💫She's Different💫

Bella's Day

"Noah?" I said.
"What Mom?"
"Okay, you can change your tone."
"Yes Mom?"
"Is what Bella said true babe?"
"What did she say?"
"She said that you were writing a letter for a girl." I sat next to him and he went back under the covers.
"Noah,"
"I don't want to talk about it with you, can I just get some space?"
"Alright, I'll be downstairs." I went downstairs to my daughter and folded my arms.
"I want you to apologize to Noah later, he's really upset."
"Sure."
"No, honestly. He's not happy right now." She didn't show any remorse and I just sighed heavily.
"You guys are ruthless with each other! I don't know how many times I have to tell you guys to not be like this with each other!" I continued to lecture Bella and she just stared at me blankly.
"Don't just stare at me like that Bella."
"I'm listening to you." She said calmly.
"Okay, but respond or something."
"Okay..." She played with her hair and got up.
"I'm going to go take a nap, wake me up later." Kids, What can I say other than simply just, kids?
"Alright, I hope you reflect and apologize to Noah."
"I'll try."
*********
MLK Day
"Hey sweetheart!"
"Hi Ms.Hinds," I gave her a hug and she gave me one back.
"Excited?"
"Yeah, What are we doing?"
"Well, you'll see."
"I can't wait."
"But first, I want you to meet someone."
"Who?" She pulled up to this house and I looked out the window.
"Come with me babes, don't be shy."
"Alright," I went with her and I met her sister and her brother, and her niece.
"Nice to meet you."
"Hi!"
"Okay, you guys ready?" I nodded and she smiled, something about her smile was a bit different though. It seemed more loving in a way.
"Where are we going?"
"Let's see." She started driving and I looked out the window. Wherever we were going seemed like a long ride. Considering that it was super early and we were going already. I talked to her niece about several different things and were not friends or anything, but we're friendly if you know what I mean.
"You guys excited?" I nodded and looked down at my hands.
"Bella, you alright?"
"Yes Ms.Hinds, just thinking about which color I should paint my nails."
**********
Washington D.C. (Ms.Hinds Perspective)
Now that I know that Bella is my biological niece, things just feel so different. I'm starting to have this love for Bella, that I've just never had before. However, Bella can't return that same love until she knows the truth. Something Liv and I wanna keep secret for a while, for her sake.
"I like this exhibit."
"I remember some of this stuff!"
"How old are you?!" My niece asked. Bella snorted and looked around.
"That doesn't matter, just know that this is an important part of our history." I said with a short laugh. Bella kept looking around and I wondered what was going on in that head of hers, what was she brainstorming, what was she giggling about?!
"What's so funny?"
"Something that just came to me."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, nothing major! But, you know what I'd really like to do one day?"
"What?"
"Meet Selena Gomez! And, some other people but that doesn't matter right now. Can we go to the Emmett Till exhibit?"
"Of course babe." She has this positive energy that just made everything worth it. No wonder Olivia chose to adopt her. She played with the interactive exhibits and clapped.
"This music sounds kinda cool. Right?"
"It does."
"Aunty what's for lunch?!" Lee begged.
"I don't know, let's see."
"I'm hungry."
"Bella, is there anything in particular that you want?"
"No, I'll eat anything." She skipped happily behind me and I smiled. It hurts to not be able to tell her anything.
*************
Brooklyn, NY (Olivia's Perspective)
"Hey honey!"
"Hi Mommy!" My daughter ran up to me and gave me a hug.
"How was it?"
"It was great!"
"Thanks Toni."
"Don't mention it!"
"Bella, did you say thank you?"
"I did."
"She said it several times, don't worry." We talked a bit as Bella watched quietly.
"So How was Bella today?"
"She was great, but she was really shy. I brought my niece with us as well."
"Ohh, I see."
"Bella, what's going on? You're so shy right now." Toni said.
"Nothing, I'm okay." And she was, I could tell. Bella tends to think hard sometimes, and it comes off as shy.
"Whatever you're thinking about, stop stressing over it."
"Okay."
"So Bella, I was grading your work the other day...."
"Oooo, I'd like to hear this."
"You and Axel got an A on your project. How do you feel?" Bella got super excited and clapped.
"I'm loving it!"
"You guys did a really good job, I'm proud of you two."
"Thank you."
"I'm proud of you too honey, I expect the best from you."
"I almost always give you that Mom." We started saying our goodbyes and started to head back to Manhattan, back home, to relax.
"Mom?"
"Yeah?"
"Can we talk please?"
"Of course, what's wrong?"
"You know, I've been starting to feel a bit off again, I keep thinking about things."
"Like what? Are they bad or good?"
"Well, they're definitely not about what happened to me. It's like I dunno, weird things."
"What weird things?" I could tell she was second-guessing telling me about her problem.
"Bella, is it something inappropriate?"
"No, ew. It's just like some sad memories that I've had other than the warehouse." She squinted while saying the last word. Whatever it was, it was crushing her. Literally and figuratively.
**********
Mrs.Caron's Office (Bella's Perspective)
"Good Evening!"
"Evening Bella, I haven't seen you in weeks! What's going on?"
"Competitions and Christmas things. How are you?"
"I'm great, thanks for asking." I then decided to lie down and stare at the ceiling.
"Do you wish to revisit what we were talking about the last time we met?"
"No thanks, I kind of want to talk about something."
"Go ahead."
" I was trying to talk to my mom about this and I struggled...a lot. These days I can say how I'm feeling much easier, but something about this particular time is different Mrs.Caron."
"What?"
"I was starting to tell her, and then I kind of just wanted to keep it private. I've been keeping quite a lot of things private from my Mom these days. Is that normal?" I asked curiously.
"It is honey. It's a part of growing up and becoming a woman."
"How so?" I sat up and looked at her, wanting to know why.
"It's normal to crave privacy as you get older, you may feel that you'll start to distance yourself from your Mom and it happens to everyone." I nodded and listened.
"But, if it's something serious I'm warning you not to keep it."
"Because keeping bad secrets can lead to bad effects!" I said.
"Exactly Bell."
"Trust me, I know that very well by now." We both laughed and continued to talk.
"You start middle school next year, no?"
"Yeah."
"Are you excited?"
"Kinda. Kinda not, bittersweet is the word right?"
"Well I guess you could use that."
"I really don't wanna leave my school next year unless one of my friends are coming because I really love them all."
"That's so sweet."
************
February 1st (Olivia's Perspective)
I watched as Noah stared at his tablet. I remember the good old days of social interaction. When my kids would talk to me way more.
"I'm doing something." He said quietly.
"What are you doing?"
"Work."
"What kind of work?" Noah got up and walked away quietly. This sucks. It's moments like these where I wait for Bella to appear, the only kid in this house who still somewhat needs me.
"Bella?"
"I'm doing something!" I was supposed to have dinner with Elliot today. One of our secret little meetings, and I just wanted to socialize with my kids beforehand.
"Okay, I'm here m'lady." Bella sat down and smiled wide at me.
"What's up?"
"I wanted to ask you if you packed your animals away."
"Yeah. I saved two of them. For comfort reasons!" She let out a giggle in embarrassment and played with her hands.
"Is it true that Aunty is coming over with the kids?"
"Mhm."
"Where are you going?"
"Out for dinner."
"With who?"
"A friend."
"Is it Elliot?" I looked at my daughter and nodded quietly.
"Mom, why are you always in a relationship?"
"Bella, What are you talking about?" She stayed quiet and then proceeded to go upstairs quietly.
"Bella?!"