Mess is Mine // Calum Hood

Chapter 9

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ashton questioned as we stood at the back door of the club after we finished eating.

"Should I not?" I answered his question with a question. He just shrugged.

"Totally up to you."

I nodded and took a deep breath, pushing the door open with my shoulder. Ashton held it open above my head as I stepped inside, the music and lights flooding my senses. It didn't take me very long to find Calum, and a concerned expression washed over his face as he saw me approaching him.

"Shit, I didn't realize you were here," he commented once I was close enough to hear him. He reached out to touch me, but I sidestepped to avoid the contact. His arm awkwardly dropped to his side, and he pulled his lower lip between his teeth as his eyes shifted from me to the floor.

"Obviously," I remarked, folding my arms over my chest.

"Sierra told me you left," he spoke up, looking into my eyes again. I noticed a hint of an apology in his voice, but it didn't matter. I wasn't in the place to acknowledge it.

"I did. I came back to say that I hope you have a good birthday," I tilted my head in the direction of the girl he was flirting with earlier. I was unable to mask the bitterness in my voice. "Bye Calum." I turned to see Ashton still standing behind me, watching the exchange. I took one last look at Calum to see his lips were slightly parted and his eyebrows were twisted in confusion. Ashton placed his hand on my upper back, and we exited the club together once again.

"Did that feel good?" he asked me once we reached the outside of the building. I gave a small nod in response.

"I still kind of feel like shit," I said with a small laugh. Ashton tossed his arm around my shoulders before pulling up his phone to call an Uber.

"It'll be okay, I promise."

"Pinky?" I extended my pinky out to him, earning a laugh from the boy. He nodded and interlocked our little fingers.

"Pinky."

_________________________

February 2018

A month flew by, and Calum had remained silent. Sierra had definitely given him a piece of her mind that night, and I assumed he had taken her advice to stay away from me. In all honesty, it was good to take a break from the situation. It had given me time to refocus on myself, my friends, and my happiness.

However, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about him a lot since then. I often found myself wondering what he was doing, or if we was doing alright with his mental health. Despite how he hurt me, I would still always be there for him if he needed me; that's what the promise was for. I don't break my promises.

It was getting late, and I had just wrapped up some work things for the day. I stepped into my closet to grab some pajamas when I heard my phone buzzing from its place on my nightstand. I popped my head out of the closet, confused as to who would be calling me. My heart leaped into my throat as I made out the name flashing across the screen. Calum Hood.

I eagerly crossed the room and picked up my phone, answering on the third ring.

"Hello?"

"I really thought you wouldn't answer," he admitted with a small chuckle.

"I had to think about it for a moment," I lied, not wanting to admit that I had just sprinted across my room to pick up the phone.

"Can you come over?"

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I want to see you," his pleaded, his voice laced with sadness. "What happened with that girl didn't mean anything." I sighed at the mention of her, not wanting to relive the events leading up to my meltdown.