Page 163 of Love Unwritten

After listening to her “Silver Scars” song last night, I know exactly why she sticks to the sidelines, and the idea of her continuing to avoid activities because of her scars, despite clearly wanting to join us, upsets me.

I should have known there was a good reason why Ellie refused to go in the water. Originally, I thought it was because she couldn’t swim, but clearly that isn’t the case.

I should have connected the dots myself after she told me about her scars and self-harm, but I didn’t realize just how much it all affected her mentally until I heard her sing that song.

I don’t want her to hide from me.

Once Nico disappears into his room to answer a video call from my aunt, Ellie moves toward hers to get dressed, but I stop her before she disappears inside.

She blinks up at me with a face. “What?”

“Do you know how to swim?”

“Of course I know how to—” She looks at me with a pinched expression. “Wait. Why are you asking?”

I fail to hide my smile. “Do you trust me?”

Her eyes narrow. “What’s with the interrogation?”

“Just answer me.” The urge to tuck a strand of her golden hair behind her ear becomes too great to ignore. I wish I had a flower too, solely so I could have another reason to touch her while tucking it behind her ear.

Now that’s an idea.

“Yes.” She sighs. “I trust you.”

“Will you do something for me, then?”

“What?”

“Will you join us today? In the water.”

Her panic-stricken face makes my heart squeeze uncomfortably in my chest. “I thought we had an agreement.”

Back when I reluctantly invited her on the trip months ago, she made her stance on swimming and water activities clear, and I was more than willing to go along with her request.

Until now.

I don’t want Ellie to spend the rest of our trip hiding her scars. To me, they’re beautiful because they represent what she has overcome in life, and I’ll continue to make that point known until she finally believes me.

“It could be fun,” I say.

“Nico will ask questions.”

“I’m okay with that, but only if you are too.”

She bites down on her bottom lip. “What if he looks at me differently?”

“He won’t. He may be curious because he’s only a kid, but he would never judge you or treat you differently because I taught him better than that.”

Her head dips toward her chest, so I tuck my hand under her chin and lift it until our eyes meet.

“Trust me on this?”

With a single nod of her head, she offers me a gift I plan on protecting from here on out.

Her trust.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE