•Calum

"I'm sorry," I admitted awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck as I viewed Reagan get dressed as fast as possible, with her cheeks flushed a bright tint of red. "I didn't think she would be coming home for awhile."

Reagan shrugged, quickly twisting her messy hair into a knot on the top of her head and slinging her small purse over her shoulder. "It's fine."

I nodded, biting down on my lip as I tried to think of something appropriate to say. I hardly ever had an actual conversation with Reagan. It was a mutual thing. She was chasing her fifteen minutes of fame, and I was chasing some kind of affection in this brutally lonesome lifestyle I lived in. "I'll, um, I'll call you?"

Reagan chuckled half-heartedly, placing a final kiss on my swollen lips. "Calum, you know very well that we don't do that. But when you would like a second round without any interruptions, let me know."

"Okay. Bye, Reagan," I called, hiking my pants up my tan legs and not bothering to put my shirt back on. It was slightly chilly outside tonight though, but that could possibly be from the fact that Cassidy was about to lose her chill.

I exited the bedroom after I heard Reagan disappear from my new home, coming in contact with an angry Cassidy perched on our sofa. I sneaked a glimpse in the mirror hanging on the wall next to her, spotting a line of hickeys covering the surface of the skin on my neck. If I didn't cover those by tomorrow I would be in major trouble.

Cassidy folded her arms across her chest expectantly, and I finally broke out of my lazy trance to meet her gaze. "You're a pig," She snapped. "You don't even care about that girl. That's disgusting. You haven't changed a bit, have you?"

"Cass," I grumbled, rubbing my palms against my eyelids as if she would vanish when I would open them. "It's none of your business. And I didn't expect you to be coming home for awhile."

"You were on my bed! How is that not any of my business?" She screamed, then visibly cringed as she thought about the two of us going at it like rabbits on her mattress. "I'm sleeping on the air mattress tonight, you can have the bed. Just change the sheets for Christ's sake."

Cassidy stomped away like the little brat she was. I rolled my eyes at her childish overreaction, but still obliged to her commands. I stripped the bed of the sheets and placed them in a laundry basket, then found a different pair of sheets to hug the bed instead. Considering the fact that we had to be up early for a stupid press conference tomorrow, I slumped down into the bed and nestled my head against the pillow.

I locked my phone after mindlessly scrolling at the same time Cassidy came into the bedroom, now dressed in her pajamas with the makeup she was previously wearing no longer sticking to her face. She let out a heavy groan as she flopped onto the air mattress on the floor, wrapping the blanket around her petite body.

An uncomfortable silence fell upon us. It never used to be this way when we were friends. We used to get in trouble for talking too much. Of course, I had ruined that, but in instances like these where nothing but the sounds of our exhales filled the room, I would much rather have her screeching at me over something stupid.

"How was your date with Luke?" I blurted out, keeping my eyes locked on the pure white ceiling above our heads.

"Short," Cassidy answered vaguely.

"Just like his dick," I muttered, not being able to bite my tongue and stop myself from pouring out a dirty joke.

I expected Cassidy to roll her eyes or yell at me or throw something at me with so much force that a purple bruise would appear on my face. But none of those happened. She actually let out a weak little chuckle. It was quiet, and barely lasted a second, but it was the first time I had heard her laugh in years and man, it was great.

A feeling of pride bubbled through my veins as a itty-bitty smile tugged on the corner of my lips. I was able to make Cassidy Gold giggle even though she absolutely despised me and was still haunted by my actions that tore the two of us apart. Jesus, I must be some kind of freaking comedic genius.

"Goodnight, jerk," Cassidy mumbled in a sleepy tone, shifting onto her side with her back facing me.

"Goodnight, brat."

•*•*•*

My black skinny jeans with the hole in them rubbed against the uncomfortable chair that I was currently sitting on, looking out at the sea of reporters in front of us, eager to document every word that escaped our mouths. Mel had given us orders before we came out here on what to say and how to act, and Cassidy was doing a much better job pretending that we were friends than I was. This entire situation was so uncomfortable for me, but the way Cassidy seemed so effortlessly relaxed with all eyes on her was somehow reassuring.

"No, we obviously don't hate each other. Yes at the premiere we had got in into a bit of an argument, but I might have over-exaggerated a bit to try and keep people from making wrongful assumptions about us living together. It was still unprofessional and I do deeply regret the scene I caused that night, but Calum and I both moved on from our predicament rather quickly, and I would hope all of you will as well," Cassidy spoke into the microphone propped in front of her, speaking with such confidence that she didn't even stutter. Her scholarly tone was highly intimidating and it seemed to persuade the reporters greatly.

Some man in a stupid suit that was baggy around his waist received the microphone that was being passed around to ask us questions. "So, what led you two to move in together?"

Our irritating managers.

I cleared my throat before leaning forward to the mic, letting my lips hover right above the metal like I have grown accustomed to from being on stage. "Cassidy and I have been neighbors since we were born. Our families have always been friends, and so have we. Since we both had the majority of the summer off we decided to move in together to get back to our roots. It's nice to surround yourself with people who you have grown up with to keep you grounded."

The crowd all scribbled things down on their tiny pads of paper. Another question was pressed upon us before I even had time to reflect on what I had just said. "Well I would ask if you two were dating but after viewing the pictures of Miss Gold and other 5 Seconds of Summer member, Luke Hemmings, yesterday it is clear that you are not. Cassidy, what is going on between you and Calum's band mate?"

"How do you guys find things out so quickly?" Cassidy asked in amusement, a small smile tugging on her plump lips to insure that she wasn't being bitter about this and that she found it entertaining with how rapidly gossip is spread. "Luke and I only casually went to get frozen yogurt together one time. It's no big deal."

I stole a glance at Cassidy, and her cheeks were starting to flush in embarrassment. She was making it so obvious that she had a crush on my best friend, and I was dreading that this interview would turn into her gushing about him.

However, I was thoroughly surprised when our next question had to do with the release of our second album. "Yeah, I'm stoked for our fans to finally here it. It's slightly more rock this time and we're trying to shy away from the pop sound, but it's still nothing that will scare away some of our younger audience. I hope people love it because I do."

"Cassidy, have you heard any songs from the upcoming album? If so, what is your favorite song?" One of the correspondents asked and I nearly gulped. She probably hasn't even listened to anything from the first album let alone hearing any songs before they have been released.

She grinned over at me, patting my back gently. Even if it was fake, it was still so weird for her not to have a glare plastered over her sculpted face. "Yes I have heard it, and I am so incredibly proud of these boys for all of their hardwork and for making their dreams come true. I simply can't pick a favorite because I love them all and I'm positive when it is released everyone will feel the same way too."

I smiled back, not even sure if it was fake or not. She handled the question perfectly and in a sweet manner, and it amazed me at how easy this was for Cass.

"Cassidy, I loved your performance in your latest movie and I agree with the speculations about a future Oscar nomination-"

"Thank you so much!" Cassidy interrupted with a new level of bubbling excitement and sincerity. She seemed to be jittery whenever the Academy Awards were even mentioned and it was extremely annoying. Cassidy realized that the man was not finished speaking, and she tucked a piece of her golden hair behind her ear. "Oh, sorry. Please continue."

The man who worked for some magazine nodded before proceeding. "As I was saying, although I enjoyed your performance, I highly doubt you will win if you do get nominated because the film itself was so horridly produced. The story-line was very predictable and the script was over-dramatic. Not to mention, the special effects were very cheesy and obviously low budget."

Cassidy swallowed a lump in her throat, letting her tongue glide against her lips. She seemed to be frozen in place and unable to speak, whereas I was about ready to pounce on the rude man and rip his head off for having the audacity to say that to her.

I sighed heavily to compose myself, glimpsing over at Cassidy one more time to see if she was going to respond, but she still looked speechless. "Sir," I began to say, gaining the attention from the journalist. "None of your statements have anything to do with Cassidy's amazing acting or her as a person. She is not the director, writer, or producer, therefore that was completely irrelevant to both Cassidy and the original intention of this press conference about us being roommates. I would love to continue this but unfortunately I would not like to be in a room where either me, or my best friend, will be disrespected by someone as rude as you. Thank you for your time. No further questions."

I scooted my chair back and stood up tall, sticking my hand out for Cassidy to grab. She glimpsed up at me through her mascara-covered lashes like a deer in headlights, completely stunned by what had just happened. "Come on, Cass," I whispered to her, and she hesitantly intertwined our fingers together and let me lead her out of the conference room.

Martin and Mel had some look on their face, and I couldn't decipher whether or not it was disappointment or pride. Either way, I didn't care. As much as I thought Cassidy was the most annoying, stubborn, brat to ever exist, I still was immensely protective over her and it was so weird. This whole roommates thing was freaking confusing.

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author's note: calum being nice to cass hey now hey now this is what dreaaams are made of

ok i know i keep saying that you will find out what happened soon and you haven't yet but i promise it is super soon i swear. does anyone have any predictions???

love you all thank you so much for reading i hope you stick around and continue reading forever bc i love you guys and i love all my sugarplums

dedicated to starbucksluke bc she is sugarplumluke's number one fan!!!! also because she straight out told me to dedicate a chapter to her lmao ily butthead