“Bella, are you dressed?” Jedd yells loudly, pounding on my door which is becoming his daily routine. I huff, rolling my eyes before walking over and opening my bedroom door.
Jedd’s hand is raised in mid air, ready to plummet down on my door again. His face turns into an expression of pure shock from seeing me already wide awake.
“Oh, you’re awake. Wow, this is a surprise.” “Yes Jedd, I’m awake.” I respond.
For once.
“Cool, I guess you have time for breakfast before we leave then. Want some eggs?” Jedd asks me and I nod, smiling at him.
“Eggs sound good.”
Jedd nods again before glancing at my outfit, his lips turning up into a small smile. He turns around and begins to walk away but suddenly pauses before turning back around — “Bella?”
“Yes Jedd?”
“You look nice,” he smiles warmly at me before disappearing down the stairs. I stand in my doorway, blinking in surprise at his words. I glance down to study my outfit which I surprisingly decided to change up today.
My usual outfit of a hoody and jeans is hanging in the wardrobe and I decided to wear something a little different. I’m wearing a white blouse with long sleeves, the neckline covered in a gorgeous floral pattern. Underneath I wear my cropped denim jeans that are faded slightly but still look cute. I’ve decided my trustworthy high top converse can’t be abandoned and so they take pride of place on my feet.
My hair is still scraped back in its usual ponytail but one step at a time, right?
I’ve decided I’m tired of wearing the same old hoody and boring jeans. Despite looking different, when I study myself in the mirror, the same bland Bella Winters stares back at me. My eyes linger over my hair, my face, my body and I let out a low sigh. I may be able to change my clothes but I won’t ever be able to change who I am. . .
An overwhelming feeling of sadness hits me and i blink back the pressure of tears forming in the back of my eyes. The negative voice inside of my head is reminding me that kids at school will still recognise me even though I’ve changed my outfit.
My thoughts flicker over to Brody and I have to bite back a smile. The fluttering feeling inside my stomach intensifies and I can’t help but deny he interests me. If I’m being completely honest . . . The only reason I woke up early for school is the small hope of seeing Brody Baxter.
My thought flash back to last night and I feel my stomach somersault in excitement and nerves. I can’t stop replaying the night over and over again. . .
Brody Baxter took me on my first date.
“Bella! Your eggs are done!” Jedd yells up the stairs, snapping me out of my thoughts. I breathe out, wiping away the silly smile on my face as I grab my things and head downstairs. The scent of freshly cooked breakfast wafts through the air and I feel my spirits raise a little.
“Thanks Jedd,” I smile at him gratefully, taking a seat at the table. He pushes a plate of eggs towards me — “No problem kiddo.”
*****
I ignore the burning stares I’m getting and head straight for my locker, my eyes trained on the floor. Several people are laughing and pointing, their mockery causing another stab of pain to go through my heart. I inhale sharply and weave through the crowds, ignoring the hurtful remarks and name calling.
“Hey Mute!”
A pointy claw grips onto my arm and spins me around. My eyes widen as they land on Beatrice and her gang with their perfectly made up faces glaring at me.
“What do you want?” I say firmly, noticing the students slowing down around us. “What is she wearing? Ew.”
“Oh my god, she’s still ugly.”
“Of course she is, clothes can’t change her face.”
“Stop! Don’t you think you’ve humiliated me enough?” I yell at them, glaring at each and every one of them. They all blink in surprise, shocked at my outburst.
“I’ll tell you once you’ve been humiliated enough.” Beatrice hisses at me, her eyes lit with a burning fire. She takes a step towards me so we’re inches apart, holding my stare.
“Get out of my face Beatrice,” I respond, feeling my throat tighten painfully. I’m finding it a struggle to breathe and having my personal spade invaded doesn’t help the situation.
“Or what? You’ll hit me?” Beatrice snaps, her eyes widening dramatically. “I would never hurt anyone. I’m not you.” I mumble in response.
“Oh my god, she just said she was going to hit me!” Beatrice wails, turning around to her friends. All of their eyes widen and they fuss around her whilst I stare on, confusion filling my features. I let out a scoff without realising what I’m doing . . .
Adding fuel to the fire.
“You’re pathetic,” I respond instantly before turning on my heel. It immediately hits me that I called Beatrice Walden pathetic.
Holy cow.
“What did you just say to me, mute?”
I freeze on the spot, very aware of Beatrice’s angry presence stood behind me. Don’t turn around Bella, keep walking.
I place one foot in front of the other, my legs shaking as I attempt to walk away and act like the past few minutes didn’t happen.
“Hey! She’s talking to you!” One of her friends yell in my direction. My hands begin to tremble and I continue to walk away faster, my legs threatening to give out underneath me. My stomach is tightening in nerves and I glance around in panic, looking for an escape. Within seconds, Beatrice and her friends have me surrounded, all of them angry at me.
“Please, just leave me alone!” I plead, wide eyed. I’m not a confrontational person and I’m definitely not a fighter either.
“You think you can call me pathetic and I’ll just leave you alone?” Beatrice scoffs, her perfectly filled in eyebrow raised at me. My eyes scan her friends and I shrug in response.
“Uhm, yeah?”
“Wrong, mute!” Beatrice snaps, snarling at me.
“Okay, sarcasm is bad.” I mutter under my breath, making a mental note to myself. By this time, the entire corridor has grown silent, listening to Beatrice and her friends drag me down into the dirt with their words.
“You. Are. Such. A. Freak.” Beatrice states bluntly, taking a threatening step towards me. I find myself unable to react, a tight hold on my throat preventing me from speaking —
“What the hell is going on here?”
My head snaps up and I visibly breathe out a sigh of relief as my eyes meet Brody’s inquisitive green ones. My stomach flutters with butterflies before I realise I’m surrounded by a bunch of mean girls, wanting to rip my throat out.
Beatrice immediately spins around, a fake smile plastered on her face as she grins at Brody and his friends.
“Hey guys! Brody,” She giggles, her entire demeanour changing within seconds. I watch in complete awe as the girl looks up at him innocently, her eyelashes fluttering.
It’s officially confirmed. . .
Beatrice is actually the devil in disguise.
Brody briefly looks at me with a worried expression before turning back to Beatrice, a scowl on his face.
“Is everything okay?” He asks her, his eyebrow raised high at her. Behind him, Brody’s friends are silent as they study the scene. I feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment and I take the chance to slip away, out of the crowd. I ignore the burning stares from the students around me and dash out of the corridors, heading towards the bathrooms.
“Hey! Bella! Wait up, I want to talk to you!”
I briefly glance over my shoulder to find Brody running towards me. My throat is tightening further at this point and I’m struggling to breathe normally so I turn and run, lunging for the girls bathroom. I immediately run to the sink, running the cold water and splashing it over my face. The icy water instantly cools me down and I grip onto the ledge, holding myself up.
The door flies open and Brody enters, his eyes landing on me instantly. My eyes widen and I turn to face him. “You can’t be in here!” I squeal, cold water dripping down my face.
“Who says I can’t?” Brody asks, walking towards me. He’s studying me carefully, his eyebrows creased with worry.
“Is Beatrice still giving you a hard time?”
“What? N-no, of course not.” I stutter, taking a step back. Brody tilts his head at me, his green eyes turning a shade darker.
“You’re a terrible liar, Bella Winters.”
The bell rings loudly around us causing me to jump and I suck in a breathe, filling my lungs with oxygen.
“That’s my cue to go to class.” I say cheerily, pulling my backpack onto my shoulders. I dodge past Brody and his hand instantly shoots out, wrapping around my waist. I freeze on the spot for the second time this morning and don’t dare move an inch.
“Bella—” Brody says sternly. I can’t help myself from turning to look at him. His voice is smooth yet holds so much authority. . . Brody Baxter isn’t the type of person you choose to ignore.
“What?” I whisper, feeling myself choke up. Brody simply looks at me, really looks at me. His green eyes burn into mine intensely and I can feel my walls crumble to the ground.
“What Brody?” I ask again, my voice thick with emotion. Beatrice’s cruel taunts ring through my ears and I can feel tears brimming my eyes.
“You want me to admit that Beatrice makes my life a living hell? Or that her and her friends tease me every day? Or that they call me fat, mute and ugly? Or that I hate myself and I’m scared to come to school everyday? Or maybe you want me to tell you I feel like the loneliest person on the entire planet right now? Is that what you want Brody? For me to break down and tell you everything?”
At this point I’m yelling, tears streaming down my face. I let out a sob, finally breaking the intense stare I’m holding with Brody.
My vision blurs and Brody’s hand around my waist tightens, the heat off his fingers pressed against my skin. He remains silent the entire time, his face emotionless as I yell at him.
“Oh god, I’m so s-sorry.” I mumble, turning to look at him apologetically. He doesn’t respond and instead pulls me into his chest, his arms wrapping around my small frame. At first I tense up, his body against mine
feeling alien. But seconds later, the warmth and security of his arms is exactly what I need. He continues to hug me fiercely as silent tears stream down my cheeks.
“I’m so sorry Brody.” I apologise over and over again, my voice coming out in a tiny whisper.