close as strangers | calum hood

ten

Jaden

It's been a few days since I saw Calum. After I kissed him. I'm not really sure what got into me that night, but I'm glad it happened. I'm still mad at him, but at least he knows I'm interested. I've always been interested.

I was at work for an opening shift. My apron hugged my small frame as I leaned over tables, wiping them down after customers. Matthew was managing the drinks as we weren't that busy. After I had cleaned all the tables and filled the sugar and milk stations, I retreated to the bar. Matthew had also finished making all the orders, and we were waiting for more customers to come into the shop.

"So," I began to say, catching Matthew's attention.

"Hm?" He hummed.

"Calum Hood, you know him?" I asked.

"Oh yes," Matt smirked at me, "The 5 Seconds of Summer boys are complete hotties. And they're from Australia! I never managed to casually bump into them though."

"I don't usually tell people this, but I used to be really good friends with them." I explained.

Matt shook his head, "You're shitting me."

"Nope, look." I said as I opened my phone. I went to my photos, and opened the album called my boys ♡

Matt's jaw dropped as I scrolled through pictures. The photo album also included really old pictures, from when we all were about 4 years old. There were group photos, random funny ones of the boys, partner pictures with me and each boy, pictures with their families, candids, videos, so many. I showed everything to Matt.

"No fucking way, why aren't you telling more people!? They could help your art career take off!" Matt exclaimed.

"Sh!" I hushed him. "I don't like people knowing. We're not that close anymore because they don't hit me up. They've forgotten about me." I bit my lip.

"Oh." Matt frowned, "I'm sorry."

I shrugged, "It's okay. Plus, I wanna get my name out there on my own."

"I get what you're saying." Matt agreed.

"Anyway, Calum Hood." I said, getting back to my original point.

"Yes, boy is yummy."

I laughed, "Yeah. It's a long story, maybe we should go out after our shift and I'll tell you all the details."

Matt smiled, "I would love that!"

Just as we ended our conversation, more customer came in and we began making orders.

-

"Finally." I breathed out as I clocked out of my shift. It was midday, and Matthew and I had plans to go out for lunch and talk about our lives. It was so nice having a friend.

"I was thinking the bistro and bar down the street for lunch. Are you in?" Matt asked as he grabbed his bag off his hook.

"I'm in!" I exclaimed and followed Matt out of the backroom. We both said our farewells to our co-workers and headed out.

I smiled as the midday sun fell warm on my skin, "I'm in the mood for a juicy burger."

"Me too!" Matt giggled as we completed our short walk to the nearby bistro. He grabbed the handle, opening the door for me. I smiled and walked in first.

"Hi! Welcome to Mordeo Bistro and Bar! How many do we have today?" The hostess asked.

"Table for two, please." I smiled. She grabbed two menus and said "right this way" before walking off. Matt and I followed behind her like lost puppies. She gave us a beautiful window seat, and I happily accepted it by sitting down on the comfortable cushion. Matthew sat across from me, and she placed the menus in front of us.

"Your waiter will be with you shortly." She said before disappearing.

"So, Calum Hood." Matthew smirked as me, leaning over the table and resting his head in his hands.

I giggled, "Can we order, first?"

"Yeah," He laughed in response, opening his menu.

After we ordered and got our food, I started explaining everything to Matthew.

"So, Calum and I grew up together. Him and his family lived in their house before my mum and I moved in. We were about 4 years old. My mum was a single mother so she found refuge in Calum's family, and basically we were raised together." I explained, then took a bite out of my burger. Delicious.

Matthew nodded as he ate, indicating to me that he was comprehending every word I was saying. "We went to the same schools together, and did almost everything together. I was friends with the other boys, but Calum and I were always closer. Then, in high school, the boys formed their band. They started posting videos and became super popular. Soon, One Direction was asking to tour with them. A few days before they had to leave, Calum admitted his feelings for me, then left. He also made a promise to me that he wouldn't forget me. After the first tour, we kind of hung out, but my friendship with the boys slowly died off, and they stopped contacting me."

"I see, so what's happening now?" Matthew asked.

"The boys started talking to me again, taking interest in my art and stuff. A few nights ago, I went to Calum's house because his mum was hosting a dinner party to celebrate the release of their newest album. That night, I was alone with Calum on the couch and we were talking." I said, trying not to over-explain things.

"Yeah?" He asked then took a big bite out of the burger.

I nodded and munched on some fries, "He asked me who I was interested in, then I just kissed him."

Matthew dropped his burger, "You don't just nonchalantly say you kissed Calum Hood."

"He's not Calum Hood. He's just Calum." I giggled.

Matthew scoffed, "Girl, to you, maybe."

I laughed, "Anyway, we haven't talked since then. I don't know what to do, because I'm still mad at him."

"Let him come to you. Don't go chasing no man!" Matthew said, making hand gestures as he held a fry in his hand.

I laughed, then nodded at his words. "You're right."

"Anyway, for this free therapy session, lunch is on you." He joked. I laughed harder. I know he was joking, but by the end of our lunch, I took the courtesy of paying for both of us.

It felt nice to finally have a friend.