Don't Let Go {Saviour Trilogy Spin-Off}

Chapter 7 - The World We Knew

Another year goes by
Speeding as I drive
Felt like I would live this life
I knew forever
I didn't see it change
But I know it's not the same
I'd bring it back, if I could
But I know, I'm not that clever

Life's so short
And it goes by fast
And we can't get it back

The world we knew
It was so simple then
Me and you
Thought it would never end
Oh, what I wouldn't do
To get back to
The world we knew

The World We Knew ~ Daughtry

***

Callum couldn't hold back either his nerves (terror) or his excitement as he drove to U-Dub university, his mother in the car beside him. Primarily, or, at least, supposedly primarily, they were there to look at the university and decide whether or not U-Dub should really be Callum's first choice. He'd already made his mind up, though. Regardless of anything else, he desperately didn't want to attempt to get into an Ivy League, and U-Dub had the veterinary program he wanted to take.

But the main cause of Callum's conflicting emotions, and what would be, for him, the most important part of the trip, was the opportunity to see Jason for the first time in weeks. They'd Skyped and called and texted plenty, but it wasn't the same. Although, Jason's somewhat drunken call to him one night had been mildly hilarious.

His mother glanced across at him, then quickly back to the road. He saw her hide a smile.

"What?" he asked, tapping his knee impatiently.

"You," she said. "I can't believe you're still so in love with someone you met when you were a sophomore. It's astonishing."

Callum shrugged. "You never know. Things might not work out over this year."

Michelle rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Callum. Don't be so negative."

They spent three hours looking around, getting information, going on tours, talking to teachers and students and graduates alike. By the end of it, Callum was half tempted to say screw it and just sleep in the car for the next few hours.

His phone pinged as they walked out of a talk, his mother reading through a pamphlet. He pulled it out, and a smile crossed his face when he saw it.

Jason Parker: I'll see you in half an hour! I've just got out of my last class. There's a café outside the hall you had your first talk in -- meet me there, then we can go back to my dorm room if you want to :) Love you xx

Callum replied quickly, then stowed his phone away an relayed the information to his mother. Michelle studied him for a moment.

"You won't want to come home tonight," she stated.

"Mom, it's fine, we-"

"Don't." She held up a hand. "I completely understand. I'll drive back home this evening, you can get a taxi tomorrow. I'll pay for it. Okay?"

"Thanks." He smiled. "Thanks a lot."

***

As Callum had nothing better to do, he arrived at the café nearly twenty minutes early. Bad time-keeping, he knew, but he couldn't help it. He checked his phone every half a minute, and was incredibly grateful when a young waitress asked him whether he wanted anything to drink. He ordered a coffee, thankful for the distraction, and ran his hand through his hair.

"You waitin' for someone?" she asked.

"Yeah. Thanks for the coffee."

"No problem." She flashed him a friendly smile. "Someone special?"