True Beauty

Chapter10

My lips pressed together in tight line. Turning to the window, I picked up my phone I decided to call Tyler to let him know how the appointment had gone. Dialing the number, I listened to it ring.

"Hello."

"Hey."

"What's up, babe?" he asked as I watched trees and other vehicles blur past us out the window.

"The appointment went amazing!" I squealed as an old man in a black SUV passed us.

"That's amazing! I really hope they can remove that uh..."

"Port wine stain," I offered as he struggled for a word for my hideous mark.

"Yeah... that."

"Dr. Chen said it will only take a few treatments to fade!" I exclaimed, no longer hearing my mom's voice in the background.

She must have finished with her phone call.

"Thank god!"

The edges around my heart stung a little, but I didn't pay much attention to the hidden insult.

"Yeah. Well I better go. I just thought that you would want to hear the good news," I told him, twisting a strand of hair around my index finger.

"Okay, bye. Love you."

"Love you too."

Clicking the screen, I ended the call and threw the phone into the cup holder in the center counsel. My mom cleared her throat and ran a thin hand through her hair.

"Laura, your dad and I can only afford two doses of the laser treatments. If the birthmark is not faded as much as you would like, there is nothing we can do. Money doesn't grow on trees, ya know," she explained, biting her lip in anticipation.

"I understand, Mom," I replied, knowing she would do all she could to make me happy.

****

Finally, our car rolled into our driveway and into the garage. Once my mom pulled the keys out of the ignition, I climbed out of the leather seat. My joints popped loudly as I stretched out my arms and legs that were stiff from the long car ride.

I rushed into the house and was greeted excitedly by Jennifer. She wrapped her arms around me tightly as I ruffled her hair playfully.

"I wasn't gone that long," I laughed, kissing the top of her head.

She stared at me with her big, brown eyes, curiously.

"How'd the appointment go? How was Dr. Chen? Is he as amazing as we imagined him to me? Is he able to get rid of your mark?" she asked, tugging on the sleeve of my shirt as she bombarded me with questions.

"The appointment was great, Dr. Chen is amazing, and after a few treatments, he will be able to fade the mark almost to nothing," I answered with a large smirk on my face.

"That's awesome!" she shrieked, jumping into my arms.

"You're almost more excited than I am," I giggled, supporting most of her weight with one arm.

"I'm just happy for you!"

Smiling, I kissed her cheek and released her. My phone buzzed against my hip. Pulling it out of jeans pocket, I slid my fingertips over the smooth screen

Did you want to come over tonight? A text from Tyler read.

Give me twenty minutes, I replied, rushing to my bedroom.

Standing in front of my mirror, I began to quickly layer foundation and powder over my bare skin. Untwisting multiple containers and brushing the contents over my port wine stain, I rushed through the routine I'd been doing since the sixth grade.

Slipping on a pair of black flip flops, I hurried out to the living room. Jennifer and my mom were cuddled on the leather couch, watching the newest episode of Austin and Ally on Disney Channel. Kissing both of their foreheads, I looked to my mom.

"Is it alright if I go to Tyler's for a couple hours?" I asked as sweetly as I could manage.

She nodded.

"Be home by 11. We have to go to Grandma's house tomorrow," she told me, looking up from the lit up television screen.

Nodding, I turned on my heel and started towards the front door. The cool, night breeze caressed my hair and sent it flying up in a whirl around my face. Climbing into my car, I started it and reversed out of the driveway. Speeding down the gravel road, I headed into town towards Tyler's neighborhood.

****

"No,no,no. Stop," I gasped as Tyler unbuttoned my denim shorts.

He growled in protest and kissed my navel. Trailing up my torso, he made his way up to my neck and nibbled on my earlobe. My body arched against his. He rubbed his thumb up and down my cheek.

Sending his lips crashing down on mine roughly, he forced his tongue between my teeth. My fingers laced intricately into his hair tightly as he hitched my legs around his waist. Propping his hand under my butt, he pulled me off his bed.

Pushing me up against one of the blue walls, he licked my teeth. Pulling away from him to catch my breath, I felt him go ridged against me.

"What?" I asked though ragged breaths.

"It's showing. You're ugly wine stain is showing," he gasped, dropping me on the floor.

Falling into a heap on the carpet, I looked at him, mortified. His jaw flexed as he re-buttoned his plaid shirt. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes.

"I told you to keep that thing covered," he said ominously.

"I tried. You wiped the makeup off," I whimpered, rising from the floor.

"Don't you blame that repulsive thing on me," he snapped, his hands clenched into fists.

"I'm not blaming you!" I told him frantically.

"Don't lie to me, you bitch!" he hissed, bringing his fist back and punching me right where my birthmark was.

Choked sobs escaped my mouth as my face stung. The taste of metal coated my tongue while I fought back the urge to hit him back. Tears slid down my cheeks, clouding my vision.

"Get out. I never want to see your hideous face ever again," he spat, pointing to the door.

"Please-"

He cut me off by slapping my face so hard that my head snapped back from the momentum. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"When it's gone-"

"I. Said. Get. Out," he roared, spacing out his words dramatically and shaking me back and forth by the collar of my shirt.

Tears fell from my eyes as I turned on my heel and walked out. No one will ever love me. All because of this stupid mark.