Shooting Between Us: 3 years on COMPLETE

Chapter Forty Four

Calum's POV:

Dougie and Frank stayed with us that night, helping us calm down a little. And it really helped, they truly are our best friends. They ordered pizza and we watched a movie as we tried to relax from the traumatic events that had occurred the following day. If it wasn't for them, who knows the worse state we would have gotten into. I can't believe how close I was to becoming blind! The haunting words "it's my turn now" that came from Chuck's mouth played on repeat in my mind, like a terrifying stuck record. If Frank and Dougie came even five seconds later than they did, I would be blind or even dead by now. But I tried my very hardest to not think about what he and Meredith could've possibly done to us.

The next morning after Frank and Dougie went home, I sat and had a morning cuddle with Luke before we both had phone calls from our boss. They both explained that we were allowed a bit of paid time off, we had plenty of holiday days and we agreed to use them for this week as we didn't plan on booking any other time off anytime soon. After all, it's currently half term for the students working at the anchor meaning that they are able to cover my shifts, and Dave explained to Luke that there is a substitute teacher who has covered his French lessons for this week. If anything, I think it was well needed. We could spend the time off sorting out the case as we have to go to Court in a couple of days, and also it would really be good for our mental health for Luke and I to spend time together and talking things through. One thing Luke was worried about, was Merediths brother Rory. From what Luke had told me, he seems like a pretty good kid. He wasn't sure how he would react, but Dave said that he felt heartbroken about everything and didn't want this to effect his learning, and that Meredith hadn't been in contact with her family for a while due to this hideous thing that her and her bleach obsessed boyfriend had been planning. Rory didn't want to be treated differently, and who can blame him? He had nothing to do with his sisters twisted intentions and he should be able to carry on with his lessons as normal. This put Luke's mind at ease for sure, and mine too, because when he's at work I never stop worrying about him. But things are fine now! No more Arzaylea, no more Cameron. No more Chuck and no more Meredith. Well, let's hope. Let's hope the court case that's gonna happen in a couple of days goes okay. Today, we decided to meet up with our siblings for a chat, and hopefully get a couple of things off our chest. Luke was going to meet Jack at a cafe for a drink and I had Mali coming here in the next hour.

Luke and I decided to have a chill, lazy morning for a change. We drank some coffee and watched some TV before we had to meet our siblings. Luke then received a text from Jack and it was actually really fucking sweet the way they text each other, he showed me his phone.

Jack: Hey baby bro i will pick u up in 10 minutes 👶🏼

Luke: Sure old man 👴🏻

I honestly adore their relationship, they have the perfect amount of banter that two brothers should have. "What time is Mali coming?" He asked me as he started to get his bits together before Jack came to pick him up. "I think she'll be coming around the same time as Jack" I didn't need to continue getting ready because she was coming here. I just turned the fire on so it would be nice and warm for her, and lit some candles because I know she loves that kind of stuff and her hipster vibe can sometimes rub off on me I will admit. As soon as the time passed, Luke gave me a quick peck on the cheek and kissed me goodbye. "Have fun with Mali babe, tell her I said hi" he smiled and got his coat on. "Will do babe, have fun with Jack" I smiled back and kissed him goodbye as he then left, I have a feeling that he may have actually passed Mali on her way up, because she arrived shortly after Luke left. I let her in and she immediately hugged me tightly, I thought I was going to pop. "Gosh cal! I've been so worried! How have you been coping?" "Hey sis... I've been better today but worried about going to court this week...is mum okay? Please tell me she's not too worried!" I hugged her back. Mali and I soon sat on the bed so we could speak properly. "It will be okay... it's going to be scary but you are so strong Cal, you'll be okay" she sighed before she continued "mum... mum is really upset. I mean I don't blame her at all, but it's just taking her a while to process all of this." She confessed. I can't say I blame my mum either, it just breaks my heart to think that my mum is so sad shout this, to hear about her son going through all this. Dad also has apparently been worried, but he was the one who toughened me up and made me the person I am, my mum is a little more on the sensitive side. "Thanks Mali... I don't want her to be worried, I mean I know I'm her son but maybe it's because I'm still quite young? But she won't have to be, once this is all sorted we are going to start planning the wedding and everything will be fine" I decided to start trying to be as positive as I could. "She's worried because she loves you, because something like this happening is a parents worst nightmare, they don't want their kids to suffer" she gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'm proud of you. Really proud, you're handling this so maturely." She smiled and I couldn't help but smile back. She always knew what to say. "I know.. I know... thanks sis, I'm sorry to worry you I really am" "don't be silly cal, you didn't ask for this to happen" she giggled. Well she's not wrong, if I'd have asked for this to happen I would have at least have liked to be somewhere a bit warmer and have eaten first, being hungry made the situation a whole lot fucking worse! "I know.. but rather me than my family. I love you." I told her. "Bless you little bro, I love you too! So much!" We shared a loveable hug.

I got up to make us both a hot drink "so how's you and Charles?" I asked, wanting to hear how she's doing also whilst I was filling up the kettle. "We're good, really good! How about you and Luke? I highly doubt it but there hasn't been any strain on your relationship with all this going on right?" "I'm glad you're happy! I mean, it's been tough for us but we've been supportive of each other regardless" I flicked on the kettle. "Yeah I can imagine... well at least you two have had each other throughout this regardless. Stayed by each other's sides! If this doesn't prove you're meant to be together I don't know what will" she chuckled. I also giggled in agreement "yeah I don't know what I'd do without him" the kettle finished boiling and I started getting some mugs out off the cupboard. "Tea? Coffee? Hot chocolate?" I asked her what drink she'd like. "Coffee sounds good!" I started making the coffee and tried not to make them too strong. "Luke has kind of got me hooked on strong coffee" I giggled. "Pfft go big or go home! Weak coffee is for pussies" she scoffed. It was unusual hearing her talk like that as she was usually a lot more collected, but at the same time, it was making me laugh a lot. "Right?! No wonder you and Luke get on so well! So you've moved in with Charles now right? What's it like living in such a big house?" I wanted to show as much interest as possible because I was starting to slightly warm to her boyfriend. "Oh it's huge! I got lost in there the other day. I tried to find the front door but ended up in the cinema room" she said as I passed her the coffee, almost spilling it after I heard her say that. Cinema room? Jesus Christ I wish I had a house that had a cinema room. "Um.. that's cool, I'm glad you've settled. You'll have to give me a tour one day!" "Definitely! Do you think you and Luke will be living anywhere else in the future?" She sipped her coffee. "I mean once we get married we might look into getting a nice small house, because I've been promoted to being a Team Leader" I told her about the recent good news I received. "You are? Congrats bro! I can't wait for the wedding, it'll be so adorable and exciting! God I'm such cake trash!" She giggled. Here we go again hah. "Cake? Oh yeahhh I remember Liz calling us cake" I chuckled "I guess I'm... marles trash?" I added, hoping I didn't sound too cringey. "Marles? Love it! Not as catchy as cake though"

Mali and I continued to talk and catch up, and it really helped me stop thinking about having to got on court, I'd rather not worry about that until I had to go. So for now, I could relax!

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Mali and Calum get on so much better than me and my sister BIGGEST PFFT