HIDE

Chapter Nine

Kayla's POV

I stared up at him wide eyed. My heart pounded hard against my chest. The feeling was almost painful, but at the same time... I liked it. "W-What did you say?"

It was obvious that he was shocked by his words. What if it was an accident? Maybe he just said it out of habit from talking with his mom or something.  That happens all the time, right? ...Right?  My mind was running wild at this point. "U-Um I said I love you..."

I don't understand why but a big grin rose to my face. Usually I would be terrified when he was around, but it seemed he truly was worried about me and wanted me safe. No boy has ever really cared for me like that.

"Are y-you sure?" I asked, worried he was just saying things and wasn't sure of how he felt. I remember how people I cared about would just lie to me about their feelings. It's the worst feeling in the world; The feeling of emptiness knowing you could love someone so much but they would never feel the same way.

"Yes. Kayla, I love you." I smiled wider and pulled myself into his cold, toned chest. His skin was ice and I was the warm savanna, but somehow I felt comfortable. It was almost as if we balanced each other out.

"Hey Calum?" I called quietly, pulling away from him. "I like you."

He smiled. My fear of him not being satisfied with my feelings slowly faded away as he kissed my cheek. Liking a man is already an accomplishment. I'm even surprising myself with how calm I am.

The tall cold boy stood up and soon picked me up to my feet gently. "I will never hurt you. I just want you to know that."

With those words Calum disappeared, me no longer in his arms. It honestly left me feeling empty and lonely. I don't know what happened exactly but I took a total 360 when it comes to my feelings towards him.

My weak legs stumbled out of the bathroom to the living room downstairs. That's were I could hear the mumbles of Kira talking to Aeris, Aeris' voice still not bothering to show. I want to know what happened, but I'm afraid if I ask her it will only traumatize her more from thinking about it.

"Hey guys," I smiled lightly at my three friends and took a seat on the couch between Alex and Kira.

"Hi," Kira responded kindly.

Aeris smiled at me, letting me know that if she were to speak she would have greeted me too, while Alex just flipped through some magazine.

The four of us just sat in a comfortable silence, waiting for someone to break it. It wasn't that we didn't like it. We just cherish every moment and words we share with each other.  

I could sense the negativity in the room grow. My friends seemed to be more down than usual and I didn't like it one bit.

"I miss home," Kira finally spoke. Her voice cracked mid-sentence sending a shock of pain to run through my heart. "I miss Aniza, I miss my job, I miss pizza, I miss comfortable sleep, fuck I even miss shitty school."

I pulled my now sobbing friend into my arms. I knew exactly how she felt. Life here sucks and all any of us want to do is escape. That's all I want to do anyway.

Maybe one day we will. We just need the perfect plan...

"Shh. Kira, it's okay. We will be home once again. I promise you." I cooed.

"It's not smart to make a promise you can't keep." Ashton spoke boldly, leaning against the door frame.

The sudden boom of his voice started all of us, Kira jumping out of my arms with wide eyes. I didn't even hear him walk into the room. Who knows how long he has been there.

The thought of them not letting us leave made me both terrified and enraged. I'm not staying here the rest of my life, and neither are my friends.

"Well, I never break my promises. Don't tell me what I can and can't do." I spat and rolled my eyes dramatically.

Aeris caught my attention as her skin paled and she began to tremble. Something was wrong.

"Don't you fucking talk to me like that, you punk ass bitch! You're staying here and not leaving. Even make an attempt and you'll regret it." He growled and sped out of the room. I have to admit, he was quite terrifying. I remember back in 2014 how giggly he was and his fluffy hair. He always seemed happy. A lot has changed over time...

Including our freedom.