Another Chance Book I of III

Another Chance-Chapter 7, Friends First

Friends First

Bella's POV

Bella was worried.  She was about to meet Prince again for the first time since Paradise.  He had only known her as a woman and here she was a soon to be 14 year old who had just given up dolls two years ago.  What in God's name could she offer him that he would want.  Sex was out due to her Vow and her age.  Her parents would never let them even date...he was becoming a man...and she was a kid.  She sat in her hidden area up in the rafters alone, sad and crying quietly to herself.  Would she lose him again?  She wanted to throw things and scream but she wouldn't.  She would do what she had always done,  She would pray and trust God.  He had made her a promise and she would trust Him.  Father, you see where I am and you know all of my fears and the cause of my tears.  I am afraid to even let him look at me.  I have seen the way the servers look at him and I know that he is a man and wants to be with a woman. Clearly I am not that.    Please tell me Father what should I do.  Guide my actions that I will follow the plan you have for my life and for my life with Prince.  Help me Father...I am truly struggling.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

She went downstairs and was walking through the VIP room when she heard his voice.  He was talking to someone that sounded like he might be in the band.  "Carlos this place is really hot.  They have 3 dressing rooms...one for the... Star...I guess that would be you and me" Prince said laughing "and then one for men and one for women".  Since there are no women in our band currently...I guess we will just divvy the two dressing rooms between the band members equally.  Carlos said..."sounds like a plan to me"!  Then they have this VIP room that is beautifully furnished and I guess acts like the green room for guests where they can chat when they are going to be on a Talk Show or until they are up." Cool" Carlos said.  " Have you checked out the waitresses in this place Carlos asked"?  "Not really", Prince said.  "Fine as wine man" said Carlos.  "I think one of them is Puerto Rican or something.  Don't know what but I heard her speaking in Spanish.  I'm gonna check her out".   "Just remember to be safe and careful...Detroit can be a treacherous city... particularly the chicks according to my dad". "That's right he is from here.  I forgot." Carlos said.  "Yeah...you've been warned",  Prince said chuckling.  Bella had ducked behind one of the dividing screens that could be used to create private areas inside of the huge VIP space.  They walked right by her without being aware of her presence.  As they did she could smell lavender...he still likes his lavender scent.  Despite the circumstances she smiled.  It brought back such pleasant memories.  She continued her short cut through the VIP area and went to Mr. G's private suite.  It had his office, a fully equipped bathroom with shower and a dressing area right outside of it.  The Grady's used it often when they needed to change before customers began arriving after working to prepare the restaurant or the club for the evening.  She went into the dressing area and locked the door and sitting on the ottoman looked at her outfit for tonight.  It was pretty and was in his favorite color...Purple with lavender trim.  It would show off her little waist.  She had filled out some since the Winter Carnival last year which she knew from being measured for her dress for her grandmother and grandfather's 50th anniversary party last month.   She was 5'4" tall, weighed 118 pounds was a 32 B in the bust with a 22 inch waist and 34 inch hips.  That wasn't all that different than she was as an adult except up top...well there was nothing she could do about it.  She sat decided to pray the rosary to calm her nerves as she did she heard in her mind "Trust me Bella and Trust Prince".  She recognized the voice from Paradise...Jesus had answered her prayer and she had her directions.  She would obey.  She continued to recite the Rosary.  About half way through there was a knock on the door.  "Bella  you in there" Elaine asked?  Bella got up and unlocked the door and Elaine came in. 

Noticing the Rosary in her hand Elaine said"I was looking for you.  Are you okay"?  "Yes I am okay".  "Well let's get dressed.  The show will start in about an hour".  "Okay"Bella said.  She thought to herself...might as well get this over with...hiding from him won't change anything.  She dressed and did her hair in one of the styles he had liked.  She pulled it into a messy French Braid and pulled tendrils out at her temples and pulled out baby hair in the back on either side of her neck.  She put on her shoes which were  lavender glove leather with a Queen Anne heel.  Her mother was not sure about the dress when she first saw it on her because it emphasized her tiny waist and the nice shape of her hips,  but because Bella really loved the dress and her father said she looked beautiful she relented and let her have it.  Like it or not Prince...this is where I am now.  She put on a little lip gloss in a deeper violet and was done.  She did not wear more makeup than that, and was not going to pretend that she did.  Elaine got dressed in a emerald green sheath type dress put on similar shoes to Bella's but in green and they were ready to go.  She too only had on lip gloss in a peach color.  Bella took a final look in the mirror and Elaine said "let's go check out your mystery man".  They went upstairs and sat at one of the reserved tables that had been set aside for Princes family, friends and themselves.  Prince and Carlos and Sidney who played keyboards walked onto the stage and started doing something to the Mikes in the areas where they would begin to play.  The house lights were up so they could see out into the audience.  Prince saw them but was not really paying attention but said "Good evening ladies.  Hope you are ready for a good show".   "Good evening Elaine said.  We sure are".  "Hello Prince.  Happy Birthday".  Prince had his back turned to her and was walking away toward the drums when he heard her voice.  He came to a dead halt...could it possibly be?  He knew that voice.  He turned around and walked back to the edge of the stage.  Looking at him with those unbelievable almond shaped deep brown eyes was a younger version of his beautiful lady.  "Hello he said softly.  I bet I can guess your name".  She smiled at him and said" okay" "Your name is Bella".  She laughed her silver bell tinkling laugh and said "that is what everyone calls me but my real name is Arabella.  This is my best friend Elaine.  Her dad owns this place" Bella continued.  Hi Elaine, nice to meet you", Prince said politely and immediately turned his attention back to Bella.  May I come down there for a few minutes he asked? "Of course", Bella said.  Who was this person Elaine wondered looking at her friend?  She is as cool as cucumber and sounds hecka grown she thought.  Prince jumped down off of the stage and sat next to Bella and just looked at her.  Elaine said, I am going to get a coke and left the table.  "Bella, I knew I would find you".  "I knew you would too...I just didn't think I would only be going on 14 in December and that you would already be 20".  He laughed..."Heaven always did have a sense of humor" he said.  "But if I recall I always did like younger girls".  "Yes I remember" Bella said.  "Listen I have to get ready to go on...but let me tell you this.  I love you Bella, I have always loved you and you will grow and reach womanhood and I will  be waiting for you when you do.  So please tell me you won't break my heart and tell me you don't want to be bothered with an old man" Prince said. " I will never tell you that or anything like that...I love you still...and Prince I always will",  Bella said.  "Then we will be Friends First... deal", Prince asked?  He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.  It was only when she felt the tear hit the back of her hand and he looked directly into her eyes that she saw his were filled with tears. He said..."If it took a million years,  I would wait for you Bella", Prince said.   My family will be sitting down here with yours and Mr. G's so I will see you after the show".  She held onto his hand for a moment and reaching into her little lavender evening bag pulled out two tissues and wiped each of his eyes.  He smelled the Vanilla Coconut scent on the tissues from the purse spray she carried with her and smiled.  "And I would travel to a million worlds to find you my Prince" she whispered to him before letting go of his hand. He looked at her with love in his eyes as he always had and then walked back to the stairs that led to the stage.  He paused before taking the first step up, took a deep breath and got ready to perform.