the photographer [c.h.]

four

+Calum+

"Thank you, Cardiff!" Luke yelled into the microphone and we bowed once more before running off the stage.

I heard the screaming fans behind us and smiled to myself as we made it to the dressing room. I noticed Katie pacing the room, clutching her phone, and Leah watched her with worried eyes. We all sat down and began in our own conversations. My gaze kept drifting to Katie and he phone rang, making her jump and answer it. Leah went over and they stood together, listening to the call. Katie put a hand to her mouth and shoved the phone in Leah's hands and Ashton stood up, putting an arm around Leah's shoulders.

"He's gone." She choked out, making me furrow my eyebrows.

+Katie+

"Katie, I have to tell you something." Leah shouted over the loud music and I put my camera down.

"Can it wait?" I yelled and she shook her head. "What's going on?" I wondered as we got backstage where it was quiet. "Leah, what's wrong?"

"It's your dad." My face fell at the serious tone in her voice. "He had a heart attack."

"He's okay, right?" I felt my voice break and my mind began racing.

"I don't know. My mom said she would call back when he woke up at the hospital." I nodded and began pacing the room.

~~~~~~

It's been an hour. She still hasn't called. I haven't sat down since Leah told me and I will probably make a rut in the carpet from my pacing. I clutched my phone in my hand and repeatedly looked down at it, not even stopping when the guys came running into the room. My phone rang, making me jump, and Leah rushed over as I answered.

"Is he okay?" I asked immediately and Peri sighed, sniffling.

"I'm so sorry, Katie." Peri whispered and I raised a hand to my mouth.

"No, he can't be gone." I rambled and she started crying.

I shoved my phone in Leah's hands and quickly walked out of the room, heading towards the bathroom. I shut the door and shook out my hands, taking deep breaths. This can't be happening. He was all I had left. This has to be a dream. I leaned back against the wall and ran a hand through my hair, trying to calm myself down. I swallowed my tears and finally pulled myself together enough to go back to the dressing room. I went inside and immediately all eyes were on me. Leah was sitting next to Ashton, sniffling with tears falling down her cheeks, and I just sat down, staring at the wall.

"Katie, are you okay?" Leah asked, her voice cracking and Luke made the move to pull me into a hug. I stood up from the couch, not wanting the sympathy.

"I'm fine." My voice broke and I took a deep breath. "I'm fine." I whispered, leaving the room once again.

I made my way to the underground tunnels that led to the hotel across the street and jogged down the dimly lit hallways. I just wanted to get to my room and be by myself. I jammed my finger on the elevator button, wanting it to go faster and it finally got to the lobby, the doors opening. I hopped in and pressed the three, watching the numbers rise along with the elevator. I fast walked to my room and shut the door behind me, walking out to the balcony and into the warm air. The wind whipped around me and I braced myself against the ledge, taking deep breaths to calm down. I rocked back and forth and sniffled, trying not to cry. I'm not weak. I'm okay. Someone knocked on my door and I wiped underneath my cheeks, going to open it. Swinging it open, Calum stood there with my camera in his hands.

"Um, you forgot this." He spoke, awkwardly, and handed it over. I took it and was about to close the door when he stopped me. "Are you alright?"

"I'm okay." I mumbled, my voice telling a different story.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" He asked and I gulped, tears filling my eyes. "No, I don't want you to cry."

"I'm not crying." I said, getting choked up and Calum let himself in, much to my protest. "Calum, I'm okay. Please just leave me alone."

My vision became blurry through the tears and I guess he noticed because he pulled me into an awkward hug. Tears leaked out of my eyes and he just held me tighter to his chest. A choked sob escaped my throat and it felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to stop but tears just kept falling from my eyes.

"You're okay." Calum whispered and I just shook my head.

+Calum+

I slowly opened my eyes and a small breath came from under me, making me look down. Katie was curled up to my chest with tears stains on her cheeks and puffy eyes. I hesitantly pulled my arm out from underneath her small body and climbed out of the bed. She shifted and turned over, making me freeze. After debating my decision, I left the room, quietly, and bumped into Leah just as I walked out.

"Why were you in Katie's room?" Leah narrowed her eyes at me and I gulped.

"I just woke up." I stuttered and she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Did you stay the night?" I nodded and she sighed a little. "Thanks."

"Thanks?" I questioned, furrowing my eyebrows and she smiled a little.

"I know you two don't get along well, but she needed someone last night. I was scared that she might do something stupid." Leah explained and I nodded. "How is she?"

"She cried last night for a while and I guess we fell asleep, but she is still sleeping." I recalled and Leah nodded. "I'm sorry about your step dad."

"Thanks, Calum." She gave me a small smile and moved around me to open Katie's door. "And, even though you say that you two hate each other, I can tell that you like Katie."

"I don't like her like that." I stammered, causing Leah to smirk. "Don't tell her." I blurted, slapping a hand to my mouth, and Leah just laughed a little.

"Your secret is safe with me."