"If anything says something, I'll beat them up. You look so beautiful. I know you hate your scars, but I have grown to love them."
I look to Mark, "why?"
"I know you see them as a loss. I have seen them as a second chance. They are there so you could be here now... with me."
Mark's expression looks depressing. He wraps his arms around my waist and buries his head in my neck. After resisting his embrace, I drop my facade and hug him tight. I hadn't notice that I was crying until, Mark had leaned back and wiped my eyes.
"When will this pain go away?"
Mark put a hand to the side of my face. "I wish I could take this pain away."
I look into his eyes, "serious Mark doesn't suite you."
He laughs and pats my head, "that's my Talla."
"Mark will you stay by me?"
He gives a loving smile, "until my last breath."
Those were similar to the words that my parents said in their last moments. From him, it didn't cause a moment of PTSD to arise like it had in the past. When hearing those words in a movie or tv show, I would have moments that were overwhelming. Mark's parents or my roommate would always call him and Connor to my side. Mark though would always take me in his arms and whisper the same thing.
"I will always be here for you."
Mark grabbed my hand and led the way to the campus pool. Connor was helping one of the coaches at the grill. Willow and Emma were already in the pool. I had notice many volleyball players in as well. I tightened the hold on Mark's hand. I see the director's stare across the pool. I knew she was waiting to see the decision I had made.
"Pool or food first?"
Before I could answer Connor was in between us. He grabbed both of our hands and drug us to a few sunbathing chairs. "Come on it's a pool party."
Mark have a stern look to Connor. "Hey be patient with Tal. You know how self conscious she is about the accident."
I notice they both turned to me, but I had stopped listening. I kicked off my sandals and grabbed the T-shirt Mark had given me. I pulled it off revealing my new bikini. I had heard a few gasps, but focused my eyes on Mark. Him being the crazy impulsive person he is, walked up and kissed me deeply.
"Thank you." I finally breathed out.
"Talla...."
"Yeah?" I turned to see the libro for the team. "What's up, Alexa?"
She rubbed her neck, "have you always had those..."
Mark wrapped his hand in mine again, "since I before I came here yes."
"Can I ask...um...what um.....happened?"
I shrug, "someone had attacked my family and I. My markings are better than what happened to my family."
"I'm so sorry Talla."
Another girl walks up, "does it hurt?"
Mark pulls me against his chest. "It has been a long time since it had happened. Tal has healed completely in the physical sense."
"Is that what I think it is?"
Mark protectively looks in the guys direct. "What do you think it is?"
He laughs, "on her hip."
"Don't look at her hip!"
I burst out laughing. "You mean my soulmate mark? Haha."
"What's so funny about that huh?" Mark grits out.
I look up at him over my shoulder, "it's just that out of all the things I thought people would notice....I didn't think they would notice my soulmate marking."
Mark smiles at the happiness on my face. "Well it's a good thing they see it, because you're all mine! That's right boys the hottest girl here is practically married."
I snort and without hesitating push Mark into the pool. A roar of laughter fills the pool area. I quickly head to one of the diving boards. Mark looks up at me and I flash him a triumphant smile. I jump into a front flip off the diving board. Mark races to me as my head pops above the water.
"Don't do anything you will regret mark."
He chuckles guiltily. "Will you punish me if I do?"
I pull him to me. "Don't be so unbearable."
"Whoa will you look at that?"
My eyes look to the edge of the pool. "Yeah that's gross."
Mark looks up following my gaze. "What's wrong Tall...?"
"Mark this is your soulmate? I thought Talla was hot, but that pink scarring is so unsightly."
Mark gets out of the water. I follow suit and stand in front of the offending parties. Mark was seething. I could feel the anger radiating off him, but I really wasn't angry. The loss of my parents is worse than this. Sure it hurts, but not as bad as how I got those scars.
"Are you upset, Talla?"
The other guy steps closer. "How did you get to be so popular looking like that? Also getting a soulmate as popular as Mark. How did you trick fate into that?" Mark stepped forward, but I stopped him. "Mark how could you accept her? I never thought you could be that stupid."
"You know I have suffered way more pain than you could ever give me. I normally don't mind such slander, but it bugs me more that you are taking your insecurities out on Mark. Keep talking and I'll shut you up myself."
The director walks in between us. "Talla, I will give you a warning that if you attack I can't stand by....unless it's in defense. For you boys, you are already prohibited from clubs, sports and all extracurricular activities. I will not stand by as you blatantly disrespect other students."
"I'll get you back for this."