Midnight\\C.H.

...25...

I look at the clock and notice 2 hours has gone by. My few calls and texts to both Ashton and Calum have gone unanswered, making my stomach clench with unease. I continue to pace my room, checking my phone every three minutes to make sure I didn't miss a text or a call. Anything.

Just as I'm about to call both of them again, my phone dings with a text from Ashton, Lotti, please meet me at my room. Thank you.

The formality of the text makes my stomach tighten and my breath hitch, anxiety and turmoil seeping into my body. But I shake the feeling away, knowing that all this lying and cheating has ended and I can finally be with Calum. I feel excitement at the revelation, quickly slipping into my shoes and practically skipping to the elevator. My heart pounds as I ride up to their floor, a small hint of anxiety at the future before me.

A small pang gnaws at the back of my head as I wonder why Calum didnt reach out to me, or come to get my even, but I push that way too, knowing he will explain when get to him. My eyes brim as I think about hugging him; pulling him into my chest as he is finally mine. I daydream the whole way to Ashton's room of cuddling up in Calum's arms for the night and waking up to his handsome face. I picture us getting coffee in the morning and giggling as we walk in together to greet the guys for our morning meeting.

I knock gently on the door when I arrive and become taken aback when Luke answers. His face is bleak as he steps aside for me to enter and I notice Mikey and Ash on the edge of the bed looking at me hesitantly. I enter fully into the room and find Calum leaning in the farthest corner, his arms around his chest and his head cast down.

My breath immediately escalates as the anxiety and unrest floods my body again, threatening another hyperventilation. I look at Luke and he swallows, quickly looking away from me before I look at Calum, his jaw clenched tight as he purposely avoids looking at me. My heart jumps in my throat as I begin to feel sick, wondering what the fuck is going on.

"Lotti, please sit," Ashton says collected, but I see the upset in his features.

Mikey exhales and drops his head in his hands as I sit across from Ashton in the lounge chair and ask, "What is going on?"

"Cecil went to management," Ashton states, looking deep into my eyes like that answers my question. When I don't react he continues, "She threatened to blackmail us and you."

I stare at him as I process his words and hear Calum's voice from earlier 'she wants to tell management to get you fired'. "You're firing me?" I croak out.

"They're asking you go quietly so Cecil will refrain from spreading word about you hooking up with all of us."

My eyes begin to water and Mikey stands up quickly, "I don't want to be apart of this. I told you guys not to do this." His hands grip at his hair as he kicks the desk chair in frustration, now his name and possibly Crystals about to be dragged through the mud.

"I'm sorry," I cry weakly.

"No," Ashton confirms, looking at Mike and then at me, "This is not your fault. She is sick and twisted. Who does this to people? It's fucked up."

"But now its affecting all of you," I gesture about, "And Crystal and Sierra," I look at Luke in shame, "I'm so sorry.'

"Don't be," Luke shakes his head.

"It's not fully on you Lotti," Mikey spits, turning to look at Calum who hasn't said a word.

I look at him too but he only scolds at Mike, his dark eyes and menacing glare actually scaring me.

"Mikey," Ashton says calmly before he turns to Calum as Calum's phone starts ringing.

Calum swallows and answers it, "Hey," his voice soft and sweet.