Trisha Louise Lockwood. 

A girl who's tired of having a bad reputation. A girl who decides to change despite her challenging home situation. A girl who thought she was unreadable until she met Tobias Melvin. 

She didn't know one person could change her entire life. 

She didn't know one person could save her from so many demons. 

He calls her SUGAR despite her life being anything but sweet.

"When something tastes bitter, what do you do? You add sugar because it sweetens it up perfectly and it tastes better." Tobias responds, his eyes flickering between my lips and eyes. I feel like my heart is going to burst through my chest and I simply nod back at him. 

"I strongly believe if you enter someone's life, you'll sweeten it up completely," Tobias whispers, his breathing becoming shallow. His eyes are fully trained on my lips now and I let my tongue flick out, wetting my bottom lip. 

I don't know if it's my imagination but I'm sure I hear an animal like growl come from his throat. . . 
                     
Only for a split second. 

"Do you need sugar in your life?" I whisper bravely, my voice trembling. He takes a few seconds to reply but his response has me quivering at the knees -

"You know I do."

SUGAR

Once Jason is bathed and sleeping, I walk into my bedroom, running a hand through my hair. The strands have grown considerably long but I don't hate it, I'm beginning to realise it's not the length or colour of my hair that makes me who I am. 


It's my actions, my thoughts, my feelings and my friendships with everyone around me. 


I walk past a mirror hung on the wall and stop, turning to face it. For once in my life, I don't despise what I see. I don't hate who I am. The corners of my lips tug upwards into a small smile and I know that I've finally come to peace with who I am. 


"Trish?" I hear Tobias call me from downstairs, his words spoken softly so he doesn't wake Jason. My smiles broadens and I pull away from the mirror, heading back downstairs. He's standing at the bottom of the stairs, a tea towel flung over his shoulder. In his hand, he holds two glasses of wine. 


Terror.