g w e n:

I ended my evening early. After taking a quick shower and changing from my uncomfortable school uniform and into something better suited for bed, I plopped myself in-between the soft covers. With my laptop playing some sappy drama on Netflix, I relaxed with a mug of warm tea.

As I contently watched the screen and sipped on the lavender-infused libation, did I begin to notice an alarming tap on my window. It didn't resonate with me at first, but when the tapping grew louder and I heard my name through the glass, did my heart cease to function. My eyes widened as I immediately hit the spacebar on my laptop to pause Netflix. I sat completely still, putting my hearing senses into full throttle.

"Princess, open up,"

I almost didn't want to peer through the curtains to see who was on the other side, as crime dramas are a guilty pleasure of mine and I knew too much about potential serial killers. But the voice that filtered through my room didn't belong to some cold-hearted, psycho axe murderer-- at least, I was sure of it.

I crawled out of my covers and across the bed to sit closer to the window. I glanced through the cracks that swayed beneath the air vents, and caught glimpse of a dark-headed boy sitting atop the roof. Pushing the anxiety of him possibly toppling to the concrete aside, I felt my stomach rumble with excitement.

"Baby, I'm not a psycho axe murderer," the voice declared, and I smiled to myself, recognizing the voice that accompanied a snarky grin I knew was etched across the face of the boy on the other side.

"That's exactly something a psycho axe murderer would say," I mused.

"Fine, if you don't trust me, then you don't get your surprise," he teased, his tone happily sing-song.

I rolled my eyes with a giddy grin. I felt so pathetically happy, and my cheeks were hurting from the huge smile plastered on my face. It was cliche the way I felt about Calum-- how extremely joyous he made me feel. Every time I would think about him, I would feel so warm inside. Every time he'd touch me, even if it was just a simple graze of his fingertips across my arm, electricity would ignite within me.

It was fascinating; absolutely, positively fascinating.

With a defeated sigh, but a smile never disappearing, slid off of my bed and stepped towards the window. I pushed the curtains off to the side, revealing a very handsome Calum sitting on the roof with his back pressed up against the wall. With his arms hugging his knees, he turned his beanie-clad head to look at me with a beaming smile.

I pushed the window aside, "what are you doing here?"

"What? A guy can't just sit on the rooftop of a house to admire the stars?" Calum expressed, sending me a wink that made my stomach flip backwards. "What are you doing, babe?"

"Nothing. Just watching Netflix," I told him.

"I thought so," he confidently noted with a grin. "So I was thinking I steal you for the night."

"Steal me for the night?" I repeated with curiosity and a raised brow. "Does this have anything to do about that surprise you mentioned."

"It's very possible, yes. Now get some pants on and come out with me," Calum quipped with an excited smile and hopeful tone.

"I've never snuck out before," I admitted with a shrug.

"That's not surprising at all," Calum chuckled.

I frowned at him, suddenly feeling a pang of embarrassment. It wasn't that I regret telling Calum this obvious piece of information, it was because I realized how deprived I was as a teenager. I was blessed-- in more ways than any person could ever imagine. But despite it all, I came to the realization that I didn't take enough spontaneous moments.

That evening after Calum's first day volunteering was one filled with adventure and spontaneity. I was anxious the entire time. I was out late on a school night, with a boy I didn't know too much about. I was scared of heights, about to climb several stories up above icy, cold waters. But after ascending the Harbour Bridge, any ounce of regret quickly slipped away into nothingness the moment my eyes met the jaw-dropping view. I never would've experienced any of that if I hand't taken the risk; if I hadn't trusted Calum with the risk.

So I turned around, confusing Calum at the same time. I could see him turn his head further, watching my movements as I rummaged through my drawers for a pair of leggings. I slipped them on, before grabbing a pair of flats from the inside of my closet. Making sure the door was locked, I turned off the lights and trekked back over to the window. When I did, Calum had a huge smile on his face as he held the window screen in his hands.

"I find you very sexy babe," Calum wiggled his eyebrows mischievously, his piercing glimmering in the moonlight.

I was flushed with embarrassment, "oh my gosh, stop it Cal. I'm not."

"Yes you are," Calum insisted, "this spontaneous side to you turns me on."

"Stop Calum. You're making me blush and I don't know what to say to that," I felt my cheeks redden by the second and the cool outside air was soothing it.

"Don't say anything," he shrugged, before smirking, "just kiss me."

I grinned before happily complying to Calum's request. I leaned out of the window, as he leaned in towards me and placed a tender peck on my lips. It was quick, simple, and only the moon bared witness to such a delicate gesture, but it was that tiny lip to lip action that made my heart beat faster. When the two of us separated, I bit my bottom lip shyly because his kisses were unlike anything I've ever experienced before.

I held my hand out for Calum to take it, and when he did, I carefully climbed out of the window. The screen was replaced back into its slot, and with my hand still grasping onto Calum's, I turned to him to make the first move. Surprisingly, I wasn't scared. I was with Calum, and I knew he wouldn't let me fall to my death.

"We're gonna climb down this thing okay?" Calum pointed to the metal trellis on the side of the wall where vegetation grew on it.

"Okay," I nodded my head, watching as Calum swiftly ease himself off of the roof.

After climbing about three feet down, I followed after. I took a deep breath inward as I flopped onto my belly and slowly slid myself closer to the trellis. My feet hung off of the rooftop, causing Calum to surprisingly giggle at my expense. No, this wasn't some manly chuckle, but a child-like laughter brimming with wholesomeness.

"I can't believe you're laughing at me," I scolded at a whisper, though I wasn't really mad.

"Sorry princess," Calum proceeded to stifle is laughter, but the deed was too difficult for the bad boy.

With a roll of my eyes, but a smirk planted on my face, I continued to ease myself off of the roof till my feet met the metal material. Slowly, I climbed downwards, grasping onto the trellis with great strength my knuckles were turning white.

"You're doing a good job baby," Calum complimented, "almost there."

I eventually made it to the ground, jumping off of the lattice framework with a satisfied smirk. Immediately Calum grabbed ahold of me, pulling my body into him before placing a kiss on my temple. It still chilled me whenever he did things like that because it was so unlike him, yet like him at the same time.

"Where are we going?" I asked, snaking an arm around Calum's waist as he led me from the backyard and through the small alleyway.

"I'm in the mood for some ice cream," Calum told me, taking a moment to glance at me with a toothy grin.

"Are there any places open right now? It's almost 11PM," I noted as he unlocked his car.

"I know a place," his words were enigmatic, theatric even as he reached forward to open the door for me.

I slipped into his car, watching as he closed to door before rounding the front. Calum sat in the driver's seat and stuck his keys into the ignition, a roar of the engine firing up filling my ears. Some rock song was blasting through the speakers as Calum pulled away from the curb and drove off.

I sat in silence, bobbing my head along to the music with the windows rolled down. I enjoyed the evening air as it blew through my hair, probably giving it an unruly touch. I enjoyed watching Sydney pass me in rapid, blurry images like sweet moment flashing before my eyes. It was serene, lovely, perfect.

Calum parked his car about ten minutes later near what looked to be an outdoor promenade. Because of the time of night, it wasn't very busy, but I didn't mind at all. I was excited to get some time alone with Calum without any other distractions. When I stepped out of the car, my bad boy took no time in meeting me and taking my hand in his.

"You're gonna love this place," Calum told me with confidence.

"How are you so sure?" I mused, "I might absolutely despise it. Flip tables and kick your shins from how much I hate it."

"Trust me babe, if there's anything I know, it's you," Calum declared.

The two of us walked hand in hand, down the sidewalk and passing cute boutiques. There were bright lights embellishing the tree tops, illuminating the path before us and if there were a photographer nearby, they could capture how cute of a Tumblr moment this was. But despite the lack of photographers nearby, that didn't stop me from capturing this sweet experience. So I pulled out my phone from my pocket, ceasing my steps as did Calum.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Let's take a selfie!" I grinned from ear to ear, excitement plastered across my face as I held the cellular device tightly in my hands.

"Seriously?" Calum raised a brow, chuckling at my request. He really wasn't the selfie-type of guy, and neither was I for the most part. But this moment was too perfect to pass up a ridiculously cute couple photo.

"Please babe," I pouted. I learned from being with Calum, that the cute thing worked on him. While I always pegged him for the type of boy who went for the incredibly hot girls who had a voracious sexual appetite, I learned that Calum had a weakness for facial expressions representing kicked puppies.

"Why do you do that Gwen?" Calum groaned, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

"Do what?" I innocently quipped, shrugging my shoulders for an added flair.

"That fucking look," Calum spoke through gritted teeth, "stop it."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I batted my eyelashes, biting my bottom lip with hope and swayed my body slightly from side to side.

"Gwen," he warned, causing me to smirk. Calum groaned again, before reluctantly surrendering, "fine! I'll take a stupid selfie with you."

"Yes!" I whooped, jumping up and down. I placed a kiss on his cheek, "you're the best Cal."

I pressed my finger on the phone, pulling up the camera app and making sure the front camera was activated. With the device held up at the perfect angle, I smiled brightly. Calum laughed at me, to which I responded with an angry glare. This only made him laugh harder-- a laugh paired with a beaming smile I could stare at forever. So I took this as the perfect chance, and captured it. I pressed the button on my phone several times, grabbing photos of me staring happily at a chuckling Calum.

Afterwards, we continued our trek to wherever Calum wanted to take me. It was at the end of the block, on the corner next to a coffee shop. An ice cream parlor with bright lights loomed before us and I couldn't help but to release an excited, giddy smile. I didn't realize how much I was craving the cold confection till now, and Calum was indeed right: he did know me. He knew me very well.

The two of us walked in, and because I was so dang mesmerized by the lights and the sweet treats, I wasn't paying attention. This caused me to bump into someone's idle body. My eyes widened as I teetered backwards, almost falling on my bum if it weren't for Calum catching me.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" I apologized quickly, looking at the girl with remorse.

The girl who looked to be my age, stared at me with confusion for a while. Before I could open my mouth to speak again, another girl whom I was familiar with, stepped up. Charlie held a tray containing three cups of ice cream in her hands, smiling as she attested the situation.

"Gwen! Hey, girl! Everything okay?" Charlie asked, setting the dessert on the table nearby before turning to the girl, "are you alright?"

The girl nodded, "I'm good."

"Sorry, this is Dara," Charlie gestured, "she doesn't speak too much English. She's in a work study program from Thailand. She's staying with my dad and I."

"Hi Dara," I waved, finally realizing why she looked so confused before. I observed the girl-- shoulder length, black, straight hair; dark brown, almond shaped eyes, and a silver charm on a thin silver chain adorned her neck. "I like your necklace."

"Th-thanks," Dara smiled softly, taking the oval-shaped charm in her fingers. "My sister has other side."

I was puzzled at first by what she meant, but upon closer inspection, I noticed that the charm was not a charm. But one half of what looked to be a locket.

"I really hate to do this," Charlie looked at me with apologetic eyes, "but Dara and I have to get going. My dad is actually waiting in his car for us. And I don't want to ruin your date with Calum. I'll catch up with you tomorrow?"

"Yes, of course! I'll see you tomorrow," I pulled Charlie into a hug before flashing a smile at Dara, "it was nice to meet you."

Dara smiled and waved, following Charlie out the glass doors. I watched as the two girls walked across the street to a car parked against the curb. I turned my head, and when I did, Calum stood right before me holding two cups of ice cream in his hands.

"Whoa, hey, where'd you come from," I was startled a bit.

"Sorry, I went ahead and ordered while you were talking to Charlie and that girl," he told me an I nodded. Calum took a seat at the table most closest to us and I followed suit. He pushed the cup towards me, "try it. Trust me, the combo is awesome."

"I trust you with my life, not so sure if I trust you with my ice cream," I playfully teased, before releasing a giggle causing Calum to shake his head in disapproval.

I took the spoon out of the ice cream, scooping up a large lump of the cold treat. I stuffed it into my mouth, and immediately, I was hit was an ongoing slew of magical flavors. Calum looked at me with a snarky grin on his face, satisfied to see that he was indeed spot-on in his ice cream selection.

"You are right Cal," I began, taking another scoop, "this is awesome... thanks for stealing me tonight. I'm glad I snuck out with you."

"Anytime babe, anytime," Calum grinned.

"I know you close yourself off, and I understand that you don't want to open yourself up to me even though I know you could trust me," I wasn't looking at him, but instead poking and probing at my ice cream, "but I just wanted to say that I know you're trying. And I appreciate that Calum. Thank you."

Calum hooked a finger beneath my chin, forcing me to lift my gaze. I stared at the boy before me, who stared back with a smile.

"Can I tell you something?" He asked.

"Anything," I nodded.

"I blame myself for Janet's death," Calum revealed, and it was upon this new information did my eyes seem to grow wider.

I no longer gazed at Calum with awe, but with concern. My eyebrows furrowed slightly, my lips agape, and my eyes glazed with compassion. Those words were words I never expected to fall out of Calum's mouth, and when they did, I almost didn't want the conversation to continue.

"What? Why?" I found myself saying. Those were the only things I could coherently speak.

"The night Janet got into the accident, she was at house party," he told me, "it was a party at Luke's house. She had gone after I begged her not to. I knew Luke liked her, and I knew he'd try something."

"Did you go with her at least? To stop Luke in case he did?" I questioned.

Calum shook his head, "nope. Our argument got heated and I let her go... I realized how stupid I was so ten minutes after she left, I hauled my ass over to the Hemmings household."

"And, um, what happened after that?"

"I found her there, and Janet was still on edge from our argument. I tried to apologize but I guessed she was still annoyed," Calum's words were coming out more rapidly, more angry as he spoke, "and then fucking Hemmings comes out of nowhere, trying to save the damsel in distress. So then we got into it. Janet was so over with everything that she stormed out of the party. And then..."

Calum didn't continue his words. I knew exactly what happened after that. I felt my heart drown, and I could feel the pain radiating from Calum that it stung me too.

"If we weren't arguing in the first place, or if I had just let Janet come to me when she was ready..." Calum hiccuped, his eyes were getting glossy, and for a moment I thought he was going to cry. "It's so fucking stupid because I don't even remember what we were arguing about in the first place. It wasn't even something worth fighting over and that's what pisses me off the most. She got into that accident for no reason, fell into a coma for no reason, then died for no reason."

I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say. I knew there was nothing I could say that would have the power to bring back Janet, and I wasn't sure what I could say to make Calum feel better about the situation. So I kept silent. Instead, I rounded the table as Calum watched my movements. I stepped in between his legs, holding his face in my hands and without a care if the employee behind the counter was watching or not, I leaned down to kiss Calum gently on the lips. Then as the two of us separated, the bad boy who I proudly called mine, whispered three little words that hit me in a much bigger way:

"I love you."

//

Let's recap? 

Whenever Calum and Luke argue, Luke seems to always bring up the night Janet died. He eggs on Calum because it's easier to blame him for that night. In the chapter entitled, "Paint it Black" Luke and Gwen have a conversation about Janet. How Luke asked for some protection for Janet against Calum. Luke believes that the accident Janet was in, wasn't an accident.

So far we know: (1) Luke believes Janet's accident wasn't an accident, and (2) Calum believes it to be an accident because he was the reason why Janet stormed out of the party in the first place. 

More will be revealed in future chapters and all loose ends will be tied! I really hope you all are enjoying this story so far! Thank you to everyone who has voted and commented! I'm so amazed by how popular this story has gotten. I know it's not as big as other stories here on Wattpad, but the fact that "Run Baby Run" is at 58K views with 2K votes is something so incredible to me!! I'm proud :)