this is what it feels like // calum hood

45

When they made it back to LA they all went their separate ways. Aly was all showered, laying in bed, trying to fall asleep. She just wanted a short nap but her mind was still focused on all the negative comments.

Her phone stared ringing on the bed beside her, she glanced over. Over the weekend she had added a new photo to Calum's contact, it was an up close photo of him and Duke, their faces squished together.

She held the phone to her ear.

"Stop thinking about it," was the first thing he said.

"Thinking about what?" Aly questioned, trying to play it off.

"I know you're still dwelling on the comments."

"Am not!"

"You are and I know it," she could hear the smirk in his voice, "Want me to pick you up? We can drive down to the beach?"

"Please," she sighed.

"I'm on my way, baby!"

She could hear his car keys in the background as the phone went silent.

A little while later Calum texted her that he was outside. Aly slipped on her shoes and made her way downstairs.

"Where you going?" Sierra asked as she walked away from the kitchen with a bowl of chips in her hands.

"Cal and I are gonna go for a drive, try to clear my head," Aly shrugged as she reached for the door.

"Have fun!" Sierra called after her, still walking away.

Aly shut the door behind her and made her way over to Calum's car. She slid into the passenger seat.

"I ordered a pizza to go pick up," he smiled.

"God, I love you," Aly smiled at him.

A laugh left his lips as he backed the car out of the driveway.

They went to pick up the pizza and then headed down to the beach. They didn't have a blanket or anything, they just sat right in the sand under the pier, sharing the pizza.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" he asked, his hand on her thigh as the other held a slice of pizza.

"Not really," she shrugged bringing a slice of pizza to her mouth.

He could feel her body tense up, "Are you sure?" He looked over at her.

"There's not much to talk about, it hurt and made me feel like shit but I'll get over it," she shrugged.

Calum gave her leg a squeeze, kissing the side of her head, "None of it's true, you're beautiful just the way you are."

She turned to look at him with a soft smile, "I know."

"Oh really?" he teased trying to make her laugh.

"Oh shut up," she laughed pushing his shoulder. He dramatically leaned away from her.