Saving Belle

Chapter 33

Xander's POV: 

Belle's been doing a tiny bit better than before. 

We've been able to be in the same room now. 

"Hey Belle wanna come to work with me again? I'm tattooing one of Xander's friends who just turned 18." Leo said. 

"Are you coming?" She asked me.

"I was, but I don't have to." 

"I want you to." 

"Ok I'll come." I said smiling. 

We walked in and a few  minute later Damon came in with Mason." 

"Hey Belle it's nice to see you again." 

She just waved. 

"So what are we doing today?" 

"I want a sunflower for my Nana." 

"Sweet man, a lot of guys have too much toxic masculinity to get a flower." Mason said.

"What's toxic masculinity?" Belle asked. 

"It's like personality traits men are expected to have and the stigma that people have when people go against that." 

Belle looked confused, but just nodded. 

"It's so hot let's get ice cream after this."

"I have another friend of mine coming in after you, but I can join you guys after or you guys can wait, he's just getting something simple." Leo said. 

"We can wait." 

"Do you wanna get ice cream Belle?" 

"Ok." 

"Great. Is it cool if I invite Liam?" 

"Yes please." 

Belle had a hard time with Liam a few days ago, but he's made up with her for it. 

Leo's friend Jack came in. 

"Hey guys, you must be Belle. I've heard a lot about you. How are you today?" 

"Good, how'bout yourself?"

"You know I'm doing pretty good." 

"What are you getting done today Jack?" I asked. 

"I'm getting the balloons from Shrek tattooed on me." 

"That's great." 

We were at the ice cream place and everyone was just talking, but Belle looked really uncomfortable. 

"Belle are you coming to school with us this school year?" 

She looked at me. 

"Has Enzo brought it up yet?" I asked

"No.." 

"Yeah I don't know what he's thinking about that." I said. 

"Do you wanna go to school?" Damon asked. 

"I don't really know what it is." 

"It's just a place where you learn things with other people your age." 

"Oh...I don't know." 

"That's ok, just talk to Enzo about it." 

"Ok.." 

Enzo's POV: 

Belle knocked on my bedroom door and peeked her head in. 

"Can I ask you something?.."

"Yeah of course come in." 

She walked in, but stopped about 5 feet away from me. 

I've noticed she stays further away when she's nervous. 

Like she still thinks we're going to hit her. 

"What's up kiddo?" I asked when she wasn't saying anything. 

"Do I have to go to school?" 

"Who brought this up?" 

"Damon.." 

"Do you want to?" 

"I don't know...I don't think I'm very smart..." 

"Belle...Come here..." 

She slowly walked over to me.

I wrapped my arms around her and I was surprised when she did the same. 

"I have to talk to the state to see if you have to go, but if not I think it's up to you to decide." 

"Ok.."