"Oh, man..." I whispered nervously under my breath. I began to fiddle with the edge of the dress I'd been forced to wear. I had put on tons of concealer on my arm, but it wasn't hiding the scar as well as I hoped.
        "Hey, don't worry. You probably won't stink up the whole place." Thomas 'reassured', patting me on the back.
        "Thanks for the boost of confidence." I scoffed sarcastically, preparing to go out into the bright lights.
        Hours of dancing and singing felt like mere minutes as my heart fluttered and sang along with me. I felt almost like I was flying. And Thomas, oh my god, Thomas! He was amazing. His dancing, singing, acting! It was all on point and as perfect as the movies, maybe even better. When the play ended, we all went out and took a bow. When we stood back up, all of the investors (and the rest of the class watching) were on their feet. We took a final bow then walked off stage. I was smiling wider than I ever had in my entire life because for once, my past wasn't weighing on me.
        "Drinks?" I heard from across the room.I slid in with all of my friends. Alex, John, Laf, Herc, Peggy, Eliza and Angelica were all about to head out to celebrate.
        "Hell yes!" I exclaimed, receiving laughs from everyone else around me.
        "Actually... I was wondering if I could steal (Y/n) from you for a little while." Thomas interjected, draping his arm over my shoulders. I stiffened up, completely unprepared for the sudden action.
        "What? Of course no-"
        "Yes, go ahead." Eliza stated, interrupting Alex's previous exclamation. I was confused, as anyone probably would be, but I couldn't ask any clarifying questions as Thomas took this as his cue to leave with me.
        We were driving. We had been for a while. The ride went by in silence, not one of us talked for even a second. I was starting to get worried until he finally pulled into a park.
        "We're here." Thomas told me, exiting the car. I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out as well, following close behind. We stopped at a bench and he sat down, gesturing for me to sit.
        "Thomas, why did you-"
        "How'd you get that scar?" Thomas asked, not looking at me. I flinched and began to subconsciously rub my arm.
        "It's not important... why did you take me here?" I asked, trying to push his question away.
        "I wanted to make sure you were okay. You seem so upset most of the time... and I wanted to get to know you better." He finally turned to me, his eyes soft and saddened. I felt almost like anything I said would make him cry.
        "Thomas, it doesn't-"
        "Bullshit."
        "What?"
        "I said 'bullshit'. Something's wrong and... I understand." He nearly whispered.
        "You understand!? You understand!? Now I'm calling bullshit! How could you possibly understand!?" I shouted, standing up. I knew I shouldn't have yelled, but there was no way he had any clue what I'd been through.
        "Because it happened to me, too, okay!?" He was looking down now, his fluffy hair covering his face. I saw a couple tears drop onto the fabric of his jeans before he reched one of his hands up to cover his eyes. Every tense part of me felt like melted butter and my heart sank lower than ever before. ' He was crying. Crying because I hurt him...' He shook with whispered sobs that he didn't dare allow to truly exit him.
        "T-Thomas... I-"
        "I saw it Alexander, too... he wouldn't let me help him. I knew his friends could, but... he despised me. I suppose that made it was pointless to try anyway, huh?" He laughed a little bit in the midst of his sobs. I lept onto him, hugging him tight, my face pressed into his stomach.
        "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have been so harsh with you... if you're still willing to tell me, I'm willing to listen." I mumbled into his stomach. Thomas slid his hand over my head.
        "Well... when I was 14, my father got... very sick. He was sent to a doctor and they tried to help him get better, but... they couldn't. My mother died of "apoplexy" (that's what Thomas Jefferson (IRL) refereed to it, so... yeah.) about three months before I sent in my entrance form for the college. I did it for her because... sh-she had always wanted a good education for me." He explained. I never knew, I never would have known. He was always so calm and composed... how did he do it?
        "Thomas... you're a real inspiration, y'know? You're always so composed... it's been almost a year since anything has happened to me and, well... you get it." I tried to laugh but it just came out as a pained chuckle.
        "(Y/n)... you don't have to tell me anything, but... if you tell me, I promise you'll feel better..." Thomas mumbled. I remember Alex told me something like that once. I remembered the pity in everyone's eyes... but then I remembered the eyes of the audience. None of that mattered anymore. Only who I was right then.
        "Thomas... I will... but I need you to make a promise." I finally said, rising to my feet. I felt like crumbling back to the ground, pretending I wasn't there... but that wasn't an option right now. Thomas took my hands in his.
        "Anything, love... you name it."
        "I don't... want you to see me any differently. Pretend like nothing has changed... okay?"
        "(Y/n), I could never look at you differently. I promise. No matter what you will always be the same to me." He announced, squeezing my hands gently. I sighed, walking over to sit on the bench again. My heart was beating faster than ever before and everything seemed to be spinning. I took a deep breath and started my long explanation.
        "It started when I was about five... my mother left me and my father alone late one night. She didn't leave a note, she didn't say goodbye, she was just gone. After that, my father started drinking. He was rarely home so my big brother had to learn to take care of us. He was only 12. Then, one morning, the police knocked upon our door. He told us that... that my father had tossed himself off a bridge not two hours ago. My brother rushed off, leaving me alone with the officer. They asked if I had any other family. I told him about my brother, but he wasn't old enough. So, I ended up in the foster care system. They were going to take my brother, too... but he was long gone by the time they reached his room. I was in the orphanage for a long time. All the kids I met were nice, as were the parents. Then, two months after my 7th birthday, I was finally adopted by two mothers along with a child I'd grown rather attached to named Molly. They cared about Molly more than me, but at least they cared. They sent me to school and gave me a good education. School just led to more pain, though. I dated someone in 6th grade who had to move to Canada. The next person I was with was in the same grade, a few months later and... they just got really sick, and..." I brought my arm up to wipe my eyes, "and-and then... I just kept trying. There was one whose parents hated me, another one left me alone at a dance, but... now... the most recent person I ever dated... we were in a car a-and he was driving and it was raining and late and-and h-he j-just... I can't... I can't love anymore..." I hugged myself, sobbing pitifully. Why did I do this to myself? Why couldn't I just bottle it all up? How could I do this?... I was about to get up and leave, try to switch schools again... maybe try again... when Thomas' strong arms wrapped around the whole of me.
        "(Y/n)?... I-... I couldn't bare it when you left..." Thomas whispered into my ear gently. What was he talking about?
        "I couldn't bare the thought of you leaving and... it hurt me to think that I may never see you again... so don't leave anymore... please..." He was shaking with sobs again. I couldn't bare to see him this way.
        "I won't..." I said softly, rubbing his head. "I promise..."

Sorry about the picture. I couldn't find anything that matched the chapter.