You're Not Just A Teenage Dream | C.H.

"It's the worst feeling in the world, I wouldn't wish this on anyone."

Calum tried to keep himself occupied for the rest of day, his phone never out of his sight, just in case Hannah or Sue got any news. He was half-heartedly playing FIFA with Michael, after a long battle with Luke and Ashton, saying that he would stay put unless her family or friends specifically asked for him to come.

"Come on man, can you actually try? You know how much I suck at FIFA, and I just won." Michael sighed from the couch as he threw his controller down next to him.

"I said I would stay, I didn't say I would enjoy it." Calum said deadpan. Michael just ruffled his hair, trying to decide whether or not he wanted to play another round.

---

"Guys, it's getting dark now, and she still isn't back..." Sue opened the curtains and looked out. "There's really nothing the police can do?"

"According to them, there isn't. They put out the description of her and her car to the highway patrol or something, but that's apparently all they can do for now." Hannah replied dejectedly. Dustin was sitting next to her on the couch, scrolling aimlessly through his social media, not sure of what else he could do.

"I just wish there was some way we could call her! If she had just taken her phone with her..." Sue muttered to herself.

"I know. I swear, I'm going to kill her once she gets back." Hannah said.

---

"Shit, it's starting to get dark." Dakota peered out of her windshield. "I think I'm back in Colorado though? Maybe? I don't even know. Maybe I'll find another hotel, try to call someone...yeah, that's what I'll do...

She soon saw bright lights on the side of the road, so she took the next exit and found herself in the parking lot of another hotel. The sun had finished setting, it was getting colder by the minute, and she had forgotten to grab her jacket when she left home.

"Excuse me, do you think I could use a phone? Mine died on the road..." Dakota lied to avoid awkward questions.

"Yes, of course, down the hall. Let me know if you need anything else!" The woman smiled warmly at her.

"Dammit, do I even know anyone's number? Umm...maybe I know Calum's...?" Dakota dialed a number she thought was his.

"Hello?" Calum's voice was gruff, more than Dakota had ever heard before, but she didn't care.

"Oh Calum, thank god, I wasn't sure I had your number mem-..."

"Dakota! What the fuck? Where the hell are you? Do you know how fucking worried everyone is?" Dakota had never heard him yell like that before, and it made her start crying again.

"Don't yell at me..." Her voice cracked as she tried to choke back her tears.

"I was about to hop on a plane to Colorado! Do you realize that your friends are in your apartment right now, worried sick about you? Hannah just texted me again, freaking out because it's dark and you aren't home!"

"Cal...please just..."

"Where are you? Hannah and Sue said something about Nebraska? How the fuck did you end up in Nebraska, of all places?"

"Just give me a chance to explain..." Dakota pleaded, finally getting a whole sentence out.

"Yes, please fucking explain!"

"I got really bad news this morning, and I'm having a really hard time dealing with it, okay?"

"People die Dakota. That's life. You can't run away from death."