Beautiful Scars

Crafting Stories

"You good?"

Ally turned to smile at Harry. "Yeah, I'm good."

He nodded and they began walking down the hall. Ally sent a quick text to Emily, letting her know she was on her way.

"So, what have you been telling your cousin?"

Ally sighed. "That I slept over at my friend from school's hotel room, trying desperately to see this boy band we are obsessed with."

Harry laughed. "So, basically the truth?"

Ally joined in the laughter. "No. Why? Do you know of any good boy bands?"

"Me? No, why would you think that?"

"Not sure. You seem like you have a terrible taste in music." They had reached the elevator and entered as it arrived on their floor.

"Ah, shut it." Harry gave up. A few seconds later, they were stepping out of the elevator and into the lobby.

"Where are all the screaming girls today?" Ally quipped.

"Management spread the word that we left early. Everyone's at the studio waiting for us there."

"I see," Ally responded. "Too bad, I would have liked to see what it is like to be so loved."

"They would have mauled you."

Ally set her shoulders. "I bet I could have fought them off."

"No, they would have mauled you," he repeated and Ally laughed.

"Okay, then. Bad idea."               

"Exactly," he said. They had passed through the doors and into the sunlight. It was windy, but the sun was warm enough that Ally was not too cold in her borrowed t-shirt.

Once again, they would be taking Lou's car. Harry jumped into the driver’s seat while she slid into the passenger's. As soon as Harry pulled out of the parking lot, Ally flipped open the car mirror and examined her reflection. Her damp hair was frizzy from the lack of blow-drying. Her eyes seemed more yellow than their usual green. Her face, as usual, was free of makeup. Her right cheek was slightly blue with the red scratch slicing through it.

Ally swung around to look at the boxes in the back seats. "Is there any cover-up in here?"

"There is literally everything in there."

Ally dug around until she found a simple bottle of liquid foundation. "Close enough," she said, holding it up to check if it matched her skin tone. "Can I use a little of this?"

"Of course, I don't think I will ever understand why we have so much of all that stuff."

"Thanks," Ally said, squeezing a dab onto her finger.

"Are you planning on hiding that entire scratch?"

"If I could, I would, but..."

"I don't think that would really work out," Harry advised.

"Right, I just have to make it seem as least painful as possible." Carefully, Ally rubbed a bit of the foundation onto her bruised cheeks. It made a big difference. The cut now seemed only like a simple scratch. She looked down at her body to check for any other visible injuries. Her arms were the only other ones. Less careful this time, she smothered the bruises on her forearms with foundation and blended it in as best she could. It was not the greatest cover ever, but hopefully, it would be enough.

The hotel came into sight and Ally felt her stomach tighten.

"Oh, Harry, what should I say?"

Harry sighed, thinking aloud. "You tripped and fell on your face?" he joked.

Ally did not smile. "Sadly, I think I will have to settle for an excuse as lame as that."

Harry pulled up in front of the Double Tree, the same space as last night.

"Really, Ally, look at me." She turned her face to meet his, trying her best to look optimistic. These boys had done so much for her. Now, she felt like a whining little girl. Unfortunately, it was much easier to realize that than it was to stop.

Ally was relieved to see that Harry's face was serious. He knew not to make light of the situation.

"I won't let you leave until you're ready," he told her. His words actually did manage to draw a small smile from her.

"Okay," Ally began, taking a deep breath. "Basically, she was pretty worried about the whole thing, but I convinced her that I was fine staying with my friend. I told her my friend’s mom was there too. Now, she will probably ask me which friend I was staying with. It will be suspicious if I just keep speaking generally about "my friend". Ugh, what if she wants to speak with her?"

"Well, now that you will have made it back okay I doubt she would ask to talk to the parent now. If she had not already, she most likely won't ever. But just in case, do you have a friend you could ask to cover for you?"

Ally nodded. "Yes, definitely, that is brilliant. Hmmm whose mother does my family not know very well?" She mentally scrolled through her friends until she thought of one that lived far enough away that it would be unlikely for her parents to talk to. "Got it, I will ask Samantha. She will also be good about not wanting to hear the entire story."

Ally took out her phone and texted her friend.

Hey, can you do me a huge favor? If my mom asks I saw you in NYC last night and spent the night with you, okay? She probably won't, but just in case. I promise it is nothing bad! My cousin and I just may have confused my mom with our plans.

She sent the text, knowing Samantha would follow her instructions and hoping she would not be too worried.

"Alright," Harry continued. "So now the only thing we have to worry about is what your cousin will say about your cut." Harry's fingers lightly grazed the bruises on her arm. "You can hide the rest of these, right?" His voice was so full of care, Ally's heart nearly broke.

"Yes," Ally reassured. "I'll put my jacket on which hopefully won't be too dirty. I'll change as soon as I get the chance."

He nodded, and then his gaze left her eyes and landed on her cheek. "Honestly, Al, it really looks like you got hit."

She sighed. "Well, then, I will tell her that I got hit."

Harry raised his eyebrows, concerned.

"By...." Ally continued, "Samantha?"

"Your best friend hit you?" Harry was skeptical.

"Yeah, because..." Ally fished for another idea.

"Stage fighting. You guys were practicing stage fighting," Harry finished with a joking smile on his face.

"Yes!" Ally exclaimed. "And she was wearing a ring and accidently hit me with it."

Harry laughed at the ridiculousness of the plan. "Are you serious?"

She nodded, a huge smile plastered on her face, but her eyes were wide, searching for his approval.

Harry was shaking his head, which caused Ally to laugh harder. "Come on!" she said, playfully whacking his arm.

"Okay, okay," he said through his laughter. He silenced himself and looked down at the steering wheel, thinking. Finally, he looked at her sideways, a smile tugging at his lips. "It could work," he said.

"It will work," Ally corrected. She put her hand on the door handle, about to step out of the car, when something stopped her. Acting on instinct, she turned back to Harry and threw her arms around his neck. He hugged her back, tighter.

"Thank you," Ally said. "For everything." Because there really were too many things to thank him for.

"Really, it was my pleasure.”

 Ally smiled, drawing away. "Well, now I better get going."

"I'll see you later, Ally. Don't worry about that. Louis and I will be in touch."

She smiled wider and, with one final wave, stepped out of the car and turned to face the hotel. Taking a deep breath, she walked up the same path she had the night before.

Harry waited to leave until she had completely disappeared through the hotel doors.