Gypsy wakes up the next morning in Ashton's Jimi Hendrix tee shirt and her favorite pair of Calum's grey sweats. She used to wear his clothes all the time, actually, and the feeling of being in them now has her feeling nostalgic and more than slightly comforted.

She'd fallen asleep at Ashton's, her and the boys sleeping over because they had decided over pizza and bread sticks that they were practicing, today.

And she's like, really excited.

So, as she stretches, rising from Ashton's bed (since he was kind enough to take the couch, as he always did when Gypsy slept over), she's met by the smell of pancakes and the sound of singing over Blink 182.

"First Date" has just gone off and "Please Take Me Home" is playing, and Gypsy jumps from bed because whatever is happening to Take Off Your Pants and Jacket on shuffle in the kitchen sounds like a shit ton of fun.

This is typically what she wakes up to when she sleeps over at one of the boys' houses - music.

This is why she loves her friends.

Dammit, she missed them.

Like, a hell of a lot.

And Zayn was right, she realizes as she pads down the hall, growing closer to the music and delicious smell of breakfast. This is what she wanted, actually: for all of her friends to be in one space with her. Call her selfish, but this is what she always wants - that. That warm and fuzzy feeling of being surrounded by the people who love you.

Oh no it happened again,

She's cool, she's hot, she's my friend

I'd drive for hours,

It's so, you leave me nowhere to go

She's unstoppable, unpredictable

I'm so jaded, calculated, wrong...

Please take me home, too late, it's gone

I bet you're sad...

Gypsy slides into the kitchen, singing, "This is the best time we ever had!"

And she goes for it, playing the air guitar as if she were actually Hendrix and not just wearing a shirt with his face on it.

The boys grin, joining in with their air-instruments.

Luke's on his air guitar, bouncing with bended knees in front of her.

"Buy hope," he sings. "Hope that it lasts-"

Gypsy flips her hair. "Give in, forget the past..."

"Be strong when things fall apart..."

"Honest this breaks my heart..."

"Gypsaaaay!"

And Gypsy laughs as Ashton uses a spatula and a fork for drumsticks, pounding in the air as she grabs a spoon and continues to sing.

"She's unstoppable, unpredictable. I'm so jaded, calculated-"

Luke harmonizes with her, "Wrong..."

Michael jumps in: "Please take me home, too late, it's gone. I bet you're sad-"

"This is the best time we ever had!"

Ashton points the spatula at her. "So," he giggles, "how'd you sleep in my shirt?"

"And my pants," Calum smiles.

"And my bed?"

"Slept great, thanks guys," she grins, poking Michael in the cheek as she makes her way into the kitchen.

Leaning against the counter, Calum's got his tongue in his cheek, holding his arms out towards her.

Gypsy's heart beats faster.

God, he looks so good. With hair tousled from sleep, sweat pants low on his hips, Gypsy is trying hard not to kiss him good morning like....Well, like she used to.

She smiles, instead.

She can do this.

She can do this.

She can.

At least, this is what she's telling herself as she crosses the floor and slips her arms around his torso. His arms wrapped tightly around her, Gypsy inhales sharply. He smells like him - like his soap and his clothes and faintly of body spray. Her nose against his chest, her grip tightens momentarily, eyes closing. These smells and this overwhelming sense of nostalgia, well, it almost makes her want to cry.

Almost.

She pulls away before tears bristle, and as she turns, she's met instantly by Luke's frown.

He looks away, but Gypsy tilts her head, grinning at him. "Hi, Lucas."

And now, he smiles. "Hi, Gypsy."

Her smile grows, and she stops, for that moment, thinking of Calum because Luke is smiling at her instead.

"Pancakes, Gyps?" Asks Ash, and Gypsy rushes to his side because she sees Nutella.

"Um, hell yes," is her response, and the boys all laugh.

"Fuck, where've you been, Gyps?" Michael asks, laughing as he slips his arm around her shoulder.

He smiles down at her, because she's small and they're all gigantic in comparison. "Shit, I missed your smart ass."

"I missed you too, actually," she replies, poking him in the stomach.

"All of us?" Ashton laughs. "Are you sure? Because if you just missed me, I think we all might understand..."

And Gypsy grins, laughing as Calum slaps him with a fork.

"Shut up, Ash."

"What? What? I cannot tell a lie, mate."

"Don't fight over me, I already know I'm amazing," comes her quick response. She leans against Mikey's chest, eyes locking on Cal's. "I missed all of you, okay?" And with wide eyes, she means it.

And Calum bites his lip, grinning back at her.

"You missed me?"

She hums, willing herself not to jump from Michael's arms and into his. "A little bit."

He pouts, and she sighs because fuck, his pout is still so damn cute.

"Just a 'little bit?'"

"Okay," she squints, "maybe a little more than a little."

He steps towards her. "That's not fair."

She shrugs. "Take it or leave it."

"Miss me more," he grins, and Gypsy laughs.

"That doesn't make sense," she says, turning back against Michael. She can't actually bring herself to look into Calum's eyes. And because she doesn't trust herself, and also to keep sane, Gypsy peers back over Ashton's shoulder. "Eew, that pancake looks like-"

"A work of art," Ashton finishes. "So, say nothing."

And Gypsy and the boys fall into an easy laughter. It's like they hadn't ever left.

It's like they'd been with her throughout the entire summer.

And that makes her feel good.

And true to Luke's word, he had washed her clothes after soaking them the night prior in the pool, and after showering and changing, she watches as the boys set up their instruments in the the garage so they can practice.

Holy shit, they're practicing.

And Gypsy chews on her lip excitedly.

They're doing this.

They're doing this together.

Gypsy has one more to-do on her list of to-do's for the summer. She's got to get over a fear, and while she has no idea what that fear will be, and while she has no idea of anything, really, actually, she's not thinking about the future. She's not thinking about the fear she's got to get over. Hell, Gypsy isn't even thinking about college or her mom returning or senior year. In the moment, all Gypsy is thinking of is the song she wrote with Luke that they're going to perform, and the four boys she's going to get up on stage with.

God.

She's getting up onstage.

And not in front of a crowded bar this time.

But, people.

Actual people.

And a whole shit ton of them, too.

"Gyps?"

And Gypsy whirls around. She takes a step back because Luke is staring at her with a raised brow.

She grins at him. "Yeah?"

"Are you ready?"

And Gypsy grins, her smile growing as the boys take up their instruments and Ashton sits behind his drums.

"When you are."

Late in the afternoon, they've practiced to the point where she and Luke have got their harmonies down and the music behind them sounds good enough to actually like, perform.

They decide to take a break, and Gypsy sits in Ashton's kitchen by herself, a glass of water in front of her as she pulls her phone out.

She's got a text.

It's from Harry.

How's practice going?

Gypsy smiles, typing him back.

Fun! Want to come over?

Bubbles bounce.

He's texting her back.

Can I ?

Gypsy giggles a bit because Harry is just so Harry.

Of course you can silly :P

Bubbles bounce again.

I'm bringing Zayn

See you soon love

"What're you doing?"

Gypsy sits up at once.

It's Calum, and he's got his hands in his pockets, regarding her with a slight pout and raised brow.

Gypsy lifts her phone, waving it. "Texting."

"So popular."

"Ha," she snorts. "I wish."

Calum chuckles, walking into the kitchen and opening the fridge, and Gypsy watches as he digs around inside. She watches the way his tattoos look under the bright lights and how his muscles flex beneath his shirt. She watches how he somehow looks older; more mature than he had when she left. She watches Calum and wonders why she continues to feel the way she feels around him.

Feeling eyes on him, he pauses, peering over his shoulder.

"Are you checking me out?"

Gypsy laughs, looking at the counter because she is not going to let him see her blush. "Full of yourself, are you?"

He grins, smirking as he lifts a juice pouch from the fridge.

"I call it like I see it."

"Think you might need to reevaluate this, then," she says, watching as Calum snorts, slipping the wrapping off his straw and poking at the hole.

"You're sure?" He pokes again. "Because I'm pretty cool, duh."

Gypsy laughs harder.

"Leave me alone," he replies, because he's seriously struggling with the juice and it's got Gypsy very very amused.

He groans in frustration. "Motherfu - This is supposed to be for fucking kids."

"Fucking kids? That's horrifyingly specific."

"Oh my god shut up; that's not what I meant."

"You're sure? Because," she eyes his juice, "you're really having some serious trouble over there."

"Don't be mean since I'm not actually a pedophile."

"What can I say," she shrugs, choking on a laugh, "I like watching you struggle."

And as Calum shoots her a glare, Gypsy giggles a bit before holding out her hands, motioning for him to bring her the juice.

"Hand it over," she says, and Calum pouts only before shuffling slowly towards her.

That makes Gypsy laugh again, and she snatches the pouch from his hands.

"You can't stick a straw in a Capri Sun?" And she pokes the bent straw effortlessly through its hole. "Shouldn't you be good at this by now? Aren't these like, all you drink, anyway?"

"Sometimes I drink other things," he shrugs, taking the juice from her hands and grinning at her little snort. "So you're wrong."

"I'm never wrong, Calum."

"I know because you're perfect," he grins, slipping into the space between her legs.

He stares down at her, eyes lidded as he sips happily upon his juice.

Gypsy looks away from his towering frame, finding a renewed interest in her phone. "That I am."

Calum nudges her gently. "Heard you were getting a new tattoo."

She looks up immediately. "Luke told you?"

He nods, and Gypsy shakes her head, turning the inside of her wrist so she can admire her hummingbird. "Oh, Luke," she sighs.

And then she looks up. "Where is Lucas, by the way?"

"Uh, I think in the garage still, with the boys," Calum replies. And he frowns. "Why?"

"I need to talk to him," she says, pushing from her chair. She really does, though, because she can't keep putting off this conversation, or else she'll never ask and forever attempt to ignore the feeling of unease that arises in her stomach each time she thinks about it. "I need to see-"

"I missed you, Gyps."

She stops. Where did that come from?

She sends him a little grin. "I missed you too, Cal," she replies honestly.

"Like," she pauses, nodding, "like a lot."

He still seems shocked to hear these words. "You did?"

"I did."

"Really?"

She rolls her eyes, chuckling. "Really."

"Can I tell you something?"

"If you'll help me find Luke."

"Okay," he says slowly, confusedly.

And Gypsy grins, staring expectantly at him.

He runs his hands through his hair, having set his juice upon the counter.

Gypsy laughs. "Yes?"

"I don't-" He shakes his head. "I never liked her, y'know."

Gypsy's smile falls.

"What?"

"I never liked her," Calum repeats, gulping loudly and rubbing on the back of his neck. "Victoria, I mean. I didn't - I wasn't in it 'cause I liked her. "

Gypsy blinks quickly. She was over this. She was over him. She's over this and she doesn't want to talk about it. She doesn't want to relive this; that night.

She shakes her head. "Cal, I-"

"I'm serious, Gyps," he continues, placing his hands around her waist. "I'm so serious. She meant nothing to me, I swear. God, I didn't mean to hurt you-"

"You didn't?"

"No. No, I swear I didn't. She was a distraction 'cause I missed you so much and I was trying to forget about you; about us and I couldn't. I thought," he's staring in her eyes and she can't bring herself to look away, "I thought I'd just get over us, I guess. I thought - I don't know what I thought," he sighs. "I figured a distraction would keep me from thinking about you all the time and it just didn't work.

"And I forgot about her when you came to Sydney. Like, I should've ended it-I shouldn'tve ever started it, but I did," he says, the words pouring out and washing over Gypsy at once. "I did and it's my fault 'cause I'd forgotten about her when you came back. When you were gone, I was thinking about you, so I tried to use Victoria so I could stop thinking about you so much, and that didn't work. So when you came I was thinking about you fucking more and I'd forgotten about her so she..."

It's a lot to take in, and Gypsy's staring at him with wide eyes and she's fighting tears.

"I hurt you and I'm so sorry, Gyps. I'm so so sorry and I'm just happy that you even gave me the chance to explain, 'cause since you left I never thought I'd get a chance to tell you the truth about how I felt; how I feel."

She looks away. "Cal..."

"I love you, Gyps. Like, I said it before and I'll probably never stop meaning it."

"Calum, I - "

"Hey Gyps, I...Oh, uh," and Gypsy and Calum both turn to Luke and Michael in the doorway.

Gypsy doesn't miss the look that passes across Luke's face.

"Oh," Michael grins suggestively, nudging Luke. "Are we intruding on something, mate?"

Calum groans. "Can you get out?"

Michael holds his hands up in surrender. "Alright," and he sends Gypsy a wink. "Don't have too much fun in here," he grins, backing from the room.

"Wait, Luke!" Gypsy exclaims before he can retreat with Mikey. "Can I," she pauses, "can we talk later?" She asks. "Please?"

He shrugs, shoving his large hands into his pockets. "Yeah," he stares over her head. "Sure."

"Okay, thanks, I - "

"He's waiting," he says, motioning towards Calum, who's standing in the kitchen, staring their way. "Calum, y'know."

"Yeah, but - "

"Go, Gyps," he says.

"Okay, but - "

His teeth clamp along his lip ring. "I'll see you, or something. I mean," he stutters. "Just. He's waiting, yeah?"

Gypsy blinks slowly. "Okay. Yeah. Right," she says, and Luke nods, turning and following Michael into the garage.

Shit.

"Fuck," she runs her hand through her hair.

"What's wrong?"

"Luke," she exclaims. "He's pissed. He's mad at me."

"What?" Calum laughs, "No he's not."

"Yeah he is."

"No, he's not," he says, "and forget about him," he continues, slipping his arms around her waist. "He'll be fine."

"But," she sighs, rubbing her eyes, "I can't just forget about him," she sighs, "It's Luke."

He snorts. "He's not a baby, Gypsy."

"I know," she sighs. "I just..."

"But, what about us?" He asks, and Gypsy pauses.

"Us?"

"Yeah, us," he laughs. "I love you, Gypsy," and he frowns, brow furrowed beneath the hair Gypsy is fighting the urge to push from his eyes. "Do you love me?"

"I -" She pauses, because she's got the answer and can't bring herself to say it. "I've got to think about it."

"Think about what?"

"Us. Everything," she shakes her head. "I just...I need some time."

"Okay," he frowns, obviously confused.

"Okay?"

But, Calum nods.

"Okay."

_____

Gypsy bounces around in Ashton's garage and watches Harry and Matty and Zayn's reactions to their practice.

It's nice, she realizes, as she belts out the lyrics she wrote with Luke, with Luke. It's nice because it takes her mind off of the growing number of to-do's that have been suddenly showing up on her list.

One day, she decides, she'll have to thank Justin for signing her up to perform because he's offered her a much needed distraction and a perfect escape from the increased turmoil and confusion in her life.

1. Get all friends to get along

2. Talk to Luke (because he's been avoiding her since he found her with Calum in the kitchen)

3. Decide what to do about Calum

4. Decide what to do about life

5. Finish college applications

And the list goes on.

Because dammit, she's trying to start her new list and get to California.

But now, she's not thinking these things. Right now, as she sings for her friends with her friends, her mind is elsewhere and her adrenaline is carrying her through the song and her body is moving to the beat of the instruments surrounding her.

And it's when the music ends and the boys begin to mingle and congratulate them and congratulations turn into conversation, and Gypsy looks around and sees Ashton and Michael and Calum and Luke and they're talking to Harry and Zayn and Matty, and they aren't arguing and they're actually laughing, speaking about their instruments and their band and her, she feels like things might be alright.

Until she thinks about her friends.

And she sneaks towards Harry, who's laughing with Ashton and Matty about something stupid, probably, only to tap him softly on the arm.

He looks around. "Hi, love," he exclaims, dimple popping with his grin. He squeezes her face affectionately. "What's up?"

She slips her hand into Harry's, tugging him from the room.

"Can I talk to you?" She whispers, leading him from the kitchen.

"Sure thing, love," he grins. And, noticing her frown, he pauses. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she says, shaking her head quickly. "Nothing...You're just a great listener," she grins, "and right now, I just need somebody to listen."

-~*~-

Guys.

Can I be honest?

I'M TEAM #CALYPSY AFTER THIS ONE GUYS.

THOUGHTS?

Also this is unedited af so just know that lol - I'M TRYING TO UPDATE EVERYTHING YALL.

Comment and vote my loves. x