Chapter 37

Misty's POV After the door shut, I burst into tears. It was over. It was over. A small part of me applauded for my strength but most of me wanted to cry.

Just to cry.

Cry and drown in my own tears. I knew it was for the best. I knew it. But I didn't know it would feel this bad. I remember the first time Calum left for his first tour. The week after I was diagnosed with minor depression.

I remember my mom always telling me to "go out" or to "eat a little more, honey". But after 2 months I became the regular me. Only because I found out through social media that Calum had moved on. I realized that it was my turn in line so I did what I was supposed to do.

Moved on.

But not after this. Not after everything we've been through the past months. It wasn't like high school. It was so different. It was a good different.

As I wiped my tears and threw all my anger out on my pillow I finally came up with a solution to my problem. It was pretty crappy but hey, it was better than nothing.

I reached over to the nightstand and took the phone to dial the nurse.

• • •

Calum's POV

I sped walked down the stairs almost running into a couple of patients.

Oops.

My phone rang but I ignored the calls and turned my phone off. I grabbed my keys out of my pocket and started the car immediately.

I sat in the parking lot by myself.

"Fuck!"

I screamed getting my frustration out. I slammed my fists onto the steering wheel until it hurt. I needed to feel other pain than this. It wasn't working.

I leaned my head against the wheel and closed my eyes hoping this was all a dream. Hoping I would wake up and be sleeping right next to her. Hoping that wasn't leaving for tour tomorrow morning.

Hoping.

It was a stupid thing.

I reopened my eyes and something caught my attention. It was her shopping bags, still piled on the passenger side of my car. It was still there. Containing clothes I'll never see her wear. Giving a huge sigh, I turned my phone back on. I decided it was time to suck it up like a man and handle things better.

Don't cry.

After the apple logo disappeared, my phone went on a buzzing spree, with 175 messages and 70 missed calls from the boys combined.

After looking through all the messages, I decided to call back Luke.

123456 rings until he picked up.

"Calum?"

"Calum is that you?"

I tried rubbing the red out of my eyes while speaking.

"Yeah hey."

"Where are you?"

"I'm still here, in the parking lot."

"Are you okay? What happened?"

I hesitated to turn my car engine on to start heading back home.

"I'll tell you when I get home."

"Ok good because we were all worried about you, dude."

"Sorry?"

I started driving out of the parking lot.

"Yeah you better be sorry. Ok drive safe, see you later bro."

He hung up so I tossed my phone in my lap. Time to go home. To pack. To leave tomorrow.

• • •

Misty's POV

The door to my room opened and in came a pair of familiar almond brown eyes carrying a bouquet of red, pink and yellow roses.

"Misty!"

He jogged up to my bed and gave me a tight hug.

"You have to tell me everything."

He held my shoulders shaking me lightly. I laughed and shook my head.

"It's nice to see you too, Seth."

He pulled up a chair next to me and handed me a red gift bag.

"I got you something."

I pulled the tissue paper out of the bag and stuck my hand inside. I fished my hand around until I felt a soft fabric and something hard and plastic. I wrinkled my forehead as I pulled out the first item.

It was a new red beanie, almost identical to the one he let me borrow that one time at the meet and greet.

"Oh my god you didn't."

I burst into hysterics and wiped away my tears as I pulled out a pair of glasses, again almost identical to the ones that he had.

"Thank you."

I sat up a little taller and leaned in to give him a tight squeeze.

"I thought you looked mighty fine in mine before so I got you your own."

He blushed a little and smiled at the ground.

"I know it's not your normal 'get well card' but I thought it was a pretty cool gift."

"Seth, I love it."

I giggle again and set the bag down on the nightstand.

"So I heard Calum's leaving tomorrow morning."

Seth scooted his chair so he was comfortable and crossed his arms.

"Yup."

My eyes made its way up to the ceiling.

"Long distance? Or no distance?"

This is why Seth was my best friend. He knew exactly what I was thinking and how to make me feel better. I closed my eyes and lifted my arms up to my head.

"No distance."

I mumbled almost silently.

"Did you or did he?"

"I did."

I heard him clear his throat.

"Oh."

A pause.

"Why?"

"We can't handle long distance."

"Experience?"

I nodded slightly meeting my eyes with his.

"If it makes you better, the nurse said you'll be able to go home tomorrow."

He gave me a big white smile and a thumbs up. I laughed and shook my head.

"Thanks."

Then, at that moment, a familiar rumble vibrated in my stomach. My hands rubbed my stomach to ease the hunger.

"Hungry?"

"Yeah I guess. Hospital food doesn't exactly hit the spot."

"What do you want?"

• • •

I wiped my mouth with a napkin after finishing the only real food that I've had in days.

"Thanks for the Chinese, Seth. I swear I'll pay-"

His hands closed my mouth before I could apologize anymore.

"I don't wanna hear that."

I rolled my eyes at him and threw the crumpled napkin into the makeshift trash bag Seth made with a plastic bag the Chinese gave to us. Just then, my phone rang. Of course I wanted it to be Calum. Or any of the other boys but it was my boss. I pressed answer and held it between my shoulder and ear.

"Hey"

"Oh Misty! I thought you weren't going to answer!"

I laughed a little to show some enthusiasm.

"Yeah. What's up?"

"I just wanted to inform you with a new mission I need you to do when you get out of the hospital. If you don't mind, I mean."

I rubbed my forehead feeling a headache coming up.

"Yeah, no it's fine. I'll do it."

After getting assigned my next job by my boss I hung up and placed my phone on the nightstand to charge.

"Damn slow down there."

"What?"

"You're already up for another mission?"

He look at me with his eyebrows raised. I sat up taller and just nodded.

"Yes, Seth. I am ready. Because after tomorrow I'll have nothing to do so might as well move on with my life right?"

I shrugged and closed my eyes.

"Good point, M."

"Thanks I try. I try."

We both laughed for a while until he stood up to go throw away the trash bag containing the now empty containers of Chinese take out leaving me alone in this room.

I felt tired all of a sudden. Probably because I still had this IV needle sticking in my wrist. I positioned myself in a comfortable enough position where I was laying on my side. My back was facing the door to the room. Something caught my eye. There was another nightstand on the side of my hospital bed. On top of it was a yellow post-it note and on top of that was a ball of silver. I reached my hand to grab the items.

I felt the familiar cool silver unravel and slide between my fingers leaving the familiar silver infinity symbol in my palm. I raised the yellow post-it note to my eyes to read what was on it. There was familiar writing on it as well. Calum's handwriting.

Dear M,

I'm sorry about all the things that happened to us in the weeks that I was with you. I'm super sorry. Wow that was kind of stupid. Anyways there's not a lot of space on this post-it (which I found in your room) I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for breaking our infinity and ruining us. I'm so sorry. When I go on tour, just please don't forget about me. I promise you, that you will be the only one on my mind for the next 6+ months.

The note ended there but I turned the post it over to the back with more writing on it.

Hopefully I'll be back in time before you move on. Just because I can't imagine you with someone else. But again I don't blame you for moving on. Anyways. I'll always love you no matter what happens, M. See you later.

-Calum