Beneath You're Beautiful (EDITING)

Chapter 11: What Could've Been

* Thomas' POV *

I was gobsmacked...speechless.

I couldn't believe what Alice had gone through. Life really was unfair, it made me hate it even more.

"So what about you, what's your story if you don't mind me asking?"

I had to open up to her now, if not for her, then for myself. Her story had given me the strength to open up. If she could do it, after all she's been through, then so could I.

I took a deep breath.

"...ok...well, my mother...died...when I was born."

Already, my voice broke as I spoke.

"Growing up was hard, my dad hated me because I was the reason why my mother died. I would be beaten up almost every day, even as a child. Soon enough though, I learned how to look after myself, I would train myself up so that one day, I would be able to defend myself against him. But the temptation was there, he was an alcoholic you see so I felt like, if I drank too, I would be able to get rid of all the guilt about my mother and father.

I didn't though, I just made sure I trained myself. That enabled me to fight back, which was good for defence, but bad when I was angry. When I became a teenager, my anger issues grew more and more. You were right about how I was expelled from my old school- I beat up too many people."

I took a moment to look up at her face, I saw that it had a shred of pity in it, but mostly understanding. I decided to continue my story, finally being able to release my thoughts and feelings and have someone listen to me, who actually cared.

"I just couldn't help it, they would all tease me about my mother and I would lash out. I was the reason why many people had to go to hospital...when I think back, I feel guilty about it, but at the time, I didn't feel anything but anger towards my father."

"I understand how that feels."

"Thank you Alice."

"For what."

"For making me open up...I didn't think I would ever do it but you gave me courage."

"I'm glad, don't you feel like a big weight has been lifted off your shoulders because I do."

"You know what, I do. I feel lighter, like I'm almost at peace...but I still feel sour towards the world. Alice, why does it do this? Why does it make us go through bad things?"

"I don't know...maybe it was meant to happen. Maybe it was so we could really appreciate the beauty it offers. Or maybe, we were meant to meet, to open up to each other..."

"Yeh, we must be destined."

I looked at her from the corner of my eye and winked, she giggled in response. Then, she gave me a light punch on the arm so I shoved her back.

"I like you Thomas, I like this side of you that's more carefree."

"That was random...but I like you too Alice."

We laughed together and I suddenly realised how close we were. Not only was my arm brushing against hers, but we both had a true understanding of each other. There was nothing stopping us now, we had finally talked about our past, and therefore came closer as friends...but I couldn't help but want more. A new emotion came over me while she laughed as I looked at her gentle face...affection.

*  Alice's POV  *

I stopped laughing when I realised Thomas had gone silent. I turned to look at him and was abruptly aware of his handsome face, devastatingly close to mine.

I stared into his eyes and felt like I was staring into his soul...I know, deep.

He then looked down at my lips and slowly leaned forward. Was this actually happening? Was Thomas about to kiss me? Wow, possibly the hottest guy, yet most complicated I've ever had the privilege to lay eyes on is about to kiss me!

But it wasn't only his good looks that made me lean forward, it was the fact that he made me feel all sorts of emotions at the same time. I could get angry at him but he would still make me laugh, he would make me smile when I was sad, and I did the same to him to. And most importantly, he was my friend.

Our faces were literally centimetres apart. I could hear my heart beat thumping so fast that it sounded like a humming bird. Our eyes had closed and I could smell his luscious scent and feel his warm breath on my face. Then, his hand brushed up my arm as our lips were about to meet...

Oh. My. God.

Fury exploded inside of me when we were cut off by Zack shouting to us to come over so they could leave. How bloody convenient, just when I was about to kiss the Greek God himself, we were rudely interrupted. I was so disappointed, in that moment there was nothing more I wanted than for Thomas's lips to connect with mine.

Oh what could've been!

He let out a sigh and stood up, then he reached out his large hands towards me. I took them and he gently pulled me up and lead me back onto the sand.

We walked back to the others in silence, too busy thinking about what could've been to speak.

"You's were gone awhile."

Penny smirked then pulled me into her car. I watched as Thomas stepped into Luke's Jeep and rolled down the window. Then, I noticed Zack looking at me. He seemed like something was bothering him, like he was upset about something, but then his eyes swept over Thomas and his mood changed to anger. Did Zack see that we were about to kiss? If he did, then why would that bother him...he couldn't be...jealous...no, he couldn't be.

When I got home after saying my goodbyes to everyone, the day wouldn't get out of my head. I couldn't help but think about what could've been, what would have happened if Zack hadn't have interrupted Thomas and I when we were about to kiss.

Would we have kissed at all? Would Thomas have pulled away when he realised what we were about to do? Maybe I'll never know, but still, I couldn't stop wondering what could have been...what could've been...

A/N
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