hey rockstar

thirty one ; rehearsal

TENLEY

To no surprise Calum was able to sleep in until nearly noon, practically forcing me to wake him up in time. He drug himself through the house as if he hadn't slept in a week and whined when sent for a shower - as if I was dating a 13 year old.

"Cal, if you hurry up we can stop for coffee?" I listen at the bathroom door as the water shuts off, and loud shuffling echoes. When the door finally opens Calum is there - false frown on his face, but dressed and ready to go.

"Promise?" I nod my head, leaning up to press a soft kiss to his cheek. "Alright let's go."

I roll my eyes as I lead the two of us out of the house. For some bizarre reason i agreed to come to the big rehearsal today primarily to keep them company and ensure they weren't bored if this took longer than they had expected. My original plan, drop off the boy and go home for a nap.

"You know you don't have to come right?" he climbs in the car, repeating this for the fifth time just today. "It'll be boring."

"Well, I've never got to see you guys play live so...now is my chance," I shrug him off setting off on my way to starbucks. "Do you wanna text the others and see if they want anything?"

"They'll probably get there before we do," I nod , relaxing into the drive slightly, tired from last night still. "You're coming tomorrow tough aren't you? That counts as a concert."

"Well yeah, but this one's more personal. No one screaming in my ear or pulling on my clothing, you know."

"Yeah," he chuckles before quieting down. Eventually as I pull into the starbucks parking lot I have to wake him up, asking him what he wants rather than guessing again. "I'll come in with you."

"No you don't-" he cuts my words off with a kiss before getting out of the car. I roll my eyes playfully as I take his hand. I relax into the air conditioning as he hums quietly beside me - hyper aware of the things going on around us.

"Have I told you that you look beautiful today? I really love that dress on you,''I hide my blush against his arm as we order. Thanking the young guy behind the counter as we wait to the side. I watch a couple young girls, whispering with each other by the window, and just as Calum leaves I recognize them.

"Rylee? Marie, is that you?" The two 11th graders looked surprised as I stepped towards them, eyes wide as they darted from my face to the bathroom where Cal had just disappeared.

"Ms. C I didn't know you were dating Calum Hood!"

"I didn't recognize you, you look so different out of school," I chuckle to myself as they express their excitement. Chattering to me about how excited they are to see the boys performing at Fir Fight.

"How did you meet him? Did you go to school with him?"

"No I didn't go to school with him, remember, I'm from Canada. I did meet him at the school though."

"He was at our school?"

"Marie, you dummy he went to our school!"

"Rlyee is right he went to school there when he was your age," the wait for my story, eyes wide, "he was touring the school with some friends and I bumped into him."

"Is he as nice as I think he is?" Marie receives a sharp elbow in the side. As I turn my head I see Calum walking through the shop with a confused look on his face.

"He is very nice. He's not a big talker though."

"Tenley, who is this?" He whispers in my ear when he steps behind me.

"Marie and Rylee, they go to school at Norwest. They seem to be big fans,''I nod, confusion turning into a smile.

"Hi girls, I'm uh, I'm really sorry we can't stay to chat we're on our way to a rehearsal," I can see their faces drop and I can tell how sad Calum is that he can't talk to his fans but Rylee pipes up with a quick idea.

"Could we get a picture? Do you have time for that Ms. C?" I give in with a nod ushering Calum in between them at the table but they refuse to hand me their phone, asking someone else instead. "Get in the picture Ms. C!"

"Yeah, C'mon Ms. C," Calum winks at me, pulling me into the middle with him. I feel a weird rush of emotions as I smile proudly for the picture apologizing profusely.

"We'll see you tomorrow right? You'll be there?"

"Yes I will. I'll come find you for a chat," without anything but a goodbye Cal ushers me out of the building, coffees in hand.

"Hey, I'm sorry,'' I climbed into my car. "I recognized him from class and i just happened to notice how excited they were to see you-"

"No, no it's okay," I pull out of the lot watching as the stadium grows larger and larger. "I love that you were so willing to talk to them and wanted them to meet me. I always feel so bad when I don't get to talk to them."

"Well, I'm sure they understand I mean you're a busy guy and you've got loads of stuff to do. Plus you're a sweetheart - who wouldn't forgive you?" I can sense the eye roll as he takes my hand in his. He stays quiet, nervous as we pull into the parking lot only flashing his card to a security member as we work our way inside.

"Well I've gotta go okay? The girls are just there," he raises a hand, pointing at a small group of chairs clustered by the stage. He sounds tired as he hugs me softly. "I don't know how long i'll be, you can leave whenever you want."

"I won't. Now go show me what you can do," I blow him a kiss as he runs off backstage. Disappearing with a clatter of noises coming from all around the stage area. I take my time walking over to the small group of girls, all of them chattering about something rather than paying attention to the crew working the stage.

"T, how are you hon," I wave as I settle myself onto the pavement, feeling the heat on my bare legs. "Saw you and Cal met a fan on the way here."

"Wow, those girls work fast don't they?" I chuckle as she shows me the picture, Calums hand settled gently on the fabric of my blue dress in the photo, leaning towards me rather than Marie.

"They work ridiculously fast. Sometimes I think they know more about me than I do," Crystal laughs to herself, before she smiles at me. "So, were you surprised?"

"Surprised? By wh-" I stop, looking between the girls as I realize what they were talking about. "That was you guys?"

"Well no," Sierra answers quickly, shaking her head. "He had the general idea, we added the touches like the picnic with your favourite foods. He planned it for a week after he found those bracelets."

"Really?"

"Yes really. When we say he loves us we're not kidding, that boy is romantic enough that it makes me a little jealous," Crystal shrugs, I remember the engagement photos she had posted. The entirety of it seemed so throughout and beautiful I can only doubt her.

"If you ever get engaged to that man, you will bawl your eyes out," Sierra nods to herself, the other two agreeing with her. "You are a lucky girl."

"You don't think...would he?"

"He would. I mean, you two are those people who always end up loving more than the other does right? But you've met your match and...and I think it's meant to be. Whether it's today or six months from now, or even six years."

"All of this wedding talk, makes me nervous," I giggle to myself as I try to focus on the stage. Four boys appearing with bags under their eyes and looks of boredom on their faces.