He Doesn't Know; I Know

Part Forty One: Flight 178

Ashton's P.O.V

I was lying in bed, underneath three layers of blanket - I think this is four, actually. The boys went out with Delilah and Stella, together with Louis.

I have no choice but to stay at the hotel and rest. Having colds is my very last option, trust me, but, here it is! Good thing, Michelle went in to say her goodbye to me; instead pointed out I was hot - literally - and has fever the moment she saw me. Hence, I wasn't able to come to the airport with them this morning to send her off.

Anyways, Cheryl is being a total meanie and booked Michelle a morning flight. 3am to be exact. At least being sick comes with advantage and I was able to get a longer sleep than the boys. Yes!

I started scanning thru the channels, undecided with what to watch. That's when something caught my attention and had almost made me jump off my bed.

'5 Missing and 7 Dead'

"Yes, Steve, five were still out there missing! The officials are --" I was too busy reading the names showed at the left side of the screen to even listen to the reporter.

"Oh, no," I muttered, panicking. It can't be. The list were of the five person missing. Ryan Benson, Olivia Tates, Mi--- "Michelle Fritz?! No!"

"--- and if they are right, they must be alive! The five of them. Let's hope they were washed ashore, you know. Just washed ashore, Steve."

"I don't know about that, but everything is possible. They plane crashed in water! After being up there for 9 hours, halfway to Australia and th---"

I stared at the news, unable to process what I was hearing from the reporter. It just can't be true. It might be a different Michelle. It must have been a coincidence. I'm sure there are a lot of flight going to Australia.

'Breaking news: Flight 178 crashed on water!' I re-read the bottom headline.

**Flashback**

I shook my head in disbelief.

"You think, she's okay," she continued, "you think she's good for Calum, then fine."

"Cause she is, Cheryl," I fired back. "Sorry to break it down to you, but those two love each other and the fans will understand it."

"Ah! You don't understand," she grimace. "You just don't."

"Well maybe, I don't," I snapped. "But does anyone care?"

"Your fans will," she said. "Well, then, I'll give you the honor of giving that to her. Say your goodbyes to that little friend of yours because she's going home whether you like it or not!"

"Unbelievable," I stood up, snatching the plane ticket off her table. Flight 178, I read. "3? AM? Really, Cheryl? Really? What are you? A monster?"

She just looked at me before working back on her laptop. Deciding not to argue anymore, I turned on my heels and headed back to where the boys and Michelle were.

**End of Flashback**

"Hello? Hello? Ashton?" He said over the phone, sounding a bit confused. "Are you there?"

"Calum," I finally said, snapping out of my thoughts. I dialed his number immediately; not sure what to say or how to say this news to him. "Its just... I... Its..."

"Are you aright, buddy?" He asked, concerned. He seems unaware.

I can't say it to him like this. He will break down.

"Calum," I repeated. "What... what was Michelle's flight?"

"Oh," he chuckled. "I think its 178. Hold on. Mike! Mikey! Was it 178? Michelle's flight? Yeah? Thanks. Oh, it's Ashton. Okay, I will."

"Calum," I said, again. "Listen."

"Easy, Ash," he laughed. "Mike says he misses you. So, what's with Michelle's flight? Why'd you asked?"

"Has she messaged you yet?"

Please say yes, I thought, hoping that she did and she's not really the missing person in the news.

"Nope," Calum said. "She must have passed out. Probably sleeping. Why?"

Then I got frustrated.

"Calum, remember when we went for the holidays?" I asked. "Michelle's that girl who never sleeps in the plane no matter how sleepy she gets."

"So? What's your point?" He asked, confused. I can already hear he's starting to worry. "Its just two to three hours flight. This one, I don't know, but she's been on the plane for 9 hours now. Its quite long."

"Damn it," I sighed.

"What's wrong, Ash?" He asked, now I'm sure he's worried. "Is something wrong? Please tell me its not what I think it is..."

"I'm," I started. "I'm sorry, Calum. But..."

"No buts!" He snapped. I can hear the other boys over the phone, asking him what's going on. "Ashton! Its no time for jokes! I'm gonna call her or whatever! I'm gonna prove to you that she's okay!"

"Calum! Calum!" I said, but, I was too late. He already hang up on me.

"---of the coast. The rescuers will continue their search for the missing person."

This can't be true.

Please tell me I'm dreaming.

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A/N: aha! Now that's one chapter down! Maybe last two chapters to end this book. Let's see what will happen to Luke and Delilah now. Will Delilah really move on from Luke or will she admit to Luke himself?

And what will Calum do now? Will Cheryl still be cold to the lovers? Or will she sympathize?

Let's find out!