Battle Scars ➳ Ashton Irwin || #Wattys 2016

Chapter One

"Get the fuck out, I'm so done with you, Shalynn!" Cameron shouted to me.

"P-please, Cam, I sorry, I'll get better!" I cry.

"No, this is the last time, I'm done, grab your shit and get out!" He yells even louder. He raises his hand like he was about to hit me.

I obey his order and grab as many of my things as I can before he starts to yell again, or before he tries to hit me. I slam the door to our small apartment and tears started to flood my eyes. He is right, I blew it. And I don't think anything can change what I did.

I climbed into my car throw my things in the back, not caring where they landed. I managed to get a few blankets and a few sets of clothes. Of all things, i made sure to grab my favorite picture frame that delicately held my favorite photo of me, my mother and my father.

I started my car not sure where to go. I was never wanted anywhere else. I just needed to be alone somewhere.
I stopped at a small park I knew no one goes to. There were a few bushes, with small reddish-pink  flowers on them. It was chilly and the sky was grey, like it was about to rain. The day resembled how I felt inside. It was just dark and grey, and like the park, no one was there, like no body cared, they stopped and looked but never turned to go deeper.

After walking in a path for a few minutes, I found a bench to sit on. I pulled up my sleeves, looking at the ugly scars, and cuts I had made myself. I told myself I needed to get help, but Cam always said I would get better and that I would be fine. Sometimes he would say that i was just being dramatic. But no matter what I did it just seemed to get worse, and I guess today was the last straw and he couldn't take me anymore. I understood it, I have no idea how he could stand me, I couldn't even stand myself at times.

Tears started to fill my sad eyes once again and I had to just let it out, I can't keep this in anymore. Why was no one there for me? I didn't have many friends but the ones I have we barely talk anymore since I started work in a small coffee shop, I have to work 6 days a week and the day I get off I just enjoy it alone. Cameron usually never works unless he is needed so he's always out with his friends, leaving me alone.

I pull my knees close to my chest and put my head between them. I hated being alone, I needed someone there for me, no matter what time it was or what their schedule is. Even if it was the middle of the night I just want someone to call to talk me through when I get the urge to pick up my blade and use it, but Cam never was there, he was always busy. I let out quiet sobs and heard footsteps toward me.

"Excuse me, Miss, are you alright?" His voice is quiet and low as he sits down next to me. He had an accent but I couldn't tell what it was. I pull down my sleeves so he wouldn't ask why I had such ugly scars. I put my feet to the ground and lay my hands in my lap after wiping the tears from rolling down my cheeks.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm just tired" I lie and show a small smile. Why was he even bothering with me?

"You are crying, Are you sure you're alright?" He looks at me deeply.

"Yes, I'm okay." I lie through my teeth. I had been broken up with the only person I thought I could ever love, I was torn in parts that could never be put back together. I hated lying but I can't tell a total stranger, but he is here and he seems like one of the better guys in this dead end town.

"Let's get a better start. I'm Ashton." He said staring at me with big green eyes, full of happiness I wish I could have.

"I'm Shalynn." I whisper looking away before he could get a good look at me.

"I don't get it, how can you look at me with sure happiness when I am in such misery. I'm ugly, why are you even still here?" I ask desperately, looking at him again.

"What do you mean?" He asks scooting closer to me. No one has ever been that close to me with such grace, not even Cam.

"I'm hideous." My voice cracks and I accidentally roll up my sleeve without thinking. Before I could react he looked down and then looked at me, not changing the expression he had, his eyes were still happy and wide, like a child. He pulled me into his arms, he was warm, his smell was sweet and comforting. He tightly put his arms around me not letting go for a few seconds. I broke the hug and I started to speak.

"So you like girls with ugly scars?" I ask, trying to be funny but it failed when his smile faded a little.

"You are not ugly, you're beautiful. Just like your scars." A small smile forms on the corner of his lips.

"I call them battle scars." He smiles even wider.