Chapter 2
Calum was the star player in his soccer team at school. He still giggles when he calls it soccer, because only about two years ago he called it footie. And only two years ago, he played with Brendan and Mitch at the field he grow up playing at. But things don't always stay the same; he's now in America. He's in San Francisco to be exact. He's mum's job finally gave her a higher position and promised for less traveling. The catch? They had to uproot their lives to gain a permanent one. And a bunch of folks told him it would be easy because he didn’t really have a life yet, they’re wrong. I mean he’s gone and visited Scotland as a child, but those were visits. Sydney’s all he has ever known his entire life. All he mostly remembers is Sydney. His friends were there. He did amazing things there. He was given a scholarship for the sport that he loved for goodness sakes! He was one of the chosen few to travel to South America because of soccer there. Of course, he didn’t go, but there were a lot of things he left behind in Sydney.
When it happened he didn’t know how to cope. His sister was old enough not to be affected by it. She had recently graduated and was going to go out in the world to do great and brighter things. He was in his 9th year or as they would like to call it in America a freshman when the transition happened. He was turning eighteen soon and a few months after that he would be off to college. He's been thinking of going to back to Australia for it, but his parents were here and his sister was in a whole different country. He and his mates back home still talk but he'll still be practically be alone. He was already lonely now, moving across the world to somewhere familiar by himself. It would be I unrecognizable if he was alone.
A few months ago Calum was at the top of the High School pyramid, but he had started to hang out with Ashton Irwin several months ago after finding out about their similar secret. Ashton was like no other human being Calum had met before. He knows that sounds like an exaggeration coming from someone who is only about to turn eighteen; however, this was not so. Ashton who was held back one grade due to headaches and migraines. Ashton, who had long curly, luscious, dirty-blonde hair, because he lived up to the stereotype of being a brooding artist, was the epitome of odd. Calum found Ashton to be magical. Ashton blushed every time Calum refers to him as such, but it’s true. Calum loved to watch the older man work his magic, or paintbrush, or pencil, whatever! It’s the same damn thing. Ashton created magic with his hands. Ashton was different. Ashton was magnificent and creative. Ashton was so many things and more. Ashton said they were alike. That he was just like him. Calum refused to believe it because everything the older man made was beautiful. Even the bloody and disturbing pictures he created during his overnight episodes after waking up from a nightmare.
It was in one of these nightmares that these two strangers became unlikely friends and then as time passed became the best of friends.
Several months ago when Calum was on his way home from school after his footie practice. Calum had no choice but to walk home, his mum and dad had to pull in for overtime. He had assured them that he would be all right and that they had nothing to worry about. He had decided to take the long way home. He had wanted to contemplate about his new life and how melancholy he was.
Everyday had been a tedious chore. The only consolation was footie; however, his new teammates didn’t like him very much. One of the regulars had been bumped down when he had been accepted into the team. The team was not very happy about it and had refused to pass him the ball. His parents had been harder due to the expensive cost of living in America. They also had to save up for college. Calum wanted to acquire a scholarship like he did in Sydney, but how was he to do that when scouts couldn’t see him play.
It all changed a couple months later when his coach had reprimanded the whole team and when they passed him the ball during their next game, he had scored the winning point. He was accepted and became popular, but that was never a big priority for him. All he wanted was to get that scholarship. He wanted one less worry off his parents’ shoulders. He and Mali were close in age. He knows the burden of putting two kids through college. He cringes every time he remembers the numbers he read online. He wants to see if he can apply overseas. He hopes that Sydney could be an option.
He misses his friends. He misses the familiarity and the comfort they provided. He didn’t want these people who were only nice to him, because he was high on the food chain. He didn’t even want to be up there. He just wanted— He wanted someone to understand him and be there for him, like right now. He was lonely and melancholy. He had no one to talk to.
There’s been an influx of letters being dropped in his locker ever since he started to really play and he was a bit scared, because a few days ago they had started appearing in his home too. He hoped that it was nothing but a prank but the contents of said letters were a bit intense, it frightened him. He really shouldn’t have walked home alone today, but he didn’t want to burden his parents. He knew why they were working.
He had opted to take an alleyway to get to his house. When he was grabbed by his bag pack and roughly pulled back, then pushed against the alley wall hard. He fell on the floor on his side.
“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Superstar.” Someone said above him. “How are you, pretty boy?” They asked while delivering a kick to his stomach. “I hope you enjoyed the spotlight because today’s your last day.” The stranger said giving him another kick.
Calum curled up in a ball hoping to protect his stomach. He was in pain. He had never been beaten up before. He had always had Mali to defend him, but it was never really necessary. In his opinion he had always been an alright bloke who minded his own business and didn’t want to cause any problems, but apparently something happened here.
He heard the stranger rummage for something in his pockets. He took a chance and looked up. He wished that he didn’t because now he knew what was coming. He knew the stranger. His name was Justin Farrow, and he was the kid that was bumped to make room for him.
Justin was a stereotypical popular jock. He was tall, had blonde hair, and was built like a building. He had been a good player, but had neglected his school work. He had also let the popularity get to his head. He was pompous and callous towards people. He was hated and feared.
He knew he should have taken those letters more seriously, but he had thought it was just someone playing a prank on him. A very well thought out elaborate prank. Okay, he had been in denial, but can you blame him? Now he was about to die. He flinched when he Justin flipped the butterfly knife. The glint of the knife from the setting sun blinded him for a second, causing him to avert his eyes. He felt tears prickle his eyes. He hadn’t even lost his virginity yet. He had so much to do and so many things he wanted to accomplish. He didn’t want his life to end here. He felt the fight in him clawing out. He opened his mouth to scream for help, but the blonde quickly speared him in the throat before he could.