Mess is Mine // Calum Hood

Chapter 6

December 2017

Two weeks after Thanksgiving, the festive spirit was up and running in the Deaton-Nichols household. I was sitting on the couch untangling a giant ball of Christmas lights while Sierra struggled with the tree in the corner of our living room.

"Where's the band when you actually need them?" she questioned in frustration, the sections of our fake white Christmas tree spread out around her. She snatched the set of instructions from the floor next to her, and her face contorted in confusion. "I literally don't understand this." A giggle escaped from my lips as I noticed the English instructions were on the back side of the paper instead of the front. "It's not funny," she huffed, her eyes getting wider the more she looked at the paper. "It's like trying to read a foreign language!"

"Maybe because you are reading a foreign language," I laughed out, pointing at the back of the page. "Flip it over, smart ass."

Sierra's face scrunched in confusion, but shortly after was replaced with realization after she flipped to the English side. She smacked the heel of her hand into her forehead and laughed at herself. "I'm truly a dumb bitch."

"Yeah, but you're my dumb bitch," I quipped, continuing to unravel the lights. This was probably the most relaxed I had been in a while. I had my comfy sweater on, there was music playing softly in the background, and I was getting to spend more quality time with my roommate. We both adored Christmas, and this year we planned to spend it together. Usually, we would return to our respective homes and spend it with our families, but we had made the decision to celebrate together this year. Sierra had become my family, and I was beyond blessed to have her in my life. 

Finally, we were able to get everything put together, untangled, and hung on the wall, including our new stockings. They were white with our initials embroidered on the front in silver thread. Luke ordered them for us, and they matched perfectly with the Christmas decorations we already had stuffed in our storage closet. 

"Not too shabby for a couple of dumb bitches," Sierra commented with a nod, nudging me in the side with her elbow. I let out a laugh and went to the kitchen to grab my phone. I had left it in there to charge while we decorated; Sierra and I always tried to dedicate phone-free time to one another every now and again. 

My heart pounded and my breathing stopped as I stepped into our newly decorated living room. 

"What is it?" Sierra asked, a look of concern washing over her face. 

"Calum texted," I breathed out, looking down at my screen. I almost couldn't believe it. I hadn't seen him in almost a month, and I hadn't spoken to him since his harsh words on Thanksgiving. 

"Read it," Sierra urged, crossing the room to stand next to me as I entered my phone's password.

Calum Hood

Can we talk?

Cameron Nichols

Are you sure that's what you want?

I felt Sierra nod next to me, approving of my response. I hadn't meant to be petty, but I really couldn't help it. Last time we "talked," he told me to stop being nice to him and to give up on helping him.

Calum Hood

Yes. I know I'm an ass, can you come over?

Cameron Nichols

Be there in an hour.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea," Sierra said, biting her lip. Part of me agreed with her, but the other part knew it would be good for me to go and talk it out with him, even if it ended badly. "I'll support you no matter what though," she quickly added with a small smile. "You're my girl. I just don't want you hurt. But if you think this is what's best, then go."