Hey,

I hope everyone is staying safe and happy! Thank you to those who have favored, followed, and reviewed you are my inspiration and I appreciate each and every one of you! I appreciate you taking the time to read my story. I hope you guys liked Chapter 11. I'm a bit nervous for you to read Chapter 12. Also, I just got word today that I'm going to go back to work next week. I don't think that it will interfere with my writing, and I still plan on having this as my priority. Sorry for the late update! But, nevertheless, I hope you enjoy it!

I have posted Scarred Angel on Fanfiction, Tumblr, and Archive of our own as well. Enjoy!

Always and Forever,

Ari.

Warnings: Mentions of anxiety, bullying, physical abuse, anger issues, stress, emotional abuse, and negative thoughts.

Disclaimer: I only own my OC's and parts of the plot you do not recognize from the Twilight Saga.

Chapter 12: In Your Arms

"The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other. Yet it is in this way that love begins, and in this way only."

― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

Continued: I rubbed my eyes, freezing when I saw a dark figure slink through the woods where Paul had run off too.

I took another step forward ready to race into the woods to make sure Paul was alright. "Laryssa!" I turned to see Jared jogging towards me shirtless. "What are you doing in the rain crazy girl?" He set his hand on my shoulder, lightly pushing me towards the shelter of the porch. I wanted to fight against his hand, and chase after Paul. Once we were out of the rain he turned to me, sending me a small unsure smile. Jared glanced down at me shaking his head, flinging water at me. I wiped my

face, pulling out my keys to unlock the house. I inhaled sharply when my hands kept shaking. "Paul ran into the woods," I mumbled out, watching Jared's hand reach over mine, taking the keys from my hand. He inserted the key, opening the door. "Thank you," I whispered, walking in the house ignoring the chill.

"He's fine, don't worry." Jared tried to ease my worries. But that didn't stop me from looking out the living room window, to try and get a glimpse of him. I sighed, knowing that Jared knew him better than I did.

I walked to the linen closet, pulling out two towels so we could dry ourselves off. I pulled the smaller one over my shoulders, taking the other to Jared. He was still standing outside staring at the trees. "Jared?" He turned, his eyes focusing on my neck. I turned my head so he didn't see the marks as I held out the towel for him to take. "I have a pair of Paul's sweats. They seem about your size."

"I'm going to wait here for Paul, don't worry about me," Jared said, taking the towel and drying his face. I could see him focus back on the trees.

I nodded unable to meet his gaze. "Make yourself at home. There's food in the fridge, help yourself. If you wanna change into something warm, Paul's sweats are in the laundry room folded on the washer." I rubbed my hair absentmindedly, unsure if I should stay or go. I didn't want to be alone, but I didn't know Jared enough to know if he would be okay with me hanging around. "I'm going to be in my room." I left him standing on the porch, making my way to my room. I closed my door, peeling my wet clothes off so I didn't get sick. I picked up the shirt that Paul had given me, pulling it on inhaling his scent. I frowned when I realized mine was mixed with his. I dropped the shirt wishing it didn't smell so much like me, rummaging through my drawers for some leggings. I pulled out my dark fleece leggings, putting them on rubbing my hands over my thighs trying to warm my hands. I debated on whether or not to tie my hair up. I looked in the mirror seeing the ugly scratches on my skin. I left my hair down, hiding the marks. I kneeled reaching into my bottom drawer, pulling out a small purple bottle of pills. I opened it taking out one of the melatonin pills, swallowing it dry. I trailed over to my bed, pulling back my covers laying down wishing the pill took effect immediately so I could sleep away the rest of today. I pulled my blankets closer to my chest, staring up at the constellations. I turned, feeling a sharp pang in my chest at the memory of my dad and me, putting them up. I remembered him falling off the ladder and onto my bed, laughing loudly. The stupid memory made everything all too real. I was utterly alone and I was a fool to believe I could help raise Jay. I couldn't even take care of myself. The marks on my neck were enough validation of that. "Dad… Mom," I murmured pushing my face into my pillow, so I hid my sobs. "I need you."

2:46 p.m. Driveway of Chiago House, La Push, Washington

Paul moved towards the house, seeing Jared standing under the porch watching him with anxious eyes. He jogged up the steps taking the towel from his outstretched hand. He used it to wipe his face from the rain, staring at Jared, anger still clouding his mind. "How is she?"

He breathed in deeply knowing that he just calmed himself down and he couldn't work himself back up. She needed him and he was going to be there for her. Jared set his hand on his shoulder, a frown overtaking his face. "I heard her crying for her parents. She fell asleep fifteen minutes ago. You good?"

Paul knew that Jared was asking if he was in control. Part of him was and part of him wasn't. He wanted to know exactly what happened and who dared to put their hands on her. He had an idea, but he wanted to be sure. "No, I-" He took a deep breath trying to stop the rush of anger.

"I can't even begin to imagine what your feeling. It might help if you see her," Jared said, picking up the spare bag next to his feet. He handed it to Paul, "Change and go to her."

"I'm not in control," Paul admitted, the last thing he wanted was to hurt her or cause her even more pain.

"I'm right here," Jared set his hand on his shoulder. "I'll be right outside her door." He closed his eyes, trusting Jared to keep him from causing her harm. "Trust yourself." He let out a shuttered breath, nodding to his brother. Paul grabbed the bag, heading into her house. He rushed into the restroom changing out of his wet clothes, tossing them in the bag. He opened the door, handing the bag to Jared. Jared took it following him to the closed door. "It will be alight Paul."

He pushed open her door slowly seeing her curled into her pillow. Paul moved towards her silently, sitting beside her bed. Paul rested his hand on top of hers, frowning when he felt how cold she was. He pulled her blanket up, covering their hands, frowning when he noticed her wet hair. "You can go," Paul murmured, keeping his eyes on her. He felt calm as soon as he had touched her skin. Jared didn't bother to ask him if he was sure. He could hear him pulling out one of the kitchen chairs, and how it creaked under his weight. "I'm sorry I left. I didn't want to hurt you," Paul rested his head on her bed, unable to keep his eyes off of her. He couldn't see the scratches and maybe it was a good thing. "I'm here now, Laryssa, and I'm not going anywhere."

11:43 p.m. Inside Chiago House, La Push, Washington

I shifted feeling hot at all of the blankets piled on top of me. Slowly I opened my eyes, glancing at the alarm clock next to my bed. Pushing my head back into my pillow with a quiet groan when I realized I didn't sleep the rest of the day away and I was only shy of seventeen minutes. Just my freaking luck.

I turned to my other side, freezing when I heard a snore. I sat up immediately reaching over to turn on the lamp beside my bed. There wasn't a need for Jay to sleep on my floor, I was alright. I shut my eyes quickly when the light flooded the room. Blinking a few times, I faltered seeing Paul's face instead of my brothers, resting on his arm propped on the edge of my bed. "What are you doing," I whispered, as I reached over stroking his cheek without thinking. His eyes shot open startling me, so I jerked back almost falling off my bed. Paul lunged grabbing my shirt so I didn't tumble off the bed. I knocked my nose against his face, steadying myself on his shoulders. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Baby," Paul sighed, quickly pulling me into his arms. I tensed before I relaxed in his warm embrace. I wrapped my arms around him loosely, inhaling his calming woodsy scent. His hand rested on the back of my head as he kept me to him. "I'm sorry."

I pulled back so I could look at him. I didn't understand why he was apologizing or why he was still with me. "There isn't a need for your-"

"I left you and -"

I put my hand on his mouth stopping the rest of his unnecessary apology, resting my forehead against his. "You didn't do anything wrong." I let my hand drop, running my hand through my hair moving it away from my face. "Are you okay?"

"You're asking me that," He murmured skeptically, brushing my hair away from my neck staring at the scratches. "Will you tell me what happened?"

I looked down at my lap covering the scratches with my hair, wanting to know what happened with him before I went into what happened with me. "You ran into the woods and I saw a shadow, I just wanted to make sure you are okay."

Paul's hand cupped my cheek, pulling my face up so I could look into his eyes. "I saw your neck, I couldn't control my anger and I didn't want you to see that. So I had to clear my head."

His fingers trailed to my neck and I flinched away, closing my eyes. "I'm sorry I-"

"Don't apologize, Laryssa, I understand." My eyes shot open to stare at him. "I should've asked," His voice sounded calm, but his eyes told a different story. It was like a tiny string held the gates together and I didn't want to be the one to break it. Every so often I would feel his hand on my back shake and I had come to know him enough to recognize the shake of his hand was a sign that he was on edge. "I'm okay, I'm just worried about you and I couldn't just leave you."

I let out a shaky breath, knowing that he wasn't going to hurt me. He was probably one of the last people that would hurt me. "Cody, he put his hand around my throat this morning and I kneed him to get away." I watched him seeing anger flash across his face. "Then he came to the lunch table and I told him that if he bothered me he was going to regret it. He said he can do whatever he wants and he's not scared of my threats." I flexed my hand feeling the slight soreness in my knuckles. "So, I said it wasn't a threat but a promise and he called me a stupid bitch, so I punched him." I glanced at my knuckles, wincing slightly. I knew I punched right since I remembered not to tuck my thumb, and I didn't expect my hand to bruise.

"He's not ever gonna get near you again," He growled out, his gaze shot down to my hand, picking it up gently. "He's going to regret ever breathing near you," He examined it closely, brushing his fingers against my knuckles. "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me."

I felt his body start to shake and I pulled his face so that he was looking at me. He refused to meet my gaze and I wasn't having it. I didn't want him to feel the need to apologize for something that wasn't his fault. "Paul, look at me." I pulled my hand from his grasp, holding his face tightly in my hands. "Look. At. Me." His eyes flashed to mine and I saw that the tiny string had broken and everything he was feeling rose to the surface. I shoved my guilt to the side focusing on him, "The only person to blame is Cody Rivers. Just him." I stared at him brushing my fingers against his cheeks. "I'm not saying that the anger you feel is invalid, but please don't apologize." I sighed feeling his shaking start to subside. "You did nothing wrong." I pushed my forehead against his, keeping his eyes, "You have always been there for me. Even when you hardly knew me." I pulled back keeping his face in my hands and I felt warmth rush through my body when I realized that he stayed even though he didn't have too. "I need you right now and here you are." I felt his arms wrap around my back. "I took care of him."

"Can I," He asked, his eyes darting to my neck. I hesitated before I let his face go. Slowly I gathered my tangled hair, pulling it away from the scratches. Even though I said the only person to blame was Cody, I was part of the blame. I should've done something earlier so it didn't come to this. Paul kept his eyes on me, as his hand trailed up to my neck. I clenched my teeth when I felt his fingers on the marks. "Do you want me to stop?" I closed my eyes, shaking my head. I trusted him and I didn't like that I was associating him with Cody. He wasn't Cody. His fingers trailed up to cup my cheek. "C'mere." I rested on his shoulder, curling myself closer to him.

"Is your dad gonna be upset since you didn't go home," I questioned after I saw the clock change to 12:06. I didn't want him to get in trouble, and I didn't want him to leave either. Paul shifted on my bed so that we were lying facing each other. My eyes trailed up to his hair, seeing a small twig in his hair. I didn't know how I missed it earlier. I reached out, plucking it out of his hair, setting it on the nightstand behind me.

"No, he's still in Seattle," Paul set his hand on my hair, his fingers lightly scratching my scalp.

I moved closer to him, tentatively setting my hand on his side. "Will…" I grimaced hating that I couldn't ask him five simple words. I glanced behind him trying to raise the courage to ask him to stay with me. He already stayed with me for this long, what was a few more hours. Except he had school tomorrow and I didn't. "Will you stay with me," I whispered, hating that I was being too selfish. I didn't want to be alone and that was overtaking the thought of him needing to go to school. I closed my eyes gritting my teeth, I would be okay by myself. "Neverm-"

"I wasn't planning on going anywhere," Paul said, causing my eyes to shoot open. I stared at him, feeling his hand trail to my cheek. "You seemed shocked. Is it alright that I stayed?"

"Of course. I just… I know you have school tomorrow and I-" I struggled to get my thoughts out, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden rush of heartwarming emotions.

"I'm not going to go anywhere," Paul moved to press a kiss to my forehead, his hand pressing against my lower back. "As for school. I'd much rather stay with you."

I moved closer to him, lifting my head when he put his arm down. I rested my cheek on his bicep, feeling how warm he was. "You can't just miss school for that. I don't want to be a reason for why you aren't going." I closed my eyes when I felt his fingers run up and down on my back. He was so warm I just wanted to go to sleep. But if I went to sleep then he wouldn't go to school, which didn't seem like a bad thing. I opened my eyes, tilting my head back to look at him. "I feel like you're trying to put me to sleep."

He hummed, a small smile making its way onto his face. "Is it working babe?" I smiled back, pushing my hand against his chest. "It's just one day."

"Mhm," I let my head rest against his arm again and I put my hand on his cheek. I couldn't get enough of the skin to skin contact and I hoped that he wasn't bothered by it. "Does this bother you?" I asked, letting my thumb, stroke his cheek. I wanted to know. Paul quirked an eyebrow moving closer. "When I touch you constantly?" I clarified, my eyes feeling droopy again, I didn't realize that I was still tired.

"No, it feels nice," Paul said, yawning. I peered at the circles under his eyes, the guilt starting to chip away at me for keeping him awake. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea if he stayed with me. I could make sure that he slept. "Does it bother you?"

"No, it brings me comfort when I'm in your arms," I answered quickly, moving my hand from his cheek to trace his back like I had done when I had taken a nap with him. "Get some sleep babe," The word felt awkward on my tongue, but it was worth it when I saw his grin.

"Does that mean I can stay with you tomorrow," Paul pulled me so that I was flush against him. I relaxed into his hold, burrowing closer to him, smiling in content at how soft his shirt was. I sighed wondering if I should just back down and stick to my guns. "Laryssa, it's one day. Baby please." I already knew that I was a pushover, but for this man I was puddy. With the pet names and the soft touches, I was a goner.

"This once?" I asked, letting what was left of my resolve crumble.

"Yes," He confirmed, with another kiss to my forehead. Before he started moving, untangling himself from me. I grabbed his hand to stop him as he started getting up like he was going to leave. "I'm not going anywhere. It's just hot." I averted my eyes when he pulled off his shirt quickly. I fought with the blush that warmed my cheeks when he got back on my bed. I knew deep down that he wanted to see me blush and part of me didn't want him to stop trying to make me blush. I peeked at him from under my lashes seeing him grinning at me. "Like what you see?"

I rolled my eyes at him, knowing damn well that he knew I did. "Yeah," I grinned, tugging him on the bed. "You tease me too much." I laughed when he laid me back hovering over me. I reached up playing with the back of his hair. "You need to sleep."

Paul leaned down pushing his lips to mine. I closed my eyes, holding him close to me. I didn't have any doubts about him caring about me. He stayed with me even while I slept, comforted me when I had doubts, he held me close when I was scared, and he made me smile when I was down. I pulled away, staring up at him feeling my heart swell in my chest. How did I manage to get lucky to have someone like him wanting to be with me?

"I'm not tired," He looked as if he caught his second wind from a simple kiss. I narrowed my eyes at him, a small grin made its way onto his face. "You slept for a while and you're not tired?"

I felt more awake after his lips touched mine, but I wasn't going to budge on him going to sleep. "You're not gonna get me to budge, even if I really like kissing you." I wished that I could've taken my words back as soon as I had said them to him when I saw his smirk. He leaned down again and I laughed, turning my head so his lips connected with my cheek. "Not gonna happen," I closed my eyes feeling his lips trail down to my neck. I shivered holding onto my willpower, feeling his smirk. "Paul, you need sleep."

Paul moved back up staring back at me, leaning down to brush his nose against mine. "I want you to know that yesterday, will never happen again. I will never let anyone hurt you ever again." I blinked rapidly feeling tears well up in my eyes. I pulled him down to me, taking his weight until he maneuvered us so that way I was laying on him. "I could've crushed you."

"You don't have to protect me," I sat up, staring down at him, ignoring his comment about crushing me.

Paul sat up quickly, "Laryssa I have no doubt that you can protect yourself." He pulled my hand up, kissing my knuckles. "Just think of me as extra muscle."

I sent him a small smile, "I'd rather think of you as my boyfriend."

"That too," Paul's hand trailed against my back. "But I mean every word I said. I've got you."

I stared at him seeing him stare at me with his beautiful brown eyes. "I know," I put my hand against his heart. "Just so you know, I've got you too," I leaned forward, kissing both of his cheeks softly, "Let's go to sleep."

Paul huffed, leaning back taking me with him. "Why do you always try and get me to go to sleep?" I shifted off of him, tucking myself into his side. For some reason, he didn't seem to want to go to sleep. "I sleep a lot."

"I don't believe you." I yawned tracing figure eights into his skin. "You have bags under your eyes, and you yawn a lot." Paul turned to squeeze my side playfully as he tossed his arm over me. "Sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams Laryssa," He pulled me tighter, burying his face into my hair. I smiled into his chest, feeling his warmth cocoon me into sleep.

Let me know what you guys think!

Edited on June 5, 2020.