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We continue walking to class, in silence, and my mind trying to figure out what changed her mind? Maybe Jennifer talked her into saying yes. Friends can be the silent heroes sometimes. I like her. She looks over at me and smiles. She takes my breath away. There is something about her and I just can’t put my finger on it.
As we enter the quad to cross over to the Business building, she almost gets knocked down by some jackass catching a football.
“Watch where you’re going, asshole!”
She eyes me but keeps walking.
“I know it’s in every man’s nature to protect a woman, but I don’t need it. We aren’t in the sixties anymore.”
I believe she can stand up for herself, but something about the way her voice quivers tells me that she is forcing herself to believe those words. Her guard is up, but I’m not fooled.
The doors open to the lecture hall and we get to our seats before the Professor starts his normal rambling session about stuff we could just read in the $400 book. Some of the students are trying to write down every word he says, but it’s no use. He talks fast and it’s all in their textbook anyway. I’ve never understood why schools have lectures that are just reading out of the class material. Professors get paid decently and if they didn’t lecture, they probably wouldn’t.
I should be paying attention, but I need to figure out what to do for our date. It’s last minute, but the diner is so basic. Everyone goes there, and the movies are old school. Right now, I want to learn more about her, what makes her tick, and that’s hard to do in a nosey restaurant.
I take out my notebook, scribble away and then sit on her desk.
Can you meet me at the park at 7:30pm?
She looks at me and nods.
Wear something comfortable for the weather.
When class is over, I’ll have to rush out of here because it’s my day to get Bella from school. Hence, why I’m pissed about having to park so damn far away.
I can’t stick around after class. See you tonight.
When the professor lets us out a couple minutes early, I jump out of my seat and rush out of the hall before anyone else can. Once out of the double doors to the quad, I sprint to my car. Bella might not be my biological child, but I care for her. We only have so much time each week, and I like to make the most of it.
The door closes behind me, and I start up the engine and take off toward the school. She knows I would never leave her hanging, so she’s patient. I can see her at the front of school, looking for my car. The two cars in front of me are big sedans and the two moms are having a conversation while their kids get in the car.
“Excuse me, can you park to talk? There is a long line of us waiting.” I say this as nicely as possible but the two women give me thego to helllook.
Small town moms. Do they all think the world revolves around their kids? These two in particular seem to do this every week. They have no regard for anyone else in line. It’s not like they are talking about something important, just gossiping about some teacher.
The blond gets in her car first and then the brunette, and pulls through while the principal waves me forward. Bella sees the car and grabs her backpack before jumping in.
“Sorry it took so long. Line was long today.”
Bella doesn’t say much on the way to the diner, which is abnormal for her. Usually she’s shy around strangers, but I’m so used to her talking my ear off that I notice. Once we get to the diner and into our normal booth, I question her.
“What’s going on? Did something happen at school?”
She looks up at me through her lashes. “Another girl is bullying me, but I can handle it.”
Why has bullying become so prevalent? It’s even worse now with social media and it’s exhausting. There seem to be no consequences for those that act like fools on the internet. I want to pull her close and tell her everything is going to be okay, but it’s important I don’t cross that line. To others, it could seem inappropriate, but I have watched her grow up and become a wonderful and brilliant young woman. I hate to see her struggling like this.
“Just remember, if you don’t let what they say affect you, they won’t get the reaction they are hoping for, and will probably stop. Calm and collected, okay?”
She nods and pulls out her homework, getting a jump start before we even get our typical milkshakes and fries. I can’t help but wonder if she is holding back. Bella is good at keeping to herself. Foster system does that to you. She knows she can open up to me though.
We nibble on the fries while she does her math homework, and this time, she has no questions. She has come a long way since the start of the year. The hour we are at the diner is mostly silent.
“Alright, I’ll see you. Make sure to remember what I told you. No reaction. Calm and collected, okay?”
She nods before walking inside and shutting the door behind her. Bella needs to be able to stand up for herself, and I have to be willing to let her try. Even if it kills me to see her hurting like this.
13
