The girl in the knee highs

Chapter 12

You don't realize you're scared until someone promises to help you.

You don't realize how scared you are to be okay, when you've not been okay for so long.

I smiled at Austin who was on his phone, googling a recipe that's easy on the sensitive stomach, so I can eat but not get sick

I got up off my bar stool and wrapped my arms around his waist from behind

"Thank you, Aus." He turned around and smiled at me, my arms still around his waist, my head now on his chest

Austin hugged me, burying his face into my hair, smiling

"No. Thank you, Jes, you have no idea how happy you've made me"

I looked up at him and wasn't scared. Austin is more of my home than anywhere else. Even art.

I stood on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck

"This height difference is annoying" I pouted as he laughed

"Why is the difference annoying you? " his voice got low and seductive as he lifted me on the counter so that new were a little level in height

"Because I can't do this" I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, then the corner of his mouth

He looked at me, his usually light eyes dark, and lustful

He grabbed me by the hips and stepped closer, leaning in, and kissing my neck, sucking lightly

I bit my lip

"Austin" he leaned back and looked at me

"Yes?" He raised his eyebrows as I bit my lip and groaned

"What do you want me to do?" He leaned in and kissed the corner of my mouth, like I'd done him, not long ago

"This?" He kissed me on the other corner

"Or this?" He leaned down and kissed my neck

"Kiss me" he looked up and raised his eyebrows

"Are yo-" I cut him off by putting my hands behind his neck and curling my hands in his hair, pulling him towards me and kissing him on the mouth.

He leaned into the kiss, just as I did, and I felt a warmth flood my body

My stomach turned flips as he bit my lip, before kissing me even more deeply, smiling through the kiss

Austin pulled away and grinned, catching his breath and laughing

"Was that bad?" Whys he laughing?

Horror filled his face

"Oh god no! That was, that was amazing, I just never thought that would happen"

I bit my lip as he grinned at me, tears welling in my eyes

I got up and walked into the bedroom, wiping tears from my eyes

"No! Jes, where are you going?" I walked faster, making it into the bathroom and locking the door

"Jes, please, I'm sorry. That was amazing, please, listen" I stood in front of the counter, looking at my reflection in the mirror

I saw the tear tracks down my face, my lips red and puffy, my arms and legs oversized, my hair a mess, ugliness, nothing but ugly.

My hands stated shaking as I sat on the floor and sobbed

***Austin's POV***

I heard a muffled sob as Jesabelle cried

"Jes!" I threw my shoulder against the door, bouncing away from it and not even making a dent

"Jes! Please! Let me in!" I bit my lip as I heard her cry

Wait, there's a key.

I ran to the kitchen and rummaged through the drawers, finally pulling out a silver key, running back to the bathroom and inserting it into the lock, swinging the door open.

The scene I opened the door to broke my heart a little. Jesabelle was sitting on the floor, rocking back and forth, her arms wrapped around her knees, sobbing.

I crouched down beside her and wiped her tears

"Jes?" She didn't notice me, she stared straight ahead

I reached out to her and slipped my arm behind her back, and beneath her knees, carrying her to the bedroom and laying her on the bed.

I was about to leave the room to make tea when Jesabelle spoke

"Aus?" I turned around to see her curled up, eyes clenched shut, still crying

"Yeah?"

She bit her lip

"What's wrong with me?" Her voice was just a whisper, but I heard it

I went to the bed as fast as I could, sitting beside her and wiping her tears

"Jesabelle. There is nothing wrong with you. You're perfect, with your scars."

"Bu-"

"No buts. You're my best friend and you mean the world to me. I don't care that I'm in love with you. Until you reciprocate the feelings being best friend comes first." I felt a tear slip down my cheek as she opened her eyes. Reaching up and wiping my tear

"Why are you crying?"

"Because I hate to see you hurting. Please, let me help you, Jes" she bit her lip. Then leaned towards me, kissing my cheek where there was a tear

"Aus?" I murmured in response

"Stay? With me? Please?" I bit my lip before pulling off my shirt and slipping into bed, wrapping her in my arms

I felt a my breath start to even out and was about to succumb to sleep when I felt a gentle kiss to my collar bone and heard words I had been wanting to hear for weeks

"I love you. Austin. " I felt a smile grow on my face as I drifted off to sleep with her in my arms.