Afraid // Calum Hood

Chapter 37 // Packing

Adelaide's Point of View

As much as I enjoyed my friend's company and their support, I was really happy when they finally left to go to work. I had obviously resigned from my position so I didn't have to go in, which luckily gave me a break from all their lovey-dovey behavior. I knew they weren't doing it on purpose, but all of their kissing and even simple gestures of holding hands made my heart hurt even more. I was the third wheel on the everlasting paved road of loneliness.

Since I had nothing, or no one, to do, I ended up deciding to be proactive and go upstairs and pack up some things into suitcases instead of waiting until the day before. I had lugged my bag out from underneath my bag and began to empty out my drawers of any clothing or items I wouldn't be needing for the next few days. Thankfully this place came furnished so I didn't have to worry about bringing back any furniture and I could just leave it for the next owners.

Some of the decorations that I brought with me I decided on leaving in the room since I didn't really care too much about them. The only thing I wanted to bring back with me was the glass picture frame that had been resting on my nightstand for weeks, one that displayed my favorite picture of Calum and I.

It was a photo Luke had taken of us when we were at their home in Sydney. We looked like any other couple that was at a college frat party, not like a couple that included an infamous boy who was accused of murder and a girl who is living internationally. Calum's arm was swung around my shoulder and one of my arms was behind his back. I was in mid-laughter with my eyes closed and Calum was grinning down at me with that face of adoration that made me feel all fuzzy inside. Luke took two pictures of us that night, this one and then an actual one of us smiling. But I preferred the candid that showcased our relationship perfectly so much more.

While I was in the midst of folding my clothes, I discovered three shirts in my dresser that did not belong to me. One was Calum's hooded sweatshirt that resembled a baseball tee with it's navy blue sleeves and heather grey middle, the other was his blue and gray checked flannel, and the last shirt was one of his various muscle tanks he always wore. Calum must have left them here on accident after our numerous sleepovers.

My hands traced over the familiar material of the flannel shirt that I used to always cuddle up into due to how soft it felt against my skin. I carefully buttoned the shirt up over the flimsy t-shirt I was wearing and let it fall down to just above mid-thigh due to how long Calum's torso is. I sighed as I crossed my arms across my chest and hugged my body tightly as my mind filtered through every time I saw him wearing this shirt. I stepped in front of the full-length mirror and let out a small giggle at the sight of the flannel draping over my body. I looked absolutely ridiculous in it. But as weird as it sounds, I was glad to have his smell filling my nostrils again.

I missed him already.

"Come on, Addy," I said in the mirror, waving my hand over my face like how Sharpay prepared for musicals.

I wasn't really sure what I was preparing myself for, but I knew that I was sick of being right next door to Calum and having pretend he didn't exist. At this point I didn't even care if he didn't beg me to get back together with him, all I cared about was being with him. Even though I knew being just friends was never going to work, I just wanted to spend some time with Calum before I have to move across the planet. So I was going over there.

My feet slipped inside the floppiest pair of flip-flops I have as I embarked on the short and familiar trip to Calum's house with his bundle of clothes in my hands. I sucked in a deep breath as I knocked on the door, praying that he was home.