Chapter 5

Clara

“Let’s see who Celeb gets to save” I didn’t want to bet on that not like I didn’t have the confidence but with Celeb recent changes I doubt I didn’t even have the chance to choose before Elena dragged me down with her into the pool.

I struggled to keep afloat screaming for help, the water was gradually eating me up.

“Help” everyone just stood there watching us like we are acting in some kind of movie where the villain is  about to win.

Celeb came through but not for me but for his sweet girlfriend Elena. I doubted if someone would get me out of this pool since Rowan stormed out and my hope was crushed.

Just in seconds, I kept sinking. The water rushed in, in every one of my openings. I thought I was going to die before a hand grabbed me, not Celeb but Rowan.

I was shocked and was coughing terribly. He carried me in a bridal pattern and sat me down on the lounge with those concerned eyes on me.

“Are you okay?” I nodded.

I was grateful he came on time to save, it would have been….

“Is Clara’s  fault, she pushed me” Elena accusing finger pointed at me. Did she just say I pushed her?

I sat up this time. I wasn’t going to allow her to accuse me and I did nothing. This isn’t high school anymore where she gets away with whatever she does to me.

“I didn’t push her. She dragged me with her. Celeb you know I can’t swim”

“So why would I push her”

“Clara, stop lying. Elena is only trying to be your friend. Can’t you see”

Friend! Why can’t anyone see through her fake affections?

“Are you going to believe her over me? I thought you trusted me” I watched Celeb's jaw tightened.

He pointed his finger and spoke in a more deep tone. I swear I have never seen him that way and it scared me even more.

“I swear if you dare come close to…” his words were cut short by Rowan.

“Are you threatening my girl”

His claim on me made my heart flutter, if we didn’t start up this fake dating I must have thought it was genuine but it was all about saving our faces but nobody has ever defended me in such a manner.

“Both of you get out of my party and take her with you too”

Next was a punch on Celeb's face. Rowan literally punched my step brother because of me. Rowan picked me up and took me to the bathroom wrapping a towel around my shoulder. I gazed at him like he was my hero.

He treated me like I was the most precious thing on earth and even when we argued he still defended me. I never knew this part existed in Rowan.

He sat me down, his eyes burning into my body and I felt so uncomfortable having both of us sit in silence and alone in the bathroom.

Something might come up.

Gosh! Clara thinks of something else. You literally hate this guy, you hate his gut. Now you find him likeable.

No! Attractive, that’s the word.

His hands went over my shoulder and I resisted as he tried to pull the towel. I panicked when he saw the stretch marks on my shoulder. I have always covered that up, not confident to show that up not after I have been bullied and slandered over my weight gain in high school.

“Is okay” he noticed how uncomfortable I was but his words melted me and I felt so warm like a warm cover over my insecurities. I let go and allowed him but too ashamed I covered myself up with my hands.

“Hey is fine”

“I bet you don’t want to see because is ugly”

I have been told countless times how ugly I look because of my weight gain, my heavy breasts and  my heavy laps. Never heard someone call me beautiful and now someone thinks I’m…

“You don’t have to be ashamed of your scar nor your body. It defines us and don’t let anyone make you feel less of yourself” Rowan paused pointing at the scar that ran down his upper shoulder.

“This happened when I was kid, I fell and had an iron cut me so deep and it left this mark. I was so ashamed of it for a long time till I got my confidence back. You don’t have to be ashamed of anything”

My hand majestically pulled towards running my finger over it. I was moved, swept over my feet by his words. Nobody has ever given me closure like him and the next thing he did  made my mouth drop.

He dropped a soft kiss on my stretch marks.

“You’re beautiful Clara and you have to see that too” he carried me down and made me face the mirror. I squinted my eyes shut.

“Open your eyes. Open your eyes and see how beautiful you are”

Is this a dream? I pinched myself. I have never felt less of myself. Watching myself in the mirror was like a nightmare. I couldn’t..  I couldn’t have the confidence but someone sees through me, someone accepts me even if it’s fake, someone calls me beautiful and that alone feels so amazing.

I finally opened my eyes, staring at my reflection.

“You’re an amazing person with such an incredible body. Don’t let anyone make you feel less of yourself”

Those words felt like it was all I needed to hear and then the tears that came watering my eyes and I resisted the urge not to cry, not in front of Rowan in the middle of his party but then those feelings were watched away when I heard a banging sound on the door.

“Clara, I know you’re in there. Open up” it was Celeb. What does he want this time but my question was answered when I heard a second voice following.

“Celeb knows all about your romantic infatuation on…”