Brandon's POV
We've been on tour for almost a month, and I can't believe that's it's almost over. We've played over twelve shows, and it's exhausting. We leave one show and go to right to another. Most nights I don't get to bed until almost four in the morning only to be up at seven to practice for our next show. Lou insists that we practice at least twice a day on the tour bus while we're on our way to the shows. She wants everything to be perfect, so we practice in order to keep her happy. Tonight's show is huge. There's supposed to be a top notch music producer watching the show, and Lou said that he's on the hunt for a new artist. If you think she was uptight before, you should see her now. We've been practicing day and night for this show, and she's making us do a dress rehearsal tonight before the show starts. Even though we're only an opening act for bigger and better bands, this is huge for us. We have the chance to be noticed and make a name for ourselves. This is huge, and I'm really excited about it. The downfall is, now that we've been practicing day and night for this show, I haven't had much time to spend with Callie, and it's putting a strain on our relationship. Things were going great for the first few weeks of tour. We were as close as ever, and we were together almost every second of the day. But now that things are heating up with the band, I barely have time to spend with her, and she's starting to pick up on it. She won't say anything, probably to avoid a fight, but I know she's thinking about it. It's all I think about, but I try not to let it distract me. I know Lou was serious when she said that Callie would have to go home if she distracted me once, and I don't want her to leave. She makes everything better, and I play better when she's around. I need to make her see that, but I don't know how since I never have the time to see her.
Callie's POV
I walk along the beach for a third time this morning, and I can't take this anymore. I barely see Brandon anymore, and he never has time for me. Ever since Lou told the band that a huge music producer is coming to the show tonight, they've been practicing nonstop, which means I've had no time with Brandon. Brandon promised me that he would make time for me on tour, but this past month he hasn't kept that promise. It probably sound unfair of me to be pissed about this. I know this is huge for them, and I'm happy that they could possibly get a record deal. But I miss Brandon, and I gave up everything to come on tour with him so we could be together. I take my phone out of my pocket and dial Mariana's number. I need someone to tak too, and she's the only one who will understand what I'm going through. "Callie? Oh my God! It's so good to hear from you. I miss you," she says as soon as she answers. "I miss you too," I reply. "To be honest, I'm not having the best time, and I just needed someone to talk too." "What's going on?" she asks. "The first few weeks of the tour was amazing. Brandon and I were together all the time, and we always went out to do something after his shows. But now that the tour is halfway over, it's like he barely has time for me. Lou found out that there's going to be a music producer at the show tonight, so she's been having the band reharse like crazy. They're up day and night, so I never see Brandon. He promised me before we left that it wouldn't be like this. He promised me that he would make time for me," I say. "I'm sorry, Cal. That sucks," she replies. "I know how you're feeling. Mat hasn't called me once since you guys left, and I was starting to worry. I mean, I know he's busy and everything, but I'm his girlfriend. He should at least call me at night before he goes to bed, even if it's really late at night." "I had no idea he wasn't calling you," I reply. "I'm so sorry Mariana." "It's fine," she says. "As long as I know he's okay, then I'm fine with it." "I just don't know what to do anymore," I say. "Where are you right now?" she asks. "I'm at some beach that's a few blocks down from our hotel. Brandon didn't even notice that I left. He was with the band so I snuck out," I reply. "You should just come home," she says. "Yeah, and where would I go?" I ask. "Stef and Lena don't want me there, and it's weird to live with Mike by myself." "What about Robert? I'm sure he would let you stay with him if you called and asked," she replies. "That's actually a tempting idea," I say. "You shouldn't have to feel this way, Cal. You deserve to have the summer you want. If my brother is stupid enough to ignore you, then he doesn't deserve to have you on tour with him. Just come home and the two of us can hang out. I miss you, and we haven't hung out in forever. Jude misses you too. Think about how happy he would be if you came home to hang out with him."
Brandon's POV
"What do you mean you're leaving?" I ask. "I mean I'm leaving, Brandon. I'm going back home for the rest of the tour," Callie says. "Why are you doing this?" I ask. "Especially on the night of the biggest show of my life." "Things have changed, Brandon. You know they have. You promised me before we left that you would make time for me during the tour, and you haven't these past few weeks. You've been with the band, and I've been alone. I understand this is a big day for you, but I'm not going to be set aside anymore," she replies. "Look, I know I haven't been paying much attention to you, and I'm sorry. But once this show is over, things will be different. We'll spend more time together, and we'll just be together," I say. "You've been saying that for weeks, Brandon. Nothing has changed, and I can't go through this anymore. You can mange the next month without me, and we'll just see each other when you get home," she replies. "If you leave, then that's it, Callie. It's over, and we can't go back to what we were before. It's part of the pact, and you know it," I say. "I'm not breaking up with you, Brandon. I'm just going back home until the tour is over," she replies. "I'm telling you, Callie. If you leave, this is it," I say. "So you're saying that you're choosing the band over me?" she asks. "No, that's not what I said," I reply. "You don't have to say it, Brandon. It's very clear that you choose them over me. It's been clear over the past couple of weeks. You could've chosen to leave practice early and spend time with me, but you didn't. You chose to stay with them until it was to late to do anything together. I'm not going through this for another month, Brandon. So, yeah, you're choosing the band over me," she says. "I'm sorry if you feel that way," I reply, crossing my arms at her. "It's not how I feel," she says. "It's what's happening. You just don't want to admit that I'm right and you're wrong. Deep down, you know that you're choosing them over me. You're just too proud of how far you've come to admit it. So I'll admit it for you, and I'll pack up my things. I'm leaving on the next flight out of here." "You're going to regret this," I say. "Maybe," she replies. "Or maybe this will be good for us. Look at what the tour is doing to us. We're fighting already, and it hasn't even been that long. If I leave and go back home, maybe the distance will do good for us. It will make us realize everything we have, and when you come home, you'll know what's waiting for you. I'm not giving up on you or on us, but I can't stay here and be treated this way. I won't do that to myself." "Fine, Callie, whatever," I say. "Go. I'm not going to stop you. I'm not chasing you anymore, so you can do what you want. Just call me when you land." "I will," she says. "But I want you to know that I'm doing this because I love you, and I don't want to lose you. I know I'll lose you if I stay here, and I'm not going to risk that. I'll see you in a month." And with that, she's grabbing her suitcase and walking out of the hotel room, my heart shattering in the process.
