Turn Away | c.h

Chapter 55 - Cold

*okay SO the song Cold by Aqualung is my inspiration for this chapter. It gets intense, just forewarning
Enjoy hehe

Also this story is going to have extremely slow updates sorry guys. (If you couldn't already tell).

Thank you to everyone for understanding & still supporting me n this story. I love you all xxx

I ran a hand through my wet hair, looking at myself in the foggy mirror as I tried to make my appearance look less exhausted. My blue eyes carried heavy eye bags under them, and my skin was paler than usual. I was sleep deprived after a night of barely any sleep. My body was weak and limp.

But the only concern I really held, was the strange bruising my body developed overnight. My naked body was stained with different shades of purples, blues and yellows. I looked like I had been in a battle- I had been harmed without even feeling it. All I knew was that I had to hide it from Calum until it became less intense. It was vibrant and new, and only seemed to be getting worse. The bruising wrapped around my waist, and down to my thigh. Across my rib age, and some on my upper arm. I looked ugly- I felt ugly. I couldn't understand how much it could affect my quality of life. I didn't want to move today, I didn't even want to talk. My body felt weird, beyond extreme.

It didn't feel like my own anymore.

The door slowly opened, brown eyes peering at me from behind the door. I turned around, looking up at Calum. I hadn't seen him since he stormed off during the night, leaving me alone under the blankets.

"Well good morning, Stel." He lowly said, making his way into the bathroom. "You should've let me know you were showering, I would've joined you."

I only looked at him, feeling his hands move to my waist. He waited for some sort of response, maybe even a shy laugh from me- but received nothing. I stood there, glancing away from him.

"Stella..? Is everything okay?" Calum asked, concern in his voice.

"Where did you go last night? Y'know, when you left me there." I questioned, feeling myself slowly pull away from his touch. Guilt suddenly soaked in his eyes, hands stopping me from moving away.

"I'm sorry, Stel... I only just got back, I had to sort something out."

"You always have to sort something out but I never know what you mean by that. And why you're constantly leaving me to do it." I said, wrapping my arms around myself. He visibly frowned at me, his large frame making me seem even smaller.

"There's a reason for that." He spoke, hands trying to keep me close but I kept denying his touch.

"And what's the reason?"

"I'm protecting you, Stella-"

"From what!?" I asked, beginning to grow even more tired of his persuasion. He constantly hid from telling me the truth but now, I needed answers.

"The world, I don't know." He sarcastically said, causing a great deal of anger to wash over me.

"You promised no lies. I just want the truth- I want to know where you go and what happens to you, I'm not asking for much." I said, trying to hide my anger.

"I'm not lying about anything. I just don't tell you these things because I don't want you to worry about me."

"What do I have to worry about?"

"Jesus, Stella, I already know how much you worry about me- I don't need to add to that." He said, leaning back on the bench.

"I worry because I don't know what's going on most of the time." I breathed, feeling defeated and exhausted from trying to make him understand. "I just want you to tell me things, the way I do with you."