... 

As if she was reading my mind, Lia asks, "Comfy or cute?"

"Comfy."

We dig though our clothes until we find our fave casual looks. Mine is oversized grey sweatpants, and a Panic! at the Disco tour shirt from four years ago. I throw on some checkered Vans and put my hair into a bun. Lia, however, has on tight pinstripe leggings, and a cropped grey sweater. She also has Vans on and her hair is in braids. 

Lia turns on our speaker and starts to play more 5SOS songs. I was beginning to recognize some of them from earlier, and could sing along to the choruses. Lia had told me that they only had two EPs out as of now, but they were working on a full album. They were hoping to get signed to a label before they released it. 

We sit around listening to the music and talking until around 8:00. At that point we were getting bored, so we decide to go down early to see if the guys need help setting up. We take one last look at ourselves before heading out.