Beautiful Scars [1] ✔

Chapter Thirty Nine

I stared into the mirror that was hanging over the door.

The girl staring back at me looked different. Really different. Her hair was burgundy, a deeper shade of red than the one before, her baby blue eyes were turning light green, and she was taller, almost 5'6. She got bigger, but not too big.

Her outfit was even more punk than usual, with a black leather jacket, a black miniskirt, fishtight leggings, and boots. Unlike usual, she had piercings all along her ears and one in her mouth and nose.

I took a deep breath and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, so did the girl in the mirror.

This is what two years looked like.

Two years since my parents were murdered.

Two years since I moved to Mississippi.

Two years since I got teased.

Two years where I found friends.

Two years since I last talked to Aston.

The year where I would be moving back home.

I was seventeen now, and things changed the minute I left Melissa's funeral. I went home and by the next week, I was home schooled. Aston had kept on going to school, but I hadn't seen or talked to him since that day. Mrs. Tilly and I made sure of that. I changed my attitude, but ironically, not my look. That increased dramatically. Mrs. Tilly didn't complain when I dyed my hair and pierced my ears, nose, and mouth. I guess she took it as "finding myself".

"Sophia? Almost ready?"

I flinched and pulled back from the mirror. "Yeah. Just give me a minute."

I backed away from the mirror and grabbed the final box that was resting on the bed, which had no sheets or comforter on it. I sighed and kicked the door open with my foot and walked outside to my car, shoving the box in the trunk with my hip and slamming the door.

I walked back into the house and grabbed my phone and my purse and turned. Mrs. Tilly was staring at me with glassy eyes. She sniffled and pulled me into a hug. "I'm going to miss you, Sophia. You're always welcome here, don't you forget that."

I chuckled into her shoulder. "That's not going to work."

"What?"

I smiled, tears clinging to my cheeks. "Call me Sophie."

~***~

I stopped the car, taking out the key as I did so.

I got out and sighed, emotions building up inside me. I honestly had no idea how much I missed it.

I was back in Louisiana, staring at my old house. Well, where my old house used to be.

Now it was just lumps of charred grass. I closed my eyes and the images of memories flickered behind my closed eyes.

"Sophia? What are you doing here?"

I jumped, turning around so fast that I lost my balance.

The person standing behind me was Angela, my old best friend.

~***~

"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?" I glared at her and she swallowed.

"I felt bad. I just had this feeling. I can't really explain it. But now you're here. We should catch up."

I nodded and we started walking to Joe's, the ice cream shop, just like old times.

I waited outside patiently for Angela since she decided to go to the bathroom.

God, that girl took long.

Then I heard footsteps. "Did you seriously think you could leave without telling me goodbye? That's just cold."

I froze and the sound of the voice. It was Aston.

~***~

He looked different. He had tattoos all along the left side of his neck, and I could see the end of it peeking from under his white tshirt. He looked buff, and I could see muscles ripping through his shirt. His blue eyes looked electric and his black hair was tousled messily. His jaw line stood out, especially the stubble forming along his chin.

He said my name again, and I shuddered. His voice got deeper. And sexier.

"Are you cold? Do you need a jacket? I have one."
Why don't you just use your arms instead? "What are you doing here, Aston?" I asked, lips pursed.

"I came here to see you. What else would I be here for?"

At that moment, the door opened and Angela stepped out, licking her ice cream cone.

The minute she saw Aston, she batted her eyes and I swore I saw her lift her shirt a little higher. "Well, hello.."

It took everything I had not to just punch her right then and there.

Luckily, Aston beat me to it. "Nice to meet you, whoever you are. I'm only here to see Sophia. Don't take it personally, but I don't like girls who show off their untoned stomach."

I stifled a laugh and Angela's face turned beet red. "I'll see you later, Sophia."

"Bye."

Aston waved and turned back to me, a glint in his eye. "You know, you still owe me that date."

I scoffed. "Why would you think I'd go anywhere with you?"

"Because I followed you here. And I know for a fact you didn't eat anything."

I rolled my eyes in protest, but my stomach disobeyed me and growled. Great.

~***~

I sat down at the booth with Aston, watching as he munched on chips and salsa.

He watched as I sipped on Dr. Pepper, eyes following my every move. "You know, I really miss you. We've haven't spoken in two years, Sophia."

"Yeah. It's been a while."

"You've never gave me a chance to say what I wanted to that day in the hospital. So I'm going to say it now. I love you. I've always loved you. I'd go anywhere for you, do anything for you, be anything for you. I love you. I love you. I. Love. YOU."

My skin tingled and his voice became husky. I swallowed as goosebumps formed on my arms.

"And to show how much I love you, and to show that I'll never leave you and you'll never leave me, no matter what, I'm giving you this."

He handed me a folded up t-shirt. I unfolded it carefully. "A t-shirt? How thoughtful."

As I finished unfolding it, I stared at the writing. It was an Imagine Dragons tshirt. The one he wore that night on the beach.

I gasped as something fell into my lap. I looked downwards, speechless.

A diamond ring now rested where my hands were once.

I swallowed, my hands shaking and looked up.

Aston was down on one knee, a smile lighting up the restaurant. "Sophia Marie Wordon, will you do me the honor of becoming my equal? Becoming my partner?" He swallowed, then continued.

"What I'm trying to say is, will you marry me?"

tD