☀️She's Extraordinary ☀️

Better Now

My Bedroom (Saturday, August 4th) (Bella's Perspective)
"I wonder what I'm going to wear." I whispered. I had to meet with Jake in an hour and part of me didn't want to go, but if I wanted this to work, I had to.
"Maybe this?" I chose a pretty dress. This may be surprising, but I actually hate confrontation. It makes me feel nervous and sick to my stomach. Yet, I'm always in some sort of problem. I showered and got dressed.
"You look pretty."
"Thanks, Mom."
"Getting ready to meet with Jake?" I nodded. She smiled.
"You know, you haven't been telling me about him lately. Are you two still friends?"
"Yep!"
"Part of me wants to believe you, but I'm having a hard time doing so."
"Mo-om!"
"Alright, I'm joking sweetheart. Where are you guys going?"
"This boba and donut shop he found! If it's good I'll bring some home."
"Ooo, boba. He certainly knows the way to your heart." She chuckled. Mom is starting to catch on. I have to throw her off somehow.
"Yeah, right."
^^^^^^^^^^^
"Hey."
"Hey." I sat at the table and a woman came out with drinks.
"Jasmine tea with boba for you, and earl grey tea with boba for you." The donuts were already on the table. These look interesting.
"Thanks." The atmosphere feels so....cold. I took a sip of the tea. This tastes wonderful. He knew I'd like this.
"Thanks for the tea, Jake." It was awkward for a moment as we tried to figure out who'd speak next.
"Bell, I saw the screenshots you sent me."
"Lemme guess, you still don't believe me."
"No, I'm sorry. You were telling the truth. The reason why I was so angry at you was because..." He paused.
"Because what?"
"My grandma was doing bad then, and I just had to take my anger out on someone...and it happened to be you. I'm sorry, Bell. It doesn't justify how terrible I was to you."
"I forgive you, plus knowing that I used to talk to your friend, and me not telling you wasn't good. You had to hear about it from everyone else. I'm sorry too. I struggle with being completely honest, ever since I was little. I just think it's better to leave bits and pieces out because the whole truth was always awful. But I know that doing that has its consequences. I should've told you."
"Regardless of that, I should've believed you from the start. Brayden was just trying to pick a fight. He's mad that we're together." That's what I was trying to tell you...
"Did you guys handle things?"
"Yeah, we're not friends anymore. I'm not letting any guy say shit like that about my girlfriend and be a part of my life." I smiled internally. He did that for me.
"Has he texted you since?"
"No."
"Good. Block him." It's nice that he's being this way now, but I wish he had this energy before. I'm not quite sure if I should say that though. Because we're fine now, right?
"Will do."
"So how was your road trip?" We started to talk normally again, but it felt weird. I guess it's because we just got out of arguing for so long.
"It was.....interesting."
******************
East 65th Street (Manhattan) (Jake's Perspective)
"Do you want me to walk you home?"
"No it's okay, my Mom is home and she's starting to sniff around."
"Are you going to tell her?"
"Soon." I raised my eyebrow.
"I mean it!" I wonder how long she's going to keep this a secret. Will her parents be upset because she's with me?
"Alright, I believe you." I laughed. Bella giggled. She has the world's best giggle in my personal opinion.
"I gotta go to the store and get a present for Lei. I'll call you."
"Sure! Text me when you get home!" I started to make my way home when I noticed this black car heading in the same direction as me. I made two turns, one left, and one right. It followed me both times. This was getting pretty strange. I stopped walking and turned around. The car stopped for a moment before continuing down the street. I guess I was just being paranoid.

Bella: I'm almost home Jake. Leia's gonna love her gift!
Me: What did you get her? Off-topic but the funniest thing happened while I was walking home-

I deleted the last sentence. Maybe I shouldn't tell Bell. She'll probably get super worried and she doesn't need that right now. I've already upset her enough.
**************
Cooper's Beach (Sunday) (Olivia's Perspective)
Amanda and I decided to take the kids to the beach today. Elliot had a case and we had no plans.
"How was your trip?"
"It was good for the most part." I watched as Leia and Billie played with a frisbee.
"What about the other part?" I moved my hair from my face.
"Remember Elliot's ex?"
"Kathy?"
"Yes, she got engaged and it upset him. It bothered him the entire end of our trip and part of me thought...what if he still has feelings for her? I remember him telling me, back when we were still detectives, that if Kathy and the kids weren't involved, we would've been together."
"That is the mother of his children-"
"And I get that, but to get so upset that he took his anger out on Lei, on me even."
"Did you guys talk about it?"
"Yes, but I don't feel too assured. I'm quite glad that he's working this weekend. I think we need some space from each other. What I feel like doing is saying: "Well if it upset you this much, why don't you get back with her?" , packing up my stuff, and running off with my children."
"Oh, Liv..." Amanda patted my back.
"Can I tell you what I think?"
"What?"
"I think...that Elliot was taken by surprise. They were married for decades Liv, it's a lot to take in that she's fully moved on. Didn't Kathy act similarly when you guys got engaged?" I never thought about it that way. Kathy was pissed.
"I never really considered that."
"He was wrong for taking his anger on you and Lei. He should be called out on that, but he's allowed to react." Maybe Amanda's right.
"Excuse me, Auntie 'Manda and Mommy?"
"Yes, honey?"
"What kinda shell is this?" The girls asked. They handed us a small shell.
"This is a hermit crab shell."
"Why do they have shells?" Billie asked.
"It's to protect them from their harsh surroundings. Kind of like how I tell Leia to have tough skin."
"I have tough skin a little. When my brothers pick on me I just say that I don't care. They're just trying to make me mad." Amanda laughed.
"Good, just tune them out."
"Mama, can I tune Jesse out when she's being mean to me?"
"Yes, you can honey."
"What are we talking about?" Jesse asked.
"Shells. Where's Bell?"
"I dunno. She went to talk to some guy, she said she'd be back in a second."
"Some guy? What did they look like?"
"Hm, he has like kinda long brown hair, green eyes. He's tall." Sounds familiar.
^^^^^^^^^
"Oh, so you're finally back?"
"I was with Jake! We were just taking a stroll."
"Isn't it convenient that he and his family happened to be at this very beach?"
"No, it isn't. They come here a lot, Mom."
"Sure. No wonder you wanted to come here so badly." I joked. She sort of smiled and didn't reply. Everyone else was ahead, talking about what we'd do this evening.
"If something's going on between you guys, you tell me."
"I know, Mommy. We're just hanging out with each other. It's nothing, I promise."