WRONG NUMBER / CH

chptr 18

Calum woke up one morning with one clear thought: Leia was moving to Sydney today.

Saying he was excited was the understatement of the century.

It had been four months since she started texting him. Four months ago, she was a complete stranger. He was a complete stranger. But starting today, everything might change.

He practically jumped off of bed and went through his morning ritual with a smile on his face, not minding that today was Monday. When he and Luke left for school, the blonde boy couldn't help but question his best friend's good mood. "Why're you so disgustingly happy today?"

Calum grinned manically. "Leia," was all he replied.

Luke nodded in understanding. "Ah, right, the big move." He clapped his best friend on the shoulder and nodded goodbye before separating for classes.

Lunch time arrived without any thing raining on Calum's parade. He wasn't even worried that Leia hadn't been texting him. He figured she was too busy packing things, or helping her mom out or something.

They were all talking about some weekend party Michael and Ashton went to, since Calum was too lazy to drag himself out of his apartment and Luke was too busy being a boyfriend. Apparently, it wasn't very good. The cops came around three a.m. and almost caught them smoking pot, but they escaped.

Luke frowned at the actions of his best friends. "If you go to jail for smoking weed I'm not bailing your asses out."

Ashton laughed in a slaphappy way. "We know. That's why we have Calum," he announced cheerfully, laying his head on Calum's shoulder and giving him a one-armed hug.

Calum couldn't help but smile. "No fucking way," he replied. Michael complained indignantly and started a whole speech about friendship when Calum's phone vibrated.

from: leia :~)
got the car loaded ready to go

His whole face lit up.

from: leia :~)
im in my room saying goodbye to it haha

from: leia :~)
wait mom's shouting outside

from: leia :~)
oh fuck

His heart dropped. Suddenly he knew something bad was going to happen. He desperately wished everything was okay.

from: leia :~)
its dad oh my fuckibg god

from: leia :~)
i dont want to go out

The bell rang, indicating that lunch was almost over and they had to get back to class. Luke and the others stood up, tapping Calum's shoulder. "Hey, mate, we better go."

Calum nodded and nervously exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding. Carefully he pocketed his phone and made his way to his History class.

He never particularly liked History, but his teacher was kind, so he tolerated it. Today they were talking about World War II, and Australia's part in it. But how could Calum concentrate when his phone was buzzing nonstop?

He raised his hand up. "Miss Roth, may I go out?" he asked politely.

The teacher nodded, and Calum left his chair and the room in under two seconds, making his way to a restroom cubicle to read her texts.

from: leia :~)
i should go down

from: leia :~)
but warren's in the other room im gonna go to him

from: leia :~)
i cant believe im live-texting you this

Calum furrowed his eyebrows, wishing he could help her in some way. He could imagine Leia right now, comforting her little brother, telling him it would be okay.

from: leia :~)
i dont wanna leave warren but mom's cryin

from: leia :~)
i need to go t her stop dad

There was a lull after that, so he assumed Leia went downstairs to defend her mother. Calum sat on the tiled floor, staring at his phone while tapping his foot nervously. It hit him again just how crazy the situation was: him completely worried over a stranger, forgetting his own life and losing himself in hers. He shut his eyes and allowed himself to calm down.

from: leia :~)
he was threatening mom about the divorce money

from: leia :~)
almost hit her too

from: leia :~)
need t chek on waren

Sick bastard, he thought bitterly. He should be locked up. His heart cried out for Leia's family. He didn't even care how long he was sitting in the restroom.

She didn't text much after that, which made Calum worry even more. He felt like he was going to throw up, which didn't make sense. Almost half an hour passed before Calum stood up, willing himself to go back to class and stop worrying. Everything was fine. Everything was going to be alright.

He had never wished to be with someone more than he wished to be with her now.

But just before he left the restroom his phone buzzed again.

from: leia :~)
found warren unconscious in his own room.

from: leia :~)
panic attack

from: leia :~)
this is your fault.