The Scars

*WARNING!! TALK/ATTEMPTS OF SELF HARM/SUICIDE*

*MINORS*

*SWEARING*

*HOMOPHOBIA & TRANSPHOBIA*

Lotus' POV

The next day, I decided to walk to school. I don't want to be near my family right now. I see Ace, Elliot, Lexi, and Dusk waiting for me when I get there. I put on a smile and go up to them. We are talking, and then Lexi says something.

"Lotus, you seem less energetic than usual."

"Yeah, I noticed that also," Elliot said.

"What do you mean?" I replied. Then Dusk put his hand on my cheek, and I flinched. He moved his hand back and saw a bruise on my cheek.

"What happened after I left your house? Tell me the truth." I sigh and tell them all that happened. I showed them my arms and started crying. Dusk hugged me and pushed my head onto his shoulder, and let me cry there. I was stuck there for 10 minutes, just crying.

Dusk's POV

I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Lotus' dad hit them, and they resorted to self-harm. I shouldn't have left. I grabbed Lotus and pulled them onto my shoulder. They cried so much that I almost cried seeing them like this. It hurt me seeing them like this. They finally took their face off of my shoulder and smiled. Why were they smiling in this situation? I don't understand.

"Let's forget about my dad right now," they said. I gave them a weak smile, still clearly worried about them. But then they grab my cheeks and put their forehead on my forehead.

"Please don't worry. I will tell you anything that happens. Okay?" they said to me. I could feel my cheeks burn up.

"Uuh, y-yeah...okay," I stuttered as Lotus hugged me again. I see Elliot, Ace, and Lexi making fun of me and mouthing 'I ship it' towards me. I started blushing profusely. But I was confused. Why was I blushing? I don't like them like that. They're just a friend. Or do I see them as more? The bell rang, signifying first period was starting. I said bye to everyone and started heading to P.E. I decided to text Ace and ask for help.

D- Frankie help...

A- What's up?

D- I think I like Cloud

A- That was kinda obvious tho...

D- Wdym?

A- You were blushing when they hugged you dude

D- Fair ig

D- But my issue is that they are just a friend, and for some reason, I see them as more now.

A- My advice is to just own it. you both might get together. you never know.

A- Also this is the most I've ever seen you text lol

I laugh and shake my head at his last text. I'm worried though. How would Cloud react if I told them? Would they hate me? I don't want to take a chance if it could ruin our friendship. Then I get a text on the group chat.

Le- Do you guys wanna come over for a sleepover?

E- :O

E- YAAAAASSS!!

A- Sure

L- hell yea! :D

D- Ya sure

Le- Great! I'll pick u guys up after y'all get home

L- i could use some time away from my parents

It hurt seeing Cloud's last text. Their parents are awful. And because they are transphobic, I have to call Lotus he/him. I cringe at calling them those pronouns.

*Time Skip*

After school, I was sitting in my room with my stuff ready for the sleepover. Lexi texted me saying that she was here. I went downstairs, said bye to my mom, and went to the car. When I got there, Lotus was sitting in the back facing the window. I frowned and sat in the back right next to Lotus. They turned around and smiled at me, causing me to blush. I smile at them and we started talking. I loved how much they smiled talking to me. I always want to protect that smile. No matter what.

"We're here," Lexi said. That was quick. We talked the entire ride here we got out of the car and immediately went to the living room. We started watching The Conjuring. Lotus got so scared that they cuddle up next to me. I comforted them for most of the movie. Elliot was... laughing? How can you laugh at this movie?

"DINNER!" Lexi's mom had called us into the kitchen to eat.

*Time Skip*

"Let's go to the pool," Lexi suggested. We all agreed and changed into our swimsuits. Lotus was the first thing I saw once I had walked outside. I was staring at their muscular back. Their tan skin and beautiful body. I could feel myself blushing and I saw Elliot and Ace staring at me, smirking. But then I saw the scars on their arm. I frowned at the scars. I walked up behind them and hugged them. I could feel them jump at my touch. If I wasn't able to control myself, I would have kissed them right there. I just hugged them tight and held them there.

Lotus' POV

I'm standing next to Lexi talking about more ideas for characters that we could create. But then I feel a pair of arms wrap around my torso. I jump at the feeling. I look at the hands and realize that it's Dusk. I start blushing aggressively. His skin touching mine, his warm and loving embrace. If I wasn't able to control myself, I would have turned around and kissed him right there. His embrace got tighter and I blushed even harder.

"U-um...why are you hugging me?" I managed to say.

"Your arms," he said, "I hate seeing you in so much pain. I wish you didn't have to deal with such awful things." He said that and my eyes widened. My eyes started watering at the fact that he cared. I grabbed his arms and made him let go. I turned around, his face dangerously close to mine. I could feel his hot breath on my face. I turned away from him, embarrassed.

"Th-thanks for worrying about me I guess," I said to him. He moved his face away from mine and smiled.

"No problem," he said. His smile made me blush so hard, I could stop traffic. I could feel Elliot, Ace, and Lexi all staring at me. I turn to them and I see them making kissy faces at me. I let go of Dusk's arms and went to sit down on the edge of the pool. Ace and Elliot run to sit next to me and patronize me. Dusk and Lexi are talking to each other. Dusk checked the time and told us it was 8. We all got up and went to take showers and change into some nightclothes. We went back to the living room and watched The Conjuring 2. I got scared and cuddled up to Dusk again. After a while, I blacked out.

Dusk's POV

We started watching The Conjuring 2 and Lotus fell asleep on me. They were so cute. I started scratching their head and they started moving closer to me. Once the movie ended, they woke up. They looked up at me and smiled.

"Now you decide to wake up?" I asked them jokingly.

"I can go back to sleep," they replied

"Nah. You're staying awake."

"Ugh so mean." They started smiling after they said that causing both of us to just start giggling.

"Lexi, what do you wanna watch?" Heleny asked.

"Shrek the Musical!" they replied. Ace shouted in agreement. We all started laughing as Lexi put on Shrek. Lotus sang along to every song and sometimes did minor choreography. We all giggled at how cute they were acting. I checked the time and it was midnight.

"I think we should go to bed now," I said to everyone.

"You guys pick out where you wanna sleep," Lexi said to us. Ace and Elliot got the guest bedroom. So Lotus and I had to sleep in the living room. Thankfully, the couch was big enough for both of us. We lied down on the couch and stayed in silence for a while.