Lost in Love

Chapter 4 - Poker Face

Once I open my phone I find what feels like a million texts from Ryan that started at 6am yesterday, curse his early morning texting. It was all him asking what had happened on Friday night and then him bugging me that he has just assumed I'm dead, and "making plans for my funeral."
I didn't text him yesterday, between the project and then everything with Bella, I didn't really go on my phone, minus texting Bella, which was 5 minutes on my phone.
7:52am
R: where are you?
I'm getting worried
8:13am
L: hey, sorry. Yesterday was crazy, and I didn't get a chance to text you.
R: I feel so abandoned, you doing other things instead of texting me.
L: would you cut it out?
R: fine. Fine.
What happened?
L: she showed up
Slept in my bed
(...)
R: ooooo
L: I slept on the couch
After we got up, we ate
We finished our project
Then I took her to the rocks
We were there until the evening and....
R: and what?
L: she kissed me
R: YES!!! I knew you'd kiss
L: yeah, yeah
Anyways, she ran away after, and I went home.
She texted me at midnight and I went and picked her up
On our way back,we held hands, and we ended up cuddling on the couch
R: so she had feelings for you to?
L: yeah, who would've thought
R: so what are you doing now?
L: I just got changed and am waiting for her to get up.
Then I'm gonna see if she wants to go to her place and pick up some of her stuff.
R: cool. Cool
You still good with me coming over today, like we planned a week ago?
L: yeah. Of course. I'll let you know if we're going and then when we'll be back
R: ok...
L: what?
R: am I gonna be third wheeling?
L: of course not. You know I'm not that person.
R: right. Ok. I'll see you later then.
L: yup
I stand behind the counter glancing over at Bella. It so strange to see her without all the popular kids who hate me surrounding her. She's so peaceful and kind when they aren't around.
I decide to cut up some fruit. As I get stuff together, I realize just how empty the cupboards are, "guess tomorrow is grocery day," I mutter to myself.
I begin to see her toss and stretch before sitting up, I can tell she's still tired.
"Good morning," she says before allowing a yawn to escape.
"Morning," I can't help smiling.
I walk over with some bowls of fruit and sit down beside her, "did you sleep okay? I know the couch isn't very comfortable."
"It was fine, I honestly didn't mind the couch."
"Oh, ok."
"So, what are you planning to do today?"
" I was thinking, if you have the option, do you want to go get some of your stuff, you know, clothes and what not?"
"I would, but my parents are home and I can't imagine going there, at least not yet."
"Ok, that's fine. Just thought I'd see. I mean, you are more than welcome to borrow my stuff until you have a chance to get yours."
"Thanks."
"Umm... just so you know, Ryan is coming over later."
"Ok, do you want me to go while he's here?"
"No, of course not. I just wanted to make sure you knew."
She nods and we continue eating. I feel her lean and nudge me, and then watch a slight smile on her face, which in turn makes me grin.
I let Ryan know that we aren't going to her place today, he responds telling me he'll be here at 3, which gives Bella and I a few hours alone.
"So, if you don't mind my asking, why aren't your parents ever here?"
"Honestly, who knows. I've given up asking. They leave me the money I need to pay bills and get groceries and they disappear for however long. Which doesn't bother me very much."
"Huh, so do they ever come home?"
"Once in a while. Normally three to four months at a time, if not more."
"Damn."
"Yup. I've learnt to cook by myself, shop by myself, basically everything you need to do to live, I've had to learn. They've been leaving me home alone since I was 9."
"That's messed up."
"Yeah," I mean, she wasn't wrong. Why have a kid if you're never gonna be there?
"So what do you want to do until Ryan comes?"
"I don't know. Normally Sundays are when I make a list of what I'm out of and go shopping, but Ry's coming today, so I'm going to shop after school tomorrow."
"Oh, do you want to watch a movie? Or tv in general?"
"Sure," I grab our bowls and put them on the counter, then proceed back over to the couch, "here, you pick," I hand the remote to Bella.
After she makes a choice, we sit back and she rests her head just under my collar bone. I have my hand on hers and move my thumb across the back of her hand. Everything feels like it stops. Time doesn't exist. Years of crushing on this beautiful girl, who now lays in my arms. It's crazy how fast life can change, but this was completely worth every moment.
We lose track of time, which leads to us being startled when Ry walks in, "hey Luna, sorry I'm late, mom was-" he finally looks up, finding me blushing into my hands as we're still sat on the couch.
"Hey Ryan, don't worry about being late."
"Clearly I'm lucky I am," he teases, making the same old insinuations that started the day I got my crush.
I roll my eyes, knowing he's trying to get a reaction.
Bella leans to me and whispers quickly, "do you mind if I go into your room and borrow some other clothes," as I glance, I realize she's still in my same hoodie I gave her yesterday afternoon.
"Yeah, of course."
As she leaves the room, Ryan eagerly takes her spot on the couch, "So what was that?"
"What do you mean?"
"I walk in and you are immediately flustered and awkward, what did I walk in to?"
"Nothing, we were just laying on the couch, watching tv."
"You got flustered over that?"
"No, well yeah, I just lost track of time and you surprised me."
"Ahh, of course. So what's the plan for today?"
"I was thinking going to get ice cream and then either binging something, or breaking out some board games."
"I think this week is a board game kinda time."
"Awesome, let's go walk over to the corner store and then get gaming."
The three of us head out and get back as quick as possible. We decide to break out UNO to start us off.
After a few turns, I look at my cards; colour changer and one blue. I place the colour changer, knowing full well that Ry still has a colour changer as well. We've been playing this game for years, so I know all of Ry's faces when he gets certain cards.
"Uno and change to yellow," I take my chances, I know he'll change it. But I also only have a 33.3 percent chance that he chooses the colour I need, but...
"Change to blue!" He throws his card down, sure that he's got me.
Bella puts her card down, I'm honestly thinking that UNO isn't one of those things that her and her friends used to do.
I smirk at Ry and cock a brow, "I'm out."
"Ugh! How do you always manage this?"
I wink, just to piss him off.
"You have a really good poker face," I'm amazed at how impressed she sounds by my ability to hide my expressions.
"She does, and it's annoying. Plus she can see exactly what card I pick, because of the "face" I make."
"You do, and you always have."
He roles his eyes, which makes Bella and I laugh. We spend the next 5 hours (minus a break to eat) playing every game possible. We turn on music and all sing at the top our lungs. I was really happy to see them getting along.
After a little while, Bella left the room for a few.
"So..."
"What?"
"Are you okay with her?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you're my best friend, and I want to make sure you don't have any problems with who I'm with."
"Oh, no, I really like her. I'm honestly amazed that she hangs out with the people she does, they are so rude to everyone."
"Yeah. I honestly think, in some way, I've always known she was different from them."
"You are good at reading people."
I giggle, as Bella comes back into the room. We finish up our game, and chill out for the last little bit. Ry was getting picked up just shortly after 8, so we decided it'd be best not to start another game. Unfortunately it's a school night, otherwise he probably could have stayed over, or at least stayed later.
"Hey, do you want us to pick you up in the morning or are you walking?"
I look at Bella, "are you okay walking to school?"
"That's fine, I don't mind walking."
Ry nods as we see his mom pull up. We all go outside, since I enjoy going and seeing Mrs. Jeffery.
"Hey Mrs. Jeffery."
"Hey dearie."
I honestly still feel strange when she calls me 'dearie,' but she always has, so I'm okay with it.
She tilts her head looking at Bella, "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met."
"Right. Bella, this is Mrs. Jeffery. Mrs. Jeffery, this is Bella, my girlfriend," I don't even think before the words come out, we haven't talked about whether we are classifying this as a relationship yet or not.
"Well, it's nice to meet you."
"You too,"I can tell Bella is a little awkward around people she doesn't know.
Ry and his mom get in their vehicle and head off. Bella and I make our way back inside.
"Hey, I'm sorry I blurted out that you were girlfriend, I know we haven't talked about that yet. And I honestly don't know if you'd want to tell people."
"It's okay, it hadn't even dawned on me that we hadn't talked about it. But it was really nice to hear you call me your girlfriend."
"So we're classifying it as 'girlfriends'?"
"Hell yeah, and I don't care who knows it."
I can't help but smile, just before kissing her. We haven't kissed since she kissed me at the rocks. It all just feels right with her, and it's the best feeling in the world to be with her.
"You can take my room, I'll go crash on the couch."
"Are you sure? I don't mind taking the couch."
"No, it's fine. I honestly sleep on the couch more than I do in my own bed, so it's not much different."
"Okay, as long as you're sure."
"I am. Again, feel free to borrow whatever."
"Thanks," She starts to walk down the hall, "goodnight."
"Goodnight, Darling." I get butterflies as soon as I say it, I've never said that to anyone and it honestly came naturally to me.
I go and flop on the couch, with a huge grin on my face. I have never felt like this before and I absolutely love it. I fall asleep quite soon after, and just let my dreams carry me away.