Lonely Hearts Club // Book One

Chapter Twenty-Four

April 20th, 2014

I had never known what it felt like to be left alone for so long in utter darkness, until the moment someone I truly cared about dropped of the edge of the earth without saying anything to anyone. For a moment, I thought I had everything I ever wanted. But that one word he last said to me didn't mean a thing, soon, was turned into later, meaning it could be at anytime. After the first few days, I didn't mind that he wasn't anywhere to be found, knowing what was going on, but after a week or two, I lost hope. A month passed, and I knew that most hope was lost.

Calum knew, too.

After a month, I didn't expect him to come popping out of nowhere and say he was sorry for not talking to us. Really, I just hoped he was okay.

On Sunday mornings, I was at home by myself. Rascal was twice the size he was a few months ago, so it was harder to ignore him like I usually did. I mean, he was still small. But when I was sitting on the couch watching TV, he would be right next to me wanting love. I didn't hate him, oh God, I could never hate a dog. Yet, he lived up to his name when my mum was home. He was a saint left alone with me, however.

My best friend was texting me non-stop because he, too, was bored. His band couldn't have practises without their lead singer, and they were worried as well.

In the last month, I realised some of my grades were slipping- not drastically, but enough. I was drifting off in class and at home, I wasn't able to answer anyone who was talking to me.

Truthfully, I couldn't think straight without Luke.

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

"So what is it?" asked Cal. "What's making you act all mysterious and depressed?" I shot him a soft glare but then sighed. "Is it Luke? Because I swear Paige you act like you're in love with the dude!"

"Calum," I said sternly. "He's my good friend, too."

"Yeah but you're always with him," my best friend pouted. "You're never with me."

"I'm with you now; aren't I?" It wasn't meant to sound snappy, but it came out that way and Cal sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. But to be honest with you, I would probably like him if your stupid club wasn't hanging off my back all the time." The corner's of Calum's mouth went up into a wide, suspicious grin. "What?"

"Nothing."

"No, tell me."

"It's not important," he waved his hand practically shooing the problems away.

"Then why won't you tell me?" I furrowed my eyebrows at him and scoffed.

"Because..." he said, trailing it off but not continuing.

"Cal!"

"You're gonna hate me!" Calum blurted then stuffed his face into his hands. "The club... I, um, might have broken the rules?" He peaked his eyes out to look at me.

"You- why would- Calum!" I shrieked and hit him on the shoulder, causing him to wince and scream ow. "Who? What? Where? When? Why!?"

"Uhhh..." Once again, his voice trailed off as he looked around the room for some time to stall. "Well, um, when, um, Luke was hanging around H-Hunter-"

"Oh fuck, no, Calum tell me you do not like Hunter!" He looked at me innocently. "Why?" I groaned.

"I've liked her for almost a year now! And when Luke stepped in and said he took some sort of interest with her, I was fucking furious!" Cal ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't know, she's just, different. She's not who everyone thinks she is. She sits next to me in Spanish and I think she may like me, too. I don't know."