Honey and Scars

Broken

I walked down the stairs, turning and making my way towards the dining room for breakfast. After the events of last night, I slept in quite late. Matteo had probably already gone to the city, which is fine. I don't need anything anyway. When I entered the dining room Matteo was sitting there contentedly.

"Goodmorning Hannah." He said calmly.

Breakfast had already been served, and his plate appeared to be empty.

"Morning. It's late. I thought you were going to town?" I questioned, taking a seat.

"Yes. I am. I thought I'd wait incase you wanted to go." He responded, offering a soft smile from across the table.

He waited for me? "Oh, alright... that's okay I'll stay here today. Thanks though."

He quirked his brow. "Hannah, I know I can't tell you what to do, but maybe it'd be good if you got out? Let's do something fun." He said, and stood up.

Before I had a chance to object he spoke again.

"Eat something and meet me out back." He told me, and left the dining room.

I ran around the side of the house, and saw Matteo standing there rested against an old red truck. He smiled and walked around, getting in the drivers side.

"Cmon. Get in." He shouted over to me.

I smiled and ran up. I opened the door and got in. I quickly buckled then looked over at him.

He looked at me as he started the car. "Hannah. You don't have to pretend in front of me. Alright? As unprofessional, and weird our... friendship might be I'm yours now. Alright? You can always talk to me. Just promise me one thing? When you're not okay tell me. And don't ever pretend to be someone you're not. Especially in front of me."

He's mine... I know he meant it innocently. I know he meant as friends. I know... but I can't help but let my mind wander.

"Thank you. I really don't deserve you. You're.. kind. Too kind. Why are you nice to me, Matteo? I'm nothing but your bosses daughter. I'm awkward and homely, I'm nothing special." I asked.

He drove off and sighed, then looked at me for a moment. He reached over and took my hand in his. "Because Hannah, I saw in you what nobody else had. I saw pain, and I can't help but want to fix it. That's what I do. You may be homely and awkward, but you're beautiful, and I like you just the way you are. Broken."

I bit my bottom lip and looked down at his hand in mine. He sure has a way with words. It's almost convincing. Why does he say that I'm beautiful? I'm not. Broken however; that I am.

"You don't have to, but I won't stop you. You saw what nobody else had... and you were there for me when nobody else was. When even my parents fail to see the pain they've caused. I want to push you away so badly because you make me feel. You make me think. You make me want to be happy. But I won't, and I'm really, really greatful you were brought into my life. So thanks..." I said and rubbed my thumb over his hand. I looked over and smiled at him. This might have been the first real touch we've shared...Aside from the embraces he gave me.

He smiled back at me softly, and pulled into the driveway of the hardware store. We had talked all the way, I didn't even notice we got here so fast.

"Wait here. I just need to get some wood, and I'll be back." He said, and hopped out of the truck.

I nodded and watched him walk into the store. Oh, the things this man does to me. For someone I met a mere two months ago, he had cared for me more than my parents had in 17 years. I don't care that he was a stranger. I feel as if I'd known him all my life.

When I saw him exit the store I smiled to myself. He was carrying some large pieces of wood. He put them in the back of the truck, and then walked around to the drivers side. When he got in a sly smile was on his face.

"Where do you need to go?" He asked me as he started the truck.

I didn't need to go anywhere, but if it meant I'd get to spend more time with him then choosing a place can't be so hard.

"Oh, I need uhm... yarn." I quickly blurted out.

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Yarn? Alrighty then." He said, and pulled into a parking lot.

He parked and then got out of the car. I watched as he quickly ran around to my side. He opened my door, and a smile danced across his face. Ah, a gentleman I see.

"Thanks." I said and hopped out. He was going to be the death of me.

We both walked towards the store, him following behind me. He caught up fast enough to open the door for me, and offer quite a smirk as I walked passed him into the store.

I quickly found my way to some lilac colored yarn, and picked the bundle up. Matteo just followed behind me as if he were a dog following its master. I walked up to the register, paid, and then walked out. He still followed behind me. I was walking so fast I didn't give him the chance to open the door for me.

I heard what I think was a chuckle from him as I got into the truck. Once he got in he looked over at me with a smirk on his face. Or at least what looked like a smirk.

"Got what you need?" He asked me as he started the engine.

"Yeah..." I responded to him and nodded.

"Good." Is all he said before he drove off.

We spent the better part of the afternoon running errands. I stayed in the truck mostly, which I did not mind. It was nice to get out of the house, and be with him... I think today brought us closer.

He drove down a dirt road as we listened to the radio. Forever Young played as the sound of the train whistled in the distance. Dusk was approaching, and it was already quite dark.

"I think we've missed dinner." I declared as I looked at my watch.

"Oh?" He said, making a sharp turn. "Well I have a quick detour, and then let's get to the house."

A detour? Oh god. "Uhm, alright." I said as we pulled into a field. It was dark by now, and I assumed the stars were out.

"Here we are." He said as he turned off the engine and got out. This time he didn't go around to my side.

I got out and joined him as he stood at the hood of the truck. His gaze was turned up and I was about to speak before I decided to look up. Stars... so many stars.

"Wow..." I said under my breath as I gazed up at billions of stars. It wasn't as if I'd never seen stars before, but I don't get out, ever. And tonight was perfectly clear.

"Beautiful. Am I right?" He looked over at me and smiled softly. It was dark, but I knew he was smiling.

"Yes... absolutely beautiful." I agreed. "Matteo?"

"Yes Hannah?"

"Thank you."

He reached over and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "No, thank you."

I smiled at his touch. "For what?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"For you." Is all he said before returning his gaze upward.

For me? I couldn't help but smile. He was so kind. And what troubles me the most is; I don't think I'll ever know why. But maybe I don't need to know.