Turn Away | c.h

Chapter 41 - Shaky Ground

I felt wind against my face, leaving my warm cheeks now cold as we walked down the path. The earth was particularly quite around us, the massive moon shining brightly above us. It looked incredible tonight, I insisted that Calum and I walked to wherever we were going. It was such a beautiful night, too nice to pass up.

Calum's fingers adjusted between mine, his hand gently squeezing as I glanced up at him.

He pulled me closer, humming under his breath as we followed our path down the quite street.

"Are you cold?" He asked, noticing how my body was covered in goosebumps. I had completely forgotten to bring my own jumper, because my head was a bit dazed from our previous activity. I was not thinking straight, clearly.

"Just a bit." I softly laughed, wrapping my arms around myself just as Calum pulled away. I watched him begin to slowly slip off his jacket, tan arms tugging the fabric from his body.

"You don't have to-"

"Don't even try." He chuckled, placing the jacket on my shoulders as he immediately shut down my protesting. I respected his offer and snuggled into the warm jumper, his arms wrapping back around me. It still baffled me how warm Calum was, he always radiated heat. Even in bed as we slept beside each other, he'd keep me warm in the coldest night. It was beyond nice.

We turned the corner, walking down the Main Street of Woodlens- where all the diners and shops were located. It was strangely quiet, usually there would be a lot of people around at this time of night on a Friday. But it seemed as though we were the only people here.

That's when I saw an all too familiar figure become clear in the distance.

He was accompanied by three other men, obnoxiously laughing and talking as they came closer and closer. Calum also took notice when I did, his grip on me tightening.

"C-Cal." I softly said, my body tensing as we made our way directly to them. I could see Chet's signature walk, his shoulders swinging with each step. I'd never grown to be so terrified of one person before.

"It's okay, Stel. You're safe with me."

It was like the memories came flashing back; the night of the party. The drinking. The way he forced himself on me and the way I was so incapable of helping myself. With each step I took that brought me closer to Chet, I felt myself begin to weaken. I felt as thought I was crumbling to my knees in mercy, and I was ready to drop at any second. My heart rate picked up and I felt my breathing begin to grow shallow.

"Calum." I said, wanting the feeling to go. I just wanted Chet to disappear. I wanted him gone, I wanted to be removed from this situation. I couldn't do this.

"You're okay." He gently said. I shook my head. "Just hold on tight to me; ignore him. He's not there."

I clutched onto Calum's arm, looking down at the ground ahead of me instead of focusing on Chet's movements towards me. My heart was beating against my ribcage, hands beginning to shake out of nerves. Calum gently ran his thumb across my skin.

"You look beautiful," he gently said, in hopes my attention would fall on his words. I glanced up at him, watching as his brown eyes studied mine.

"I do?" I softly said, my voice shaky. Calum let a smile grow on his lips, giving me a small nod.

"Even better in my coat."

"I really like this coat, actually." I said, feeling myself forget the upcoming presence of Chet. "It's really comfy."

"We can share it, then." He grinned, gently squeezing my arm. I softly laughed at his words, giving him a shrug.

"I guess so."