Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Chapter Thirteen

Today is Sunday; people had cleansed their souls by going to church. Now they're leaving, ready for a new start, choosing between wrong or right. The first mass of the day had just ended.

"Do you want to go somewhere?" Jacob asked Merida.

Go somewhere? Merida didn't know much about the area. Sure, she knew some spots, but they were always crowded and full of noise.

"Do you know someplace where people would leave us alone?" she asked.

"Hmm... I think I do." Jacob smiled and started driving.

While on the road, Jacob took Merida's hand and slipped his fingers between hers. Merida squeezed back, and he did the same. Both of them wore wide smiles.

Merida hummed softly as she looked out the window. She leaned her head slightly out, feeling the wind against her face. So this is what it feels like, she thought. Free, with the wind kissing you with happiness, heart racing in your chest. The adrenaline was beautiful.

"And we're here," Jacob announced, parking far outside their town. "Come on, let's check the place out."

They climbed over big, sponge-like rocks hand in hand. Merida marveled at the trees, the sound of birds, and the gentle hum of branches swaying with the wind. Then she saw it—a sauna in the middle of the trees. It left her breathless.

"Is this for real?" she asked in disbelief.

"Well, dip in so you know if it is," Jacob teased.

Merida rolled her eyes playfully.

Jacob stripped off his shirt and pants, then jumped into the warm water. Merida hesitated. The scars on her thighs—they were uglier than her face, she thought.

"What are you waiting for? Come join me!" Jacob called.

Merida removed her shirt but left her pants on. She was breathing heavily, which Jacob noticed. He climbed out of the water and gently touched her face.

"Hey, you okay? What's wrong?"

Merida nodded. "Yes, but I don't think I can go in."

"Why? It's not deep," he reassured her.

"No, it's not that... I–I have scars on my thighs, and they're... ugly."

Jacob didn't want her to feel that way. He pulled her close, fingers brushing her waistband. His touch made her look up at him.

"What–what are you doing?" she stammered.

"I want to see."

"N-no!"

"I want to see your beautiful scars," he insisted. "Please, Love."

His expression made Merida feel calm. It reminded her of that boy from the past—the one whose gaze still lingered in her heart. For a moment, she just stared into Jacob's eyes.

Jacob slowly unbuttoned her pants and pulled them down. His throat tightened when her pants slid off, but he forced his thoughts back to the scars. He could see them clearly now. If this were a different kind of story, he might have kissed each one. Instead, he rose and kissed her deeply, unable to help himself.

Merida kissed him back, warmth rushing through her body. A storm of thoughts—right or wrong?—whirled in her head, but her hands tangled in his hair anyway.

When their lips finally parted, both were breathless.

"You're beautiful, okay? Never forget that," Jacob murmured.

Once calm, they slipped into the water together.

"How did you know this place?" Merida asked.

Jacob pulled her close and whispered something in her ear that made her giggle before splashing him playfully.

She tried to swim away, but he caught her, grinning mischievously. "Ah! Gotcha! Come on, I just want to touch it," he teased, biting his lip.

Merida glared playfully, then wrapped her arms around his neck. "You're so cute," she muttered, eyes flicking from his eyes to his lips. "Touch it if you want."

Jacob grinned and let his hand trace the scars gently. They weren't rough or raised, just part of her. Afterward, he rested his hand at her waist.

"Satisfied?" Merida asked.

He pulled her close and kissed her head. "More than satisfied."

They floated in the warmth, enjoying the moment. Merida almost brought up Brandon but decided not to spoil it. Instead, she shared something from her past.

"I used to cut my arm, but then my mother saw it and cried. I felt so guilty seeing her hurt, so I started cutting my thighs instead," Merida confessed quietly.

"If I had known you back then, if I'd been more aware, I would've been there for you," Jacob said, gripping her hand.

"Thank you for standing up for me. It means a lot."

"You're my love. I'm glad we met," Jacob replied softly. "I want to be there always—to water you when you can't, shelter you through every season, and kiss you so you never feel afraid."

Merida stood and gazed at him with love in her eyes. "I love you, Jacob. I hope your love won't dry up, even in summer. I hope you'll still shelter me, even when your roof has holes, and I hope your kisses stay the same."

They stared at each other, and then Jacob kissed her again.

This is it, she thought. Loving someone is terrifying, but she couldn't stop herself. She was falling for Jacob. He felt like a prince who could save her—but she wasn't sure she was really his princess.