just friends // c.t.h

36

It was the last night they had together, and they spent it on the couch, the tv playing a movie that they weren't interested in. They were more focused on each other, trying to memorize each others faces and smiles, knowing it would be a long time before they saw each other face to face, not on a computer or phone. They were silent, knowing that if they broke this silence they would have to acknowledge the fact that it was in fact their last night together for months. But both also knew, that if they didn't talk about it, there would be words left unsaid, and doubts and worries that wouldn't be set to rest.

"This is it." Calum whispered to Jess, who staring at the screen in front of her, trying to take her mind off of it. They had gotten so little time together, not enough, if only they had realized how they felt sooner and acted upon it. "You know that this doesn't change a thing, right? I don't care where I am, I still love you, and I'm still gonna be in love with you, even in Australia." Jess looked back at him, tears streaming down her face.

"I know, it's just,"She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "I can't help but worry. I mean, what if you find someone better than me? I don't want to force you to stay with me just because you feel bad about it, I want you to be happy. I just wish you would be here with me." He brought her closer, and turned off the television.

"Jess, you're what makes me happy, I love you. There's not a girl in the world that can take your place." With that, they were overtaken by a comfortable silence, knowing all their feeling were out in the open, and they knew how each other felt.

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The time passed too quickly, and they were left with heads spinning and heart heavy. They had spent the week together, all with soft smiles, ones that you could tell were hiding the sadness that came with the looming threat of him leaving for so long and her staying here. But it had come, they no longer had time for their movie nights, where they lied under the blankets with arms wrapped tight around each other, scared that if they let go their time would end soon, as irrational as it sounded. It was time for Calum to leave. They were at the airport, the other guys laughing and hugging Jess, telling her to take care of herself, and promising that they'd make sure Cal wouldn't do anything stupid ( she didn't really need their reassurances, she trusted him with all of her heart, and knew he would never purposely hurt her) but Calum stayed close, quiet, with his arms around her waist.

"I guess this is where we tell each other that we'll always love each other no matter how far apart we are."She said teasingly, trying to stop her own tears from falling. He nodded, bit remained quiet, pulling her in so their foreheads were touching.

"Maybe it doesn't need to be said." He whispered, before cupping her face and kissing her like there was no tomorrow, like she was the air and he desperately needed to breathe. After pulling away, Jess smiled, wiping away a stray tear, and laughing.

"We were never the type to tell each other how we felt. I guess we're better at showing it."They both smiled, letting go of each other when the plane was called, and he had to leave her. "I love you."

"I know."And as he left, when she couldn't see him anymore, and the tears were running freely, she knew they would make it. She knew he loved her as well, the way he always did.

Bam, this is the last chapter.