Orange Slices | C. HOOD

1. hot cross buns

     "Today at Campbelltown Stadium, we have Australia's National Women's Soccer Team playing off against Norway's National Women's Soccer Team." The television and speakers buzzed to life. The four musicians glanced at the two announcers on the screen talking about their thoughts and predictions about the upcoming lineup. "Ah, yes, and a special half time performance by 5 Seconds of Summer!" One announcer cheered.

"Who do you think is going to win?" Ashton asked as he raised the volume on the tv in the corner. He put the remote down and picked his drumsticks back up and started tapping on his practice pad.

"Didn't Norway win last year?" Luke asked, remembering the specific and highly anticipated game at the last World Cup. The match had ended with a tie and had to be broken in a shootout that led to Norway's victory.

Calum quickly interjected, "actually Australia would've scored in the last ten minutes if Norway's defense hadn't fouled Anderson. She was strong that whole game until that moment."

"Oh, to be Calum right now," Micahel chuckled, "to be so close to talking to his celebrity crush yet so far."

"I don't have a crush on her." Calum frowned. Crush would be a strong word for someone who he just admired for their skill. Anyone would be crazy to not be a fan of the great Shelby Anderson.

"Whenever a sport is brought up you always mention her. It's like she's the only athlete that is worth your attention," Ashton called out.

"She's a badass. Not to mention an incredible player. Did you know last season she scored the most goals and assists of the whole... you guys don't care," he stopped shortly watching the few unamused expressions come from his mates.

"We never said that," Michael laughed. "You're just not helping your case of proving that you don't have a crush."

"Believe what you want to believe," Calum grumbled, "I'm just going to watch the game and watch Anderson kick ass."

"Woah, that's a cool guitar," a little voice beside him said. Calum jumped, looking over to see a little girl watching him in amazement. "Do you know hot cross buns?" She asked.

He looked at the little girl sitting next to him in a yellow jersey, cocking an eyebrow, he glanced around looking for some responsible looking adult. "Uh, do I know hot cross buns? Well, it's only the best song out there." He played simply, suppressing a laugh as the little girl's eyes grew. "Want me to show you how to play it?"

The girl nodded excitedly. Calum took the strap off his shoulder and started telling her the chords and where to put her fingers. "Yeah, right there. Now pluck the string like this," he demonstrated, her following soon after. "Look at you!" He praised, "at this rate, you'll be replacing me on that stage."

"Cal, where did the kid come from?" Luke looked over at the two, confused. Calum just responded with a shrug and Luke went back to watching the game.

"This is fun," she giggled, "my mommy's going to be so amazed when I tell her I can play hot cross buns on the guitar!"

"Well, this isn't actually your typical kind of guitar, it's a bass," Calum said.

"A vase?" The girl tilted her head, confused.

"A bass," he corrected.

"Yeah, a vase," she nodded, "My mommy said she likes vases, those are the people who can play a vase. My mommy would like you."

"Yeah," Calum gave in. He glanced around the room for another time, "so where is your mommy? And should you be back here?"

"I'm supposed to be with miss Kayla cause my mommy is busy working right now."

"You should probably go back to miss Kayla before you get into trouble."

"Yeah," the girl looked down and pouted before looking up again and grinning. "You should come with me! I can ask Kayla if you can sit with us for the rest of the game."

"Oh no, that's alright. I'll go with you to miss Kayla but I have to be back down here cause I have to do my job." Calum got up and put his bass down.

"Ooh, what's your job?"

"I'm in a band and I play the bass."

"You're a vases!"

"Yes, exactly," Calum quietly laughed. The little girl took his hand and led him up a few flights of stairs. "How far are your seats, if you don't mind me asking?" He questioned. At this point he was wondering if the girl was just taking him up to the roof.

Eventually they got to a hallway with a bunch of doors. One door was open and the girl let go of his hand and ran straight in. Calum was then left in the hallway, checking to see if the little girl was with her safe guardian would be the responsible thing to do. But, he was hoping that he could try to retrace his steps back to his band.

"See, there's the vase man I'm talking about," he thankfully heard the little girl's voice call out again.

"Excuse me?" He heard a young woman's voice behind him. He turned around and saw the little girl with a woman who was much older than him.

"Hello," Calum waved awkwardly.

The woman laughed nervously, "I hope Charlie didn't bother you for too long. I should've kept a better eye on her."

"No, you're fine," Calum dismissed, "she's a great kid. Now I would love to chat more but I really need to get back downstairs."

"Uh, yeah thank you again." She looked down to the little girl, Charlie, who was tugging on her jersey. "If you'd like, you can come back up here to watch the second half. Charlie seems to like you."

"I'll think about it," Calum smiled. He waved goodbye to Charlie and finally went off on his adventure back to the band before halftime started.