Roommates || Calum Hood

Chapter 54 // Home

•Cassidy

My body slumped further down into the leather seat of the airplane, squishing into the odd material as I tried to re-adjust to get comfortable. It was three days before Christmas and I had finally built up the courage to go home. Bree reluctantly declined my offer to come with me, despite my attempts of persuasion, because she insisted that she could drive to San Fransisco to stay with her aunt and cousins for the holidays instead.

My parents still thought I was staying in LA, and I nearly was about to, but I just couldn't imagine how selfish that would be me for me to stay in my apartment just to avoid old memories. I mean, Calum wasn't even going to be in Australia, so there was no valid reason for me to miss out on traditions. The only thing that hurt was how eerily familiar this whole situation was.

I could still feel Calum's presence next to me, urging me to sleep on his shoulder or teasing me to go into the bathroom to have sex. I can't believe I ever turned down that opportunity. Well, obviously that was the start of our relationship and I still was hesitant of trusting him due to our past, but the one thing I truly regret about the summer was not spending more time with him. I shouldn't have wasted those first few weeks dating Luke when I should have been savouring every minute we had together. If only I knew back then how it would feel to miss him like this right now.

I had just under an hour left before I arrived to the airport. Even the whole 'surprising our family thing' reminded me of our trip here that occurred slightly after Max died. Everything suddenly felt so nostalgic and surreal.

I zoned out, trying to just focus on the familiar views that I saw from out of the window. It made my heart happy being home. Even though some of the memories that happened here haunted me, overall I had such a nice life growing up here. Los Angeles might be beautiful and exciting and the center of my career, but it would never be my hometown.

I retrieved my carry-on out from the overhead compartment and wheeled it behind me as we landed. There wasn't many papparazzi here, gratefully, and I tried my best to not draw attention to myself as I shuffled through the airport, hoping that my taxi was already here to bring me to my house.

Fortunately, the driver was ready for me. We got to my house in no time, considering I didn't leave too far from the aiport, and I thanked the driver and left him a generous tip. I took one big exhale before exiting the vehicle, hoping that my family would have a good reaction to my surprise arrival.

My sneakers that I always wore while travelling stepped over the stone pathway that led to my front door. I sweeped my pieces of hair that had fallen out of my ponytail away from my eyes so I could get a clear shot of their faces. I knocked on the door twice, and I could faintly hear steps coming to open it.

My father stood behind the door and his eyes nearly popped right out of his head at the sight of me. His jaw, which was now covered in gray-ish tinted stubble, dropped open in awe. "Cassie? What are you-" He asked, then just proceeded in wrapping his arms around me. "I'm so glad you're here!"

"Me too, Dad," I replied sinerely, hugging my father tightly. "I've missed you."

"Honey? Who's here?" I heard my mother call from the kitchen. She turned around the bend, pulling her oven mitts off of her hands. They immediately fell to the floor when she caught a glance at me. "Cassie! Oh my God!"

"Hi Mum," I greeted, feeling elated by how happy the two of them looked. I definitely made the right choice. She ran towards me to give me a hug as well and planted a huge kiss on my cheek.

"I'm so glad you came home, sweetie," She told me. "Now, are you tired from that long flight? Because if not then I could really use your help cooking for Elizabeth's baby shower tomorrow."