Abandoned - 5SOS fan-fiction

Chapter Two

I didn't sleep at all last night. I had found books on styling and also albums from the band I was touring with. I read every single page and listened to every single album, soaking up helpful information like a sponge. I wouldn't admit this to anyone, but I absolutely loved their songs.

I sat up to stretch and noticed something white on my floor. There was a neatly written letter lying on the floor by the door, as if someone had slid it under.

Breakfast at 8:00 AM sharp in a reserved section of this hotel. Ask Linda at the front desk to refer you there. Then on to Madison Square.

I looked at the alarm clock on my bedside table to see it had just turned to 7:00. I flopped back down on my back and let out a small whimper. There's no going back now.

I walked into the breakfast hall an hour later wearing tan boots, light wash jeans, a cream sweater, and a tan scarf. It's a very plain look. Maybe I'll just blend in.

I sat at the end of the table beside the cheeky boy who had called himself Ashton.
"What's for breakfast?" I asked quietly so people wouldn't pay attention to me, although I felt weird boy's eyes burning through my skull.

"Umm I'm not sure. Probably just eggs, bacon, toast, and bagels. That kind of thing." he smiled sweetly, looking over at me. It's crazy how some people talk about food as if it's not even a thought of how hard others struggle to come up with it. Ashton must have noticed me trying to avoid weird boy's eyes. "Don't let Calum get to you. It's a good sign if he picks on you."

And now weird boy has a name. Calum.

I just nodded swiftly and looked around the room. Anxiety had officially claimed me as its home. A feeling of dread filled my stomach.

By the time we arrived at Madison, I had chewed my nails to the point of them being sore.

We all climbed out of the black limo at the back of the venue. Entering the building was a reality check. I'm really doing this. Maybe I should've practiced on someone. I've never styled anyone but myself. I bet I could've convinced a house cleaning lady to let me experiment on her.
I walked with the boys and the other stylist - apparently she's going to train me for future tours with the boys - backstage. Hallelujah.
"Well, newbie. It's the moment of truth. Let's see what you've got." their stylist smiled.

I tried to force a grin on my face as I scooted over behind the chair where Calum was sitting. First I brushed his hair out and then I got going with tricks I'd learned from the books. A little fluffing on the side, and a spritz of hair spray on the other. When I showed the stylist, whose name I didn't know, her mouth gaped open.
"This- this is amazing! You better tone it down or they'll be replacing me with you before I even finish my term here" she laughed. Relief flooded through me. His hair didn't look amazing to me but after all I have no sense of style.
She walked away to go take care of the other boys. I was only required to style one with it being my first day.
When she was gone Calum stood up quickly and got close to me. I forced myself to keep from shrinking away from him, to shield myself from being hit or worse. I had to remind myself I don't have to worry anymore.
He brought his fingertips up to the bruise site on my jawline.
"You have a bruise." he said, cocking his head to the side.
"Y-yeah. It's nothing." I said, a little too rushed. "I fell trying to walk down the stairs in the hotel earlier."
He moved close enough for his lips to brush my ear before whispering and making me shudder "I know there is more to you than you're letting everyone know. I'm here if you need me, but I won't push you."
He drew back and gave me a small smile before walking away. His words were intended to comfort me but all I felt was fear of being caught. He knows something.

It wasn't long before the place had filled and the boys were on stage. I stood at the side, where I could see them but not out in the open.
I'd never been to a concert before so I don't know what I expected, but it was awesome.
Calum kept glancing at me, as if to make sure I was okay. I thought back to earlier in the day when he wouldn't take his eyes off of me at breakfast. Did he see something that led him to believe I had a secret? The truth is I'm terrified because I do have a huge secret that could end up with me in jail or living on the streets in another country. I can't allow a secret like that. I don't want to end up back in the foster system or juvenile detention after running away from home. I had planned on going back to the foster system but that was before I got shoved into a bus by burly men. Besides, what if the best outcome happens? I'm almost 18 which means I'm almost out of the system. Then with the money I get from working this job I landed by impersonation, I could get an actual degree and get an apartment. I could start a life as a US citizen.
Every time he would look I would cheer them on louder or give him a smile with a thumbs up. I've got to make him believe I'm here for the right reasons. I've got to convince him I'm exactly who everyone else believes I am. My future is at stake.

"We hope you enjoyed our performance tonight! Goodnight New York!" Michael screamed into the microphone. The stage went black. Their stylist grabbed my wrist and took me back to where I had styled Calum. The boys were there and very sweaty.
"You guys.. Is it really that much work? You're sweating horribly." I laughed.
"What? Do you want a hug? A big sweaty hug?" Ashton smirked before running after me. I squealed and tried to get away but it was hopeless. I'm a short girl with little legs.

He wrapped his sweaty arms around me. He smelled of cologne but that didn't make up for the sweat.
I screamed and tried to wriggle away while he laughed. My screams were nothing compared to his booming laughter, along with the rest of the band.
He finally let me go when my voice had gone hoarse from yelling. He had this look on his face like he felt accomplished and I started laughing, actually laughing, for the first time in years.

After a shower I decided to take a walk. Anxieties had started building up in my chest and I couldn't take it anymore. I felt like the air was too stuffy for me to breathe. I was jumping at every sound..

I made my way to the hotel lobby. There was a door  to a garden in the center of the hotel and I wanted to check it out.
As soon as I reached the glass door and swung it open, the cool night air nipped at me. I pulled my jacket tighter against my chest. I walked to the center of the garden-like place and sat on the cold stones that were laid in the shape of a crescent moon.

"Toronto?"

The voice was solid and sent an icy fear down my spine. The name was new, but I was already responding to it like it was mine. I spun around to see Calum standing there in sweats.

"I saw you rushing through the halls and thought something was wrong?" he said it like a question, but he knew something was wrong.
Before I could stop him or tell him to go away because it was nothing, he came and sat across from me.
"What's really going on?" He asked.

This kid won't give up.

Maybe I should just tell him..

"Nothing, Calum." I said, bringing my knees to my chin and wrapping my arms around my legs. "I'm fine."

"Well, you don't look fine." he said bluntly.

"Why do you even care?" I said more hateful then I'd meant. "I'm sorry."
It was a pathetic apology but it was all I could handle. If I would've started to say anything else, the tears would start pouring. I buried my face in my knees.
"Hey.." Calum said gently. I looked up to see him standing with a hand out. I placed mine in his and he helped me up.
He looked at me for a long time, as if analyzing me. I didn't like the intensity in his gaze. He made me feel small.
"My offer still stands. When you're ready, you can tell me what you need to get off of your chest. I'll keep your secret." He smiled. "Goodnight Toronto."

"Goodnight, Calum." I said quietly, feeling tiny in this big city.
I turned back to face the center of the room as he closed the glass door behind him.
So there I was, alone. Staring at some lifeless stones and realizing that until I tell someone what's going on, I will be like them.
Lifeless and stuck with no purpose but to just stay in the same spot for the enjoyment of others. Forever.