REMEMBER // Calum Hood

Thirty eight // airport

Once we get to the airport, Calum's phone starts ringing with an incoming call from his manager. He's driving through the parking lot and I point him the directions to where we have to return the rented car while he talks on the phone. He purposevely disconnected the call from the car's speaker so I assume it's something serious.

"Turn here" I tell point the sign to the rental company

I have to guide him because for some odd reason Calum seems incapable of driving, reading signs and speaking on the phone all at the same time. Even though the boy can play the bass, a keyboard, sing and look heavenly all at once. Go figure.

"No, Georgia's with me" I hear him saying to the phone "I know that, man" He huffs

"Turn right" I tell him in a hushed tone

"Don't worry, I can handle this. No, we don't need security" Calum protests frantically rubbing his eyes "I know, it's okay. Don't worry"

He pulls the car over on the first parking spot he can find looking kind of stressed when he ends the call. Calum's always so relaxed and chilled about things that is almost disturbing to see him look like this. Nothing ever stresses him out so I can only imagine what could have happened to make him this preoccupied. Keep your cool Gia, I tell myself. Keep your cool so you can help him calm down, like he does with you all the time.

"Something wrong?" I ask dying of curiosity

Cal kills down the engine and turns on his seat to face me. A small wrinkle forming between his brows and a tensed jaw distressing his usually so serene expression.

"There are some fans here" He tells me with a sigh "At the airport"

"Okay" I slowly nod "Do you want to part-"

"A lot of them, actually" Calum admits cutting me midsentence

I blink a few times trying to come up with a plan to help him.

"And you don't want to talk to them alone or...?" I ask trying to understand what's the problem "I know you're used to doing this with the rest of the boys"

I assume he's uncomfortable of doing it without his bandmates because I know I would hate to deal with a crowd of fans on my own. All those people onto me, all the attention. I would suffocate.

"No, that's not actually..." He says

"If you're tired and don't wanna talk to them, I'm sure the airport security can help us get in unnoticed" I comfort him "We can get you a hoodie, sunglasses and a fake mustache" I attempt to joke

"No" Calum says with a chuckle "I don't mind talking to my fans, that's not the problem"

"Then what's the problem, Cal?" I ask trying to sound as sweet as possible

I wonder if I'll ever be able to comfort Calum like he does to me. Stroking a strand of his hair I give him my best "you have my full attention" look as an attemp to silently say "I'm here for whatever you need me". I remember the first time I cried in front of Calum. I was so upset for getting into a fight at the party - including the unfamiliar guy I had slept last week - that I ended up breaking down in his bedroom. It was my second time ever seeing him but even then Calum found a way of comforting me. Even when I was a mere stranger.

"It's just that... They might recognize you" Calum cautiously says as if fearing my reaction

"How would they recognize me, Cal? You can hardly see me in that photo" I say with a shrug "No one knows its me"

Calum looks at me with a cute smile playing on his lips and a weird glow in his eyes. He's studying my reaction with a mix of amazement and... Guilt?