Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Chapter Twenty Four

Jacob showed up at Merida's house long before sunrise, hoping desperation might buy him forgiveness. He knocked, shifting from foot to foot, rehearsing the words in his head.

When the door finally cracked open, Merida appeared in her pajamas, her smile immediately vanishing the moment she saw him. Arms crossed, she let out a long sigh.
"What are you doing here?"

Jacob swallowed, forcing himself to meet her eyes. "I want you back."

The disgust that twisted across her face stung worse than any slap.
"What do you expect me to say? 'Oh Jacob, I want you back too?' Don't be stupid. Go find someone else to play your dirty games with."

Before he could reply, she slammed the door in his face.

"I know I was stupid for choosing her!" Jacob shouted, his voice cracking. "But I realized I truly love you. I'm sorry!"

The door flung open again, but instead of a softening heart, Jacob was met with Merida's palm across his cheek—hard. His head snapped to the side.

"Oh... oops. Did I just do that?" she mocked, then her expression hardened. "That's what you did to me, Jacob. You chose to hurt me, then come crawling back saying you still love me. What are you sorry for? That Elise didn't work out? Now you're here, hoping I'll pick up your leftovers?"

He stammered, "N-no, I didn't mean— I really lo—"

"Shut your lies up." Her glare cut through him like ice. "It wasn't love. It was selfishness. And you don't get to ruin my morning. Get out of my sight."

The door slammed once more.

Jacob kicked the wall in frustration, cursing himself as he stormed off. He was nothing but trash to her now. Trash she'd never pick up again.

At school, Jacob forced himself toward Brandon, who was already pretending not to see him. "Can we talk?" Jacob asked, his voice low.

Brandon gave him a flat look, but the rest of their friends caught the tension and scattered.

Jacob shoved his hands in his pockets, staring at the floor. "I'm sorry. For everything. For being an asshole to the girl you like. For being blind. For being... me."

Brandon studied him in silence before letting out a bitter chuckle. "Well, I'm sorry too—for keeping things from you. But I'm not sorry I like her."

Jacob exhaled, dragging his palm down his face. "I deserve this pain. But I swear I'm going to win her back."

Brandon's laugh rang out, harsh and mocking. "Good luck with that."

Jacob's brow furrowed. "Why?"

"Because you destroyed her," Brandon said flatly. "The night of the play? She saw you kissing Elise. Then she went with the drama club and almost got raped. While she was breaking, you were too busy chasing someone who never wanted you. Imagine carrying that. You think she'll ever trust you again?"

The words gutted Jacob. His knees almost buckled with the weight of it. I broke her when I should've protected her. He could feel the shards of his own promises cutting into him now.

Brandon slapped his shoulder as the bell rang. "Work hard if you want her back. But Leo already has her trust. And me? I'm not giving up either."

Jacob watched him walk away, misery boiling in his chest. He'd lost a gem—and crushed it with his own hands.

In class, chatter buzzed about how Merida had stood up to Candice that morning. Jacob barely heard it. His eyes were fixed on Merida laughing with Leo. Pain was all he knew.

Mr. Talez entered—but this time, he wasn't alone. Beside him stood a girl with a confident smile, one that made the whole room pause.

"Everyone, this is Ms. Yuri," Mr. Talez announced.

Leo's chair screeched back as he shot to his feet. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

"Leo! Sit down," the teacher barked.

Yuri's grin widened. "Hello, everyone. Hello, stupid cousin," she sing-songed, waving at Leo.

"Cousin?" Merida blinked.

"And hello, Love!" Yuri winked at Merida, ignoring Leo's glare. "I'm Yuri Thunderberg, and it's so nice to be here!"

Leo gaped at Merida. "You knew?"

"I didn't know you two were related!" she whispered back, shrugging.

When Yuri strutted toward Merida's row, she stopped at a boy's desk. "Move. I'm sitting here."

The boy scrambled away, and the class erupted in whispers. Even Lisa was impressed.

As the lecture dragged on, Merida and Yuri kept whispering and giggling. "You should've told me you were enrolling here," Merida pouted.

"Wanted to surprise you," Yuri whispered back. "But ugh, why are you friends with my dumb cousin?"

"He's the guy I told you about—the one who's been so kind to me," Merida admitted.

Yuri rolled her eyes. "I'll save you from him." She winked.

"Shut up, both of you," Leo growled from the side.

The whispers grew until Mr. Talez snapped, "The three of you! Detention. Now."