Loving Bella - Elizabeth Bonet (each kindness read aloud txt) 📗

up at Chloe who was now tearing up with hurt in her eyes.
“Chloe…” Her voice cracked. “Can you ever find a way to forgive me?” Chloe shook her head sending copper curls everywhere. She began twisting her hands together before she knelt down in front of Bella on the stone step in front of the church. She smoothed out her black and white spotted dress and looked up at the older girl who was crying.
“It’s not your fault Bella. He did it himself. It was his choice. The sad part is how it affects so many…” Bella wiped her eyes and sniffled. “What do you mean?” She asked her brown eyes filled with tears and confusion. Chloe turned her face so Bella couldn’t see her expression.
“It means that Mason is here and would no doubt by now know what just corresponded.” Bella groaned and threw her head in her hands. “Hon its ok. Everything will be … fi- Oh no.” Bella still not looking up just waved her hand in the air to motion her to continue. After not getting an answer she spoke with agitation. “Chloe?” She heard the younger girl get up and take a step away from her.
“I’m gonna leave you two alone now.” “Two? Chloe what on earth are you talking about?!” Bella looked up to see a long shadow falling in front of her. She sighed and saw no hope for it. Bella began to shiver. She pulled her knees in front of her and hugged her legs as she rocked herself back and forth, crying. Glad for her floor length winter skirt.
Mason looked down at the small girl in front of him and pushed himself off of the door he leaned against. Standing right above her he bent over to where he knew she would hear him. “So you and Jake are going out huh? Well isn’t that just great!” The last word dripped with sarcasm. The venom flowed so easily from his mouth he couldn’t stop it. “Well he can go to the devil. Right along with his missus.”
Bella froze and looked up to glare at him. “How dare you?” She reached out and slapped her hand firmly on his cheek. “I hope it leaves a mark. Here I am all these months pining after you. Depressed even! Finally start going somewhere with my life again and all I could think of was maybe not ever seeing you again.”
“And the pain it caused each time I thought it would send me into nights without sleep screaming as I tossed and turned in my bed while sweat just fell off of me as If it were nothing! But then what do you do? You say go the devil. You know what Mr. O’Cullen? You can go to the devil!” With that she stood up and took a few steps forward. She turned back to look down on Mason who now sat shocked on the stairs.
With hurt and rejection weighing her down she glared at the man she loved. “And just for your information. Jacob and I, never went out.” That said, she flounced off into the church. Probably never to be seen by him again. Leaving Mason in guilt, hurt and confusion.
“Stupid me! Why God? Why God did you let me hurt her like that… and myself in the process?”

~*~*~*~


Chapter nine

The rest of the week went by in a blur for Bella. She dreaded when Saturday had to come rolling by again. When she’d have to see them all again. Including Mason. Obviously she had hurt him. But for all she cared he could get over it. “No sense in talking to any of them until I can get my head on straight. Except for Chloe she didn’t do anything worthy of my abandonment.”
Finally Friday evening came and there Bella sat prostrate in front of her closet. Staring at the skirts and dresses before she groaned inwardly. “Why would I want to look nice for anybody. They all end up hurting me in the end anyway.” “You should dress nicely for me.” There came the still, small voice which held Bella at peace when nothing else could.
Bella sighed to herself. “Ok God. But just for you. And I’ll wear my best dress if you like.” She smiled to herself at the thought of wearing her pink polka-dotted white dress for the King of the universe. Mentally picturing him smiling down at her and picking out her wardrobe was definitely comical to her. Oh the joys of an intimate God.
Bella sighed as she put out her clothes to wear the next morning. “Lord give me strength.”

~*~*~*~

“She looks stiffer than the quills on a porcupine! Not that I’d blame her.” Chloe thought to herself from across the room. She studied the stiff Bella sitting prostrate against the her seat listening intently to their Sabbath school teacher. “Chloe, would you like to tell us how many times the Romans seized Jerusalem?” Chloe looked over Mr. Smith with just a hint of disdain. “I beg your pardon?”
“Romans, Chloe. How many times did they seize Jerusalem?” The older man asked a bit impatiently. Chloe could feel the warmth rising to her cheeks. She could see from the corner of her eyes that the whole class was watching her even Bella. Without hesitancy she faced their surly teacher and answered. “Twice, sir.” Mr. Smith ground his jaw slightly before continuing his lecture.
Chloe turned to see Bella’s dark eyes probing her. Once their eyes met a glimmer of wetness shone in Bella’s eyes but she turned away before a tear slid delicately down her soft cheek. The young girl turned her gaze to Mason who sat rigidly next to Jacob. Both of their stances looked ready to pounce at any opportune moment.
She sighed. “Back to the Romans. Seems a war of politics isn’t as brutal as one of the heart. Safer to take part of that war instead.”

~*~*~*~

“Bella.” The small brunette turned at the sound of her name. Her face was stone as she stared hollowly at the man in front of her. “Not so much enthusiasm please.” Bella scoffed impatiently cocking her hip to the side. “What, Jacob? What do you want?!” Jacob’s penetrating grey eyes turned to steel as he stared down the smaller young woman. She held his gaze for several seconds before turning away in disgust. She screamed when she felt his hand grab her elbow. He pulled her back to stand in front of where he was before stepping back into a hidden corner.
“Turn around Bella.” He commanded, the low hum of his voice was no longer affectionate but stern. Bella remained quiet and still. “Alright then,” She huffed when he turned her to face him in one swift movement. “Your not talking to me?” It was more of a statement than a question but she answered him anyhow. Bella regarded him with cold, hard eyes. “I have no reason to even look at you.”
“What about the fact that you love me?” Jacob continued to press her and she squirmed in his hold. Her perfectly shaped mouth dropped open at his blunt remark. “Let me go!” Bella demanded her eyes were shooting sparks of fire. Jacob tightened his grip. “Not until you answer me.”
Bella pushed against his hard chest with her small hands. Looking him dead in the eyes, she pushed him against the wall. “Answer you what?” “Do you love me?” “Oh, dear God help me!” Before Bella could answer, a voice interrupted them from behind. “Let her go.” The words were spoken through clenched teeth from a none too happy redhead.
The small brunette could feel Jacob’s arms tighten around her waist as he confronted Mason. “Or you’ll do what? Certainly nothing now.” Mason balled his fists at his sides and took a step closer. Just before he spoke Jacob smirked. The taller man began to play with Bella’s dark curls and pressed her hair to his lips to kiss it.
Mason forced himself to keep from knocking the younger man off balance. “You’re right. Nothing now… Not yet.” He grabbed Bella’s waist to pull her out of Jacob’s reach. Jacob didn’t let go but held on to her tighter. Bella screamed from the pressure of both men. Her cry so loud someone would have thought she was being murdered.
Mr. Smith came around the corner of the stairs to see what was going on. His eyes grew at the sight of both young men holding on to Bella while she was crying and struggling to break free from there grasp. “Hey!” They all looked up in surprise to see Mr. Smith furious. “Let her go!” Both men let go of the brunette and took a step back.
“What is going on here? Are you alright Bella?” He asked. Bella looked up tears staining her cheeks and ruining her pitifully beautiful face. “May I be excused?” The words barely made it out through swollen, quivering lips. Mr. Smith nodded his head and turned to glare at the two young men. “Very mature guys.” Bella accused them. She sniffed indignantly and ran out the door to the bathroom.
Jacob’s expression became one of regret, shame, and hurt. But face the fact that he had just hurt his best friend and the woman he loved he must. Mr. Smith had noted the change in him but remained quiet allowing what he knew was to happen next to develop. Mason’s face turned to a mask of stone.
Without a word to any one Mason turned to follow after Bella. Just as he passed Jacob he reached out and grabbed Mason by the arm. “Don’t go after her.” He demanded his eyes a hot liquid steel. Mason glared at the taller man. Pulling his arms out of Jacob’s hold he back handed him so that he would stumble back on his feet. The whole time the two were unaware that Mr. Smith was still watching them.
“Oh, yeah? And what makes you think that you can tell me what to do?