Amnesia • Calum Hood

•Chapter Five•

Every sound he made in the other room was maximized, and my ears picked up every subtle shift he made.   I could just imagine that shuffling noise was him flipping through an old book, or a magazine.  His footsteps were probably pacing from the bed to the closet, as he fiddled with his possessions in an adorably organized way.  I could practically hear his heartbeat, which used to match mine back when we were deep in love.

I was sitting on Michael's bed, on top of the covers and staring up at the empty ceiling.  I desperately wanted to shower, but did not want to risk running into Calum.  It was better we had as few interactions as possible, since they always wound up being malicious or painfully awkward.

It wasn't that I was scared of him, I was just terrified of what we would say to each other.  When I was around him, I couldn't control myself, and the emotions ran free.  I didn't want to argue with him, or hash it out like we did on the driveway.  Each word he spoke slashed another tear in my heart, and I didn't think I could survive another meeting.  So, I needed to steer clear of him at all costs.

Unfortunately, each time I reached for the doorknob I heard the creak of floorboards next door, and quickly rushed away for fear of him noticing.  But after I'd done this mad dash about a dozen times, I murmured fuck it and threw the door open, skidding across the floor and into the bathroom at an impossible speed.

Only when I closed the door and leaned against the wood frame in relief did I realize I forgot my bathrobe.  Swearing under my breath, I debated the options of making a run for the robe, or just sticking it out without it.

After a minute, I shook my head, realizing just how silly I sounded.  He was just a guy, who I happened to have a colorful history with.  I shouldn't have been so worked up about it.

Still, I didn't go get my bathrobe.

The shower faucet was twisted to as hot as it could get, and I breathed in the steam as it rose through the air.  Stepping gingerly into the hot tub, I felt the scorching hot water sear down my skin and burn a path down my body.  It was blazingly painful, but oddly riveting as the heat woke up my sleepy nerves and jarred my brain inside my skull.

Eventually I grew used to the temperature, and started to wash.  I massaged soapy shampoo into my hair, shaved my legs and even used some strawberry scented body gel which made my skin soft and sleek.  I felt weirdly luxurious as I ran the soap down my arms, and I could almost forget that Calum was a few doors away.

I stepped out of the shower with my hair dripping down my shoulders, glancing towards the fogged up mirror and smiling slightly.  I hadn't had such a nice shower in so long.  It rejuvenated my exhausted bones and brought some life back into my tired face.  I was almost normal and glowing, how I had been before everything was ruined.

Wrapping myself in a soft white towel, I held it up around my body, pinching the cotton between my fingers before reaching for the door knob.

Just as my fingers grazed the door, it was flung open, revealing a shirtless Calum.

"What the--"  His words were cut off as soon as he saw me, completely naked under the very small towel.  His eyes widened as they flitted down my body, and heat spread out from underneath my skin as his gaze wracked my form.

I had to be beet red as I adjusted the towel tighter around me, and tried to ignore the fact that it hardly fell past my bum and above my breasts.

"Um, sorry, I was just..." I stuttered, unsure of what to say.  Calum was still staring, but then he shook his head and swallowed roughly.  I took this time to notice what he was wearing, and felt the air leave my lungs.