Safety Net • CTH

Chapter 5 • Airplanes

- Eva's POV -

The way Margaret closed the door, and the way she was speaking honestly made me a little nervous for Calum. How much trouble could he have gotten into after I left that night?

"Calum.", she sighs, "I really don't know what we're going to do with you."

"Listen, I'm sorry, I was really drunk and-" he lets out before getting cut off by Margaret.

"N-n-n-n-o. You cannot use that as an excuse anymore. This is not a matter of how drunk you got. This is a matter of why you thought getting that drunk in the first place was a good idea, and why you feel the need to get violent when you're angry, especially when you're drunk. You attacked a paparazzi and smashed a $9000 camera. You have to realize that your actions don't only affect YOU. I have executives hounding me with calls asking how I could've let this happen. I have half a mind to drop you guys as clients all together.", she says, clearly angry.

"C'mon, now Margaret, that's not necessary.", Ben chimes in. "While I agree that what Calum did was unacceptable, there must be something we can do to de-escalate the situation."

"Oh there is, you won't like it though.", Margaret chuckles.

"I'm sorry, ok? At this point, I'll do anything, I cant ruin this for the rest of the band.", Calum pleads.

"Here's what we can do. You need to issue a public apology for your actions, stating you're going to pay the man back for his camera, express your sincere disappointment in yourself, and spend the whole month before tour doing damage control.", explains Margaret.

"And what does doing damage control entail?", asks Ben.

"Oh, that's the part Calum wont like. It means, no clubs, no bars, no parties, no drinking, and charity work." Margaret explains. "Oh, and I'll be flying out to LA to keep a close eye on you for the whole month.", she adds.

"C'mon, really, not even a single drin-", Calum says before getting cut off.

"Done.", says Ben.

"Yeah, we'll help him too, if that means you don't drop us and we can get the band back in the good graces of the public eye.", Luke adds.

"So I get no say in this at all?", Calum asks.

"No. Not unless you want us to get dropped and lose what we've worked so hard for.", Luke scoffs.

"Fine.", Calum huffed.

Margaret finished the meeting, all in agreement that she would fly out to LA and they would all help Calum stay on the right track.

***

I had finished lunch and went back into Margaret's office to ask about my next task.

"Hey Margaret, I was just wondering about this trip you're going on. Since I just started, I was wondering what you'll have me do while you're gone.", I question.

"Oh, I thought it was obvious, you're going to have to come with me.", she says.

"Oh.. really? All the way to LA for a month? I don't know if I can afford that hones-", I say before getting cut off.

Margaret gives me a half smile and says, "Don't be silly Eva, it's obviously on the company's dime. If you're going to learn about being a publicist, you have to learn by observing and doing. Plus, I need eyes everywhere. It's not going to be a problem is it, cause I'm sure any other intern-"

"Nope, not a problem at all. I can do it. When do we leave?" I say cutting her off.

"We'll leave on Wednesday, so that gives you a day to get all your things ready. Take tomorrow off to prepare. I'll email you the rest of the details when I get them." she says.

"Sounds good. Thank you for this opportunity Margaret." I say smiling.

***

I finished all my tasks for the rest of the day, then headed home.

Wow. A whole month in LA, learning how to be a publicist from one of the best in the world. Spending most of my time with my favorite band. This all seemed too good to be true.

When I got home I had to break the news to my parents.

"Wow mija, a whole month? Across the country?", my dad asks.

"Yeah, I guess so. The most stressful part though is that I leave on Wednesday.", I explain.

"2 days?!", shouts my mother.

"Yup."

"We have so much to do, we have to go shopping tomorrow, I'll take the day off so I can help you.", she says, seemingly stressed out.

"Thanks mami, I appreciate it.", I smile.

I finished dinner and headed to my room to facetime Harmony and tell her the news.

Tomorrow was gonna be super busy. I had so much to do before leaving.

***

The next day consisted of lots of shopping and preparing for the next chapter in my career.

Wednesday morning arrived quicker than I had hoped. I was nervous but excited.

I said goodbye to my parents then hopped inside the car Margaret had sent for me. We got to the airport, went through security, grabbed breakfast, then headed to the gate.

"So, where are we going to be staying for the month?, I ask.

"Well I have a house in Beverly Hills, so I'll be staying there, but the company rented out a house for you near where the boys live, just so you can help me keep an eye on them.", she explains.

"Oh, sounds good.", I say.

"I'm going to be honest with you Eva. You're going to have to do some things that aren't true to your character in this job, but at the end of the day, it's all for the greater good.", she adds.

"What do you mean?", I question.

"Nothing super crazy here, but I will tell you right now, off the record, I'm going to need you to get close to the boys..closer than you would probably hope. You're a good influence, they need someone like you in their lives right now, especially Calum; someone looking out for their best interest. I could say things all day long, but it's different coming from someone their age, you know?.", she explains.

"Margaret, can I be honest with you?", I ask.

"Well, I'd expect you to.", she laughs.

"Well, I'm telling you this because I want you to trust me and know that I won't do anything to put my job in jeopardy. 5 Seconds of Summer is pretty much my favorite band. They've been my favorite band for as long as I can remember. Working this closely with them recently has honestly been a dream for me and I'm trying not to be a crazy fangirl or anything, but they do mean a lot to me so I wont let you down, I definitely have their best interest at heart." I explain.

"Well I appreciate your honesty, but I already trust you. It's actually kind of good that you're a fan because you'll know how to get close to them. That'll be helpful to make sure Calum's behaving.", she replies.

With that, we got called to get in the plane. First class, obviously, cause this company's loaded. Never in a million years I thought I would be on a first class flight, to LA, to work with my favorite band.

I sat down in my seat, awaiting takeoff.

This was gonna be a wild month.

Once we took off, I put my airpods in and drifted to sleep.