disconnected // l.h

[twelve]

The feeling of Calum's head on my shoulder was one I knew all too well; and not in the way you'd expect. 

In high school, he'd attend parties, with or without me, and come knocking on my bedroom window in the middle of the night with barely any recollection of the hours prior. He'd reek of alcohol, sometimes vomit, or even perfume. 

I'd let him in, and push him into the bathroom to wash up without a word. When he'd come out, I'd lay out pillows on my floor for him to sleep, but he'd always ignore it, and climb onto my mattress. 

Calum liked cuddles, but he'd always make me be the big spoon while he curled up into a ball like a baby and slept. Unfortunately, Calum was also a kicker. Meaning I got pushed off the bed about seven to nine times during the night. 

This time was completely different. 

Driving in a cab late at night with my best friend and my kind-of friend was not how I expected to end my night. Calum's eyes closed shut as he rested his head on my shoulder, and I was having none of it. 

"Wake up," I whispered, pinching his arm.

The boy yelped and pushed away from me, leaning towards Luke, "Ouch, Lee." Luke snickered, and shoved Calum so that he was balanced in between us. "Why are you two so mean today?"

"Shut up," Luke and I mumbled simultaneously, and I smiled at him. Calum shut his mouth then, and didn't speak for the rest of the way. 

I glanced out the window, and sucked in my breath. We had entered Manhattan now, and it was even more breathtaking than when I'd last visited. Living in the city, you'd think I've explored each part of it, but I barely even leave my dorm. Calum would take me on adventures on some weekends in the winter, and we always ended up in Manhattan. 

The townhouses we drove past were stunning; each covered in a dark, damaged brick. Some were painted red, black, or even white. 

The cab driver pulled in front of a townhouse covered in greenery; vines growing up along the windows and disappearing into the alleyways beside the house. 

I reached into my purse, pulling out my wallet as the cabbie told us the amount we owed, but Luke beat me to it. He handed the driver the money without a word to me, and opened the passenger door, pulling Calum along with him as he exited. I muttered a 'thank you' to the driver, and opened my door to help Luke carry the walking disaster. 

"Thank you," I said to Luke, lifting Calum's arm to put around my shoulders, "but you didn't have to pay-"

Luke shakes his head, and laughs, "No, it's okay, really." Calum grunts, and Luke shoots him an annoyed look. "Let's just focus on getting him inside and away from sharp objects." 

I nod, and together, we both drag Calum up the concrete steps, and into the beautiful house. 

Once Luke unlocks the front door, the smell of vanilla and mint hits me. We're greeted by darkness, but only for a moment until Luke turns on the light. The fluorescent bulbs flicker before revealing a short corridor leading up to a staircase. The walls are painted white, and the stairs are carpeted a tan, golden color. 

It was like the stairway to heaven. 

My fantasies were ruined the moment I realized we wouldn't be carrying a drunk college boy up to salvation. 

"Oh, God." I groan, realizing the steep climb that we were about to face. Luke sighs as well, grabbing a hold of Calum's torso and pulling him towards the staircase of death. 

When we'd finally reached the top, Luke turned the knob to the white, wooden door that greeted us. He shoved Calum inside, sending him tumbling towards the floor. I groaned, stepping inside to help him up, when Luke turned on the lights.