Page 101 of Broken Beauty

I walk past Jace and go towards the bathroom.

As I walk past the kitchen my eyes immediately find Ariella who is talking to Bridgette with a smile on her face.

She doesn't know this but I know that the smile on her face is fake and she is hiding her hurt with fake happiness.

I can tell the difference between her real and genuine smile rather than her fake and filtered smile.

I lock the door behind me and then stare at myself in the bathroom mirror.

“The beach has always been a place I feel safe and secure,” Ariella says while playing with the sand.

“Why?”

“Because of my mother. She took me here a lot because I was always stressed out about school and drama.”

“High school wasn't the best time for me.”

Mostly because of my mother’s doing but I don't tell Ariella that.

This thing between Ariella and I is only going to last for a few months. There is no point to opening up my feelings to her because we won't know each other for long.

I do want to stay in contact with her because I like Ariella. I have never felt this way about someone before.

Ariella shuts down all of the horrible and dark thoughts in my head. All of my mothers voices become silent when she is near.

I look down at my hands and see the scars from punching the mirrors.

I clench and unclench my fists, seeing the skin split and blood form.

“These are my friends, Ash. You'll be nice to them, right?”

I look away from them and wash my hands before getting out of the bathroom. When I get out of the bathroom my eyes go to the kitchen where I see Ariella.

What makes me run towards her is Nash who is holding her against the counter, getting way too close for my liking.

Where the fuck are Bridgette and Jace?

My vision goes blurry when I send a punch to Nash's face.

“Ash!” I hear Ariella yell as I tackle Nash to the floor and send more punches across his face.

There are gasps and I don't hear the music blasting through the speakers anymore. “Oh, he is beating his ass!” I hear someone yell.

I pay no mind to anyone, I focus in on Nash's face and the way my fist connects with his nose, over and over and over again.

Everything is blocked out.

All I can see is Nash touching Ariella and how uncomfortable she felt.

“Ash, stop, I can't see him breathing!” I hear Ariella yell.

“Move out of the way!” Jace yells before I feel a hand on my shoulder before someone pulls me away from Nash. My vision comes into focus and I see blood. Blood is on the floor and when I look down at my hands there is blood and the scars fully reopened. Everything is red and my mind turns blank. “Dude what the fuck?” Jace yells and he puts his hand on my chest.

My eyes travel around the kitchen, trying to find Ariella but I don't see her.

I push Jace out of my way and I walk towards the front door where I see Ariella leaving. I push people out of my way and follow her outside.

“Ariella!” I yell but she doesn't turn her head or acknowledge me. “God fucking damnit, Ariella!” When I am close enough to Ariella, I grab her hand and turn her around. I feel a harsh slap on my face. It stings but I know I deserve it after what I put her through. “Are you done?”