Between a Rock and a Hard Place // c.h.

5 - Message

   I couldn't believe what I saw. I doubted it was actually there, because something like that doesn't happen very often. I even turned my phone on and off again to see if I was imagining stuff. It was still there.

   Calum Hood: 356-249-2571

   My hands shook as I read the number over and over. 'This can't possibly be real.' I thought. My mind was racing, just like my heart. I decided to keep quiet about it until I got home, just in case it wasn't real. The rest of the ride was torturously slow. I could hear my heart beating faster than I ever thought possible. 'This can't be real.' I thought again. I wanted it to be real so badly.

   By the time we reached my house, my hands were shaking violently and my stomach was hurting bad enough that I thought I might throw up. I ran to my room before I finally let myself do it. I texted the number, Calum's number. At least I hoped it was actually Calum's number.

   Cara: Hi :) this is Cara

   I waited anxiously after I sent the text. There wasn't a response. I couldn't take my eyes off my phone screen, I waited for nearly twenty minutes. No one responded. My heart sunk. 'I knew it wasn't real. Why would Calum give me his phone number... I was stupid for believing it.' I glanced at the screen, turned it off, and threw my phone across my room. It bounced off the wall and landed on the floor. I didn't bother to pick it up. A tear ran down my cheek. I didn't know I was crying. But then again, crying had become a normal thing for me over the past months. I'd often thought that I'd cry until there were no more tears, and then I wouldn't be able to cry anymore. But there I was, crying on the edge of my bed like I'd done hundreds of times before. 'This is all I'm worth.' I cried silently. Silent crying was the worst. It kept other people from knowing, which is why I did it, but it isolated me. I did it a lot. I felt a deep aching pain from my scars. They hurt worse when I cried, I couldn't understand why, but it just worked like that.

   I only allowed myself to cry for a couple minutes. If I cried for hours every time I was sad, I'd never move. So I forced myself to go shower. I tried to relive all the positive memories from the night, and it helped. I felt better knowing that even though the number hadn't worked, I'd met my idols, which is something I'd never thought I'd be able to do. 'I shouldn't be sad.' I thought to myself. I played music while I showered, letting the sound take over my thoughts. I tried to let go of my feelings in the shower, as I'd done hundreds of times before. As I got out of the shower, I pulled my hair up and slipped on pajamas. I went into my room, grabbing a blanket. Suddenly I remembered my phone sitting near the wall. I walked over to it, picking it up slowly. I pushes my home button, and nearly threw it again when I saw the notification.

Calum: Hey :)

He'd sent the message ten minutes ago. I hurriedly typed a response, double checking it before I sent.

Cara: Is this actually Calum?

I got the response a few seconds later.

Calum: Haha I believe so ;)

Cara: Oh my god.. Awesome :)
Cara: Not to be rude... But why? Like why'd you give me your number? I'm happy about it, I'm just curious.

I flinched when I sent the second message. Would he think it was rude? I worried but I was still shocked he'd even given me his number. A few minutes later, my phone buzzed.

Calum: I thought you were really cool and I wanted to get to know you better :)

Cara: I wouldn't say I'm really cool, but thanks :D

I blushed. Calum thought I was cool? A smile spread across my face. When he answered it was all I could do to contain my excitement.

Calum: You are! I also wanted to see if we could get together while I was in Cali.. Which is the next two weeks....

Cara: Sure!! That sounds fun :) I'm free tomorrow if you are?

Calum: Absolutely :) where?

Cara: The mall next to the venue from tonight?

Calum: Works for me :) I'll meet you there at noon?

Cara: I'll be there :))

Calum: It's a date! :D

Cara: Alright, I'll see you then :)

Our conversation ended after that. My heart was beating at a million miles an hour. I felt amazing. I smiled so widely it hurt my cheeks, but I couldn't stop. It, without a doubt, had been the best day of my life.