c'est la vie || Calum Hood

"I can still taste the ocean like it was today."

The lost and found was a small closet that had6 boxes with clothing and items left by other customers that weren't reclaimed. We were searching through the boxes that were filled to the brim in clothing.

"So, where do you live, Calum?" I asked while rummaging through a box that was filled to the top with ugl clothing.

"I live in California but, since my family is from Australia, I have a house there too." He informed me and threw me a shirt that he thought would fit me. It was a t-shirt that said Aruba in bright blue letters.

"So you've been to the beach a lot?" I put the shirt in a corner so that I can pick it up later.

"Yeah. Have you gone to the beach?" He asked and picked up another box to search through.

I took a breath. "I've only gone to the beach once. I used to tell my sister that I can still taste the ocean like it was today." I let out a shaky laugh.

"Maybe in the future you can visit me in LA and go to the beach." He smiled at me.

"Sure." I said even though I knew that when he left I would leave too. I have nothing to make me stay. My sisters perhaps but I can see them outside of the place that was supposed to be my 'home'.

I picked out some shorts that looked to be a kid's khakis. I grabbed my shirt and the shorts, Calum took his clothes as well.

We walked to the now familiar lobby to show the lady what we chose. With her were a pair of girls that were seemingly looking for a place to stay. One of them turned towards us as we entered the room. Her mouth opened and her eyes widened.

"Oh my god! You're Calum Hood! We're staying here for your show!" She squealed while jumping up and down.

Calum gave her a smile and nodded. "Great! I will see you there."

"Who are you?" The other girl asked while nudging her hair towards me.

"I am..." I didn't want to say his friend or his girlfriend, we weren't either.

"She is my stylist. We are using a room here to make some measurements. We will be leaving shortly." He butted in, saving my ass. "It was nice meeting you." He grabbed my hand and walked away.

When we entered the room I looked at him. "We have to leave. Our location will be leaked." I bit my nails, trying to calm my worry.

"Maybe we don't have to. I can tell them to not tell anyone." He brainstormed, running his hands through his hair.

"Come on, Calum. You know that they will tell a friend and that friend will tell another and so on."I motioned with my hands. "We have to change and find a taxi or something."

"I have a driver that can take us wherever we want to go." He offered.

I shook my head. "They will tell your management or your bandmates. It's too big of a risk."

"Another taxi will know who you are and take a photo. It is a losing battle."

"I can call my cousin and I can guarantee won't tell anyone." I shrugged, trying to think.

"Okay! That's the plan." He said, nodding rapidly. "You change first."

I entered the bathroom with my clothing. I peeled the dress off, it was sticky with sweat. It dropped to the floor and I stepped out of it.

The shirt I put on was too short for me, it was probably a vacation shirt that someone bought on a cruise. The shorts were a boy's outfit. I could tell by the toy car that was in the pocket.

The car was distressed, with cracked paint and only 3 wheels. The blue and green were now faded and ruined from time.

It surprises me how some people move on from everything so quickly. I can't tell you if the child who owned this car cried when they noticed it was lost or if they never noticed. I was holding a time capsule of some child that was probably in high school by now.

When I went back out to the room, Calum was laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He turned to me and laughed.

I gave him the middle finger. "Go change so we can leave quickly."

He followed orders and went into the bathroom.

I sat on the bed and texted my cousin to ask if he could pick me up. He immediately said yes and that he was on his way after I sent him the location.

Calum walked out of the bathroom in a floral shirt and some black shorts.

I tried to keep my laugh to myself but it eventually came out. "I'm sorry. You look like my father when we went to Colorado." I tried to catch my breath.

"Colorado of all places." Calum giggled as well.

We laughed until my phone rang.