Some Scars Don't Heal

Sixteen - Whoops.

"So Esme, how are your exams going?" Maria started, as she ladled stew into everyone's bowls. By everyone, I meant me, Maria, Esme and Alex. I was sat awkwardly, with my legs crossed and my hands folded in my lap, watching as Alex and Esme jabbed each other with forks and nicked each other's food. It was all sickeningly sweet, I wanted to vomit.

"Esme?" Maria prompted, gesturing for her to pass over her stew bowl. Esme hastily complied, but took a jab in the ribs from Alex's spoon.

"Ow!" she shrieked, grabbing the jug of water and emptying it over Alex's head. Alex jumped to his feet, only to receive a warning glance from Maria and sit slowly down again. Esme sent him a smug look, and Maria sighed dramatically.

"I'm sorry Becky, I  bet it's never like this at your house."

"Well, I'm an only child so I don't really have much company..." I fidgeted. Maria smiled, and dumped a bowl of steaming stew in front of me that smelt delicious. I was tempted to start shoving it into my mouth but waited, in case Alex thought I was a pig.

"Where's Sam?" Esme asked, flicking a long strand of perfect blonde hair out of her eyes. Sam?

"SAM!" Maria hollered, shouting so loud I had to put my hands over my ears. The door opened, and a  guy who looked around fifteen slouched in. A black baseball cap was turned around and placed at the very front of his head, and he had a white Tshirt with JUST TRY IT on it in block capitals. His jeans were hitched so low, you could see a pair of red boxer shorts with white polka dots. Not a good look, I winced. He turned around and saw me, raising one eyebrow. I had to admit he was moderately good looking, with blonde hair cut in a straight fringe across his forehead and light blue eyes.

"Maria, you didn't tell me we had guests." The strange boy sat down and pulled the stew towards me.

"Sam, this is Becky. She's my guest for dinner." Maria introduced us, and I sipped the stew out of my spoon. It was great, and I was beginning to feel happy for the first time in about six months, but then I saw Alex and Esme, pulling funny faces at each other and slyly chucking meatballs across the table, and my heart sank down to the  bottom of my boots.

After dinner, I was checking my texts in the hall, when Sam strolled up to me and threw an arm around my shoulder.

"Umm, hey?" I tried. He winked at me.

"Hey babe. You were pretty quiet at the dinner table."

"Hitting on older women huh?" I sniggered. He looked a bit thrown, but regained his composure.

"So, what's wrong? You've had that sad look in your eyes all night. It's a shame because your eyes are really pretty." He tilted my chin up with his finger. I grinned.

"Oh, personal reasons...Why were you staring at my eyes anyway?" I asked.

"Because your beautiful, Becky." He replied, and I snorted.

"I am so not!" I protested.

"That's what makes you beeyooodiifuuullll!!!!!!!" Sam sung. Badly. I laughed.

"That was so terrible." I told him.

"Oh yeah, well, I'm not as bad as Alex!" He puffed out his chest. I put my finger on it, flirting teasingly, and trailed it up and down. I'm not a flirt (generally) but I needed to get something and I was hoping if I was nice, he would tell me the truth.

"So Alex..." I murmured, standing on my tip toes, so I could whisper in his ear. I could hear his heart pounding and his breath quickening.

"Yeah?" He replied huskily, "What about Alex?"

"How long has this thing with Esme been going on?" I asked, running my finger down his chest.

"Esme?" Sam asked, surprised.

"Umm, yeah?" I pulled back, confused by his reaction.

"Alex and Esme are...brother and sister?" Sam replied, slowly, so I would catch every word. My heart leapt up, and I leant forward and pecked Sam on the cheek.

"Thanks Sam!" I squeaked, and sprinted into the sitting room, turning around to see him looking confused, scratching his head.