the photographer [c.h.]

eleven

"Leah, can you come out here? These guards won't let me in." I huffed, glaring at the security guards who thought my backstage pass was a fake.

"Yeah, be there in like two seconds."

I hung up and leaned against the wall and scrolling through Instagram. Soon, there was yelling and I looked up to see Leah shouting at the guards and motioning to me. She ran over and grabbed my arm, pulling me inside. I poked my tongue out at the guards as I passed and Leah laughed, tugging me into a hug when we were in.

"Ahh, I missed you so much." She said as I detached myself from her.

"I missed you too." I smiled and she led me down a corridor.

"Are you doing okay?" Leah asked, her serious side coming out, and I nodded.

"I think I just needed a break." I reassured and she eyed me warily. Before she could say anything, I was tackled into a hug.

"Katie Lady!" I laughed, knowing exactly who is was by the nickname.

"Hey, Mikey." I laughed and pulled out of his hug, only to see dark black hair instead of red.

"You must never leave again, got it?" He pointed a finger at me and I nodded with a smile.

Michael and Leah walked me to a room and I was, once again, tackled into a hug by an oversized man child. Ashton pulled away, claiming that I scared him big time, and I just smiled, hugging him again. Ashton has always been like my older brother. I received a hug from Luke who just smiled, seeing as him and I were never really close.

"We have so much to talk about." Annie demanded before hugging me. "Don't you dare ever leave me again."

"Man, you and Michael were made for each other." I joked and her cheeks flushed.

"Guys, we need to get to stage." Everyone went silent when Calum came into the room and his eyes landed on me. "Hey," He breathed out with a smile and I returned it.

"How about we give these two a minute?" Michael blurted and everyone ran out of the room, leaving Calum and I to ourselves.

"Hi," I spoke, awkwardly, and Calum just smiled a little, walking closer to me.

"Are you back for good, now?" He asked and I nodded, tugging at the sleeves of my sweater. "Well, good." I looked up in surprise.

When I left last month, I didn't tell any of the guys goodbye. After my breakdown in the bathroom with Leah, I realized that being around so many people was probably not good for my mental state. I went back home and didn't accept any calls or texts from the guys, even Ashton who has always been there for me. I guess Calum wasn't mad at me, like I thought he would be.

"You wanna take up my offer on that date?" Calum asked and I laughed a little, nodding.

"I'd like that." I smiled and he did too, the skin around his eyes crinkling up.

"You guys aren't doing the dirty, are you?" I heard Leah shout from outside the door and my cheeks heated up.

"No, my god, Leah." I laughed and Calum just smiled, walking over to open the door.

We all started making our way to the stage area and Calum blindly searched for my hand, catching it in his. He intertwined our fingers and I smiled a little, leaning my head on his shoulder as we walked. We finally got to the stage and the guys got their instruments, strumming them a few times.

"Good luck kiss?" Calum asked and I laughed.

"Maybe later." I teased and Calum pouted, putting his ear pieces in.

I turned on my camera and walked out and into the pit by the stage, waving to a few fans who recognized me. The lights shut off and the arena was filled with screams as Ashton ran out and began hitting the drums. Soon, the other three ran out and started playing. Calum caught my eye and winked, making the girls behind me go crazy, thinking it was for them.

I took pictures as they all goofed around on stage and Calum was always making silly faces at me. I snapped one when he stuck his tongue out and crossed his eyes. I laughed and Leah came to stand with me, singing along to the words. Ashton pointed to her with his drum stick and she just waved, smiling. I swear, they were perfect together.

"Alright, this one is called 'Beside You.'" I put my camera down, seeing as this was my favorite song.

Calum began to sing and he locked eyes with me, not wavering his stare.

Within a minute I was all packed up
I've got a ticket to another world
I don't wanna go
I don't wanna go
The silent words are hard to speak
When your thoughts are all I see
"Don't ever leave," she said to me

Luke took over and I bit my lip a little when Calum looked down at his bass as he played. Damn, he looked good.

When we both fall asleep underneath the same sky.
To the beat of our hearts at the same time.
So close but so far away.
(Can you hear me?)

She sleeps alone.
My heart wants to come home.
I wish I was, I wish I was beside you.
She lies awake.
I'm trying to find the words to say.
I wish I was, I wish I was beside you.

Another day and I'm somewhere new.
I made a promise that I'll come home soon.
Bring me back, bring me back to you.

When we both wake up underneath the same sun.
Time stops, I wish that I could rewind.
So close but so far away

She sleeps alone.
My heart wants to come home.
I wish I was, I wish I was beside you.
She lies awake.
I'm trying to find the words to say.
I wish I was, I wish I was beside you.

There are pieces of us both
Under every city light
And they're shining as we fade into the night

She sleeps alone.
My heart wants to come home.
I wish I was, I wish I was...

She sleeps alone.
My heart wants to come home.
I wish I was, I wish I was beside you.
She lies awake.
I'm trying to find the words to say.
I wish I was, I wish I was beside you.

She lies awake.
Beside you.
I wish I was, I wish I was...

She sleeps alone.
My heart wants to come home.
I wish I was, I wish I was...

I cheered along with the crowd as the song finished and Calum smiled at me. I continued to take pictures for the remainder of the concert and soon enough, it was over. I walked backstage with Leah and the boys ran into the dressing room, drenched in sweat and adrenaline. Calum walked over to me and pulled me into a hug, making me push him away with a laugh.

"So, about that date?" His voice came out cocky and I laughed.

"Only if you shower." I kept my distance when he trying to hug me again.

"Give me fifteen minutes."