Callum's POV:

Home isn't the same anymore.

Sure, the house appears much the same as it was when I left, but Ellie isn't here and none of my things. Seeing Ma and Charlie were comforting though and the smell of my mother's brownies wafting from the kitchen.

"Cal!" Ma shoots me a smile before collecting me in her arms. "How was the drive?"

"Good, there wasn't much traffic on the road," I reply, letting my bag slide to the floor.

Charlie plonks beside me and after I sit, he rests his chin on my knee. I run my fingers through his fur and his tail wags fast, hitting the kitchen counter each time.

"That's good," she returns to bustling around the kitchen. "Are you hungry?"

"Starving."

I stand to help her but she waves me off. I sit back down, feeling exhausted, even though I haven't really done anything today except drive.

"What do you want to do while you're here?" she asks me.

"I need a day to wallow in self-pity and to tell myself how much of an idiot I am."

"All right and after that?" she asks.

"Anything you want."

"After you eat, I'm going to take Charlie for a walk and you can go rest and do all those fun activities you have planned."

I offer her a lope-sided smile. "I'll be all yours tomorrow, I promise."

She reaches over the counter and places her hand on top of mine. "Take all the time you need."

I play with Charlie until Ma is ready to take him to the dog park and then I beeline to my room and dive into my bed. My body sinks into the mattress and I feel relieved to be back here where I can't screw up my life anymore. Well, I hope not, anyway.

Rolling to my side, I go into the photo gallery on my phone and begin scrolling through my pictures with Jake, reminding myself of everything I had before I ruined it all.

----------------

Instagram: laurenj_22

Snapchat: laurenj_22

Tik tok: laurenj_22