The next morning, I sat criss-cross on top of a suitcase on my bed. The sun had risen a little over an hour earlier,and I was waiting for my cue. Calum had explained his plan to me, and all though it was completely far-fetched, I found myself complying with his requests anyway.
He had been very vague in what exactly was going on on his end, but he was clear in instructing me. I was to pack my things and be at the airport by 11 AM. The ticket situation had apparently already been handled and everything else was a mystery to me at this point.
I battled with myself for hours. As soon as my suitcase was halfway packed, I would unload everything and tell myself this was stupid. He put me in harm's way enough times already. Why give him the satisfaction of being able to do it again?
But each time I had almost completely convinced myself not to do what he said, I was already throwing everything back in the bag before I could finish my next thought. There was no fighting my attraction to Calum Hood.
Now, I could hear my parents stirring below me. The silence was disturbed by the hum of the washing machine and .foot steps wandering around. By this time, the were probably both showered and getting ready to eat breakfast. This is what I had been waiting for.
I had to wait until the perfect time to strike.
Since the middle of the night, I had been anticipating when they would finally awaken and make themselves present within the house. It was time for phase one of the plan.
With a quick huff, I vaulted myself off the bed and dragged my suitcase onto the floor. The handle lifted with a light click, and I gripped it before lugging it behind me, lifting it up at the stairs so that it wouldn't clunk against the wood after each step.
I made it to the bottom faster than I would have liked, so instead of immediately diving into my scheme, I took a second to compose myself. My life within the last 48 hours had taken twists and turns that even I couldn't have thought possible.
First Michael, and then Calum magically reappeared with gentle demands to see him.
I instantly was launched back deep into my own head. The struggle between right and wrong returned as I tried to figure out if this was truly what I wanted to do. Before my brain could concoct a solid answer, my inner dialogue was interrupted.
'Leisa? Sweetie, what are you doing with that suitcase? Where are you going?"
I blinked rapidly before focusing in on my mother, who wore a fuchsia apron dusted with, what I assumed to be, flour. She continued wiping her hands off on a wash cloth as she peered at me from the kitchen entry way. I heard the floor squeak as my dad leaned back in his chair, the top of his head appearing in the corner.
Tightening my grip on the handle, I forced myself to speak.
"I'm going to Grace's. I'm going to stay there until everything blows over. I need some time to relax from work, and in the off chance Calum comes looking for me, I don't want him to be able to find me. I never want to see him again."
At the mention of my new found hatred for Calum, my dad was up and ready to help in any way he could.
"Grace lives two hours away. I could drive you if you want."
I internally rolled my eyes. Of course he decided to be a team player now.
'No, thanks. I called her this morning and she's not expecting me until noon. I was going to stop for some food along the way."
That wasn't a complete lie. I had called Grace to tell her what was up, and that if my parents asked if I was there.. I was.
I glanced between the two of them once more before turning on my heel and leaving before they thought to ask any more questions. I feared that if I stayed any longer, they would be able to see straight through me.
I strolled rather quickly to my car, never wanting to give myself an extra moment to think things over. I had to keep going. I needed to do this.
Haphazardly, I threw the suitcase along with the rest of my belongings into the back and started the engine. As I reversed out of the driveway, a gasp caught in my throat as my back wheel slammed into something hard.
