AFFLUENZA ; D.M (no longer updating) see last two updates

CHAPTER 13

"cherry pie"

(Bella Clark's POV)

You know the expression, 'whatever kills you makes you stronger'? I've always believed that. That's what my parents told me. Except it's hard to believe something someone's told you, when they always lie. In my case, i'm not so sure it's made me stronger. I think it's made me weaker. I think it's made me an easy target. And I hate that.

"You should really get some food in you," Draco says gently. He sits next to me on the comforting bed, looking into my eyes. I don't look back though. I can't even fucking accept the fact that I was drugged or spelled again.

"I'm not that hungry," I lie. I'm starving. But i'm to scared to eat anything. What if it has the drug in it? What if I eat or drink and then that happens to me again? Is it worth the risk? Probably not...

"Bella you have to be hungry. You haven't eaten in over a day."

"Seriously i'm okay." I would like nothing more than to sit and gorge some food, however the risk i'd have take is something i'm not willing to give up. Not to be thrown on somebody else helplessly.

"Just one bite. Please?" He looks at me solemnly. I have a gut feeling that he knows what i'm thinking, but hopefully if he knows, he'll understand.

He gives me a soft look. One that is like a guardian angel looking over a human. Protective. I eye the dish set in front of me. It's filled with almost all of my favorites. Mac and Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, and Cornbread. I shift back up to his face, and then reach for the fork placed beside the plate.

One bite. Just one bite. That can't hurt me. Right?

I stab the cheesy noodle numbly, and raise the fork to my mouth. My lips open. I realize my hand is trembling. Why is it shaking so much?

I can't do this. I can't I can't I can't.

I set the fork down on the dish- the food still being impaled by the sharp metal. Draco looks down at me sympathetically.

"I-I can't d-do it. W-What if they drug me again?" My eyes gloss over, but I push them back. No way i'm crying in front of him again.

"They're not going to. I promise. I'll fucking kill them before they get a chance. But right now, you need to eat before you faint."

I nod my head lightly, and pick the fork back up. Shakily, I raise the utensil back up to my mouth, and take a very small bit. A nibble, if you want to call it that. It didn't taste that great to be honest. Like it had been sitting there for hours already, cold. I think Draco notices my reaction. He casts a quick hand-magic heating spell.
Hand-magic. Fuck, that's hard to do.

My lips curl up, barely. For the (how many times is it now- I don't even remember to be honest) 'i don't know' times, and take a bite. He looks very pleased that i'm eating again. Still, as i'm eating, there's still a gut feeling that I could be jeopardizing myself- For the third time.

————

A few days had pasted. Draco insisted that I continue to stay home from classes for a few more days.

"Bella, I don't think you should go back just yet. I wanna make sure you're fully okay before going back into that hellhole," He had said.