A Drop in the Ocean

Chapter 27

Working it's way well into February, we and One Direction had officially announced us as the opening act of their Take Me Home tour.  We would be playing shows in the UK, the States, Australia, and New Zealand.  It was February 18, and we would be leaving in about two days to head to London for a little group meeting before the official kick-off of the tour.  So, naturally, I decided I was going to pack my suitcase.  Liz was going to be joining us on this trip, and, honestly, I was grateful.  Luke has been exceptionally awkward around me since New Year's Eve, and his mother being on tour with us would definitely help to tone that down a bit.  I was prepared for my horrible packing skills to cause me to underpack, but I was totally fine with it.  I know how to do laundry.  And the odds of me doing the boys' laundry as well were quite high.  

As I grabbed different clothes from my drawers, I was listening to my iPod on shuffle.  After a song by which I cannot remember the name of was finished, one of my favorites made an appearance:  "Classic" by MKTO.  I couldn't control my horrible dance moves from breaking out, so I began singing and dancing around my bedroom while also attempting to pack my suitcase.  

"Nice moves," I heard a voice say from behind me, and I quickly spun around to face Calum standing in my doorway, a smug grin covering his face and blood rushing to mine. 

"Thanks," I laughed.  We both chuckled as I turned back to my packing.  "So, what brings you to my humble abode?" I asked him.  He sighed and sat down on my bed next to where my suitcase lay.  

"Oh, you know.  Just visiting a friend," he replied.  I nodded and turned to the suitcase to set in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.  Calum was bebopping to the song, and I couldn't help but chuckle.  "What?" he cried guiltily.  

"Have you ever heard this song before?" I asked him.  He shook his head.  "What do you think?"

"I think I like it.  Got a nice beat.  And the lyrics are catchy," he replied. I nodded in agreement.  He suddenly became quiet and looked down at his palms.  He was rubbing his hands together like one does when they wash them.  Or when they're nervous.

"What's up?" I asked him, a bit concerned.  His head shot up to meet my eyes.  He shook his head.

"Nothing.  Why?" he responded, a little too quickly.  

"You just seem nervous," I told him.  He nodded, his eyes distant.  I narrowed mine at him accusingly.  "You know something."

"What?" he cried.  "No I don't!"  I took a step towards where he was sitting.  

"Yes, you do.  Spill the beans," I told him, pointing my finger accusingly.  He held my gaze for a few minutes before surrendering.  He sighed and looked back up at me.

"Luke told me about New Year's," he responded quietly.  I looked at him with a puzzled look before laughing.  His head snapped up, looking at me with wide and confused eyes.  "What?"

"He told you about my getting shitfaced and telling him all of my secrets?" I cried with laughter.  He still looked confused and nodded, unsure of how he should respond. 

"Yeah, and he told me about the kiss," he added.  My laughing instantly ceased.  He would tell Calum?  Of all people?

"He did," I said.  He furrowed his brow.

"That wasn't a question," he told me.  I nodded.  His eyes widened in shock.  "You remember?" he cried.  I instantly moved towards him, shushing him.  I turned quickly and shut my bedroom door.

"Yes, I remember it all.  But you will not breathe a word of this to anyone," I commanded.  He gave me a puzzled and slightly irritated look.

"So, help me understand this.  You remember everything."  I nodded.  "And you told Luke you didn't."  I nodded again.  "And why?"

"I really don't know, Cal.  I have absolutely no idea," I responded, plopping down next to him on my bed, laying back and staring at the ceiling.

"You told him that you love him," he said.  

"I know."

"So...do you?" he asked, looking down at me.  I looked over at him, meeting his wondering gaze.

"I think so.  But I don't know.  Sometimes I wonder if I could ever love someone again.  And other times, I wonder if it's all in my head," I told him.

"Well, you've got to listen to your heart," Calum told me.  I chuckled.

"The only thing your heart does is pump blood.  It's the brain that does the thinking and decision-making," I corrected him.  

"Yeah, but without the heart, you don't have a brain," he retorted.

"Without the brain, you don't have a heart," I added.  He chuckled and lay down beside me.

"True.  But don't you think that you could listen to what they both have to say?" he suggested.  I pursed my lips.

"If only it were that easy.  If you haven't noticed, my brain doesn't know shit.  It can't even run itself, let alone anything else in my life.  And my heart is busy doing something else.  And when they do say important things, they always contradict each other," I told him.  I felt him nod next to me.

"I can't believe we are referring to brains and hearts as human beings," he chuckled.  I laughed along with him.  When our laughter ended, we went back into silence.

"What do you think I should do, Cal?" I asked, breaking the pause.  I could sense him thinking.

"I think you should tell him that you remember.  Maybe just tell him exactly how you feel.  Because that is the best thing for him.  And you," he replied.  I nodded, satisfied with his answer.  

"Well, maybe I should do that now then?  No time to wait," I told him, sitting up, and he came not far behind.  I gave him a grateful look and pulled him into a hug.  "You're a good friend, Calum."

"I know.  I was born for it," he replied.  I laughed.

"Maybe she's born with it," I said in a Maybelline commercial voice.  Calum put up a hand.  

"Don't even finish that," he told me with a warning tone.  I gave him a smug grin.

"Maybe it's Maybelline," I whispered, jumping from the bed with Calum tagging not far behind.  I bounded down the stairs, shrieking and hoping he wouldn't catch me.  He was not far behind when I bumped into James, slowing me down.  

"Woah there, Speedy Gonzales," he said.  I chuckled.

"No time to talk James!  I'm on the run!" I cried, pushing off the wood floor again to escape my attacker.  His longer legs put him at an advantage, and soon, he had captured me in his arms, swinging me around the entry way.  About two swings in, I heard a knock on the door.  "Come in!" I shouted, still laughing from Calum's attacks.  The door creeped open to reveal Luke.  He gave a small smile, and Calum put me down.  My hair was a mess and my face was flushed, but I was feeling good.  

"Hey, Jordan," Luke said, giving a small smile.  

"Hey there," Cal and I replied at the same time.

 "Hey, I came over just for a second because I wanted to introduce you to someone," he told us, opening the door a bit to reveal a petite dark-brown haired girl on the steps.  She was about my age with dark eyes and a big smile.  

"Hi," the girl greeted, her voice soft.  Cal and I gave small waves and nodded.

"Jordan.  Calum.  This is my girlfriend, Adeline."

My stomach dropped.