It's What's Underneath the Skin; the Beauty that Shines Within

Once I got home from driving around I parked my car in the garage and headed inside. I found Tanner and Kylee being all lovey on the couch and I sent them a weak smile.

“Kirstie!” Kylee buzzed.

“Yeah?”

“Tanner and I are back together,” She grinned.

“Aw, I’m happy for you guys,” I told them.

“Thanks,” Tanner smiled.

I just grinned before going upstairs and flopping on my bed. Only a minute later I heard the door open.

“Hey, are you alright?” I heard Ky ask.

“Yep, I’m fine,” I mumbled.

“Kirstie,” She sighed, coming to sit by me. “You are the worst liar I have ever met in my life. What’s really going on.”

“I’m scared,” I mumbled.

“Of what?” Kylee asked.

“Kendall,” I cried. “We got in an argument and I was so scared. The look in his eyes made me think of…”

“Aw Kirstie,” She cooed, wrapping her arms around me and letting me cry. She knew what I was going to say and just thinking of it upset me.

“Hey Kylee,” I heard Tanner’s voice say.

She stood up as she asked what and he replied, “Kendall is here.”

I grabbed the blanket on my bed and pulled it over me, covering my head so I didn’t have to see him.

“Ky, tell him to leave,” I said from under the blanket.

“I don’t think I can do that,” She replied.

“Why not?” I asked.

“Because I’m already here,” I heard Kendall’s voice say.

Tanner and Kylee must have left because I heard the door close but I knew Kendall didn’t.

“Please go away,” I said.

“Not until you talk to me,” He said while pulling the blanket off my head. “I’m sorry I yelled at you sweetheart. I just got upset and for the exact reason you said, because I did want her to be with James. I knew how much James liked her but she is happier with Tanner and it’s better this way, and I’m sorry I got mad.”

“That’s okay,” I mumbled.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” Kendall asked, scooting closer to me but I just pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I shook my head.

“Kirstie, I don’t know what’s going on, I need you to tell me,” He softly prodded.

“No one else but my family knows,” I said as tears built in my eyes. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“Of course,” Kendall replied, rubbing my back.

“I got upset because I was…scared,” I started, wiping a few tears away. “When I saw you get angry it reminded me of…my dad. When I was younger and my dad would get mad at me he’d… hit me. Sometimes it would get pretty bad, he even did it to my step mom a few times. That’s why I clung so much to her, she understood what I was going through and helped me. That’s why Kylee hates him so much.”

“Kirstie, why didn’t you tell me?” He cooed.

“He’s gotten better and toward my later teen years he stopped and I have just tried to….block it out. I did pretty good too until our fight. I guess it just brought back a lot of bad memories that I haven’t thought of or dealt with in a long time and I kind of freaked,” I explained.

“Baby,” Kendall softly said, pulling me into his lap and cradling me tightly. “I’m so sorry but I can promise you no matter how mad I may get or if we argue, I will never, ever, ever do that to you or anyone else.”

“I know you won’t Kendall, I love you,” I told him through my sniffles, feeling protected in his arms.

“I love you too Kirstie and I promise you won’t ever get hurt like that again,” He said, planting kisses on my head.

I just cuddled up to him tighter and let him comfort me. I know Kendall wouldn’t ever hurt me but I was just afraid and I haven’t dealt with those feelings really ever, I just stored them away but I think Kendall is the one who can help me.