Going Nowhere

May 28, 2016

 

“I’m sure you liked it when-”

 

“ANNA CRISTINE! Don’t you dare!”

 

I laugh, tilting my head back. “Go have fun. I love you, babe.”

 

She groans. “I love you too. Talk to you later.”

 

“Bye.” I end the call.

 

The screen of previous calls comes up and I notice another name in red. Michael’s name is repeatedly written in red across the screen. I missed four of his calls. There is a voicemail for every single one.

 

I turn my head to see Calum sprawled out across his bed. I don’t want to wake him, so I decide to sneak out in the hall. The door closes softly behind me, only after making sure my key was in my pocket. I sat against the wall next to it and pulled my phone back out.

 

“Hey, Anna,” He sounded like he was in a rush to get somewhere. “I got your call, I think you fell asleep but give me a call when you wake up. Alright, I’ll talk to you soon, bye.”

 

The second one sounds desperate, like he was not only running but couldn’t catch his breath. “Hey, Anna, I’m really worried, is everything okay? I got your call and I called before and I’ve been trying to get a hold of Emma or Sopia or Callie but they won’t answer me either. Call me, alright? I need to make sure you’re alright.”

 

“Anna, I’m at the airport, I got a hold of Emma, she said a few things I’d rather not repeat, but said that you went away for the weekend? I’m worried, Anna. Is someone with you? I’ll stay at the airport until you call and if you need me I’ll take the first flight out there. Please, call me.”

 

“I’m about to board, I’m on my way to Paris, Sophia told me you were in St. Malo and I need to see you. I know this might be stupid or a waste of time but I don’t know what’s going on and I’d rather see you pissed off and alive than- Please, please, Anna, don’t do anything, I’ll be there soon, okay? Just hold on a little bit longer, I’m on my way. I’ve got to go, I’m about to board, but don’t forget, Anna, I love-”

 

You. I love you. I love you too, Michael.

 

My head falls back against the wall and the phone slowly falls from my ear. My eyes squeeze shut and I had the overwhelming urge to crawl back into bed and curl into a ball. My stomach was clenching and my head was pounding.

 

I stood before I decided to spend the rest of my life sitting there. The blood rushed to my head and I had to take a second to adjust before my vision returned. I took cautious steps forward and placed the key in the door, opening it quietly as not to wake Calum.

 

Michael was coming.

 

Callie told me if I needed anything, I needed to tell Calum. I needed to let him know what was going on at all times. When she repeated it to Calum, he agreed.