Catch 22

15.

An: double updating bc I love Sprinting_Ginger . Read 14 first and Enjoy! -Sav

I feel weak as I stand before Calum, tears in my eyes, and begging to ride with him the rest of the way to Toronto.

I bite my lower lip as I await his answer.

He pulls me against his chest, my tears falling on his black shirt as he presses kisses into my hair.

"What happened, Row? What'd they do?" He asks and I just shake my head, not wanting to talk about it at the moment.

"Okay, okay. Come on the bus. Ash!" He yells for the black haired boy who'd just brushed past our scene headed to find some food.

"Yeah, mate? You guys good?"

"No. Can you just bring us back something to eat? Preferably something somewhat healthy."

"No worries."

"I'll Venmo you!" Cal yells after him.

"Don't worry about it!" Ash calls back.

"Okay, come on. Let's go to my bunk" he said, pulling me along behind him, my hand tightly held in his.

I follow behind him with no resistance, I don't have the strength or energy and I just want to be held. I hadn't wanted to involve him in this but it was too much. I'd sat awkwardly amongst the crew as they had carried on conversing like I wasn't even there. I'd tried to add to the conversation but they'd just rolled their eyes and talked over me. Like I didn't matter, like I wasn't even there.

It really wasn't a big deal, or it shouldn't have been but coupled with the stress of the past few days from being isolated and my sister not answering her phone I had no one else to turn to besides Calum.

"You gonna tell me what happened?" He asks and I shake my head.

"Nothing major, it's just all built up and I was uncomfortable. I couldn't get a hold of Kate and I was just really overwhelmed. I'm sorry for being so dramatic." I apologize.

"Don't apologize for how you feel." He says, his tone serious.

"Sorry." I say and he gives me a straight-faced expression.

"Fuck, sorry!" I say, laughing as I again apologize, Calum joining me before ending our laughter when he places his lips to mine.

"You sure I don't need to say anything? Or I could rough them up a bit for you if it would make you feel better?" He says, a playful look on his face.

"You look awfully smiley for someone who just threatened to fight someone." I tell him, an amused smile on my lips.

He just shrugs and I cuddle back into his chest. His heart sounds through his chest where my ear is pressed. Loud and strong. I listen to the steady drumming until I hear the bus door open and footsteps until someone is stood right outside the curtain.

"Erm, I have you guys food." Ash says quietly.

"We're getting up, just put it on the counter." Cal replies, his hand pushing against me lightly after he opens the curtain.

We roll out of the bunk and walk into the front lounge. I force down the lump in my throat as the others all turn to look at me.

"Um, hi." I say in a small voice.

"I got you guys sushi." Ash says, gesturing to the plastic containers on the counter and I nod.

"Thanks man." Cal says grabbing them and chopsticks before moving to the table.