Tangled Love

"Let me show you something."

I nod and watch in silence as Tobias walks to the end of my bed. He breathes in deeply as if he's debating whether he's making the right choice or not. I wait patiently, wondering what it is he wants to show me.

He bites the corner of his lip before his fingers find the hem of his shirt. He begins to pull it over his head and I stop him midway, my eyes widening.

"Tobias, what are you doing?"

He carries on, completely ignoring my question. I watch, my eyebrows scrunched up in confusion as he pulls his shirt over his head, the muscles in his stomach flexing. My eyes travelled down to where his jeans hung dangerously low. I avert my eyes, feeling all kinds of wrong.

"Tobias, get dressed." I demand, keeping my eyes away from his body. I hear him sigh and walk towards me, his shoes padding softly on the floor.

"Emily, look at me."

I turn my face towards him, my jaw clenched with frustration. I lose all anger as my eyes meet his, they held such vulnerability in them. A glossy sheen covers his eyes as if he's on the verge of breaking down right here.

"Look," he said firmly, pointing at a section on his body. I inhale deeply before glancing in the direction of his fingers. A sharp gasp escapes my mouth and I finally understand what he wants to show me.

His finger points at his chest, close to where his heart is located. It's hard to see at quick glance but when you look closely, it's clear as day. Underneath a tribal tattoo etched onto his skin is a scar. A circular scar that dipped deep into his skin. It's an ugly white colour, a sign it had been there for years.

"Is that a — "

"A bullet scar."

His jaw completely clenches, his face as icy as stone. My hand shoots up to my mouth as I examine it closely in awe. My other hand reaches towards it but I stop in mid air —

"Can I touch it?" I ask quietly and he simply nods at me, giving me his approval. The second my hand makes contact, I feel him breathe in deeply.

up as I run my fingers gently over the scar, feeling

at him. His hair falls over his eyes as

missed my heart by

 scared. He takes my hand in his and places it directly over

so can you.

lump in my throat as I realise he's been

He opens his mouth to respond but instead the sound

the scene in front of him. Tobias immediately let go of my hand and it drops to my side from the sudden release. He takes a step back, holding his hands up in the air. I watch as his

"It's not what it seems,

His eyes had turned completely dark, filled with fire. His face turned towards me as

I watched his head slowly turn back towards Tobias, his lips curling up into a hateful sneer.

"What. The. Fuck. Are.

stood up on my body. I opened my mouth to speak

"It's not what it looks like, let him explain" I managed to croak out and Jake's head snapped towards me, eyes

either!" He snapped at me, his voice rising threateningly. I retreated backwards, completely taken aback at his harsh words. His head snapped towards Tobias who was

in my stomach. Everything happens in slow motion

My eyes shut tightly as his fist comes hurtling towards me and I brace myself for the impact,

Moments pass and nothing happens . . .

can't feel any

I breathe erratically. Jake stands in front of me, so close that our faces are almost touching. His eyes are wide and his fists are by his sides, shaking uncontrollably. I feel my heart crumble at the pain in his face, his eyes full of vulnerability. I

"It wasn't like that, I swear to you." I breathe out. He doesn't respond, a glazed over expression on his

the bed. His face remains emotionless, cold as stone. I have to force him to sit, pushing down on his shoulders before taking a seat next to him

you." He whispers, his voice trembling.

you

you stand in his way?"