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CHAPTER ELEVEN
ISABELLA
Despite my hopes for a fairy tale breakfast with my whole family to celebrate the first day of my new life, my father has already left to see his new office, which is only a short drive away. My mother accompanied him to unpack the necessities into their newly acquired small, two-bedroom apartment in the city near his new job. While my parents seem to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the big city, I'm a simple, small-town girl at heart.
"So, I have a favor to ask," I say hesitantly, as we're all sitting around the breakfast table, tucking into the bacon sandwiches Nana made.
"Of course, dear, what is it?" asks Pops.
"Well, I don't mean to be rude or disrespectful..." I hesitate briefly, but Nana continues looking, signaling for me to continue, "...but I was wondering how you guys would feel about me redecorating my bedroom?" I hope and pray that I don't upset or offend them, especially after all they have done and are still doing for me.
"Of course! I know I'm getting old, but I'm not blind yet. I realize that the room is no longer ideal. I thought about doing something to it before you arrived, but I decided that I'd rather leave it to you to make it your own once you got here," Nana says with a smile. "Please never be afraid to ask me or tell me what you need." Pops adds.
"Thanks, I love you both so much," I say as I walk around the table and stand in between both of their chairs to extend my arms and pull them both into a side hug.
"So, do you have any ideas yet? I don't have anything planned for today, in case you want to head into town to look for some inspiration."
"Well, Harper and Riley actually gave me some great ideas last night. They even offered to come over and help me paint and decorate, if that's okay with you."
"Of course, they're both wonderful girls and so artistic. They helped Edna redecorate her conservatory last year. It completely changed the whole aesthetic of the house," Nana says with a smile." Maybe I'll finally get to see some of YOUR artwork on those walls as well."
"As long as you don't show up with a bulldozer and a sledgehammer and start knocking down walls, I'll gladly let you girls do the rest," Pops adds cheerfully as he pours us all another cup of coffee.
Nana and I head into town to look around the local stores and buy everything I need to transform my childhood bedroom into a much more appropriate and appealing space to call home. A few hours later, we head out to the car, arms packed with decorations and soft furnishings from the local thrift store. We bought new paint and wall stencils from the hardware store, ready to try out a few simple craft projects and ideas that the twins and I had discussed earlier. They even offered to come over to help me paint and decorate this weekend. I'm loading the car with our many bags and laughing with my Nana when I pause mid-conversation, suddenly feeling a cold chill. I sense eyes following me.
Feeling my pulse quicken, I look around but don't see anyone except for a few people who are also walking to their cars, but I’m certain that I'm being watched. My heart pounds and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, but I don't feel scared, just curious.
"What's the matter, dear? Are you alright?" asks Nana, sounding concerned.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just had a strange feeling, like someone was watching us," I mutter, continuing to look around.
"It must have just been someone passing by, or you're dreaming," laughs Nana.
"Yeah, you're probably right." I shrug, getting into the car.
***
NATHANIEL
I'm walking through town on my way to the car with all the supplies I need for the next job. That's when I'm stopped in my tracks by a familiar sound—the most beautiful sound, laughter, plucked straight out of my memories. I whip around, desperate to figure out where the sound is coming from. My eyes dart around the car park until they settle on Mrs. Williams. I'd recognize her anywhere; she barely looks any different. She's laughing and joking with a girl walking towards a car. My legs develop a mind of their own as they move me closer, until there's nothing but one row of cars between us. Suddenly, I hear that unmistakable sound again,Bella? It can't be!Can it? The excitement I'm feeling is indescribable. I can feel the butterflies forming in my stomach, and I'm shaking with anticipation and nerves, ever so slightly. Is it really her?
That curvy, beautiful brunette can't possibly be the same little girl who climbed trees and snuck into movie theaters with me all those years ago, can she? I'm still staring like an idiot when the girl turns around and my questions are answered.
Those big brown eyes and dimples are impossible to miss or forget. Shit! I quickly duck behind the nearest car and hide. I watch as my beautiful Bella stops dead in her tracks and looks around anxiously.
Does she feel the same undeniable pull for me that I feel for her?Of course not; she left you, moved away, and probably didn't even give you a second thought.I sigh.Because why would someone as perfect and precious as her waste her time on me? I shake my head, trying to expel those thoughts.I'm not the same shy, insecure boy anymore.Still, I remain hidden, watching her and memorizing her face, until I see her get into the car and drive away.
Taking a moment to steady my breathing and erratic heartbeat, I stand up and walk back to the car to take the things I bought back to work. I'm sure John and Gabe will be wondering where I went. The rest of the day flies by in a blur. I try to focus on the task at hand, but I can't stop my mind from wandering and wondering where she's been all these years. What has her life been like? When did she come back? And, most importantly,does she still think of me? My heart skips a beat at that thought alone. My mind spins with thoughts about how different my life would have been, for better or worse, had we not been taken into care. My mind drifts back to Bella. Does she hope or wish we were together? Dream about what our life could have been if we’d never been separated? I know I do. I have, every day, for the last four and a half years.
Several times over the following days, I come close to telling Gabriel but decide against it. There's no point in upsetting him and bringing up the past, especially for a girl who probably doesn't even remember me anymore. That doesn't stop me from thinking about her, or should I say dreaming about her when I'm alone in bed at night, and oh, what beautiful dreams they are. Sometimes they're memories of us running around happily together as children; sometimes they're dreams of what might have happened if she had never moved away.
Over the years, I've dreamed of us going to high school together or going to parties. I’ve even dreamed about us settling down together, getting married, and moving into a little cottage away from all the evils of this world. But lately, more often than I should really admit, I've found myself fantasizing about the beautiful girl I saw in the parking lot that day. What it would be like to kiss her, to date her, and what those beautiful curves would look like underneath me as I lose myself completely in her.
The weekend rolls around, and I'm up even before Gabe, which is rare since he, like me, has trouble sleeping. All week, I've been thinking about Bella and what I'd say if I saw her again. A few days earlier, I tried to drive to her grandparents' house, hoping to catch a glimpse of her again to make sure my mind wasn't playing cruel tricks on me. But fear got the better of me, and I left right away. Yet today I woke up focused and decided that I'm not going to let another day go by without talking to her.
So, I jump into the shower and pick out my best outfit: my ripped skinny jeans, my favorite black t-shirt, the one with the skull design on the chest pocket that hugs my toned abs and thick arms, and a pair of sneakers. Cool but casual at the same time. Finally, I slap some gel into my hair to complete my whole‘I just got out of bed looking this good’vibe, before taking one last glance at my reflection. This reminds me of the last time I got all dressed up to try and impress Bella when we were barely teenagers. I'm about to walk out of the bedroom when I bump headfirst into Gabe's chest.
"Where are you going in such a hurry? Do you have a hot date or something?" he asks, eyeing me. "You took so long in there, I thought you already had a girl over," Gabe teases.
