The Situation

TWELVE

Bella POV

1 month later

The last three weeks, an unexpected but great routine formed. On the weekdays I would walk to school unless Libby drove, but she likes to skip classes already so early in the semester, but I don't judge. I'd rather depend on myself instead of worrying if I'm going to be late and literally have to run to class. I make myself a protein smoothie and walk over to Liz's place to help get the kiddos ready for school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays when Gabe has to be at work before they wake up.

Gabe's crazy schedule should be temporary, so I don't need to come in the mornings when he's here. I like helping, I feel important and needed.

In addition to helping out some mornings I've been watching the kiddos in my apartment. Liz and I have talked almost every day, they are adjusting here as well. It was just Liz and Gabe by themselves for years, then they decided to start fostering. They received all 5 siblings about a month ago, and it sadly was a rough case.

She told me after a week of being with them, her and Gabe called their social worker about possibly adopting them as their parents signed away their rights. They are wards of the state.

The children were treated so horribly, and they never want them to ever go back into the foster care system again. Apparently, they've been separated and passed around in different temporary homes over the last 6 months, each one worse than the previous ones.

I'm not saying that all foster care parents are bad people and are just in it for the money or joy of torturing powerless children. There are good caring foster parents who want to make a positive difference. Sadly, that's not the case with these kids.

While I've been starting school here, so have the kids, and Liz is getting used to getting the kids up and ready so early, it's new to all of us. After we both walk them outside for the girls to get on the school bus, I help Liz put the boys in the car then jog to school to be on time. I need a fucking car at this point.

Classes have been good, only fell asleep twice in class and woke up Harry a few times. When he falls asleep, his head is always facing me. His ruby red lips are always parted and every now and then he'd puff out air making a small noise. I've taken a few videos and pictures to show him later. He always groans then tries to grab the phone from my hand.

We've tussled a few times over the phone, but he never grabs me and I'm never scared. It's confusing.

After he snored the first time in class, I tried tapping him, I've learned he's a heavy sleeper so I would have to shake his arm for him to actually wake up. He'd pout at me and whine that it's too early to be alive, in a raspy voice. Which is beyond cute.

Anytime of the day is too early to be alive.

At lunch I'd talk with the girls while they ate or I hide away in the library to take a breather from everything, I tend to get overwhelmed occasionally by the loud noises and crowds. Ever since that nightmare, when he said he would come get me, I've been on edge and have been triple-checking my surroundings.

I've told Cole about the reoccurring nightmare, not in depth at all. I just explained to him that in the nightmare I see what happened to me and I can't protect little Bella. He calms me down and he wanted me to get a restraining order against him.

After refusing to and a minor freak out, he spoke logically about how he has no idea where we are and him having to work, which eased some anxiety. I'm a scared coward when taking action with Sal. Cole is my person of logic and helps me think realistically.

I made sure I left no breadcrumbs about where I am. I have a different phone in my name so he cannot trace me that way. I do not share my location with him or any of the family. I have loans and rent in my name only and Cole is my emergency contact for the school.