Where The Lines Overlap [CTH]

[36] Sparks

Oh. So, it's handmade. That's pretty cute!

Until I unfolded the paper and saw that it was not a card at all.

I was staring at a printed version of an online ticket for a flight to Australia the next day.

"Oh my God." I gasped aloud, before covering my mouth with my both of my hands.

"You're fucking joking! No! No! Calum! No! This is not real."

But all I see, is him grinning to himself proudly and nodding back at me, before shh-shing me and pointing upwards, reminding me that my parents were probably fast asleep.

"This is too much. You're so...you're so fucking annoying." I whisper before letting out a laugh and letting the tears I've been holding back simultaneously run down my cheeks. "Calum, how the fuck am I gonna top this?"

"Merry Christmas, babe." He says to me, before kissing my forehead and wrapping his arms around my body from behind.

"You're crazy." I repeat over and over. "You're actually crazy."

"I'm a lunatic."

Then, we just sat there on the floor, for a long time in silence.

"My family have been hearing me talk about an "Alexia" for some time now." He suddenly says to me, with his warm lips inches from my ear. "And well, I don't know...I think it's high time you meet them. Put a name to a face. I mean, if you want to. That is."

My heart was thumping loudly from inside my chest as the thought of meeting Calum's family dawned on me.

"Alexia?"

"O-of course, I want to meet your family, Calum." I replied, before staring at what felt like a golden ticket in my hands. "But I need to let my parents know about this."

"You don't have to." Calum grins a smug grin to himself. "They already know. That's actually part of the whole surprise."

"You're joking, right?" "And...they said yes?"

"I'm proud to say that your parents seem to have taken quite a liking to me." His laughter brushes against my skin. "Particularly your Dad."

"Alright, alright, Mr. Hood." I exclaim, before perching up and turning to face him. "But, at what point do I get a say in this?"

"Youuuu can...say "yes"?" Calum's voice trails, as he held both his thumbs up in the air.

"I would love to go to the other side of the world with you..." I smile as he punches his fist in the air. "BUT on one condition."

"And, what might that condition be? Hmm?" He grins, before kissing the top of my head.

"Please tell me there aren't any more surprises."

"No more surprises." He laughs and we both lay on the ground, almost lost in the moment, only to look up to the sight of Lily who had been standing by the archway the entire time, with her phone dangling on her hand.

"I love you both but that was truly disgusting." She scoffs, before shaking her head in dismay.

*                      *                  *

The following morning and with much effort, I managed to pack my belongings to spend a week with Calum and his family in Australia. The other side of the world. It never really occurred to me that during our summer, it was Australia's winter. As a result of this, I packed light with my luggage filled with shirts, tanks, dresses, jeans, swimwear and underwear.