REMEMBER // Calum Hood

Forty six // absence

The first night was the worst. 

I had to sleep on the couch - if you even call that a night of sleep. After eating dinner on the kitchen counter with Duke, which was the leftovers of Sunday's barbecue, I tried to watch TV while waiting for Calum to text me saying he landed safely in Australia. But the Whale Life Documentary couldn't hold my attention for two minutes straight. Then I went upstairs and tried watching Netflix in the playroom, but my life had enough drama of its own for me to deal with Meredith Grey's problems. That's how I found myself color coordinating Calum's closet when Lis Facetimed me.

She was basically just playing the best friend role and checking on me. Lis wanted to know how I was and if I cried when we said goodbye, to which I could proudly say I didn't. I told her about how crazy complicated it is to take care of a house like this and the high maintenance it involves. I was still shocked with the amount of instructions Calum gave me. And then I told her about the flowers on the doormat, which drew the biggest "awn" from her before she complained saying Tyler never did something like that for her. Just another proof of how lucky I am.

"And how are things with Tyler?" I asked as an attempt to change the subject before I started to miss him even more

"Things are wonderful" She smiles to the camera "Better than I expected, actually. He's very sweet and fun but Tyler is not halfway across the world so it's easier to make it work"

"Yeah" I stop folding one of Calum's black T-shirts and get lost in my thoughts

I never noticed Australia was so far from America. I mean, I studied Geography at school so I obviously know it is on the other end of the world map but... Did it have to be this far? I bet the Kingdom of Far Far Away is still nearer than Australia.

"Sorry, I probably shouldn't have said that. I'm sure you guys will make it work" She smiles cutely to me "Isn't it sad to be all alone in his house?"

Yes! Yes, it is, Lis. Every inch of this house screams Calum's name and I can't think of anything other than him. Not that I usually don't do that but anyway. I'm trying to concentrate in other things, anything other than him. Like in which order the cushions look better or how does a freaking whale live. It is sad being here without him but instead, I tell my best friend it isn't that bad. At least, this way I still have pieces of him - like the 52 shirts I just folded. We continue to talk for exactly 26 more minutes, until my phone vibrates with a text. I get so excited with just the possibility of it being from Calum that I don't think I even say a proper goodbye before ending the call, but I'm sure Lis will understand.

From: Calum

Helloooo just landed

This 15 hour flight was exhaustively long without you here

Ew, that was too cute

I meant, without someone to fuck in the bathroom

Now that was kind of harsh

But I know you like it rough ;)

Hahahaha jk

What u doingg?

How was your first day back at work?

An instant smile takes over my lips. I don't even care if I look pathetic smiling like a freak to the phone. It's Calum. Halfway across the globe, yes. Further than the Kingdom of Far Far Away, yes. But still Calum, so I'm good with it. Wasting no more time, I quickly reply his texts. I tell Calum all about my awful first day back in the office and even how I had lunch with Liam because Anne and Trish were being weird. It felt wrong not to tell him about my lunch with Liam, even though I was afraid Calum would be mad or slightly jealous, but in the end he was nothing but supportive saying he was happy to know I had a friend to keep me company there.