Beneath You're Beautiful (EDITING)

Chapter 26: Scars

* Alice's POV *

The moonlight glowed against Thomas' bare chest. It emphasised every part of him, everything was defined...even the scars. I had never noticed them before, probably because they were located very low. I got up off the bed and made my way towards him. He soon noticed what I was looking at and turned away uncomfortably, but I moved back in front of him.

"Don't be uncomfortable."

I placed my hand on the scar and traced it.

"Everyone has scars, even if they aren't visible."

Thomas still looked on edge so I showed him the scar I had on my arm. He'd never noticed it before because it was at the side where no one could see. He inspected it in the moonlight, tracing it with both his eyes and thumb.

"I didn't know you had a scar."

"I didn't know you had one either."

We both looked at each other's scars in silence for a moment.

"How did you get it?"

"..."

"You don't have to tell me..."

"No I do...it's just, hard I guess."

I waited patiently in silence.

"...I told you my father was violent towards me..." He whispered and the sadness in his eyes said it all.

"Oh no...oh Thomas." I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into my embrace.

"I-it's okay..."

"No, it's not." I kissed his shoulder then rested my head on it.

"I guess he had just had enough... I don't blame him though, I killed my own mother."

"Oh Thomas no! You didn't kill your mother!" He shook his head and I could see his eyes were glassy.

"Listen to me Thomas, you did not kill your mother. You were just a baby! Women can die when they give birth if they're too weak or there are problems but either way, it's not your fault Thomas, it's not."

One single tear fell down Thomas' cheek. Seeing him like this, it made me want to burst into tears.

"One night, he was drinking too much and I was trying to get to sleep. In the middle of the night, my door opened and my dad fell into my bedroom. It was dark but I could see the anger in his eyes...I'll never forget them. He...he had a knife and I-I wasn't quick enough I-"

I couldn't listen anymore. My heart was being torn apart with ever word Thomas spoke. I could see the picture he was painting through my own eyes- a defenceless, lonesome teenager, backing away from his father in fear as a knife was gripped  firmly in his hands.

"It wasn't your fault, none of it." I whispered and another tear escaped from his eyes.

"Please don't cry." I wiped them away and gently kissed both of his eyelids. They stayed closed for a while but finally opened.

"Sorry."

"Don't be sorry."

"You probably think I'm a wimp now right?" He tried to make me laugh but I could see that he was still hurting.

"You're are most definitely not a wimp Thomas, you're the opposite of that. In fact, you are the strongest person I know. Real men cry Thomas."

"Well that certainly boost my confidence back up." We laughed lightly but the humour didn't reach our eyes.