WORLD OF OUR OWN

Chapter 3

ABIGAIL'S P.O.V

And yes. He's gone.

I drove them off to the airport this very early morning. Toby and I still got cut in the throat. We didn't act normally around each other. But I had to put it all aside. I didn't know what's tomorrow going to bring me. At this point I've missed my best friend, my boyfriend. But what you could say, he belongs out there.

"You were off so early, honey?" Mom found me unlock the door.

"Drove the guys to airport." I smiled.

"He's leaving again?"

I nodded in slow response and deep disappointment. Mom, she's the mother, she noticed that. I helped her chopping some veggies for our morning salad but no I wasn't really there.

"What are you afraid of?"

"Nothing."

"Big lie." Mom stopped me. "What are you afraid of, Abby?"

"That he's not going back home anytime soon. That he's gonna change. That I would be forgotten. And a thousand more horrible selfish thinking."

"But he's been the best friend before it even begun."

"Best friend is the highlight note." I choked. "So you think I should just let it go?"

"We're here in Orlando, stay still, waiting for people like them who travel a lot to come home. People's destiny is different, sweetheart. If you don't believe in him, then what's the point? Because you know where it ends."

One slap on the cheek by Mom. She's right. I should start believe in him. Toby wouldn't do that. Toby would still be Toby. He's been doing alright so far. Other than very little time we had together, this relationship was something else.

From: Babe
We've arrived.

He texted me later this afternoon. I was procrastinating away from my school work. I replied shortly by saying glad he's fine and all that. Toby didn't reply anymore. I bet they were occupied by busy radio tour schedule already. What a glamorous life out there. Yet I was here with books and lazy head.

But today wasn't really that boring because my grandparents paid us a visit. They brought along little cousins. We had a packed house for dinner. Mom and I pulled off a cool pool barbeque party at the backyard. I forgot about my miserable life for a while. All cousins and and relatives decided to stay overnight. We ended up rolling altogether in my room for the girls, and packed the living room downstairs on the sofa bed for the boys.

But let's not lie. I know you knew how it felt like to hid e your phone on closet, hoping you would find something while you checked it. I did hope the same thing. However, it was a hopeless zero.

"Abigail! Who's this?" Ellie, one of my girl cousins, shouted.

"Who?" I popped my head from the bathroom. "Oh."

Toby.

"A friend?"

"A friend he is!" I replied nervously as brushed my teeth.

"But you're lying, aren't you?"

"No of course not. He's a damn good friend."

"Damn kissing picture with a good friend." Ellie tossed the picture to the bed.

I stared at it. It was few months ago. Before his first tour take off after he asked me out. While all was a little more beautiful than now.

"Alright. He's somebody." I smiled at this 13-year-old little girl.

"Hot."

"Stop it."

"The way he kissed you. It looks sincere. And he's hot."

"I'll make sure to tell the hot part to him when he comes back." I wrapped myself in blanket.

"Isn't he the band member?" Catherine added. She's Ellie's older sister but still a year younger than me.

"Hmm." I looked at the ceiling.

"I know. He's on tour."

I saw Ellie. That little girl has fallen asleep as we spoke. I know I could talk to Catherine because she also currently was having a boyfriend, and she's the closest to my age so I know it would worth the time and suggestion to talk to her.

"It's hard having this kind of relationship..."

"You start to doubt it?"

"No." I shook my head. "I'm scared he would start doubting."

"He would if you did, darling. Stop doing that to yourself. Stop overthink it. Maybe you're right. But maybe you're wrong too."

"I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Call him. You just miss him Abby and that's alright."

Catherine gave me my space to call Toby. She plugged in her headset to the phone and enjoyed the rest of the night Skype-ing the boyfriend. I smiled. I should do that too with Toby.

First dial, no answer.

Second dial, straight to mailbox.

Third dial...

"Welcome Before You Exit! What a pleasure opportunity to have you guys chatting with us tonight! ..."

The sound of Dad's old radio in the living room where I tried to isolate myself from outsiders got my attention. One local radio in downtown Los Angeles. The next conversation I blasted my ears with was coming from the interviewer and the guys.

"How you guys doing?"

"We're pretty good, thank you for having us." I bet it's Connor's voice.

"Good to have you here as well! So I have made a little contest on Twitter with hashtag #iHeartBYE. First question coming from a fan, she would like to know how you doing with the college and everything else so far?"

"Oh we're great. Connor and I are now in college. Toby's having his senior year this year." Riley answered. "Online school is cool."

"Amazing! How important school is to you?"

"Well I'd say it's so important. We're coming from normal family too. Our parents put out bold statements whenever it's about school. We have to have backup plan, just in case, so..." Connor took over.

"Baes have solid future." The interviewer, Candice, broke the ice. It made me laugh too. And nervous at the same time. "So guys, speaking of the current single, Model..."

"Uh..." They all chuckled in unison.

"Yeah tell me. Are you single?"

"Hahaha... Didn't see that question coming." Connor laughed.

"Yeah me too." Riley added. I haven't heard Toby's voice clearly just yet. "We're single. Haha."

"Girls! Calling out all girls out there! You have a shot!" This Candice girl made me laugh once again.

But wait. Toby didn't deny that. Single? He's single? Then what it makes me?