"Look at me." His hand pulls my face towards his. "Look at me!"
"No!" I jerk back and keep my eyes to the ground. "Leave me alone."
"I don't want you to lock me out. Tell me what's wrong, please. I want to help." Keenai pleads.
I sigh in frustration and look down at the red lines.
Why wasn't I more careful? Why am I so stupid?
"I'm fine."
"Jax, I just walked in on you cutting yourself. You're far from fine at this moment." He pulls me into a warm embrace and whispers into my hair, "Please. I don't want you doing this to yourself. Tell me why, please."
I sigh and tears well up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. My arms are folded across my chest, and Keenai's heat keeps me warm.
"It hurts." I say softly. "My chest hurts."
"Why does it hurt?"
"I don't know. I'm just...sad." I sob into his shoulder.
"It can't be why you're cutting yourself."
"No. I just...I hate myself." The tears run down my cheeks and I squeeze my eyes shut. "I hate living here, looking in the mirror and seeing my face. I hate my stomach, my nose, my legs, all of it. I hate the way I talk, I hate me. And I can't do anything about it."
