"finn put me down!!" keslie squeals as i throw her over my shoulder and walk along the sand until i get to the ocean.
"don't even think about it." she says, unable to help herself. i smile cheekily to myself.
"throw her in! throw her in! throw her in!" caleb and noah start to chant. i drop her in as gently as humanly possible. all of us laughing, i quickly run in and help her up.
"finn! oh my god you're horrible!" millie squeaks while helping kelsie wipe sand off her legs.
"i fucking hate you" she walks towards me, covered in sand. i wipe sand from her now rosy cheek before i throw my arm over her shoulder and whisper "you know you love me."
"guys this has been amazing, but me and noah have a really early start tomorrow so we need to get some sleep. we'll see you guys tomorrow!" caleb says, while he and noah both wrap themselves in towels and pick up their bags.
"yeah. this has been super fun guys, let's do it again soon! i hope sadie and gaten can come next time, when their schedule isn't packed." noah replies while throwing his flip flops on the ground and sliding his feet into them.
"i'll head off too guys, i'm not in the mood to be a third wheel and it'll give you guys some alone time." millie winks at us as we all laugh.
"awwww mill you wouldn't be a third wheel!" kelsie replies, i have a feeling she doesn't want mills to leave because she'll have to tell me about the nightmare. i don't want to force her to tell me, and she doesn't have to, but i think deep down she wants to. i'm not sure. they all head off; which leaves me and kelsie, wrapped together in a towel, watching the sun disappear. i turn my head to face her, her eyes filled with worry.
"you know what i'm going to ask you, right?" she nods her head and takes a deep breath, while i begin to stroke her hair in hopes to keep her as calm as i can.
⚠️TW - SA - SKIP AHEAD IF YOU WANT
"okay. um... when i was 13, i dated this guy called sam. he... um... he was 16. he lied to me about his age and said he was 14, but since he didn't go to my school i didn't have a clue. he seemed like an amazing person; he treated me great and i really really liked him. one night, a few days before my birthday, we were alone in my house watching a movie. he um..." she starts to trail off. my heart begins to beat faster, and i have a feeling where this is going. oh god.
"he started to kiss me, and that was fine until he started kissing my neck which i didn't like; i mean i was literally a child. i told him i wasn't ready and asked him to stop multiple times but he started to get angry and didn't listen to me. he um... he started to undress me, but i couldn't stop him and wriggle free as i was tiny compared to him. i tried to scream but nobody could hear me because josh wasn't home. he began kissing me all over. i couldn't move or- or think-" a single tear falls out her right eye, obviously trying to hold back her tears. my eyes are starting to water. i don't know if i'm going to be able to hear this. i wipe away the tear with my thumb.
"i told him to stop but he just ignored me. he- he um..." she croaks, tears streaming down her cheeks. i'm frozen in shock, unable to speak. how could somebody be so fucking disgusting.
"after that night, he continued it for a year. he abused me... emotionally and sexually. he threatened to hurt my family if i left him or told anybody about it. he would tie me up and- and do some really awful things to me. i was stuck and i was really depressed. he was my best friend, and i trusted him with everything i didn't realise what a monster he was. i eventually grew brave enough and told the police what happened. before he could hurt me, he was put in prison; then i met you, and i finally started to sleep comfortably... and walk alone. but but um... a week ago he was released. and... and that's when the nightmares started again."
kelsie's POV:
i've said far too much. he doesn't want me anymore. i wouldn't either if i'm honest. tears roll down the sides of finn's freckle covered cheeks, and he doesn't say anything he just looks at me.
"finn i understand if you don't want to be with me anymore, i mean i wouldn't blame you" i can feel my cheeks begin to heat up.
"what? why wouldn't i want to be with you anymore?" i've never heard such pain in someone's voice before. my heart aches for him.
"you could literally have anybody. like, some gorgeous skinny model who is perfect and rich and i... i mean because nobody wants damaged goods-" i splutter, but he cuts me off.
"damaged goods? is that really how you see yourself? nothing that happened to you was your fault kels. if he dare goes near you ever again i'll actually kill him. kelsie i love you so much. nothing about you is 'broken' you're absolutely beautiful and the strongest human i've ever met."
we don't say anything else, but i throw my arms around him and cry silently into his shoulder. the cold breeze sends shivers up my spine, but finn's warmth keeps me cozy. the sun has completely disappeared, and tiny stars reflect off of the peaceful ocean. the sand looks like snow from the moon's pale light.
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"i love you"
"i love you too."
a/n: wow that was a lot! i hope you guys liked the chapter, and i hope i did a good job. the book has been pretty simple so far, and i wanted something to deepen it more. there's going to be a bit of drama at some point soon, so keep reading for that :) okay ily all have a good afternoon.
