Even If You Don't // Calum Hood

Chapter 8: I Don't Wanna Let It Burn in the City Lights

Calum's POV

As we boarded the plane, the boys and I got to our seats before the girls. We were all pretty spread out, not able to talk to each other without talking loudly – and we didn't want to do that.

The girls were coming down the aisle – all of them separated from each other as well. The only difference was that Kaylynn, Kenzie, and Vanessa were sitting with random people, and Mari had been seated next to me.

Once she found her seat, her eyes locked on mine and I saw her swallow thickly. She still scooted past me and sat down though, staring aimlessly at the tarmac outside so she didn't have to look at me again. I couldn't help but sigh softly, but I didn't say anything.

Not until we were in the air, that is.

The plane was quiet – despite being a full flight, everyone was either asleep or minding their own business. I could hear a few soft voices here and there, but they were clearly people who knew each other and weren't those making mindless small talk with the stranger next to them.

I then looked over at Mari. She wasn't asleep yet, but she did have her elbow resting in the window and her chin in her hand, obviously drifting in and out. And as much as I didn't really want to disturb her, I knew this was probably the only time we'd be as alone as we could get for a while.

"Mari," I whispered, leaning on the armrest between our seats.

"Hmm?" she hummed, probably forgetting it was me she was sitting by.

"Mari," I repeated just as lowly, putting my hand on her knee and rubbing her skin gently, "I know you're tired, but we need to talk."

Mari swallowed again as she opened her eyes, looking at me but not moving away from the window. I took a deep breath and just started talking.

"Kaylynn said you've been kind of out of it since after your set and I just wanted to say I'm sorry for pushing you the way I did," I sighed, "I get that we're friends – well... I like to think we are, anyway – but I shouldn't have just assumed that meant you'd tell me what was bothering you. So... I just want you to know that I'm not mad or anything for the way you reacted, and I'm sorry if I made you feel like I was."

She stared at me for a moment before surprising me by quickly leaning toward me. She couldn't exactly hug me, but she did the best she could – her head on my shoulder and her arms around my waist – holding onto me tightly. She didn't say anything – not that she needed to – and my arm snaked in between her and her seat so I could hug her back the best I could. I rubbed her back lightly, just until I felt her grip loosen.

I thought she was going to sit back in her seat, but when I heard soft snores being muffled by my jacket, I couldn't help but grin. I moved my hand from her back, bringing it up so I could run my fingers through her hair. I heard her sigh in content, her arm falling onto my lap in her unconscious state. I laid my head on hers and closed my eyes. I didn't fall asleep though, knowing there were only about 30 minutes left in our flight and I just wanted to enjoy this moment without anyone else teasing me about it.

~

Half an hour later, Mari was still asleep on me. I didn't know whether or not she would have fallen asleep on one of the other boys had she been sitting with them, but to be honest, I didn't want to think about it. I knew it would just bring back the ache in my chest and she was already with me, so I figured it was best not to let my mind wander.

But unfortunately, when the flight attendant announced that we'd be landing in 5 minutes, I had to wake Mari up.

"Mari," I whispered – just as I had done before – shaking her leg gently. She didn't wake up right away, so I gradually shook her a little harder until she finally started stirring.