disconnected // l.h

[fourteen]

Calum breathed in and out, slowly, next to me. His hand was limp on my arm, as I was turned away from him. I'd given him an extra blanket, but he'd taken mine anyway. I didn't know whether to feel comforted, or infuriated.

I did miss him, but I shouldn't have had to. I understand he can't be there for me at my every beck and call, but the least he could've done is start a conversation. Now, he was sleeping on my bed, wrapped up in my blanket, in the comfort of my own dorm, without as much as an apology.

I was making myself angrier - sitting still and thinking about the past month was not healthy.

Abruptly, I sat up straight, knocking Calum's hand off my arm. With a groan, he shifted over, stuffing his face into the pillow. I stood, painfully aware of my outfit - a pair of black pajama shorts and a concert t-shirt from a few years ago. I slipped on a pair of flip flops, grabbing my wallet and keys.

I left the dorm without another glance to Calum, letting a gust of cold air in. I walked down the hallway, using the elevator down to the first floor. I greeted the secretary, Margaret, as I walked past. "Another late night 'venture?" She asked, as I gave her a wave. "And, without Calum?"

I shrugged, "He's asleep."

"Well, no kidding, it's 3am." She joked, looking back down at her work, which I assumed was one of her study packets. "Have fun, be safe."

"Thanks, Mom." I laughed, quietly, walking towards the entrance.

When I exit the dormitories, I b-line for the campus drugstore across the street. Any late night adventure would be incomplete without a crunch bar and a carton of chocolate milk.

Calum always made fun of me for my choice in beverage, since he went with coffee. However, he says my taste in candy bars cancels it out.

As soon as I make it through the sliding glass doors, I bolt to the candy aisle, examining it up and down until I'd found what I came for. I reached over and pulled down the carton that held the crunch bars, only to find it completely empty.

A chuckle from a few feet away causes me to jump out of my shoes, nearly hitting my head against the rows of candy. As I turn, the first thing that catches my eye is a crunch bar, gripped in someone else's fingers.

"Hey, that's my--" I started, but I'd stopped myself just as my eyes wandered upwards. "Finn?"

Finn laughed. I straightened myself out, squaring my shoulders and taking a deep breath. He wore a red hoodie and sweatpants, and my cheeks blazed red at the realization of my attire.

"Jonas Brothers?" He raised his eyebrows, pointing at my shirt.

I nod, "Die-hard fan." I couldn't help but notice his eyes sweep down my legs.

"I've never really listened to them," He shrugged, and I nodded, a little too eagerly. "What brings you here at three in the morning?"

"That, actually." I point to the chocolate bar in his hand, "but I could settle for, uh-" I looked down, pulling out a random candy bar. "Butterfinger." I despised butterfingers, actually. I really did love peanut butter and chocolate, but I couldn't stomach it.

My face must've given away my disgust, since he grabbed the butterfinger from me, and handed me the crunch bar. I gave him a puzzled look, and he simply shrugged, "You seem to be needing it more than I do right now."

I smiled at him, taking the candy bar, and thanking him. He stood there for a moment, hands in his pockets, leaning from side-to-side. I cocked my head, making a move to walk away. Finn speaks just as I take a step, "Where're you headed?"