word count: 2245
requested by: none
warnings: none
fandom: 5 seconds of summer, disney
au type: camp rock, camp
summary: you'd always wanted to go to camp rock and now that you finally were, it seemed like the only place things went from there was down
inspired by: Disney's "Camp Rock"
authors notes: i'm so sorry this took so long :/
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Two weeks later; Friday afternoon
"Ah, good! You're already here!" you heard behind you, making you look over your shoulder.
"Looking for me again, Rockstar?" you smiled, your eyes following Calum as he hurried over to you. You were sitting at your usual spot by the lake, just looking out at the water before bedtime.
"As a matter of fact, I was," he said confidently, "I think I finished the song."
"You did?!" you squealed proudly, making Calum's heart swell, "You wouldn't happen to be carrying the guitar because I finally get to hear it, would you?"
"I did, and I would," he smiled back, "You ready?"
"Been ready!" you sighed, leaning back against the tree behind you so you could comfortably watch him while he got prepared to play, "I've been waiting to hear this mysterious tune that's been plaguing my ears for weeks now."
"Bit dramatic, don't you think?" he laughed.
"Not when you already know what you're working on and won't tell me anything," you pouted, making him chuckle again.
"Well, worry no longer!" he teased, "Ready?" You simply nodded your head that time, excited to hear the song Calum had been working on for the last two weeks.
I can still taste you like it was yesterday
Making plans to rule the world, you were more than I deserved
I see you running in the sand, long hair blowing in the wind
Never thought that it would end
Leaves fall from the tallest trees
Even mountains crumble into the sea
Holding on to memories
And I can't let go
I wanna get back to where we started to the summer night
You know, you know, you know, you know we got it right
Yeah, I wanna get back to San Francisco, in the firelight
You know, you know, you know, you know we had it right
Remember that weekend when we got out of town?
Drove into infinity, I held you 'til you fell asleep
Without you, the smell of your perfume
Reminds me of when we were free; I swear that it's still haunting me
Leaves fall from the tallest trees
Even mountains crumble into the sea
Holding on to memories
And I can't let go
I wanna get back to where we started to the summer night
You know, you know, you know, you know we got it right
Yeah, I wanna get back to San Francisco, in the firelight
You know, you know, you know, you know we had it right
We don't gotta say anything, don't gotta say anything
Don't say a word at all, don't say a word at all
We don't gotta say anything, don't gotta say anything
Don't say a word at all, don't say a word at all
I wanna get back to where we started to the summer night
You know, you know, you know, you know we got it right
I wanna get back to where we started to the summer night
You know, you know, you know, you know we got it right
Yeah, wanna get back to San Francisco, in the firelight
You know, you know, you know, you know we had it right
We don't gotta say anything, don't gotta say anything
Don't say a word at all, don't say a word at all
We don't gotta say anything, don't gotta say anything
Don't say a word at all, don't say a word at all
"It sounds beautiful, Cal," you smiled once the guitar faded out.
"You really think so?" he asked worriedly.
"Of course I do!" you shook your head, "If I hadn't known how long it took to write, I would think it was effortless, but knowing the struggle you went through makes it that much more beautiful. You're such an amazing songwriter and it means a lot that you even wanted me to be the first to hear it."
"Well, you give great advice and you know how to make a guy feel better when he's down," he chuckled shyly, "Didn't want anyone to hear it first but you. I'm just glad you could get time away from the kitchen to listen to it."
"Anything for you, Cal," you grinned again, "But I did promise my mom I'd be back right after the song was over." You pouted dramatically, making him let out a short, loud laugh. "But I'd rather stay here and listen to it over and over again any day," you assured him.
If you didn't know any better, you could have sworn the comment made Calum blush, but you didn't get a chance to see it as his face got closer to yours. He pressed a grateful kiss to your cheek, making you scrunch your nose up happily, hearing him smile as he pulled back and got to see it.
"Get back to the kitchen, chef," he nudged your arm with his elbow, "Can't wait to see what's on the menu tonight."
"You're gonna love it, Cal!" you promised him as you stood up, "It's me and my mom's specialty back home! People come from miles around just to see what all the hype is about!"
"Well, I hope it lives up to it," he teased, laughing again when you stuck your tongue out at him and trotted toward the mess hall.
But he didn't notice when you found yourself looking over your shoulder before the lake was out of view, smiling softly at the sight of Calum hunched back over his guitar, playing the song for himself again.
~
Calum's POV; 5:45pm
"Calum!"
The shout behind him made Calum look over his shoulder, finding Tess jogging toward him. He was surprised he was able to hide his sigh of disdain, but it was clear he had when she didn't even react to it.
"Do you have a minute?" Tess asked him upon coming to a stop in front of him.
"Sure," he responded, "What's up?"
"Well, I know you've been spending a lot of time with Y/N this summer-" she started – and if Calum didn't know any better, he'd say he could hear the scowl in her voice. "-but I found something out today... And I just thought you should hear it from a friend," she said. Calum's eyebrows furrowed – since when were he and Tess friends? – but he didn't get a chance to speak as she continued. "Y/N's been taking photos of you the whole time you've been here," she informed him, "I saw over her shoulder when she was submitting one to TMZ's website."
"Tess, I know you don't like her, but-" Calum cut himself off when Tess pulled out her phone and opened her web browser, letting him see exactly what she was talking about.
The photo on the screen was one from earlier that same afternoon – of him sitting alone by the lake with his guitar after you'd left to help with dinner – attached to an article titled 'Exclusive Photos of 5 Seconds of Summer's Calum Hood at Camp Rock!'.
Calum yanked the phone out of her hand and began scrolling the article, finding photos of himself – never looking at the camera – from moments where he'd always been with you. You, however, were never in them, all of the photos taken either before or right after you showed up for your daily meetups at the lakeside.
He didn't want to believe it at first, but it was now pretty clear.
You'd been sneaking photos of his time at camp and selling them to tabloids.
~
Your POV; The next evening
You found yourself walking a little quicker to the Beach Jam, eager to see how Calum was doing. You hadn't seen him since he played his song for you the previous day – you hadn't even seen him go through the lines for any of the meals since then. Your mood lifted slightly though when you saw him by the stage talking to Sander – he was out and about; that had to be a good sign, right?
"Hey, guys!" you chirped, bouncing over to the pair.
"Y/N!" Sander grinned, both of you missing the scowl on Calum's face, "Excited for Beach Jam?"
"Obviously! I had so much fun at the Pajama Jam; I'm hoping this one lives up to it too!"
"It definitely will! You've been the life of the party at every jam we've had so far!" he chuckled when you shoved him playfully.
"Yo, Sander!" you looked over at the sound of Barron's voice, finding him ushering his friend over.
"Gotta go!" Sander gave you and Calum a nod, "See you later!" You waved as he left, finally giving your full attention to the boy beside you.
"Hey, Cal," you greeted, "Where have you been the past couple days? I feel like I didn't see you at all yesterday."
"Been around," he answered shortly.
"Oh," you said softly, "Well, what did you think of me and my mom's dinner on Friday? Was it as good as you thought it would be?"
"Don't know," he said, "Wasn't there."
"What?" you laughed in confusion, "You didn't go to dinner?"
"Didn't feel like it."
"Are you okay?" the concern was evident on your face – not that Calum cared, "I thought you were having a good day yesterday. You seemed happy when you sang-"
"Did you think I wouldn't find out?" he seethed, causing everyone to stop their own conversations and focus on the two of you.
"Find out what?" your tone was desperate, truly having no idea what he was so upset about, "Cal, what are you-"
"You've been selling photos of me to TMZ!" he finally shouted, making you jump.
"What are you talking about?" your confusion only heightened.
"Stop playing dumb, Y/N," he rolled his eyes, "I saw the photos – how they were always taken from times I was with you, but you never seem to be in them. Turns out I'm not as stupid as you thought."
And if the accusation that you'd betrayed him hadn't already gotten to you, his next blow really would have.
"You're exactly who I thought you were," Calum grumbled.
"I-I'm not, Calum," you swallowed thickly, shaking your head, "I would never-"
"I can't believe I ever trusted you," he spat before walking away, leaving you with all eyes still on you and Tess still watching with a victorious smirk. You heard Caitlyn's breathing become deeper before she grabbed your hand and began pulling you away.
"What are you doing, Cait?" your voice came out strained as you struggled a bit to match her pace.
"If we don't leave right now, I'm gonna smack that stupid smile off her face," she said, purposely going past Tess so she could hear it – but you weren't around long enough to hear if she'd responded.
~
Monday morning
You – understandably – hadn't gotten out of bed the rest of Saturday and the entirety of Sunday. You had no idea what had gotten into Calum – or more importantly, what he was even so mad about. You thought you two had been getting along so well throughout the weeks you'd been together. This entire situation was just a nightmare, and the only thing you knew about it – the only clue you'd been given thus far – was the way Caitlyn talked about how smug Tess has been acting. You were both sure she was somehow involved, you just didn't have any way to prove it.
You were already awake when the alarm went off on Caitlyn's nightstand, signaling that there were 20 minutes until your songwriting class was scheduled to begin. You jumped at the sound, having already been awake for the past who-knows-how-many hours, but you didn't make any move to get up.
You heard Caitlyn start stirring, not even able to force yourself to smile when she groaned and hit the button to shut off the blaring wake-up call. In fact, she didn't even acknowledge you until she was fully dressed and coming back out of the bathroom.
"It's almost time for class," your best friend put her hand on your shoulder and rubbed soothingly, "You sure you wanna go?" You thought for a moment before sighing and burying your face back into your pillow.
Maybe you'd be strong enough to face everyone tomorrow morning.
"I'll see you when it's time to get lunch started then," Caitlyn nodded to herself, taking your sigh as a no, "I'll take such detailed notes that it'll be like you were there to hear it all yourself!"
"Thanks, Cait," you whispered, earning a gentle smile before she was off to the songwriting cabin.
~
That evening
You weren't sure how long you'd been at the lakeside, but the sun was setting by the time anyone else realized you were there. Your songbook was in your lap, a pencil was in your hand, and you were sitting off-center on the log, subconsciously leaving a spot for Calum.
"Hi, Y/N," Caitlyn said, startling you a bit as you hadn't heard her approach you, "How are you feeling?"
"Been better," you whispered honestly, looking back down at your songbook. Your best friend peeked over your shoulder, finding words on the page in your lap for the first time since she'd met you.
"Hey, you're writing again!" she smiled, coming around the log to sit next to you.
"I guess."
"Y/N, come on," she sighed, "I know you're in a shitty situation right now, but this is a good thing! You've spent the whole summer worried about how you could never find the motivation or inspiration or love for writing anymore, and it's finally back! You should be proud!" You were silent for a moment before speaking again.
"It's about him..." you said so softly that she almost didn't hear it.
"There's nothing wrong with that," she reminded you gently, "You can't always help what your inspiration is."
"Just wish it wasn't him..." You wiped your face in frustration when your voice broke – you really wished you weren't so hung up on the one person who hated you most.
"I know," she nodded, wrapping her arm around your shoulder and pulling you in for a side hug, "But either way, I bet you'll still kill it at Final Jam."
"I don't even know if I want to do Final Jam anymore," you admitted.
"What do you mean you don't want to?" she frowned, "You've been so excited about it all summer!"
"'Cause... 'Cause he'll be there... And he'll think I'm trying too hard and that I'm just desperate and I only like him because he's famous and-"
"So what if he does think all that?" Caitlyn cut you off, making you look back up at her, "Final Jam isn't about what other people think about you; It's about showing yourself how far you've come. Six weeks ago, you were stuck in this rut of being unable to write a single line of a song, and now you finally have! If Calum is going to believe Tess over the only person who so obviously cares about him the way you do, then that's his loss. Maybe it won't change his mind, but it doesn't need to either; It's all about how you feel and how much you've grown as a writer." You sat in silence, really taking in her words.
After a few moments, you swallowed thickly.
"Thanks, Caitlyn," you murmured, making her grin brightly.
"Now come on! Let me hear it!" she chirped, grabbing your hand and pulling you in the direction of the music cabin, earning herself a squeak of surprise as you finally smiled.
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song used: "San Francisco" by 5 Seconds of Summer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pvok_PPHaU