close as strangers | calum hood

five

Jaden

I remember when I first got Milo. It was after the boys came back from their Meet You There tour. I found out the boys were back when I bumped into them on a bike ride, and it was not easy on me.

The cool fall breeze was breaking through my hair as I pedaled my bike through the paved path, hearing the crunching of leaves as I continued forward. The autumn sun was weak on my skin, but still painted a beautiful sky before me.

Since my friendship ended with the 5 Seconds of Summer boys, I had picked up many hobbies. Biking was one of them, and it took my mind off of everything.

Autumn was my favourite season. Mixed with one of my favourite hobbies, I was having a delightful time. I looked at the path ahead of me, seeing no one within a close distance. With this information, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to take in the environment.

It was bliss.

"Woah, woah, woah!" I heard a voice yell.

It caused my eyes to shoot open, and I gripped my hand breaks tight, causing me to lose balance and I toppled over.

"Fuck," I muttered. I looked up at who called to me, only to see the four 5 Seconds of Summer boys, still quite the distance from me.

"Bro, you made her fall!" Calum exclaimed and came running to my side. He crouched down beside me and lifted my bike off my legs. Ashton grabbed my arms and helped me up. Mikey came walking towards the scene in fits of laughter.

"S-Sorry," He said through tears forming in his eyes due to his laugh. "I didn't think she would fall, I just wanted to scare her!"

"Why were your eyes closed?" Luke asked, walking up with his hands in his pockets.

I brushed down my pants that were now covered in dead leaves, "I was enjoying the ride."

"Still, you gotta look where you're going." Calum frowned.

I looked around at the four boys, "When did you guys get back?" I asked.

"Uh- a few days ago." Ashton said. Immediately, guilt painted his expression.

"I see," I muttered and ripped my bike out of Calum's hands. I climbed onto the bike and prepared to continue the ride. "Thanks for telling me," I nodded with disappointment.

The boys all remained quiet.

"Again,"

With that, I began biking off. I didn't look back at them, I didn't want to see them. So I did a few rounds around the neighbourhood before I returned to my house. I walked my bike into my old garage. I was the only person that went into the garage, and only went in to get my bike when I needed it. After closing the garage, I retreated back into my house. I slipped off my shoes with tears forming in my eyes.

"How was the ride, Jade?" My mum asked as she peaked her head into the foyer.

I looked up at her with tears in my eyes.

"Jaden? What's wrong?" She asked, quickly making her way to my side.

"I fell." I muttered.

My mum wrapped her arms around me, "I see honey, we'll fix it up. Now tell me the real reason, baby. Falls don't make you cry like this anymore."

"I saw them." I said as I burst into tears, my face finding her shoulder, and I cried.

She rubbed my back, "I know baby, I'm sorry they didn't tell you."

"Why didn't you tell me!?" I exclaimed.

"I was hoping one of them would reach out." She frowned.

My mum then pulled back and wiped the tears from my eyes. "I'm sorry honey, is there anything I can do to make it better?"

"No," I said with defeat, "Unless you can get me a new best friend."

But that's exactly what she did. Because the next day, she came home from work with a puppy.

"Jade!" I heard my name being called as the front door opened.

"Yes?" I yelled down.

"Come down, I have a surprise!" She yelled.

I sighed, annoyed that I had to leave my bed. Dragging my feet, I made my way to the front door of my house. When I saw what was there, I almost cried.

"Mum!" I yelled and dropped to my knees. A puppy golden retriever came running into my arms. I giggled with joy as I held the small dog.

"Mum, I can't believe you did this!" I shouted with joy. My mum laughed and started recording me.

"How do you like him?" She asked.

I hugged the dog so tight, "I love him."

"What's his name?" She asked.

I lifted the puppy to my eye level and looked straight into his eyes before saying, "Milo."

My mum smiled, "I like that name."

I nodded in agreement, "I like that name, too."

I stood, with the puppy in my arms, "Welcome home, Milo."

Since then, I spent every day with Milo. I trained him, walked him, fed him, took him to his appointments, everything. My mum really did get me a new best friend.