Ugly

By Sam Crescent

In every element of her life, even before she was born, Blake Carson has failed. She isn’t a boy, she isn’t pretty, she doesn’t fit in—she is ugly. That is what she believes. All of her faults make her ugly.

Then he comes along. Logan Black has met ugly head on, and lived to tell the tale. Now he has moved to West County, to get away from both his father and the pain of the past. He never expected to meet his future, but there she sits in the cafeteria at school, accepting everyone’s judgment, and worse, believing them.

But Logan knows she isn’t ugly. She isn’t a failure, and he is about to show her another way. He is determined to be her friend—and more.

Then a fight brings his father to town, and Logan runs, taking Blake with him. But they can’t run forever, and when an accident leaves them no choice, they have to head home and face the consequences of what they did. Can their love survive the real ugly in the world?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Aug 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781772339482

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Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2016 Sam Crescent

ISBN: 978-1-77233-948-2

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Karyn White

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

To Teddy, you came into my life, and gave me so much love, and then was gone before I even realized it. Thank you for at least showing me how damn important it is to spend time loving. It broke my heart losing you, but I will always have my memories. Rest in peace, buddy.

Teddy is the rabbit I adopted, and left me so fast. I never knew grief like this. I thought it was crazy, crying over my rabbit. I want to thank everyone on Facebook, on my blog, for their kind words, and their complete understanding. Your words of love, and support meant so much to me.

UGLY

Sam Crescent

Copyright © 2016

Chapter One

Do you want some help, Dad? Blake Carson asked.

Her dad was working on the engine of his car in the driveway of their house in the little quaint village of West County.

He glanced up, staring at her. She saw his frown, and his lips pressed together.

No.

It was a simple word, and yet it was loaded with so much heartache, at least to her. Being an only child, Blake was aware her father wanted a son. There had been complications with her birth, and now her mother couldn’t have any more kids, so he wouldn’t be having a son. All they had was Blake. And she was such a disappointment to him. He’d never outright said it. She had only heard his yearning when it came to wanting a son.

Oh, okay.

Blake, shouldn’t you be in school? He was still frowning, but this had to be the most he’d ever spoken to her in a single morning. Actually, not so much. She did recall times when they used to talk. At least, she did all the talking.

I’m heading there now.

Go on then, her father said. You don’t want to be late.

Blake went to say something more, but what was the point? Her dad wanted nothing to do with her because she wasn’t a boy. Even now she was used to him saying, if only you were a boy. He never said it to her face, and never aloud. Many times over the years she’d tried to fill the boy role, watching football, attempting to read a car manual, even trying to design things. Nothing. She wasn’t interested in cars, or a bunch of guys running around.

She wasn’t a boy, even though as far as she was concerned, she had a boy’s name. Leaving her home, she made her way toward the County high school. On the way she was going to stop by Isabella’s—or Izzy as she liked to be called—house, and wait for her.

At seventeen years old, Blake was used to her father’s lack of interest in her. Her mother was the same. Even though she had been born a girl, her mother had wanted a blonde starlet for her to show off. Blake was the complete opposite. Brown hair, brown eyes, plain features, and she was really shy. It took her six years of school to finally make friends with Izzy. They were the complete opposite of one another. Izzy was outgoing while she wasn’t. Blake never felt the need to impress the people at school. She didn’t care about the style of her clothes, or what was the latest fashion. She simply didn’t fit in, and she didn’t care that she didn’t.

Morning, Izzy said, running out of her front door. Today is such a beautiful day.

Why?

There’s a new boy coming today. Well, I hear he’s a bit of a rebel, and I intend to be the one he looks at.

The new boy that was going to be attending their high school. Someone new coming to County High was big news. No one knew anything even as they all pretended to know something.

You’re beautiful, Blake said.

So are you, Izzy said. Don’t sell yourself short.

If Izzy wasn’t so determined to fit in, she’d be the most awesome friend. Izzy gave in to peer pressure, and there were many times that she left Blake in order to go with the popular kids. Regardless of her somewhat flaky attitude, Izzy’s comments were sweet. Blake’s mother found her ugly, and told her regularly she had to work on her looks if she ever hoped to get a guy.

That hadn’t been recently though. Lately, her mother had started asking her about school, and what she liked. Blake found it was easier to stay out of her mother’s life. Her father didn’t think much of her either. He certainly never contradicted her mother. She was used to being plain, boring, ugly. They were words that actually gave her some semblance of comfort. She was the plain Jane, the boring person that was left alone. There was nothing she could do about it.

I’m not interested in stuff like that. She offered a smile, hoping Izzy wouldn’t push. They were chalk and cheese. So have you heard anything about him?

Not a lot. He’s moving here with his mom. Bad divorce, and she got custody or some crap. I don’t know.

Izzy’s family was the epitome of a family portrait. Everything looked great in the photograph, but it wasn’t the truth in real life. Her mom and dad fought a lot. Blake didn’t know if it ever got violent or physical, only that Izzy never liked her staying over.

Where Izzy’s parents were happy to voice their problems, her own parents did the opposite. They rarely spoke to one another. Sure, they had date night, and sometimes they ate as a family. For the most part, they were all separate beings. Blake didn’t really understand the dynamics of a family. She watched it on television, but that was it.

You don’t know anything else?

It’s all just gossip. I heard he was a real rebel, and even though he’s like only eighteen, his arms are like totally covered in ink. He’s supposed to be some real fighter, gets in trouble a lot.

Blake listened wondering if any of this was true, or if today all of her friend’s fantasies was about to be shot down. She couldn’t help but smile imagining a guy in a tweed suit, buck teeth, and a science nerd. That would be a refreshing change. She’d get on well with him.

Oh, did you know I totally broke up with Sean? That guy is a total asshole.

Did you sleep with him? Blake asked.

Yeah, that’s not the point. I’m so done with him. I mean, totally done.

You still slept with him. I thought we agreed no more loose sex. Blake held onto her backpack, glancing over at her friend.

Yeah, I know, but he was being so nice to me, and I like him. You don’t even know how good sex can be.

Thanks, Blake said. She’d not had a boyfriend, what with the whole ugly girl thing. One boy a few years ago offered to kiss her but later told her he’d have to put a bag over her head to actually do it. We both know that’s not going to happen.

Ugh, what is with all this negativity? You’re not an ugly person, Blake. You’re sweet, you’re kind, and you are pretty. You just let it sink you down into everything you’re not.

Izzy, you don’t have to—

Someone does. You’re a beautiful person, and your mom telling you that you were ugly because you weren’t a blonde whore is just wrong. Not that all blondes are whores, because you know, I’m blonde.

I don’t think all blondes are whores. I hate that statement, and the stupid thing as well. My bestie is a blonde, and even though she likes sex, I don’t think she’s a whore.

Izzy sighed, linking arms with Blake. This is our last year of school before college. I want this to be a perfect, bright, fun year.

I was thinking of going to Europe to college, Blake said.

Wait, Europe? That’s like really far.

England, they have some decent colleges. Of course over there it’s university. Could be kind of cool. Blake wanted to do everything to disappear from West County and move on with her life.

You’ll be far away from me. I thought we were going to the same college.

Izzy looked genuinely upset.

It’s not a sure thing. I can change my mind.

It’s something that you’ve thought about?

Yeah, it is. They hadn’t talked about going to college together. Izzy always changed the subject. Today was a different day it seemed.

I don’t know. England, that’s like, really far away.

I know. She forced a smile. Forget it. I was being stupid. It’s not like I’ve talked to my parents about it. It was just a thought. It did seem reckless, going all the way to England on her own.

Izzy stopped and turned to her. You shouldn’t be running away. Your folks are complete and total idiots.

I don’t need the pep talk, but it is appreciated.

They entered the large parking area of their high school, and it was already abuzz with activity. Izzy release Blake’s arm as another girl, a cheerleader this time, came rushing toward her.

"Oh, my God, he’s so hot. He takes hotness to another