Clichés - C.H. (Pt. 4)
AN: TEN YEARS LATER I finally have an update!!! sorry i suck, school has been kicking my booty lately and i’ve been uninspired. for this one, i had them play songs from the new album simply because i feel like even if the guys weren’t famous, they’d still pursue music as a hobby and it’s fun to write haha. when they sing ‘Ghost of You’ in this chapter, I was picturing the video going around right now where Cal looks like he might fcking SOB ugh that video hurts my heart. and i used their apple music acoustic performance as inspo as well :) anyways, i’ll stop rambling!!! feedback is always always welcome and appreciated, hope y’all enjoy xxx
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
You were sat at your desk, working on a study guide for an exam you had next week when Britt burst into your room, flopping on your bed with a groan. You set your pen down, turning in your chair to quirk a brow at your best friend as you giggled.
“Rough day?” you ask, Brittany’s face buried into your comforter. She lets out another loud, muffled groan.
“I totally bombed that exam,” she whined, picking her head up to rest her cheek on the bed. She jutted her lip out, pouting.
“I doubt that. You always say you do poorly on an exam and end up acing it,” you tell her, rolling your eyes playfully in the process.
“I’m serious this time, Y/N! I really think I failed,” she countered, and you gave her a sympathetic look.
“Wanna go with me to a gig Calum’s playing with his friends tonight? It’ll make you feel better,” you ask her, wanting your best friend to cheer up. She purses her lips, thinking it over.
“Yeah, if I can get my homework done, I’ll go with,” she tells you, making you smile.
“Better get started!” you tell her, flinging your pen at her and giggling when it hit her right in the middle of her forehead.
“Hey!” she yells, whipping it back in your direction and missing entirely, making you laugh even harder. You turn to grab the pen from where it landed on your desk when your phone lights up with a notification.
“Um,” you say as you read it, surprise and unease settling in your stomach.
“What?” Brittany asks, sitting up on your bed now.
“Cal’s ex just requested to follow me on Instagram,” you muttered, your brows furrowing as you clicked on the notification and it took you to Nicki’s profile. It was filled with pictures of her, her friends, and if you scrolled enough, pictures of her and Calum.
“Seriously? Let me see,” your roommate insisted, holding her hand out. You tossed her your phone, bringing your pen to your lips and chewing on the end lightly.
“That’s so weird… does she wear extensions?!” Brittany asks as she scrolls, making you laugh.
“I don’t know, I’ve never paid much attention to her. She’s beautiful regardless,” you sigh, thinking back to the party when she had lead Calum away from you. She really was beautiful- perfect dark hair, sparkling green eyes, clear tan skin, and a smile that was bright enough to blind you.
“Don’t do that,” Brittany warned, looking up from your phone to meet your gaze.
“Do what?” you ask innocently.
“Put yourself down! Compare yourself to her! You’re beautiful too, inside and out, which is more than she can say,” your best friend quips, making you smile. Your phone began to vibrate in Britt’s hand, and her eyes widened and she smiled at you as she read the caller ID.
“It’s your boyyyy,” she sang, tossing you the phone back. You felt your face heat as you accepted the call, bringing the cool glass screen of your phone to your ear.
“Hello?” you breathed.
“Hi, doll,” Calum’s smooth voice sounded down the phone, making you shiver.
“Hi,” you respond, unable to fight back your smile as Brittany mirrored it and rolled her eyes playfully.
“How was your day?” he asks, and you can hear shuffling in the background.
“It was good, nothing too special after you dropped me off,” you tell him, fiddling with your pen.
“That’s because I wasn’t there,” he tells you, and you can practically hear the smirk in his voice.
“You’re not wrong,” you respond, making him laugh.
“You still coming tonight?” he asks.
“Of course. I’m bringing my roommate Brittany, too,” you meet Britt’s eyes and wiggle your eyebrows. She tosses a pillow at you and you can’t help but laugh.
“We’ll try not to suck so we make it worth your guys’ while,” he jokes, making you roll your eyes.
Brittany catches your eye and mouths ‘tell him about Nicki’. You press your lips together and shake your head, unsure if you should bring it up. It probably isn’t even that big of a deal and you’re overthinking it.
“Is everything okay?” Calum asks, interrupting your thoughts.
“Hmm? Yeah, everything’s fine,” you shrug, waving off Brittany.
“You sure? It doesn’t sound like it.”
Brittany gives you a look and you sigh, relenting.
“It’s not a big deal. Nicki just requested to follow me on Instagram is all,” you say, unsure of how the conversation will go now.
“Well that didn’t take long. Jesus,” he sighs, and you wonder if he’s running his fingers through his hair like you think he is.
“I just thought it was odd,” you twist a piece of hair, chewing on your lip.
“We were only together for like three months, I don’t understand why she’s doing this. Just ignore her,” he assures you, and you nod.
“I’m not that worried,” you chuckle.
“You have no reason to be. Drinks on me tonight,” he quickly changes the subject.
“It’s Monday!” you squeak, and he laughs.
“One drink won’t hurt anything. I’ll see you soon, doll,” he tells you, and you feel your cheeks heat.
“Can’t wait,” you tell him, exchanging goodbyes before hanging up.
“You’ve got it so bad,” Brittany teases as you turn back to your studying. Like usual, your best friend wasn’t wrong.
“This bar is so cool!” your roommate exclaims, making you smile. Your heart swells as she takes everything in, happiness blooming in your chest at the fact your best friend seems to enjoy this place as much as you do.
“Y/N!” a voice calls, and you look to see Mickie behind the bar, grinning at you.
“Mickie, hey!” you greet her, walking up to the bar.
“Here to see Cal?” she asks with a knowing smile. You nod, rolling your lips into your mouth to hide your smile. She laughs as she begins to make two drinks.
“They’re finishing setting up, I think he might be in the back,” she tells you, pushing the drinks toward you and your roommate.
“How much?” you ask, pulling out your wallet. Mickie tsk’s.
“I was instructed to put them on his tab,” she tells you, winking. You roll your eyes playfully, as you should’ve known.
“Mickie, this is my roommate Brittany. Brittany, this is Mickie. She owns the bar,” you introduce your roommate as she takes a sip of her drink.
“I love this place,” Brittany praises, making Mickie smile.
“It’s nice to meet you. You girls go ahead and take a seat, they’ll probably start soon,” Mickie nods towards one of the tables closest to the stage. You thank her and make your way over to the table. You take a sip of your drink, the fruity flavor dancing on your tastebuds.
“How many guys are in the band?” Brittany asks, examining the set up on stage.
“It’s Cal and his three roommates. I haven’t met Michael yet,” you tell her, checking the time on your phone. Ten more minutes.
“Hey,” a familiar voice calls, and you look up and instantly feel butterflies being released in your stomach. Calum jogs over to your table, looking absolutely delicious in a white button down with black pinstripes tucked into black pants. His hair looks incredibly soft, his curls bouncing on his forehead and all you want to do is run your fingers through it.
“Hi,” you breathe, standing to greet him. He gives you a soft kiss before pulling you into his chest.
“Thanks for comin’,” he squeezes you.
“Wouldn’t miss it. Cal, this is my roommate, Brittany,” you reluctantly pull away to introduce him to your best friend. Brittany smiles and gives a little wave from where she sits.
“Heard a lot about you,” Brittany teases, making you groan inwardly. Calum smiles, which makes you slightly okay with your roommate’s comment if it meant seeing that shy smile of his. Calum glances back from where he had came and turns back to you.
“Alright, I’ve gotta get ready to go on. Enjoy the show,” he winks at you, kissing your cheek before waving to Brittany and jogging back from where he came.
“Well, he’s yummy,” Brittany says, making you laugh as you sit down. You notice she’s just about sucked her drink dry, and she doesn’t drink often. You wonder if she’s already feeling a little buzzed.
“I know- “
“Is this seat taken?” a high pitched voice asks from behind you. You feel your blood turn to ice as you remember the last time you heard that voice. You turn to see Nicki, looking as beautiful as ever in a cream sweater dress and over the knee brown boots, her hair curled into glossy waves and her makeup subtle but stunning. You instantly feel insecure in your simple outfit, having swapped out your oversized flannel for an oversized sweater but opting to keep the leggings and moccasins. You glance at Brittany, her eyes wide as you look back to Calum’s supermodel ex standing in front of you.
“No, it isn’t,” you answer.
“Mind if I sit?” she asks, giving you her megawatt smile. You swallow before shaking your head, gesturing for her to sit next to you. You bristle as she joins the two of you; you were never one to be rude, and your kindness was often taken advantage of by people who didn’t deserve it. You had a feeling this was going to be another one of those times.
Nicki pulls out the chair next to you, settling in as Brittany shoots you a look as if to say, “are you crazy?!” You roll your lips into your mouth as you shrug slightly.
“Is this your first show?” Nicki asks, resting her left arm on the table as she places her chin in her right hand. She cocks her head a bit, her eyes searching your face and you instantly wish you’d put a little more effort into your appearance tonight, feeling as though she was judging you.
“Yeah, it is,” you respond, taking a long sip of your drink. If you had to deal with intrusive questions from Nicki all night, you were gonna need all the alcohol you could get.
“I remember my first show last year. They’ve come a long way,” she says dreamily, glancing to look over at the stage. Last year? Calum said they’d only dated for three months. Something about it didn’t sit right with you, but you kept your mouth shut.
“What made you come out tonight?” Brittany asks bluntly, your head whipping around to stare at her, your eyes feeling like they might pop out of their head. Your best friend has an unimpressed look on her face, not bothering to try and hide the fact that she’s annoyed that Nicki showed up. If Nicki noticed Britt’s bitchy tone, she didn’t comment on it.
“Oh, I come to their gigs every week! Bit of a tradition,” she smiles cheekily as you feel your gut twist. You try to not let it show that she’s getting to you, because you know that’s exactly what she wants, so you just nod as you fiddle with the straw in your drink.
Finally, Mickie steps onto the stage in front of you, taking the mic out of the stand and introducing the boys to the crowd that has gathered. You clap as the guys make their entrance, taking their spots on stage before thanking Mickie. Calum’s eyes immediately find you once he’s settled before scanning over to the harpie sitting to your right. His eyes widen just enough for you to notice as they flick back to you. You purse your lips, giving him a small nod before finishing your drink and standing to get another one.
Mickie has one ready for you as you approach the bar, seemingly reading your mind. She gives you a sympathetic look as you exchange your empty glass for the new one.
“I never liked her,” she mutters under her breath, making you smile but it wasn’t enough to help your sour mood. You sigh, Mickie mouthing ‘good luck’ before you turn and make your way back to your table. Luke has just finished his introduction as you sit down once more, glancing at you, then Nicki, then back to you again. It looks as if he’s struggling to hide his smirk as he winks at you, tucking some of his blonde curls behind his ears.
“We’re gonna start out a little slow tonight, this is ‘Ghost of You’,” he continues, nodding to the boy on his right who must be Michael, the only one you haven’t met yet. Michael nods as he starts strumming the opening chords, looking down at his guitar in concentration as he does so. You’re instantly intrigued, the chords almost sounding like a lullaby.
“Here I am wakin’ up, still can’t sleep on your side,” Luke starts, and you feel your eyebrows shoot up. He’s good. You look over to Calum, and find that he’s already looking at you. He smiles, a sight that brings a smile to your own face. He turns to play the keyboard to his left, and you inhale sharply. This song is so hauntingly beautiful, and even though you hadn’t heard any other song from them, you knew this was going to be your favorite.
Calum steps towards the mic and opens his mouth to sing, strumming his bass, the chords almost too low for you to hear.
“Cleanin’ up today, found that old Zeppelin shirt,” his low voice sings, a slight rasp to his words. His eyes squeezed shut as he sang, passion clear on his features as his long fingers strummed the strings of his bass. You felt your heart swell with pride and appreciation and pure awe. You really had had no idea what the boy who sat next to you in English class and brought you hot chocolate was capable of. And now that you had even the smallest inkling, you never wanted to stop learning about him.
“He’s good,” you hear Brittany murmur, your best friend leaning over to speak softly into your ear. You smile as you look at her and nod.
You listened to the lyrics, the song making your heart break at its painful message. The instruments and vocals blended together almost magically, and you couldn’t believe you were lucky enough to sit in this small bar and listen to this beautiful song performed by these talented men.
The song slowed and before you knew it, it was over. You sat stunned before you joined the crowd in applause, your cheeks hurting from the smile on your face. Calum found you in the crowd, his face mirroring yours as he took in your expression. ‘Wow’ you mouthed to him from where you sat, and the smile that took over his face was one you wanted to see every day; it was shy and proud at the same time. He pushes his curls off from where they had fallen onto his forehead, stepping towards the mic.
“Just wanna say thanks to everyone for comin’ out tonight. Your support means a lot to us,” he says, looking at you the entire time. You feel your face heat as Britt nudges you, making you smile.
“Continuing with the slow songs, we’re gonna slow this one down tonight. Hope you guys like it, this is ‘Want You Back’,” he continues. Michael has swapped his electric guitar for an acoustic, and he starts just a split second before Luke does.
“Oh, this is my favorite,” Nicki says from beside you, and you jump slightly. You’d almost forgotten she was there. You turn to her, acknowledging her comment as you listen to the lyrics of this new song. Just like the title suggests, it’s about wanting someone back after they’d left, a message you felt uneasy about given your current situation. Nicki smirks at you as you realize what she’s talking about.
“They wrote this one after Cal and I broke up the first time,” she murmurs, the music now falling upon deaf ears as you feel as though she’s just slapped you. Your lips part at this new information, and you turn from her to stare at your drink in front of you.
“You know even when I say I moved on, you know even though I know that you’re gone, all I think about is where I went wrong, yeah I still dream for you,” Luke sings, Calum’s voice harmonizing.
Suddenly, it felt like the walls were closing in on you. How could you be so stupid? You were just a rebound; you could never compete with a girl like Nicki. This song, along with Nicki’s comment, was all the proof you needed. You felt as though you might pass out, your surroundings blurring together, and you needed to get out of there.
You stand abruptly, surprising Brittany as you push away from the table.
“Y/N?!” she calls after you, but you wave her off, stumbling outside for some fresh air.
The cool wind hits your face as you slide down the side of the building, settling on the ground and resting your forehead on your knees. You take in a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm your racing heart and mind.
Brittany bursts through the door, looking around wildly before spotting you to her left.
“What the hell did she say to you?” she almost growls, taking you aback as your best friend was normally very soft spoken.
“Nothing that I didn’t already know,” you sighed, hanging your head again. She huffs as she sits next to you, wrapping an arm around you and pulling you to her side.
“Can we go home?” you murmur. You feel Brittany nodding before she stands and hauls you to your feet. She hands you her car keys, as she’s clearly too buzzed to drive, and pulls you close again as you walk to the parking lot behind the bar.
Tonight was a perfect example of why you were a homebody.