Where The Lines Overlap [CTH]

[38] Parallel Lines

I was lost in a daydream, when suddenly, I hear the interviewer speaking to me.

"I'm sorry, but we have to ask you about these pictures, Calum."

"Oh God." I grin, before shaking my head hesitantly, because I knew what they were going to show me.

One of the radio hosts slides me printed photographs and news articles with of Alexia and I together.

"So this girl was photographed with you when you arrived and left Sydney airport a few weeks ago. Yes or no?" The other host pressed.

I looked over at the boys quickly, before hiding my eyes from underneath my trucker cap and pushing the mic against my lips. I could feel the pressure inching off my back.

"I guess she was." I mumbled.

"Wow." Both radio hosts exclaimed in amazement, as if I confirmed something.

Oh shit.

Maybe I am confirming something.

Do I keep talking or stay quiet?

Maybe I shouldn't say anything.

"And last question, she is your? Girlfriend? Friend? In between, maybe? What do you think, Janice?"

"Looks like a girlfriend to me, Paul-"

"I-I don't know." I mumble to them in confusion.

"You don't know what she IS to you?"

"No, I mean-"

"Oh my God." Luke laughs into the mic awkwardly. 

The room begins to spin.

"Ooh, now I just feel sorry for the girl."

"Calum Hood, can we just say?"

"...She's nothing to me." I heard myself say suddenly into the mic. "I mean, she's..."

"I...think that's enough questions for now." Ashton interrupts the interviewers before they could say anything else and I felt his hand grip on my shoulder from behind me.

I look up to the members of our PR team behind the glass window who glared down at me from what I just did and I had a feeling I wasn't going to end this day without hearing the rest of it.

*        *       *

"Calum. Cal-pal. Buddy." John Feldman greeted me with short quick snaps down the hallway, as soon as our last radio interview came to an end. The rest of the boys walked ahead of us and I watched as he approached me warily, before saying: "About the radio interview?"

"I fucked up, I know." I admit, walking side by side with him. The exhaustion from sitting all day in cars, waiting areas and radio stations crawled under my skin. I was ready to rest.

"Well, yes!" He agreed, before putting his arm around my shoulder. "I love you, but never mention whoever you're dating, sleeping with or whatever on any interview ever again."

Surprised by his frankness, I stammer: "I know, I'm sorry. I just-"

"We talked about it beforehand. We briefed all of you." He says this in a managerial-father-like way. "It causes publicity and yes, there is no such thing as bad publicity, but it's not good for the image of 5 Seconds of Summer. We're trying to come out with the second album this year-"

"I know, Feldy. I-I just got into a tight spot between the radio interviewers. It's been a long day." I explained, before letting out a heavy sigh. We walked towards the elevator and went inside quietly. "What did Modest say? Are they pissed?"

"I'm speaking to you in behalf of Modest management actually." John replied, blankly. "They called me up and personally asked me to come and speak to you before the end of today. They want me to tell you that they expect it not to happen a second time."

"Because they know we're close? That's sly."

"That's Modest."

"Ugh. It's just...Alexia's been having a hard time. People know where she lives and-"

"I know, you're crazy about this girl. But allllllllll of this comes with fame, baby." John reassures me, as the doors open for us. "That's her problem for now. You can deal with everything after. You know that a real band hasn't made it if their second album doesn't make it big, Calum. You understand that don't you? You have priorities."

I followed him in silence, as I bit the inside of my cheek. We were headed outside the radio station and a small group of paparazzi were gathered near the cars waiting for the two of us. The quick flashes of light reflected against the tinted windows.

"You don't want to let the other boys down." I heard John say to me. "You all have it so good right now. You've come so far."

"I understand." I reassure him, before clearing my throat. "It won't happen again."

To: Alexia

From: Calum

7:54 PM

___________________

Alexia, you'll probably hear about a radio interview where I said that you mean "nothing" to me.

You don't really.

You mean everything to me and I hope you know that.

I just did what I had to do.