hey rockstar

seventy one ; avocados and chill

It takes a few days for Tenley to feel better, her breathing only getting bad at night. But she felt well enough to do a few classes outside with me. She watched me and the dogs play outside, and swam all week, not bothering to leave the shade until Friday afternoon. And even then she only sits on the edge of the pool watching my workout.

"Feeling better now?" She nods, squinting up at me. "Well enough that we can film that video tomorrow? Andy and Sara want to edit and have it up this weekend. We're supposed to be first."

"Yeah, you could've done it this week I don't mind."

"I wanted you to feel better. You would've been mad if you were on camera-"

"I don't have to be in it, do i?"

"Well, we are in lock down together so..."

"Uh, that's not even fair. It's you everyone wants to see," she lays down on the pavement, swinging her feet in the cool water.

"They all love you as much as I do. And besides you're the more interesting one."

"Hardly," she chuckles to herself, coughing a few times. But nothing as bad as before.

"Well, you teach, you clean, you cook, you're over all just really nice to look at," I lean down to press a kiss to her cheek and she shakes her head at me.

"You're trying to bribe me aren't you?"

"A little bit?"

"Well, it's working."

"Good. SO, do you think you could start teaching me a little? I mean we're not touring this year at all so I could..."

"Yeah I could do that. Most of my kids are pretty much done for the time being. HOw do you wanna do it?" I settle myself on the ground beside her and shrug.

"You're missing what, two years? Year and a half?"

"Something like that."

"So we could do it by year or by subject and just take it easy. I know you just wanna learn stuff."

"And read. I missed all the reading, and now that i actually like reading I"m kind of jealous of all those kids you talk to."

"Why?"

"Well cause they're given these cool books to read and you talk to them about them like they're smart people. My teachers never did that, and now that I see you do it- it makes me wanna read the books."

"Alright, we can do that. Tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

"Cause it's going to be on video?"

"Well it's motivational to do it right? Maybe the fans will comment and ask how it's going."

"You sure are hopeful aren't you?"

"Oh, absolutely."

She sighs, basking in the sunlight like a cat as i continue my work out,

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"What in the world? Why are there so many avocados?" T picks up the paper bag in front of her, slowly dumping out 6 avocados. I wince as I roll across the counter, followed by all kinds of fruit - we tried a new grocery store.

"I thought I only got three?"

"Well, there's definitely more than three," she giggles, which is a good sign as she settles them into the bowl in the counter. Turning to put away the other fruit. "Guacamole?"

"Sure, have we got the other stuff for it?" I pause, looking at the back of her head. "DO you know how to make it?"

"Yeah, I know how to make it. But you're going to get sick of avocado real fast." I nod, sitting on the counter to watch her.

She's been here for almost two months and has found her way around the house quicker than I had. She puts all the dishes away, all the groceries. Of course she reorganized when she was going through a big bout of boredom but that's not really a bother to me. Especially since now my kitchen actually is clean if you open a drawer.

I learned all kinds of tricks on how to wash the floor, the dog beds. She's actually amazing to have here. Not that i thought she wouldn't but, she really feels like she's a part of the house.

"Alright, there. All done."

"Lovely," she walks herself in between my knees, smiling up at me. Her curls are all fluffy and gathered on the top of her head, dressed in a pair of shorts and a big hoodie. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"Starve probably. Live in a little pig style."

"All of that is correct," she leans her head onto my chest and sighs.

"So, I was thinking..." I hum, and wait for her to continue. "So, LA has a really good special needs school, what if I got a job there?"

"Would you want to do that?"

"I think so. I mean, it's teaching and i'm qualified for it." I nod slowly. For some reason I had this dream that when she moved here, she would be coming on tour with me. Or would be there for a week at a time, like twice a month at least. "Or, I could try distant teaching? You know, like I could teach anyone in the world, just online with a bunch of grading."

"Or, you could just chill out for a bit?"

"What?"

"Well, what if you did just come on tour with us? Like you could come and spend a week or two just travelling and going to shows and stuff."

"Well i mean..."

"It would be so much fun, you love travelling!"

"And you, I love you. But sometimes I think work keeps me sane I guess."

"Well, I'm sure you could do something for the team," she shakes her head laughing.

"I will talk to my dad, and maybe your sister and see what they say. Maybe I could do the first half of the tour with you and just come back for the last. Visit you lots?"

"Alright. Well, i would really like it if you came on tour with us."

"Yeah, I got that part."

"And so would the guys."

"I know-"

"And sometimes the other girls go on tour too!"

"Calum," she looks at me with narrowed eyes, before she lets out a giggle. "I got it. I've still got a long time before I even have to think about that."

"Yeah you're right. But, think about it. Lots, okay?"

"Oh, I'm sure you'll remind me to think about it."

"Twice a day."

"Oh joy," she sighs, a wheeze leaving her tired lips.

"Alright, let's go to bed. I'm just gonna start filming stuff right when I wake up. And then we'll send it to Andy and Sara and see what they come up with."

"Good, I'm exhausted."