Finally here it is! Part 2, sorry it took me ages. It isn’t the best thing I’ve ever written but I hope you like it enough! Feedback is appreciated!
“Calum” she breathed out, relief washed over her and this time she couldn’t stop tears from streaming down her cheeks. Calum swung the door open as fast as he could when he saw her.
His arms wrapped around her in tight embrace, his figure towering over her as they hugged. Tiny muffled whimpers escaped Angela’s mouth as she cried, her tears gradually soaked his grey t-shirt.
Calum couldn’t contain himself either, silent tears slowly made their way down his cheeks.
Having her in his embrace again felt right, yet foreign and strange as he thought he had lost her. They haven’t seen or spoken to each other in a year, but Calum didn’t totally let go. He wasn’t proud to admit it, but he checked her social media every now and again. Maybe it was to reassure himself that she was still alive or hopefully that she had left simon but when he saw the announcement of her pregnancy online he broke down and decided it was his time to move on. It was surprising she was standing at his door-step but Calum didn’t hold any hope that Angela was here to stay but he decided not to ruin the moment by interrogating her, but the memories from their last encounter didn’t stop flashing in his mind as he held her tightly in his arms.
Last Angela had spoken to him, she begged Calum to stay away, she said simon would hurt him if he came near her.
Trying to put sense into her had been to no avail. Angela had always had a bad taste in men and Calum despised every and each one of her boyfriends, but never as much as he despised Simon.
He had hit her, controlled her every move, taken her phone, looked through her stuff and yet Angela refused to leave him. At the time it didn’t make sense to Calum so he gave her an ultimatum, it’s either Simon or Himself.
He did not expect it when she told him “I’m sorry” and left his house that night. He hated her. Or at least he thought he did. He hated her choices though, that he was sure of.
“I’m sorry Calum, I’m sorry, I should have listened to you, I-” Her muffled cries slowly because slurred as her crying got increasingly more intense. Calum took a step back to look at her, their brown eyes meeting each other, she looked up at the sleepy boy in front of her, his eyes teary and red to match hers.
“Doesn’t matter now. Come in” He turned around and gestured for her to follow him. Angela wiped her face and nodded. Calum’s house seemed tidy and neat and Angela frowned at the extra organised hallway.
His house smelled of lavender and lemon, the unusual non-calum like smell overpowered her senses. Calum directed her through to his lounge, which seemed brand new to Angela. The colours and decor didn't seem something like Calum would have done himself and her throat tightens to the thought of someone new in his life.
"You've remodeled." She uttered as her brown eyes browsed the room. Calum nodded and itched the back of his head as the two stood awkwardly at the door.
Angela looked at Calum from the corner of her eye, he looked uncomfortable, almost in deep thought as his eyebrows scrunched together and his eyes were stuck staring into nothingness. Her cheeks tinted red as the awkwardness grew more and more uncomfortable.
"Calum?" She enquired, finally breaking the silence that fell upon both of them. He hummed in response, his expression not changing one bit. "Are you sure it's okay if I stay?" This time Calum met her gaze. He decided to act confused as if he didn't know what Angela meant. He knew exactly what she meant.
After many months of having his heart slowly mending itself and the pain slowly slipping away, Calum met someone. He never forgot Angela, which is obvious due to his social media stalking but he was with Caroline now. She helped him be the man he wanted to be and he assured himself that Angela coming back would not change a thing about his relationship.
"What do you mean? Of course it is!" He answered as he finally decided to shuffle out of the awkward situation by gathering pillows and blankets to make a makeshift bed for himself. "You'll sleep on my bed though" he said as he prepared the couch.
"Oh no, god Calum I could never just kick you out of your bed. I'll sleep here" she insisted as Calum tucked a blanket on the couch.
He stopped his action and snapped his head towards a flushed Angela. He giggled "beg your pardon mam, but I don't think you and your little one can both fit on a narrow couch like this. Take the bed." She opened her mouth ready to argue but Calum swiftly interrupted
"no excuses! You know I'm more stubborn than you so don't even bother."
Angela sighed at his sassy remark. He was way more stubborn than Angela and it had been like that since they were kids and argued in which backyard they were going to play in the summer afternoons. They had been neighbors since they were five and their friendship had always been strong… that is until last year.
He smiled and guided them both to his room, Angela trailing behind, admiring his carefully decorated walls. She knew Calum had someone new and god that killed her. Killed her because she knows she wasted her opportunity and now she not only brought a problem into Calum's life but two. Ophelia was almost here and technically Angela was homeless now. She had some savings she had been putting away secretly but they were not enough to pay a rent and a deposit anywhere.
Calum opened the door to his room and Angela smiled. His room although more organized and with colour on the walls it still was messy with cables from his hamper and bass, crumpled lined paper laid across the floor and a warmth returned to Angela's cheeks. She loved Calum's music and she was glad he didn't stop. She was glad at least something didn't change.
"Sorry about the mess" he stumbled as they entered his room. "It's okay, you've always been messy." She pointed out with a teasing tone in her voice. Calum let out a small laugh but pretty soon they just stood there staring at each other again as their smiles slowly faded away. The room felt heavy and the tension was horrible, memories flooded in, drowning both of them until they couldn't gasp for air anymore.
The awkwardness meant they weren't the same anymore and Angela beat herself up for it. She beat herself up for sticking with Simon due to fear, not only of him but the unknown future and her insecurity of her feelings towards her best friend.
"Well hum" Calum finally interrupts, breaking eye contact and averting his eyes around the room avoiding any eye contact with Angela.
"Yeah hum" she said uncomfortably, as her hands rubbed the small of her back.
"You can- like hum- wear some of my pajamas, they're in the closet behind you. Hum I think first drawer-" Calum rambled when he was nervous, he couldn't help himself as his lisp came through as well. Angela smiled and nodded and he was glad she didn’t comment on his lisp or the way he stumbled over his words. He was nervous around her, nervous about having her so near him again, nervous of falling for her once again.
Silence fell between them again as they both looked down at their feet avoiding eye contact. “Anyway hum, I should get going..I will hum- see you tomorrow, I-I guess.”
He turned around not waiting for Angela’s answer but before he could leave the room a small thank you escaped her lips and Calum nodded to himself as he quietly shut the door behind him.
Angela sighed as she sat on the bed, groaning as little Ophelia moved around causing some discomfort.
Thoughts about Calum and his new life almost made her regret showing up to his house. Was she wrecking what he built for the past year? Was she intruding in his new life?
Her throat felt tight as she laid on Calum's bed. Angela didn’t wear his clothes that night, or got under his covers. The memories his scent brought were too much to handle and she knew she missed her turn. She lost Calum and she only had herself to blame.
