the captured red hibiscus flower (editing)

I love you.

James pov
I rubbed my tired eyes, from not sleeping for three straight days. Before I entered Alexis' room. "Alexis, how are you feeling?" I asked. She croaked dryly, and I watched her beautiful lips curve into a smile. I passed her a cup of water, along with her medicine. I Watched as she took her meds. "i'm doing good, thanks. I'm just worried bout you" she told me honestly. I smiled down her and set the coffee on her bed tray. "Don't worry about me, Hun. I'll be alright. Just worry bout getting better okay?" She smiled and nodded as An awkward silence crept up and filled the room. The steady beeping of her heart monitor pierced through the silence. I sat down in a chair next to her, and silently sipped my coffee as I held her hand. Trying to look as lively as possible,
I finally broke the silence by asking the question that had been on my mind. "So... the doctor told me you had suffered some...er, scars, c-can you show me?" I bit my lip and took a deep breath as I anxiously awaited an answer. She shook her head, and sighed "i was hoping you wouldn't want to see them." I looked into her eyes and caressed her cheek. "I don't want to see them, because they caused you pain. But I need to, I don't understand why."
"I hate them, the phsyical bruises will heal and be gone. but..The-The scars, They are a constent reminder of what larry did to me-" "No! they are a reminder of what you over came." I waited for a positve response from her and after i saw her smile, I took a deep breath "can I see them?"

She took a deep breath "okay." she extended her right forearm to me and I read the words worthles. I shook my head feeling overwhelmed with sadness and hate. 'How could someone do something so cruel. She is so strong.'
I leaned in and I kissed the 'less' part of the word. I looked into her eyes and stated what my heart felt was right "it may seem cheesy but, I don't want you to look at this arm and read 'worthless' instead when you look at your arm, read: worth it! because that's how i've always seen you."
She blushed and smiled, then she brushed her shoulder length faded redish-brown-black hair, behind her ear to reavel a long scar starting at the bottom of her jawline, all the way down to her shoulder. My heart wretched with sadness for everything Alexis has gone through; and my anger ran through my viens.
Larry just irritates me so much if he wasn't in jail I would kill him. With out a single regret! He deserves to die for what he's done. with out exchanging a word she bit her bottom lip before turning in such a way, so i could see her bare back in the hospitable gown. I felt the anger and hate rising up over my sadness, and I turned away from her and punched the wall "that B******" she was silent.
When i turned to look back at her she sat with her arms crossed under her chest, and she had turned back around to face the door again. She looked at me with water filling up her tear ducts. "I'm sorry, that I'm no longer B-Beautiful." She whispered so quietly I Almost missed it. My heart dropped; weighed down by her pain, I was unknowingly carrying her burdens.
I Quickly rushed back over to her, and held her. "No, no. Don't say that. Please it breaks my heart, what Larry did to you. But I promise I only see you as beautiful. You the most beautiful girl I've ever known." She nodded as tears flew from her cheeks. I knew she didn't believe me but i wanted her too.

With My fists were still clenched, I opened my mouth to speak again but she intrupted me, and caught me off guard. "i'm sorry." i unclenched my fists and looked at her, confused with my expression softening with compassion. "why? what for?" she sighed "for..everything. I've only caused you pain, and it's not fair. James, I love you and you deserve better. I don't-"

"Alexis?!-"

"let me finish. I don't want to be your burden, our relationship- if you could even call it that. its not healthy. James, I can't continue to cause you pain, like this it's not fair. I want you to be happy-"

I raked a hand through my dissheveled hair. "Alexis! I am happy, you dont cause me pain. Larry causes you pain, and that breaks my heart. but I don't see you as a burden. I never have, please don't do th-"

"James, stop. Please just stop, you aren't making this any easier. we need to go our seprate ways. go find a girl who can love you unconditionaly without a complicated life. I'm sorry." I stood there my mouth dropped and my heart raced, and ached at the same time. "Alexis! I love you! can't you see that?! I don't care about whats in the past. its in the past thats where it'll stay. Im not leaving without a proper excuse to break off what we have-"

"James, plea-" she squeaked out, and tears ran down her face. I cleched my jaw shaking my head and letting a tear escape, as jealousy and confusion crept up on me.
Is hooked my head and stepped away from her. "I have been with you from the start and-and you're just going to let a guy you met not even two weeks ago sweep you off your feet all because he didn't live through the pain I did. I stayed with you even when Larry beat me, Alexis i've always loved you! I can't believe you're throwing it all away... For-for Asher!"

I snapped at her. she gasped and her eyebrows knit together as if she was trying to slove a puzzle of some sort. "James!-" I stormed out of her room before she could reply, and marched straight over to asher. He greeted me with a smile asking how alexis was and i felt my blood boil with a jealous hatred.
I ignored his greeting, pinning him against the wall by the neck "you little snake!! I thought I made it clear about Alexis." his eyes shot open in surprise and fear. "I don't knnnoow wh--" he tried to speak but my anger wouldn't cease. "James! What would Alexis say if she saw this?!" Derek yelled at me. Alexis' name rang through my ear, and my heart squeezed with pain, as if a knife was dug into a new cut. I Instanly released Asher "I-I'm sorry. I-I don't know what came over me."

Derek stared at me "James! that was uncalled for!" I sighed "I know. I-I'm sorry, I don't know what came over-" I paused and continued taking a breath. "No, I do. I do know what came over me. Alexis broke up with me... for you. I shouldn't have snapped at you, sorry"
Asher shook his head "It's okay. I think she's attractive, but she's in Love with you no doubt about it. Plus I wouldn't make a move on another guy's girl." I shook my head with sorrow and disbelief "if that was true why'd she break up with me?" Asher shrugged his shoulders, glancing behind me.

"Why don't you ask her yourself." Derek chimed in gesturing to a very weak and distraught looking Alexis. I sighed and walked over to her "you shouldn't be out of your-" she shushed me shaking her head "I can't believe you think this is because of Asher. I have no romantic feelings towards him AT ALL! I love you. I just want you to have what's be-" I wasn't buying it. I leaned down closer to her and slipped a hand around her back bringing her in closer, and before she could react I pulled her into a passionate kiss. I pulled away and tipped her chin up to make eye contact with me.
"Alexis, You ARE the best for me. I love you. every second spent with a happy you, will make up for any pain caused. I hate Larry... for what he did to you, B-But I guess I could also thank him, because without Larry I would have never met you. I wish circumstances were different and that you didn't have to go though all that torture. But Alexis, please don't ever think that it wasn't worth it. my love for you is real. I know you love me too, so please don't end us. okay?"
She blushed and brushed an hand on her lips appearing shocked and lost for what to say. She simply nodded and said "okay" I smiled and got lost in her hazel eyes they way they were glazed with indescribable emotion, I wanted to kiss her sweet lips again but instead I embraced her gingerly in a hug.

"That kiss was to show you how much you mean too me. So much so that I want to take you out on a date right after they realease you." "y-you don't need to do that-" she breathed. I grabbed her hand and kissed it "shh. I want too." I smiled at her "Now what are you doing out of your room? come on, lets get you some rest. Asher is here, I suppose you want to see him?" I pulled her my the arm back into her room.
She stopped before getting back on her hospital bed, and eyed me skeptically "James...I don't have feelings for Asher, he is just a guy who wants to be my friend." I remained quiet seething on the inside. She was searching my eyes for a sign of doubt, and I could tell by the way she was staring at me that my doubt was all over my face. "James, I can't vouch for Asher, But I can promise you this: You are the only guy, I've loved...the only guy to..kiss me, you are my everything. And I know now for sure, how much you love me, so... if it makes you feel any better, you can stay in here when Asher comes in." I forced a smile over my blushing face. "no, it's alright. I trust you." she nodded "okay.. And James, please try and get some sleep." I smiled down at her, kissed her forehead, And stepped out of the room.

A/n: sorry it took forever to updated I didn't want to give a small chapter so I hope this will suffice. I truly have been busy and kinda got hurt along the way but it's better now.
So anyways YAY THEY KISSED!
hope you enjoyed this chappie, sorry for the wait >:(
I have had bad writers block so sorry.
Hope you have a pleasant day, please vote, and comment.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!! You are all so patient.
Toodles :)
Stay awesome.