Picture This

Chapter 19

* 2 months later *

Today was the day that Calum and I were together for three months. All this time he had been in L.A. with every now and then a concert somewhere, but I never had to miss him longer than a couple of days. I was happy with him. We didn't go too fast, but slowly let our feelings for each other grow and at this moment I dare to say that I'm sure about my relationship. Very carefully I can say that I love him.

For tonight we had planned a date in a fancy restaurant, cause Cal and I both agreed that three months was something like a milestone in a relationship. Because it was still too early to get ready, I went for a run on the beach. Since summer was peeking around the corner, I decided that now was the time to become fit again.

A good thing was that I still could run around on the beach without being chased by paparazzi or yelled at by angry fans, because nobody knew yet that Calum and I were dating. We both agreed that we had to be sure about the thing we had, before we brought it out into the world. We talked about this a lot lately and after today we would no longer hide, but start to act normal and let everybody know that we were together. We both felt strong and confident and we knew we could trust the other, so the timing was perfect now.

Blasting some songs by The Vamps through my earpods, I ran over the dikes and piers in Santa Monica. This was the best place to have a run in the summer. The wind always blew a fresh breeze and the dikes were at this time of the day never really crowded. Singing along to 'Somebody To You' I wasn't really paying attention to the people surrounding me and accidentaly bumped into someone.

"- I'm so sorry, sir, are you alright?" The guy slowly got back up and looked straight into my eyes.

"- Always, when I see you." I was shocked. Why him and why now?

"- Austin...

- Chloe. It's been a while.

- Yeah.

- Looking beautiful as always.

- Isn't that something you're supposed to say to Camila?"

Even though we've broken up for over three months now, I was still pissed at him. Still angry for what he did. Right at the moment I officially forgot about him, where I believed I'd never have to see him again on my own, he popped up. Thankfully I was over him.

"- Autch. That hurted. But no, Camila and I broke up.

- Sorry to hear." I tried to say as sassy as possible, but I still got the feeling that you could hear the empathy in my voice.

"- So how've you been doing lately?" He asked.

"- Fine. In case you'd be interested: I found someone else.

- That Calum guy? Chlo, he isn't a real man. Not like me.

- You call yourself a real man? Guess what Austin: real men don't cheat on their girlfriends." I was close to hissing the words through my teeth.

"- I know I made a mistake. I shouldn't have kissed Camila. You were so much better..." He came closer and closer, scaring me.

"- Don't do this..." I whispered.

"- I missed you."

He said before pulling me close and kissing me. I tried to get out of it, but he was so strong, I had to stay in his embrace. I heard the cameras click behind my back. A tear rolled over my cheak. This was wrong, very wrong. I kept wrestling myself out of his strong arms, until he finally let go of me. That one minute felt like a whole hour. A whole hour of misery.

"- What did you think you were doing?!" I yelled at him with a broken voice.

"- I was over you! I like Calum, Austin! No, forget what I said: I LOVE CALUM, more than I used to love you. I hate you, Austin, I. HATE. YOU!!" I yelled at him before running away crying. This was bad, really bad.

It took me half an hour to get home, but when I got back, it was already too late. The picture of me and Austin kissing was already all over the internet. Every single gossip magazine had already published it. ' Austin Mahone back together with ex?'. Fans had posted pics on twitter and instagram and whatever other social media. For the first time in months I felt miserable again. Tears rolled down in rivers over my cheaks and I crashed into a corner of our living room. It was only a matter of hours, maybe even minutes, before Calum would find out. Only a matter of hours before my relationship would be officially over.

And I was right. It took him exactly 15 minutes to get to my place after I arrived there. With my eyes still puffy and red from the crying I opened our front door.

"- What is this?!" He yelled, clearly upset, holding his phone up in the air with the picture on the background.

"- Calum, please, I can explain..." More tears flooded.

"- What's there to explain?! I think these pictures tell more than words ever could!

- Please, give me the chance too...

- I thought we had something special! I thought I could trust you! Well, aparently I was wrong! You were the first girl in ages that I really liked. " His voice was slightly calming down.

"- You were the first girl that could make me feel secure, wanted and safe. You were the first that didn't like me for my fame. Make up your mind, Chloe, my feeling are not just a toy you can play with." With those words he left me behind stupified in my living room. He slammed the door and I broke down in more tears.

A horde of angry Mahomies was spamming my twitter with hate, but I couldn't care less. Multiple times I tried to reach onto Calum, but every single time I got his voice mail. Every time I heard his answering machine, I started to lose more and more hope. My relationship was over and it was my ex's fault. I was devastated and angry at the same time.

Five hours later James came home from a long day on set. All he did was hug me.

"- I know it wasn't you." He whispered in my ear. It felt like a relief that there was at least one person on this planet that believed me.

"- He was so strong, I could've never gotten out of it." I cried.

"- I know, it's okay. It'll be alright." In the strong embrace of my brother I felt safe and sound, but it still didn't take a way the feelings of pain and misery that were tearing me apart inside.