Roller-coaster ride : c.h.

Traveling to Paradise- Calum's P.O.V

We had made it to Mexico with only a few hours of travel time. Alana looked so amazed once we got there. Her eyes were wide open taking it all in. At the resort we walked up to our room, unpacked and were now sitting at our private pool which was included with the penthouse suite. "Hola Señor, puedo tengo un daiquiri de fresa por favor?"

"Si Señoríta." The worker said.

"Whoa, I didn't no you could speak Spanish fluently." I said taken back and also a little turned on when she spoke in that accent.

"I'm full of surprises Hood." She flirted which again turned me on. Between the accent and her flirtatious jokes I wanted her badly, but I controlled myself otherwise I would have ended up pressuring her into something she wasn't ready for.

"How do you say Calum is the best?"

"Calum es el mejor."

"I'm gonna make that my ring-tone." I joked smiling at her happy face. She was so beautiful I didn't want to stop staring at her.

"What?" She asked smiling at me.

"Nothing."

"Tell me."

"Just happy that you're happy."

"I am happy." She said standing up and diving into the pool. I followed after her grabbing her waist and pulling her into me staring into her hazel eyes. "Well are you gonna kiss me?" She asked. I chuckled and crashed my lips against hers.

"This vacation is bringing something out of you." She scrunched up her adorable little nose and I kissed her again this time forcing a make out session.

"I need to get out before I turn into a prune." She laid out on the chair and sipped her drink while we relaxed for the rest of the day.

-

Night time was the best. I took Alana out to a Mexican restuarant and then out to a night club. We woke up the next morning and headed downstairs for the breakfast buffet which was delicious. Once we were at the pool relaxing Alana got a phone call. I tried to listen in as she shut the door behind her. About 15 minutes later she came out in tears and unable to talk. I went over to her and tried to calm her down. "Baby what's wrong?" She couldn't get one syllable out. I rubbed her back trying to soothe her.

"She's gone Calum." She chocked out. I knew it. Her aunt Annie had passed away. As she said the words out loud the tears started to pour out of her eyes. I felt horrible I wanted to take Alana on this vacation to help her relax, but I doubt that was going to happen now. I let her cry it out and she calmed herself down. "Her funeral is on Saturday. Which means I have to fly to Texas and then to Australia."

"Alright, don't worry, I'll take the flight with you. I'll get a chance to see mum and your family."

"Thank you Cal." She said as small tears streamed out. I took my thumb and wiped her cheek.

"Anything for you." I kissed her forehead.

-

That morning we had to leave paradise and Friday morning we had landed in Sydney. Getting off the plane her parents greeted her with a warm embrace and tears were coming down both of their faces. Her mom spotted me and gave me a huge hug. "Hi Mrs. South, how are you?"

"I'm good hun, how are you?" She said squeezing me tight.

"I'm good." I said hugging her back.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm just here with Alana, I didn't want her to take this travel alone."

"Such a nice boy Calum. Come on lets get you kids out of here and fed." We pulled into Alana's driveway and my house was luckily two down from hers. She held my hand the whole car ride there, but once her mom looked back at us she removed it which meant she hadn't told her parents and neither did I. "Come on in." Her mom said leading us into the kitchen. "Riley, your sister's home." She yelled.

"Lana?!"

"Riley?" Alana asked giving her sister a big hug and causing them both to not let go for a while.

"Hi Calum." Riley said bringing me into a hug. "How are you?"

"I'm good, how are you?"

"Good."

"Hey mum, I think we're gonna go over to the Hood's I wanna say hello to Mali and stuff." Alana said pulling me out of the house. We walked into my house where my mum's jaw almost dropped.

"My boy! How are you?" She asked pulling me in so tight I could barely breathe. Looking over my shoulder she spotted Alana. "Alana, I haven't seen you in almost three years. How are you darling?"

"I'm good Mrs. Hood how are you?"

"Great now that you guys came back to visit. I'm so sorry about your aunt honey. Just let me know if there's anything we can do." Alana smiled sweetly as Mali walked in. She skipped me and immdeiately hugged Alana.

"Lana, I missed you so much!!"

"Mali, oh my God, I missed you too. I haven't seen you in forever."

"It's been too long babe." Mali smiled at me. "Come here you!" I hugged her and my dad as we were all getting caught up.

-

After Alana and I had dinner at our old homes she texted me.

Alana: Hey

Me: Hey, how are you holding up?

Alana: Awful, it feels like she should be here. I can't do this anymore, I'm trying to stay strong for mum, dad, and Riley.

I went over to her house the way I used to when she was in trouble. I snuk in through her rose vine that was right outside her window. She was curled into bed and I went and snuggled up next to her. She was crying and I was taking my thumb and wiping her tears away. "Calum" She croaked out burying her face in her pillow.

"I know baby, I know."

"Can you stay here for awhile?"

"Of course." I said putting my hand on her back and rubbing it which was helping to calm her down. I wanted to kiss everything and make it go away. I wanted her to believe that everything was going to be okay, but I couldn't promise her anything. I felt like a failed boyfriend. I felt useless since there really was nothing I could do.

Once Alana had finally calmed down she was starting to fall asleep and I was too. She was tracing the outlines of my tattoos. And eventually we both fell asleep.