Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Chapter Thirty

Merida was up for a fitting with Yuri and Lisa — the ball and graduation were only two days away.

"So I'm wearing this mermaid gown: lace, sequins... scales of a dragon," Lisa announced, eyes shining.

Yuri grimaced. "You want to be a fish. It's cringe."

"Ugh, you know nothing about fashion!" Lisa shot back.

"Asymmetrical is classic. Your mermaid thing is trying too hard."

Their argument erupted the way these two always did; Merida watched and, for once, didn't get pulled in. She was grateful for the distance she'd learned to keep.

"Guys—are you ready to let go of high school?" she asked softly.

They both froze and turned to her. "Why, scared of the next chapter?" Yuri teased.

"Yeah," Merida admitted. "It's just... what if we grow apart? We'll be so busy we won't even call each other."

Lisa stepped forward and hugged her. "You poor munchkin. We're not staying in Neverland — we have to grow up and find our Wonderlands." Yuri laughed and joined the group hug.

"I'm calling you every day," Merida promised.

"Then we need matching bracelets," Yuri said, suddenly sentimental. "You're a moon, Lisa — you had a dark past, remember?"

"Shut up," Lisa protested, but she was smiling.

They finished fittings and sketches, settling on styles. Merida chose a galaxy-themed ball gown — simple, but with tiny constellations embroidered across the skirt. She liked to think Leo would be impressed; he'd said once he loved the night sky.

No sooner had she left the boutique than her phone buzzed: Jacob. "Can you meet me at the orphanage?" he asked. The urgency in his voice made her hurry.

When she arrived Lex greeted her with a single rose, then the other children came running with tiny paper bouquets. Finally Jacob appeared with a bouquet so big the kids squealed.

"For you," he said, handing it over.

Merida's cheeks warmed. "Thank you," she murmured.

"I won't ask to be your date — I know you've already said Leo will be —" Jacob said quickly. "I just wanted to be with you today."

Merida's smile faltered but she didn't answer. She watched the kids fly a kite and felt something ache in her chest.

"I only used them to get your attention," Jacob admitted with a crooked grin. "But I knew it would be Leo you wanted tonight."

Merida kept watching the kite. She wanted to tell him how much she still cared for Jacob, but the thought of hurting Leo held her tongue. Better to hurt herself than someone else, she thought.

"Why do you keep trying?" she asked quietly, without looking at him.

"Because I want to." He met her eyes. "I promised myself I wouldn't stop. Someone told me that as long as you have life, you have hope. Don't be afraid while there's still time." He had learned that from Leo, he added without bitterness.

Merida let out a soft laugh. "You're wasting your time."

He laughed too, but there was steel in it. "I'm not stopping. I'm not giving up until you choose me again."

Her heart raced; being read so easily by him only made things worse. Jacob reached out and brushed a tear from her cheek.

"It wouldn't hurt so much if we were lucky ones," she whispered.

He sighed and lay back on the grass. "Let's forget everything this afternoon," he said. "Let's just breathe."

Merida did as he did, staring at the open blue above them. It was quiet and safe in a way that made her chest unclench a little. She let the children's laughter float over them like music.

When she drifted off, Jacob wiped the last of her tears from her lashes. He leaned in, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "Whichever way you decide, I'll respect it. But until then... I choose you."