Ever since you'd got to Alexandria, you had become extremely self conscious of your body. More specifically, your stretch marks. They had never really been a problem before because you'd never noticed them: you and the group moved around so much and never seemed to settle in a place which was homely. However, now you had a joint bedroom with your boyfriend Carl, you also had your own mirror. You would spend hours looking over your body and overtime you became so upset by the sight, you didn't even let Carl see you in shorts. It wasn't until Carl confronted you that you really told anyone how you were feeling.
It had been a day like any other, trying to fit in and help make dinner for the group.
You were washing up in the sink when Carl snaked his arms around your waste and put his head on your shoulder. 'I need to talk to you Y/N.' He whispered in your ear as you put the last pan on the draining rack. You turned your body round to see sad eyes looking back at you.
'Carl? What's wrong?' You were worried, he never looked this sad, especially not around you. The blue eyed boy grabbed your hand and led you upstairs to your bedroom.
You sat down on the bed and looked up at him. He still looked sad and your heart was beginning to race. Was he going to break up with you? Was someone hurt?
'Y/N. Are you okay?' A simple question but it took you off guard a little. Know one ever asked you that, at least not seriously.
'Yeah, I'm fine.' You lied but you hoped it wasn't obvious.
'Please, tell me whats wrong! I can see that you're sad even you pretend you're not. I love you Y/N, I cant loose you too!' Carl broke down. You obviously hated seeing him like this so you told him.
'I hate my body Carl. I have all these horrible stretch marks on my thighs and hips and...I can't even look in the mirror anymore.' You hung your head, silent tears running down your cheeks. Carl tilted your head up so he could look at you.
'Y/N, we all have insecurities. I know I do. And I know its hard for you to see it but you are beautiful. I wouldn't change you for the world. I don't care about the marks and neither should you.' He had tears in his eyes now to. He really did love you.
Agreeably, it would take a while for you to love yourself again, but with Carl by your side you knew it would be possible. But you still wanted to know one thing. What was he so insecure about? He was perfect. Obviously he didn't think so.
Carl wnet to get something and you decided to ask. 'Well, whats your biggest insecurity then?'
He picked up a bag and turned round to face you once again. 'My bullet wound scar.' Of course. He got shot when he was younger and got a nasty scar from it. You never really gave it much thought though because it didn't bother you. Thats how he must of felt about your stretch marks.
He got a battered polaroid camera out of the bag, took his top off and looked at you. You knew what you had to do. You pulled at your jeans, exposing your legs. He smiled and took your hand once again. Carl pulled you over to the mirror and you both posed, your imperfections on show.
You kept the picture in a frame in your shared bedroom. You looked at it everyday. It reminded you that you and Carl would always love each other. No matter what.
