Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Chapter Twenty

It was around three in the morning when Merida finally fell asleep in Leo's arms. He caressed her face and smiled. He already knew where this road ended, and that pained him most of all.

Leo pulled her closer, hugging her tightly. Even just this once, let me hold her as if she's mine to keep, he thought.

When Merida woke, her head felt unbearably heavy, as if someone was banging on it with a hammer. She slowly opened her eyes and frowned when she saw Leo sleeping beside her. What is Leo doing here? she asked herself.

It took her a while, but the memories crept back—the betrayal of the drama club, that man who almost hurt her, and the raw fear she'd felt. The pain returned, stabbing into her chest until she had to hold herself tightly. She tried to stop the tears, but they fell anyway. Snuggling closer into Leo, she hoped that if he woke, he wouldn't see her crying right away.

"It's okay to cry," she suddenly heard him groan.

She froze, then pulled back to look at him—his eyes were still closed.

Leo shifted, wrapping his arms tighter around her. "Just cry it out. Pretend I'm just the pillow you hug at night when you're lonely."

His calm voice undid her. She cried harder, and his words dragged her back to memories of Jacob's empty promises—how he'd said he'd always be there, yet never was. Her chest ached. If Leo ever left her hanging too, she knew she wouldn't survive it.

For a long while, Merida sobbed into Leo's arms. But eventually, she told herself to stop thinking about her pain. She needed a break. Maybe she could go visit her mother's workplace—get away from this place, these people, this heartbreak. She never cared much for the school festival anyway. What difference would it make if she disappeared for a while?

"Leo," she mumbled.

He stirred, opening his eyes slightly. "Hmm?" His voice was still heavy with sleep.

"I'm sorry you couldn't go to school today. I'm sorry I caused too much trouble—"

"Don't you remember last night?" Leo cut in gently. "I told you it's okay. I'll be here, even when you don't ask." He brushed her tears away, then stretched and stood.

"Don't leave me..." Merida whispered when he headed for the door. But he didn't hear her, and the next thing she saw was the door closing.

She lay back, lonelier than ever. What did I do to deserve this pain? She tried to be good. She tried to befriend people. Yet they betrayed her, hurt her, left her to break alone. At the end of the day, she only had herself to rely on.

When she finally had the strength, she got up, grabbed her phone, and texted her mother.

Merida: Hey Mom! I was wondering if I could spend the semestral break with you. I promise I won't bug you.

She thanked autocorrect for fixing her sloppy typing. Never again, she swore. Never again will I drink that poison.

The phone flashed.

Mom ❤️: Of course, honey! Is Jacob going to be with you?

The mention of his name sent her into fresh sobs. Tears splattered across the screen as she typed.

Merida: I'm booking the earliest flight. I love you, Mom ❤️

Then she yanked her SIM card out and threw it out the window. I'm done. I'm saying goodbye to maybes.

From under her bed, she pulled out the olive-green luggage her mother had bought her two years ago. Not too big, just right. She began packing clothes, her wallet, her ID—everything that mattered.

The door creaked open. Leo stepped in with a tray in his hands.

"Didn't you..." Merida's voice trailed.

"I went downstairs to make you breakfast." He set the tray on her side table, then glanced at her luggage. "You're leaving?"

Merida zipped it shut and stood. "I thought you left me..."

"Why would I do that? I never said I was going home." He stepped closer. "So, are you leaving somewhere?"

Merida lowered her gaze. "Yes. I need a break from everything that happened, Leo. I have to."

Suddenly, Leo laughed. It startled her into looking up.

"Why are you laughing?"

"I've just never seen you this serious before." He grinned softly. "Well, go. Take your break. But promise me one thing." He closed the distance between them. "When you come back, make sure you're still beautiful."

Merida managed a grin. "I promise," she said, hugging him. But in her mind, she whispered, I was never beautiful.

"Is this all you need?" Leo asked once they arrived at the airport.

"Uhm... I'll be needing your number. I threw my SIM away, and if I get one there, I'd like to text you first."

Leo thought for a moment, then pulled out his own SIM card and handed it to her. "Use mine. I memorized my number, and I'll text you."

Merida hesitated, but he insisted. She slid it into her phone and blinked at the contact list. Only one number—hers.

"You don't have any other contacts," she said, looking strangely at him.

"Because I'm like you. An outcast. The only difference is—I know how to defend myself."

He smiled, and she returned it. They talked until it was time for boarding.

"There's something I noticed in your notebook last night," Leo admitted, scratching his neck while Merida looked at him curiously. "You wrote about a boy—with a calming gaze and a bright smile. Was that Jacob?"

Her face hardened at the name. "No. I don't think it was him. I don't even know that boy. But I meant what I wrote. He saved me that day. I want to know him... if I'm given the chance."

Leo caught the bittersweet look in her eyes. "Then I hope you find him in this lifetime."

Merida almost told him that he reminded her of that boy last night—when he pulled that monster away from her. But she held it back. "Yeah... I hope I do."

Soon, the speakers called for passengers of flight LIN854 to proceed to gate 7.

"Well, I guess I'll see you again after two weeks," Merida said, clutching her luggage handle.

Leo nodded. He wanted to tell her he liked her, but he knew she was still broken. Love couldn't be forced—not on someone still bleeding from another heartbreak.

So he stayed silent, watching her wave at him as she disappeared into the gate. He smiled and waved back.

"Heal yourself... and then love again," he whispered, turning toward the exit.

Outside, Brandon came running, breathless. He stopped in front of Leo, snapping, "Why didn't you stop her?"

Leo chuckled mockingly.

"What the hell's so funny?" Brandon demanded.

"Relax, bro." Leo clapped him on the shoulder, grinning. "It's only two weeks."