Beautiful Scars [1] ✔

Chapter Twenty

It had been two days since we got back from the trip, and I had to admit, I missed Mrs. Tilly.

The minute I opened the door, and she realized it was me, she squeezed me in a bear hug.

We were in the living room now, talking about the trip while drinking hot chocolate, even though it was already hot outside, which was pointless.

"So? How was the trip?" she asked, taking a sip from her coffee mug.

"Well, we rented a condo, I broke up with Matthew and-"

"What?! Why?"

I took a deep breath. "Remember that Ashley girl you told me about?"

"Yes. What about her?"

"Matthew cheated on me. With her."

"Oh, dear! I'm so sorry!" She looked at me for a minute, confused. "Why aren't you crying?"

Well, this should be interesting. "I'm not upset. I'm fine, actually. The reason is because I kissed Aston. Well, actually, scratch that - we kissed each other." A lot, I added silently in my head.

"Really? Isn't he that boy who stopped those bullies?"

I nodded, then pulled out my phone, showing her a picture.

"Oh, my. Well, he IS an interesting thing."

I laughed. "Translation: He's hot?"

She raised her eyebrow. "Want me to be honest?"

I nodded.

"He's like -" Suddenly, the phone rang and Mrs. Tilly went to answer the house phone. "Hi, Cheryl, yes, I'm getting the paper right now."

She put the phone on her shoulder, then turned to me. "Sophia, would you mind getting the mail? I forgot to go pick it up."

"Sure," I chirped, and they continued with their conversation. I walked down the sidewalk, heading towards the road, and grabbed the mail. I turned around, reading the outside, just as I heard a familiar voice call my name.

"Sophia!" I turned, noticing Matthew walking up to me, and sped up my pace.

"Sophia! Sophia! Wait!"

Just as I was about to enter the house, he grabbed my elbow and yanked me around to face him. He dragged me near the end of the driveway, and let go of me. "We need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about, okay?"

"Yes, there is. Look, I made a mistake, all right? Ashley, she's out of the picture. All I want is you."

"Really?"

"I mean it. I do. And hurting you, that's the stupidest thing I've ever done."

I felt a scowl creep up my face. "Forget it."

He grabbed my elbow again, this time hard. "No. I'm not letting you go."

"Let go of me, Matthew."

"No." he growled.

Suddenly, I heard a slamming of a door. "Hey! Didn't she say to let go of her?!" Aston was by my side, his face inches from Matthew's.

Matthew sneered. "Since when were you invited to this conversation?!"

"Since it had something to do with Sophia, that's when."

Matthew laughed. "This is the guy you're with now? Come on, I'm probably the better match."

"Oh, really?" Aston challenged. He turned to look at me, then kissed my cheek quickly. "Give me a minute, Sofa. I'll be right with you."

"Sofa?" Matthew laughed. "That's your nickname for her? How original!"

"Listen, pretty boy," Aston began, "Her denying anything to do with you just bruised your ego, but as for me, that's something entirely different."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Why don't we go somewhere more private and you can find out?" Aston growled.

"Sorry. But I don't go that way. Especially with someone as pathetic and parent less as yourself."

That was the last straw. Within seconds, Aston had Matthew pinned to the ground, and was punching him so much his face looked unrecognizable.

Aston's face was one of pure rage, and if I hadn't been there, I guarantee Matthew would've been dead. I felt fear shake through my body, and I was crying and screaming at the same time.

"If you ever talk about my family again, I swear to God, I'll -" He continued punching him, and Matthew's face was all bruised, blood spurting from his eyes.

"Aston. Stop!"

He ignored me, and I felt even more scared than I was two minutes ago.

"Aston! STOP!" I hollered, my voice shaking. He finally stopped, then turned to look at me, his knuckles swollen and bleeding. His face turned to shock as he looked at the scene in front of him. He turned to look at me, tears brimming the surface. "Sofa I didn't - I swear."

I was breathing heavily, and I started backing away, frightened.

"Sophia! Wait!" He hollered after me.

I finally stopped running as I reached our garden, sitting on the little bench.

I sobbed into my hands. I had never seen Aston do something so violent, and I didn't really know what to do about it.

"Sofa?"

I jumped, then looked up at Aston. "G-Get away from me!" I shouted, my voice shaking.

"Sophia. I won't hurt you."

I grabbed a nearby rock and hurled it at him. He ducked, it nearly hitting his forehead."Get the heck away from me!" I sobbed.

I sobbed into my hands and suddenly felt arms wrapped around me. I sobbed and he rubbed my arm soothingly, planting kisses on my temple. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

I sniffled, my breath ragged. "I know. You just scared me."

"It's just when he mentioned my parents, I lost it."

I wanted to tell him I know, but something stopped me. "Why were you here anyway?"

"I intentionally wanted to ask you a question."

"Oh, yeah? Which was?"

Hechuckled. "This isn't the best time to ask you, but here goes: SophiaWordon, will you be my girlfriend?"