More Than a Fan || cth

Chapter 23

Calum's POV

"That's it. Get off your ass."

I groan, pushing my head farther into the pillow under me. As I do so, I feel it being snatched up, leaving a cold, empty spot on my bed. I flip onto my back, eyes closed, mouthing a "go away" to whoever this is.

"Get up, Calum. I'm serious." I open one eye, peeking at the owner of the voice. As soon as I realize, I give myself the green light, and flip her off. "You know that doesn't faze me."

"Well, it should. Leave me alone, Delilah."

"I'm not leaving. You're getting up."

"No."

"Please?" Both of my eyes pop open when I hear Delilah plead. I push myself up on the bed.

"What's the emergency?" I ask, not being able to hide the disbelief in my voice.

Delilah rolls her eyes. "You are the emergency. Come with me." She tells me, pride in her voice. I sigh, pulling a shirt over my head and following her downstairs.

"How did you do that?" I hear Luke's voice.

"My magical powers." replies Delilah.

"I told you she'd break him!" Michael chimes as I enter the kitchen. My band mates, plus Crystal, Sierra, and Delilah, are crowded around the island in the middle. They all turn to stare at me when I emerge.

"If you don't avert your eyes or wipe those shocked looks off your faces, I will go right back upstairs." I scold, jerking my thumb behind me toward the stairs, and trying to look scary. I'm sure I just look super trashed right now, though.

Immediately, Sierra and Crystal are suddenly in a heated discussion with Luke, and Michael has to "go find Southy". Ashton and Delilah exchange glances before Delilah steps closer to me. She points at the counter behind her.

"Food. For you," She tells me. I pretend to put on a disgusted face, ignoring the hunger rumbling inside me. Nonetheless, I brush past Delilah, finding a piece of chocolate cake on the counter.

"Seriously? He should be getting a real meal and-"

Delilah puts her index finger up to Ashton's lips, successfully shutting him up. "Hush," she turns toward me. "Eat."

All eyes are on me again. Crystal speaks up, her voice soft. "We're all just worried about you, Calum. You haven't been you. You've been so distant since-"

"Since Lacie left. I know," I finish for her. She slowly nods, opening her mouth to say more, but I continue. "I've been to tour practice."

"And after practice all you've done is gone home and locked yourself in your room." Luke inputs.

"And?"

Silence falls over the room. I place my now empty plate in the sink after I've shoveled the cake in my mouth, nodding a thanks to Delilah before attempting to make my way back up to my room.

Michael's voice stops me. "Wait, Cal. Come back." I poke my head around the corner, back into the kitchen. He's looking at me with that sad expression that always seems to make me feel guilty. "Tour starts in 3 days. I know you may feel like crap, and everyone here loves you to pieces, but we also all know that you can't be going on stage for the next few months acting like this."

"I agree. You need to get yourself together. Seriously." Delilah commands, and everyone in the room nods their agreement. Duke even lets out a bark, which of course prompts laughter from all of us. I pick him up and thread my fingers through his soft fur.