disconnected || calum hood

14 | Elizabeth

The next day around five pm, as I waited for Amy to show up at my apartment, I started to realize how silly this idea was. What if Calum had nothing to hide? What if this whole endeavor turned out to be a prank or something equally senseless?

Would he be furious if he discovered that I was essentially stalking him? It wasn't like I didn't trust him; I did. We had shared countless moments, secrets, and even a deep friendship. Calum had never given me a reason to doubt him, but it was the shroud of mystery that had surrounded him lately. His cryptic behavior and the inscrutable activities that he was engaged in had piqued my curiosity. I needed to know what was going on. It wasn't just about him; it was about our friendship. I believed we were closer than mere roommates. He had opened up to me on so many levels, and I felt like I could do the same, so why this wall of silence and secrecy about his boxing and training?

The thoughts tumbled over one another, creating a storm of confusion in my mind. Was I doing the right thing by spying on him? What if I uncovered something that was better left hidden? A whirlpool of anxiety and fear mixed with excitement and determination as I contemplated my decision.

I had texted Amy about my hesitations, questioning whether we should proceed with our plan. Her response was swift and firm, a gentle scolding mixed with reassurance. She had already mentally prepared for this covert operation, and my wavering wasn't going to deter her. Her unwavering determination was both comforting and unsettling, as I found myself caught between my curiosity and the anxiety of what we might discover.

I spent the day diving into the world of sign language, watching YouTube videos that expanded my knowledge with each passing minute. As a result, understanding Calum's basic signs became increasingly easier. He often used simple signs like "how are you" or "what have you been up to" to communicate with me. Still, I wasn't quite ready to reveal to him that my sign language skills had advanced far beyond the basics he was used to.

Whenever the boys gathered at our place and delved into their animated signing conversations, I couldn't help but fix my gaze on them. Gradually, I managed to pick up a few signs and even grasp the meaning behind some of their sentences. However, the most infuriating part was that I still had no clue about the meaning of my sign name. It seemed as though the words they used for my sign name were a complete mystery to me. I hadn't come across those signs in any of the videos I had watched or in their conversations.

It dawned on me that my sign name must not be a commonly used word in everyday conversation. In comparison, the sign names for Ashton, Luke, or Michael were also quite unique, but I had encountered signs like "rainbow" or "giraffe" more frequently in regular conversations than whatever my sign name represented. The mystery around it continued to intrigue me.

At this point I started to give up on it, they would never tell me. It was their inside joke. 

I consoled myself with the thought that if Calum got upset with me for what was essentially stalking, I could explain that I was just really curious and pressed to find out what was happening. Of course, deep down, I knew it wasn't quite the same thing, but I was willing to do whatever it took to uncover the secrets that seemed to surround him.

A little after five, there was a knock on the door. I quickly got up from my bed, closed my laptop, and hurried to the front door, swinging it open to find Amy standing there.

I welcomed her inside and closed the door as she entered. We walked together into the living room, where Calum was still lounging on the couch.

"Hey Cal," Amy greeted him. Calum acknowledged her with a wave. "How are you?" Amy inquired as she removed her coat and casually draped it over one of the chairs. Calum responded with another nonchalant shrug and thumbs up. "Good," Amy commented, giving him a warm smile.