Photogenic | n.h.

nine

"Baby?"

"Hmm?"

"What are you doing? You've been in there for a while now... and I don't hear anything," I silently went to twist the knob and realized it was locked.

I heard swift rustling all of a sudden. I quickly began feeling for the key on top of the door. My fingers located metal and I immediately put it in the lock.

"I-I'm putting on ma—"

I pushed the door open.

She froze in spot.

Then she put her hands up to cover her face.

I assessed what I was looking at.

Calmly, I walked into the room and led her to sit down on the toilet as she sniffed, beginning to shake.

"Yeah, putting on mascara." I grabbed the half-hidden scale and kicked it across the room.

I dragged my hand over my face and crouched down in front of her, "When did you buy this?"

She failed to hold back her endless tears, trembling mouth, and stuttering when she spoke. But, I still somehow managed to make out what she said, "A-A.. week after.. a-after you t-threw away the l-last one."

"That was a month ago."

She wiped at her face with her sleeves, "I'm sorry, Niall I.."

"Why do you do this to me?" I whispered, "To yourself."

"You don't understand," she cried, "I-I need it–"

"Come here," I grabbed her hands and pulled us both to stand up. I wrapped my arms around her tightly and held her head as she rested it on my shoulder, crying into my shirt.

"You don't need it."

"I do—"

"You're at war with your insecurities. You just need to figure out to win the battle."

"They've already won, Niall."

"No, they haven't. That's what it feels like, I know, but it's not true. You're strong enough by yourself to win this battle, but you also need to realize you're not fighting alone."

She sniffed again and wrapped her arms around my neck, "I love you."

"I love you too. You're beautiful. You don't need to know a stupid number to know that. You only need me here to tell you that every once in a while, and that's okay."

She nodded, her face still buried in my shoulder.

"Look at your thighs, look at your butt, they are so cute," I squished it playfully and she squirmed, giggling.

"Look at your stomach. Feel it, every inch of it. There's no point in obsessing over it right now. Why would you do that when you can be picturing it when there's going to be a little human in there."

"You are beautiful," I repeated carefully, "And I will spend my entire lifetime telling you that."