Heartbreak Girl

Chapter Never Be

I'm sitting on a bench in the park a week later, waiting for one of my best friends.

I ended up with a sprained arm. I haven't seen Ashton since that day, and I'm not sure if I want to.
Luke told me that he tried to visit while I was in the hospital, but he and Calum wouldn't let him see me. Ashton has showed up at my house a few times, but Luke always gets rid of him.

This morning, I got a text from Calum, asking me to meet him in the park at one o'clock. Apparently he wants to tell me something.
So here I am, in the cold, waiting for Calum. I have no idea what he wants to talk about. But I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Calum arrives about ten minutes later. He sees me, and I wave to him. He runs over and sits down beside me.

"Hi!" he says happily. "Hi," I reply, shivering. Calum notices, and frowns. He gives me his scarf. "Thanks," I whisper, wrapping it around me. "So, what did you want to tell me?"
Calum bites his lip. "Promise you won't judge me?" he says nervously. "Promise that nothing will change between us after this, and that we'll still be best friends?" "I promise," I say, confused. I have no idea why he's asking me this.

Calum takes a deep breath, and turns to me. "Lauren, I like you," he says simply. He continues in a rush before I can react.
"And I know that you're in love with Luke, and that you'd never think of me in that way, but I just had to tell you. You're so different, Lauren. I don't know what it is, but somehow, you made three of the members of 5 Seconds of Summer fall for you." He smiles shyly. I smile back.
"Calum, if I could change that, I would," I tell him honestly. "I wish that...well, I'm not sure how to say it, but you know what I mean." Calum nods. "I'm sorry." I say quietly. "No, don't be sorry," he says quickly. "It's not your fault that you're so beautiful and kind."
I blush. "And there's one last thing..." Calum says softly. "Well, what is it?" I ask. "You're going to hate me," he says. "You're going to never want to see me again. You're going to wish you never knew me." "Nothing you say could make that happen," I tell him. He looks into my eyes, and tells me.
"That day when Ashton hurt you, well, I was kind of glad that Luke wasn't there to help you. That I was the one who was there. Because I was really jealous of Luke, and I got to be there when you needed someone, and I could try to comfort you...I was thinking of telling you then, that I like you, but I thought you would be angry. So, I just..." "You were amazing, Calum," I tell him. "Thank you." He smiles. "There's one last thing..." he says, sounding a bit worried. "Go on." I nod.
"Well, overall, I was kind of glad that you got hurt, because I got to spend time with you. It felt...this sounds really stupid, but it felt like I was your boyfriend, that I was the one you loved. Not Luke."
He looks away. I'm not sure what to think. I should probably be angry, that my best friend was glad that I got injured...but all I can think of is how awful it must be for Calum. He was desperate, and I forgive him.
"Oh, Calum," I sigh. "I do love you." "Just not like that." he says, his voice muffled. It sounds a bit like he's crying. "Just not like that." I smile sadly, before kissing his cheek and walking away.