💫She's Different💫

Bella And The Trip

May 20th (Bella's Perspective)
I was super stoked for our 5th grade trip! We were going to Holiday Hill in Connecticut and I was really excited! And not only that...we were staying in Connecticut for 3 whole days without our parents so this was going to be fun.
"Mom?"
"Hey, what's up?" She was unpacking from work and I sat on her bed.
"Is it okay if I go on the 5th grade trip in June?"
"Do you have the permission slip?"
"We have to go to the meeting, and get it from there."
"Overnight trip right?"
"Yeah."
"I'll let you go Bella, but I want you to behave yourself. And remember,"
"Watch myself and don't let anything inappropriate happen."
"I've raised you well."
"No kissing boys on this trip."
"Mom! That's disgusting." She laughed and sat down on the bed with me.
"Bella, when are you going to start liking boys?"
"When I'm 50, nothing less. But we'll see."
"Okay sweetheart."
"Mom?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I get an iPod?"
"Why?"
"So that I can text you in middle school and stuff? Because you said you're going to give me more space and I'm going to go to dance by myself a lot more."
"That doesn't sound too bad of an idea. Let's see how things turn out."
"And we have to go shopping for graduation Mom."
"Oh yes, I forgot." Mom fixed the strap of my tank top and tightened it.
"Why?"
"It was falling off your shoulder Bella, not a good look.
"It is."
"You want the whole world to see your-"
"Stop it!" I joked.
"Okay, okay, but it shouldn't be this loose. Go on."
*********
Alone Time With Noah (Garden City, NY) (Olivia's Perspective)
"You're going to 7th next year. Almost there."
"I know."
"How do you feel?"
"I don't have any feelings about it to be honest."
"I know you loathed your school at first."
"Yeah, but I like it a lot more now."
"Gonna stay until high school?"
"I don't know about that, but it's okay."
"Any crushes?"
"We're not talking about this."
"Alright." I smiled at my son as he looked around nervously.
"I'm really happy for you Noah."
"Why?"
"Because, You've really been different lately. I thought when I gave you that phone I'd lose you completely. But, you proved me wrong." I gave him a kiss and he smiled.
"Thanks I guess." Bella came outside in her two piece and walked over to me.
"Hey honey, going for a swim?"
"Yes, but I wanna sit with you guys."
"We're having a conversation, give us a minute and then you could have me all to yourself."
"Sure. I'm gonna go get a popsicle."
"Bella's getting really tall."
"I know, it's scaring me. I do not need her towering over me."
"Or me." We both laughed and she came back outside and sat with her feet in the pool, indulging in her popsicle.
"I'm gonna go study for my Math test Mom."
"Alright, study well." I went to go sit next to Bella and I put my feet in our pool as well.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"How are you my love?"
"Good." These days I feel as if our bond has gotten stronger, Bella's more open now, and even more hilarious.
"Mom, What do you do when a boy just keeps talking and talking to you?"
"How?"
"Like, he's always trying to joke with me and giving me candy and always staring at me. What do I do?"
"Be nice about it. Is he making you uncomfortable?"
"No, not at all. I'm just confused. People don't really treat me like that."
"Usually that means they like you."
"Axel likes me." She calmly stated.
"In a friend way or that way?"
"That way."
"How do you know?"
"Kylie told me, and she was really serious about it."
"Ohh,"
"But I don't like him back. That's kind of weird."
"Yeah because you guys are a group of friends and-"
"Yeah, Mom?"
"Yes?"
"Can you not tell anyone about these things, like boys and stuff?"
"Of course, I wouldn't tell anyone."
"Thank you. Because it's kind of embarrassing to talk about with you even."
"You don't have to be embarrassed though, I'll never judge you my love." And with that I jumped into the pool, splashing Bella with all of the water and she looked at me frazzled.
"Mom!" She got in and then stared at me.
"You're very lucky that I like you, or I would've splashed you with some serious waves. I laughed and she swam to the deep end.
"Bye!"
**********
Connecticut Trip Meeting (Bella's Perspective)
Mom signed the permission slip and I smiled happily.
"Just remember that I can always decide to not let you go. So I suggest you don't give me any attitude from here on."
"Okay."
"Noah, let's go." We went to chipotle and we walked home. I was really excited and I was counting down the days for my trip. I even packed my toiletries in this cute pouch! But then, I also felt a bit sad because the school year was ending. When we got inside our house I went to the living room to watch some tv, and watched as my mother came towards me with a bowl of strawberries.
"Is it for me?"
"Mhm."
"Thank you."
"So Bella?"
"Yeah?" My Mom sat next to me and gave me a kiss.
"How are you?"
"Okay. How's work?"
"Same old-same old."
"Mom, random question but, when did you start liking guys?"
"Hmmm, middle school."
"Middle school? Was it awkward?"
"Of course, but I got through it." I really admired Mommy. She was really cool and always teaching me new things.
"Mommy?" She turned around and smiled.
"You haven't called me that in a while."
"Mommy?"
"Yes...."
"I'm nervous for middle school."
"Why?"
"Because I don't know anyone there. What if those people are mean?"
"Give it a a chance Bella,"
"In the movies they make everyone seem mean."
"They mainly do that for the drama Bella." She laughed and gave me a smile.
"It's one of those things."
"Mhm, can't take the movies literally. All you have to do is put your best foot forward, be kind to everyone, be polite and things will turn out well for you love."
"I trust you when you say that."
"You could always trust me babe. I want what's best for you."
"Mom, I just realized that I have to wear uniform. Ew."
"Welll....yes and no. You're in Upper School so it depends."
"Well it's the fact the uniform is even required."
"What's wrong with it? I think it's absolutely adorable."
"I want to be able to wear whatever."
"Well, uniform teaches discipline my love. I don't see anything wrong with it."
"I do, it isn't okay!" I joked.
"You'll be just fine honey."
"Let's go with that."
***********
Aunty Toni's Apartment
I was spending the night at my Aunts house. It still feels so weird to call her that. I figured out a while ago that my 5th grade Reading teacher was actually my Aunt. Pretty freaky.
"What don't you understand about the text?"
"Literally everything." The poem was starting to give me a headache. She took the packet from me and looked it over.
"It's making my head hurt." I usually understand things very quickly, but this time it was confusing.
"Okay, we could always do it later." She said calmly.
"Let's watch a movie, something relaxing."
"Let's see what we can watch."
"Nothing too childish, and nothing too grown up. Both are drab."
"Drab?"
"Yes the opposite of fab." She laughed and out on a movie."
"Are you excited for tomorrow?"
"Yes! Do you know the groups?"
"Well duh."
"Are you my monitor?" She gave me a certain look and I smiled.
"I need to keep an eye on you, don't I?"
"I guess so."
"I don't want to see you guys sneaking out if your rooms and visiting anyone after lights out."
"Oh Aunty, I would never!" I said dramatically.
"Just making sure."
"Trust me. I won't do it. Never."
"Bella?"
"Yes?"
"Your Mom told me that you had something you wanted to tell me. About your past." I shivered and she could sense that I wasn't being myself. All of a sudden I was just crying, and not just some regular tears, heavy ones. I realized that I had that topic buried for so long now, that revealing it to someone was difficult all over again.
"Bella, breathe."
"I'm sorry." I whispered.
"You have nothing to be sorry for."
"Can I tell you another time?"
"Whenever you're ready."