The next day is Saturday and the Shaw's want to take us hiking at the nearby waterfall. When we get out of the car we gather up our backpacks and gear for the day. Both of the Shaw's and even Hayden seem really big on hiking. Mrs. Shaw stated that it is good for the soul to get fresh air and to connect with Mother Earth.

By mid-noon we reach the waterfall. Waterfalls are like some kind of majestic wonders of the world. There is so much water rushing down the mountain-side all the way down to the bottom into a pool of water. Just freaking amazing it takes my breath away.

Mrs. Shaw pulls out a blanket and then we all sit down to eat sandwiches and chips with an ice cold bottle of water. Sitting by the waterfall is really breathtaking, listening to the sounds coming down and crashing over some of the rocks.

After we eat we all sit there in peace letting the sun beat down on us.

"I think I'm gonna go for a quick swim, wanna come?" asks Hayden.

I look into the water and say nervouly, "I don't know it looks kinda scary."

"What come on the water feels great." Then he runs to another rock and jumps in. I watch as he goes under and bobs back up.

I pull off my shorts and then my top exposing my one piece bathing suit. I know many girls my age probably wear a two-piece but I have a few scars that I wish not to expose to the world. I look over at Hayden in the water, noticing that he is trying not to look at me, however he does steal a few quick glances. I walk over to the rock and jump in. He is right the water feels incredible on my warm sticky skin.

We swim far from the rocks from where the Shaw's were still laying down, baking in the hot sun.

"You know most guys don't swim with a shirt on."

"Really you don't say. Well most girls your age don't wear a one piece suit."

"Some do and I happen to be one of them." I snicker.

"Well ok, but I'm not like most guys either you know."

"No I guess you're not." I jump up on his shoulders and dunk his head under the water.

"Oh no you didn't just do that."

I try to swim away but he grabs me before I know it and pickes me up and literally dunks me in the water.

Instead of coming straight back up, I swim under the water reaching the far end closer to the waterfall. When I come up I hear him yelling my name. I watch as he dives in and then back up looking for me.

"Libby where are you, Lib, Lib, Dammit Star come on where did you go, where are you?" He yells.

After a few seconds of watching I finally yell at him, "Hey you looking for me."

"Ohmygod! Dammit don't you do that to me; you scared the shit out me girl," he says really upset.

"Sorry, I didn't mean too."

I watch as he swims over to me. His arm muscles so tight a few veins popping out exposing themselves with ever push against the water...Damn he takes my breath away. When he finally is in front of me I flick him with the water and he gasps.

"Hey watch it."

"Sorry again, please forgive me."

"Flicking me with water is fine, however I thought you were hurt, don't scare me like that. I was yelling and looking and you were nowhere." He sounds more upset than he is mad.

"I said I was sorry, I really didn't mean to scare you."

I feel his hand touch my hand under the water, intertwine his fingers within mine. I watch him as he looks back to where the Shaw's are laying down and then he slowly looks back at me.

When he looks back at me, his eyes are so sincere and he pulls me into him and he kisses me. I suddenly find my arms  around his neck. His arms come around my waist and the water surrounding us is like bonding us together.

"God your beautiful!" he whispers.

"So are you." I smile back at him.

He pulls away from me.

"What? What did I say?" I look at him in confusion.

"Lib, I'm not good looking in anyway. I mean really look at me. I'm a freak of nature thanks to my dad." He turns and gesturws to his neck. "So you can't possible mean that I look good."

"Well I do mean it!" I place my hand on his cheek and turn his head to get a really good look at the scar. "This is nothing, you are handsome, don't let this rule you."

"Lib, you have no idea you only see a part of this, you just don't see it."

"So show me."

I watch him as he debates on whether or not to show me.

"You'll go away, they all do. I'll show you and you won't be able to handle it. Believe me you'll have nothing to do with me again."

"Bullshit, try me." I wait and he doesn't respond. "You know what you're probably right I might leave not because of this though." I rub my hand against his shirt then reach up and tap him on the head lightly. "But because of this. And I can't fall in love with you if you never let me in." I start to swim away.

"Wait dammit, just wait a minute. Look it's just every time someone sees me I hear all these questions barking at me. And these girls that I have tried to date in the past they just can't handle it. They either start crying or they look at me like I'm this poor little boy. I don't want their pity and I don't want yours and I can't stand to see you cry."

"How will you ever know what I would do if you never show me?"

"Fine, but I warned you." He reaches down and grabs the bottom of his shirt and pulls it up over his head, taking it all the way off.

He was right it does look horrific, ripples of leathery skin all down the whole left side. It goes farther down his side but his shorts are hiding the rest. I hold my breath while taking it all in.

"Can I touch you?" I ask as I am in the process of reaching out towards him.

He nods yes.

I run my fingers along the scar tissue feeling the crevasses. The third degree burn was caused by the oil that his father had intentionally meant for his mom but he had gotten in the way. The skin that use to be baby smooth was now damaged forever. The skin was different shades of browns; some areas looked a little better where they had attempted the skin grafts. I want to cry for him but I won't in front of him. How could a father be so cruel, even if it was meant for his mother?

"Most of the nerves were destroyed so I can't feel you touching me in some of the areas."

"Does it hurt?" I know dumb question but it looks so painful.

"Not anymore, at first I felt most of it and some parts were so burned it destroyed the majority of the nerves. However the parts that I could feel was very painful I was in the hospital for a long time."

"Hayden."

"Yeah!"

I look up into his eyes and tell him, "I think you're still beautiful."

"Lib!"

"No stop, you're my beautiful freak of nature this doesn't change anything, besides I love what's on the inside....your soul and heart." I touch his chest with both hands.

"Oh really you don't say."

"I do say and the sound of your heart beating is what I love the most." I smile at him.

I then reach up and kiss him and get close enough to whisper, "Thanks for showing me; it means a lot to me."

I quickly back away from him when I spot Mr. Shaw sitting up and looking at us. I wonder if he saw us kissing.