College [c. hood]

21

Calum slowly started going back to classes the next week. He knew he'd get even more stressed if he kept missing. He was doing his best to avoid Alyssa, but making sure he still acknowledged her so she wouldn't get upset.

He didn't know how to tell her yet that he'd read her journal, that's why he was trying to avoid her still. All he wanted to do was tell her. But it was getting to the point where it'd be too late. He gave it back to her just minutes after he read it, since she ended up texting him that she'd left it behind.

Classes for the day were over, and Calum was working on assignments in the common room. He was only doing work in the lounge instead of his room since a bunch of them were all going to watch the hockey game together.

They had just sent Kurtis and Joey down to go get the pizza they ordered, while Cody, Jacob, Marcus and Kristen were all still in the common room with Calum.

"Calum! It's nice to see you out with us." Gabi says as she enters the room, sitting next to him on the small sofa.

He gives her a small smile, looking up from his laptop, "Yeah, I'm glad I'm out of my room."

"If you ever need anything, let me know, okay?" She tells him.

Though he wasn't close with her, she knew something was up. They all did, considering none of them saw Calum for quite some time. He hasn't told anybody what happened, and nobody wants to ask him what's been going on. Everybody here was in everybody's business, but this was different.

Calum just nodded, before going back to his assignment. He didn't know Gabi as well as some of the others on the floor. Gabi and her roommate Christine both started to hang out with this group more than usual recently.

"Pizza's here!" Kurtis exclaims, as he walks in carrying a box as Joey follows behind him with another two boxes.

"Great! The game is starting." Marcus replies, clearing off the table for the pizzas.

That's when Calum decided he needed to stop working and enjoy the company of his friends. They were all such great people, he needed as much positivity as he could get right now.

So Calum grabbed pizza with his friends, and they all sat around the faux leather chairs to watch the game.

The group was having small talk, both about themselves and the game, since they were all more invested in watching the hockey game.

"Oh my god, did you see that shot!" Joey exclaims, jumping out of his seat.

"It didn't go in, sit down." Kristen calls, annoyed her team isn't playing as well as his.

Calum wasn't that into hockey, but he understood what was going on. He was mostly interested in the fights that were going to occur between his friends.

Everybody in the room was having a great time. They were all laughing while making jokes at each other, and investing too much attention into a hockey game. Calum was enjoying himself as well, but then he received a text. Multiple texts.

'Calum, we really need to talk'

'Please. Please call me.'

'Dani I'm not doing this today'

Calum couldn't believe himself when he answered. His plan was to never speak to her again. But part of him knew they'd need to speak. They couldn't just end the way they did.

'Oh my god I wasn't expecting a reply'

'Please call when you're free'