Turn Away | c.h

Chapter 52 - She's a Riot

I woke up from the feeling of his soft lips against my skin, rain trickling against the window. I shifted in my spot, his kisses travelling down my collarbone.

"Good morning, pretty." Calum mumbled against me, the warmth of his hands blanketing me. I emitted a small groan from under him, slowly opening my eyes to look into his. I saw him gently smiling above me, his body holding onto mine.

"Morning." I mumbled in return, stretching out under him. Calum let out a low hum, continuing to press light kisses against my neck. His hands drifted up to my chest, warm skin pressing against mine.

"By the way... We broke your bed." He calmly said against my skin. I opened my eyes, feeling his lips leave my skin.

"As in... literally... broke my bed?" I quietly asked, still practically half asleep. My brain couldn't comprehend what he was saying.

"As in we literally broke your bed, Stel." He amusedly hummed. I needed to wake up before anything else right now. I needed a shower to clear my mind. I could not believe that we'd somehow broken my bed.

"I need to shower." I quietly mumbled, feeling him let out a groan and a chuckle in one.

He rolled off of me, resting his hands on his chest as I slowly moved to the edge of my bed. I reached over, grabbing Calum's shirt that laid on the floor. He turned to look at me as I slipped on the fabric, letting it fall to my thighs before standing up. I could feel his eyes burning into the back of me, his naked body sprawled out, tangled amongst the sheets. His feet hungover the edge of the bed, chest peaking out from the covers as the sheet barely even covered his waist.

I gently smiled down at him as I turned away, reaching for my towel that hung up on the doorknob. Cal slowly sat up, letting out a low groan and a stretch.

"Are you coming?" I softly said, turning to look at him. He nodded, running his hand across his freshly buzz cut hair.

"I'll be there in a bit." He said, eyes looking me up and down unknowingly. I nodded back in return, walking to the bathroom with the towel in my hand.

I hung it up on the hook, reaching in the cubical and turning on the taps. My fingertips ran through the water, the temperature getting warmer. I moved to the sink, cringing the second I saw myself in the mirror. God, I looked beyond disgusting. Mascara was smudged under my eyes, and the leftover makeup had dried out my skin. I looked worse for wear.

I slowly slipped off Calum's top, placing it on the bathroom bench before looking at myself in the mirror. I twisted my waist, my eyebrows furrowing as I noticed the marks that bruised my skin. Deep purple and pink marks wrapped around my wrists, my hips and my thighs. I ran my hands down my stomach, discomfort clouding me as I studied the marks. I then realised how aggressive Calum got last night; how careless he was with me. The way he refused to look at me and wouldn't even respond to my touch.

I watched as Calum appeared in the mirror behind me, his half naked body moving up to mine. I was mostly scared for his reaction when he saw the marks. He despised the thought of hurting me.

His brown eyes trailed across my body, as he stood directly behind me, staring at me through the mirror. His features hardened, head tilting downwards as I stood there, vulnerable before his very eyes. I stared back at him, noticing the way he looked at me. Guilt was soaked in his features.

"Last night was a mistake." He spoke, his voice low. I instantly shook my head, turning around to face him. Calum didn't even touch me, he just stood there, avoiding my gaze.

"Cal, no," I softly said, reaching out for him. "It wasn't."

He shook his head in denial, moving away from me the second I touched him. I reached over for my towel, wrapping it around my naked body. I felt far too shy and cold without the comfort of something covering me. And Calum wasn't offering me the option of it being his arms instead of this towel.