Bella's Asylum

Chapter 2

"Hey, let's all meet at my house. 9:00?"  I say. In response, I get a series of yes's and yeah's. Reed's driving me home today since he can't go to his house. His parents are getting a divorce and his dad is a drunk so most nights he's with me. Anyways, while driving back home I can't help but admire how he focuses on the road. He slightly nods his head to the music causing a strand of hair to fall in front of his face. I reach to move it while he stops at a red light. He notices my arm and turns. He looks me dead in the eye, and I only now realize how beautiful his eyes are; a pale blue color flowing with emotions, like a never-ending river. I move the strand away still looking at him. A honk from the person behind us makes us turn away. What was that?
    We finally made it home. I head to the bathroom to take a shower. Once on I make my way to my room to grab clothes for tonight. I grab light grey joggers and a white crop top that says 'bed>school'. I hop in the shower to feel the warm water beat down on my skin. I shampoo and condition my hair before doing my body. After my shower, I change and throw my hair into a messy bun. I walk into my room to find Reed laying on my bed going through people's Snapchat stories.
    "Hey," I say while jumping on him.
    "Hi. You're heavy." He shoves me off him so that I'm on the ground.
    "Hey, that was mean," I say in a toddler's voice.
    "So is body slamming people," he chuckles. We go downstairs to order a margarita pizza, wings, and salads, for the four of us since the girls should be here soon. The time was now 5:00 pm, the pizza place said it'd be about 45 minutes. Apparently, they're really busy on Fridays, which is understandable considering it serves the best food.

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    The girls got here as well as the food. We all go to the basement since we have a projector. We've been watching Lucifer as a group. Rae and Harper fall asleep again which leaves me and Reed. I lean my head against his shoulder, he's used to it.
    "I never said thank you," I say out of nowhere. He turns his head to look at me.
    "For what?"
    "Helping me with my sister." A tear rolls down my cheek. He reaches up to wipe it away.
    "You don't have to thank me." He places a kiss on my head. I freeze at the action. He just kissed my head! He's never done that before! Now I'm freaking out. I clear my throat as I stand up.
    "I'll be right back." I walk up to my bathroom and do my nightly routine.

                   
Reed's POV

    I watch her walk up the stairs in admiration. I can't believe I kissed her on the head. Don't get me wrong, I've liked her ever since we met. Her eyes are like emeralds; so beautiful and you can just admire it for hours. Her laugh is angelic almost like a symphony. Her hair is sleek and black as night.
    Bella took it hard when her sister passed. She doesn't like talking about her a lot because if she does she cries. I hate seeing her cry, hence why I always try to make her smile. Some time passed and she came back. Bella crawled next to me and eventually fell asleep. She nuzzled into my side like a little kid. It was so adorable. I couldn't help but run my hand down her hair and to her cheek.
"So beautiful."

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    The next morning I'm the first one awake like usual. I gently move Bella off of me. Somehow she ended up laying on me. I get up to go to the bathroom and use the spare toothbrush I keep here. After I get ready, I go to the kitchen and make chocolate chip pancakes. While mixing the batter I hear the door to the basement open, I don't think much of it. I hear the person's feet shuffle to the bathroom. I hear the girl walk in the kitchen and sit on the island.
    "Morning." I'm a little disappointed that it's not the girl I was hoping for, but I know Bella is always the last to wake up.
    "Morning, Rae." I put the chocolate chips in the batter.
    "When are you gonna tell her?" she asks, breaking the silence.
    "What do you mean?" I know exactly what she means but I can't let her know that.
    "When are you going to tell Bella you're in love with her?" I take a second to answer thinking if I should tell the truth.
    "I love Bella like a sister, and she knows that," I finally answer.
    "I'm not an idiot like everyone else thinks I am. Reed, you should tell her how you feel." I don't answer but put the pancakes on the stove. A few minutes later I hear the door open again. Harper does her thing and walks in.
    "Hey guys," she says happily.
    "You seem happy," Rae points out.
    "Yep. I had an amazing dream."
    "Was it about History," Rae winks. Harper just rolls her eyes but nods. I lightly chuckle knowing about "history".  After I finish the pancakes, Harper and Rae start eating, and I head down to wake her.
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Bella's POV

    I wake up to the smell of pancakes and someone lightly stroking my arm with the back of their hand.
    "Bella, time to get up," Reed whispers.
    "Hm?" I slightly open my eyes and see his tall figure next to me.
    "Time to get up."
    "What time is it?" I ask in a groggy voice.
    "10:30," he says wiping away the messy hair from my face. I groan but eventually get up. I do my business then head to the kitchen. The smell of pancakes makes my stomach growl. It smells sooooo good. I sit on the barstool and Reed passes me a plate with food on it. I take a bite and do a little happy dance. Everyone just chuckles at me. Then out of nowhere the front door opens. We all freeze knowing no one should be home. Reed tenses up and comes to stand by me.
    "Markus, stop." We all relax hearing my mom's laugh.
    "Come on Elle, that was funny. Oh hey, it's the infamous four," my dad says walking in the kitchen. He sets down his briefcase and comes to hug me. I always liked his hugs, they're so warm and full of love.
    "Hey, dad. You guys are home early," I say confused.
    "Yeah, our trip was successful so we got to come home early." Then mom hugs me.
    "When and where are you going next?"
    "What? Don't want us around?" My mom jokes. They said they were leaving in a week which ruins our plans because I don't want to sneak out. They also said they'd be going to Rome. My parents work for Qatar Airways, the most successful airline. They earn a decent amount of money which is why we're able to have nice things. My mom is beautiful, she has long blonde hair with gentle green eyes, like mine. And my dad is tall with jet black hair and blue eyes. Everyone says I look like my mom but I believe I resemble my dad more.
    "Okay guys, we're heading to bed. It's been a long week." My dad yawns in agreement with mom.
    "K. Sleep well," I say, giving them both a kiss on the cheek. We watch them leave the room before looking at each other.
    "Well that ruins our plans," Rae says looking bummed.
    "No, we'll just go next weekend. Today we can go shopping for supplies and stuff we might need. I can also stash them in the secret room," I suggest. They all nod in agreement. Yay. We all hop in the car and drive to the mall. As we're jamming out to music I look at Reed. He's smiling as we all sing in unison. I'm glad he gets along with them. If he didn't I don't know what I'd do.