Scarred

Six

He bent down slightly to her height, cupping her face firmly as he molded his lips with hers. Her eyes fluttered shut and with that kiss, her insecurities disappeared. She kissed him back with no reservations and no consideration of their environment and audience. She couldn't think of anything else other than just him licking on her bottom lip, his deep breathing and the gentle rubs his thumb was doing on her scarred cheek.

Oscar had to pull away first when her hands came up to rest on his chest and abdomen. Shit, he thought. He hadn't planned to put up a show but he couldn't stop himself.

"Easy." He chuckled, kissing the top of her head. Then he leaned down to press a kiss to her scar, lingering there for a moment.

Aurelia couldn't describe how light-weighted she felt. It was as if all her worries were merely overthinking because it seemed as if he had no issues with who she was or how she looked like.

"Come with us?" He invited her to lunch, saying they were planning to grab burgers.

She turned around to where his friends stood and bit her lip. She already met Ian and Norman from before and the last time, it wasn't exactly a friendly situation. And the woman she'd seen briefly that day storming over behind Oscar's back, she was there too, albeit she was evidently the partner of Ian as they cuddled each other with not a tinge of shyness.

She wondered what they thought of her. Ian was her ex-boss. Norman had sent her to the ER that fateful night and she wasn't quite herself; having ignored him and never saying a word to him at all despite him being there for her and sending her home. As for Vanessa, she probably also saw that she'd vanished as soon as she approached Oscar. They must all think she was weird, rude and a brat.

"You don't have to worry, Aurelia. They don't bite." He rubbed on her shoulders. "As for this," he held up the mask in his hand. "We don't need it for now, okay?"

Aurelia's eyes widened, hurriedly reaching out to grab it back. "No. I need it. I can't." She said anxiously.

"Yes you can. I'm here, remember? There's no need to hide when I'm here." He pecked another kiss on her cheek, then her lips.

It's not you, she wanted to tell him. It was what others would think of her. It was about having yet accepting it herself. She wasn't ready for it, not at all. Each time she saw herself in her reflection she'd avert her eyes from that spot.

"Trust me." He kept the mask in his pocket, taking her hand in his. "It'll be okay."

She believed him.

••

Oscar led her to his friends where they were loitering. Their conversations came to a mute as she came into hearing distance. Aurelia wasn't comfortable without her mask, but she wanted to try. She didn't want to disappoint him knowing he was only trying to help. Yet she couldn't help hiding her right profile on instinct. She hid behind Oscar's body timidly as they headed to the clique.

"Ian, Norman, Vanessa." Oscar made the introductions. "Aurelia." He hugged her by the shoulders to his side protectively.

And since she wasn't looking, he shot a warning look to his friends—especially Norman—not to stare too obviously at her face. He really wanted to make this as normal as it could be for her.

To her surprise, Vanessa came up to her and pulled her in for a hug. For a female, she was much taller than most and her slender body complimented her figure. She couldn't help but stare at the woman in envy. For someone who's only standing at 5ft, it had always been her dream to gain even an inch or two. Not only that, but Vanessa carried herself with such class; dressed in designer head to toe, she fit in with them perfectly. She couldn't help but think this was the type of women who was compatible with Oscar, with them. Not her, not Aurelia. Not someone who was barely out of university.