One-Shot book - Coronation Street

Why? - Asha and Nina

Warning: mentions and actions of self harm. Asha talks about wanting her skin to be lighter so if that's s trigger don't read.

(Remember you are all beautiful no matter what your skin colour is!)

Asha's POV:
Things have been hard recently. I don't understand why but I just hate myself. The colour of my skin makes me feel so much hatred towards myself. I just wish I was lighter.

To punish myself for being so revolting, I have been hurting myself. I mainly burn myself but I also hit myself if it's my only option. Today is one of my bad days and I need to feel some sort of relief.

I am in my room and everyone is out so I quickly grab the pack of cigarettes and my lighter from my drawer before lighting the cigarette. I am about to put it to my skin before it is no longer in my hand. I look up to see Nina. She has a panicked expression on her face and she is holding the cigarette in her left hand.

"What are you doing Asha?" She asks as she goes to the window and chucks it out.

"I uh. Nothing." I say even though I know she knows.

"Please tell me what's going on Hun." She says as she slowly brings me into a hug and kisses my head lightly.

That's when I break down. I sob and scream in her arms, letting out all my bottled up emotions. All the pain I had been hiding all comes out. It's finally time to be honest and get the help I know I need, even if I don't like to admit it all the time.

"I just- I just hate m-mys-myself so much! Why can't I be pale and beautiful like you and so many other people in this world? Why does my skin have to be this colour?" I feel Nina tense slightly before relaxing again.

"This is what it's about darling? You are beautiful. More beautiful than you could ever imagine. Do you really think your skin colour changes how I feel about you? It doesn't, you know? You're gorgeous and so is your skin colour. You may not believe it now but I will tell you everyday until you do." I smile slightly at her words and give her a soft kiss on the lips. She returns it before her face becomes serious again.

"And this self harming. It's obviously not the first time you have done this and it won't be the last. Addiction isn't easy to get rid of. I'm thinking it may be best if you go to therapy. Get some professional help from someone who can give you all the right support. Does that sound good?" I know what she is saying is right but that doesn't mean I want it. My face drops slightly at her words but I reply anyway.

"I mean, I don't want to but I suppose you're right. I do want to get better even though it will be difficult. You'll help me, right?" I ask feeling insecure.

"Yes and so will Dev, Aadi, Mary, Summer, Amy and many more. People love you Asha and we are all going to make you see that. Even if it takes years." She says as she lays on my bed. I lay down aswell and snuggle close to her.

"I love you Nina. Thank you for helping me." I mutter quietly but sincerely.

"I love you too Ash."