☀️She's Extraordinary ☀️

It's Tense

Philadelphia, PA (11:23 AM) (Bella's Perspective)
"Smile! This is going on snap!" Julia said.
"No pictures!"
"Okay, North West." I joked.
"That could never be an insult, she's such an icon."
"I don't even have the energy to respond to you."
"Guys, tonight we're pulling an all-nighter, right?"
"In who's RV? My Mom values her sleep because she doesn't get enough as she says."
"Probably mine." Julia said.
"Cool! Okay, I've got it all planned out! We're going to watch Mean Girls, Kissing Booth-"
"Don't forget the Fault In Our Stars, the book is amazing but the movie?? A Masterpiece."
"Same for Paper Towns!"
"John Green makes some amazing books."

Jake: Bella we gotta talk

That's pretty random. What's wrong? You know you're in some deep shit when someone texts like that. The last time I checked, we were okay last night. You know what, I'll answer this later.
******************
The Liberty Bell (Eli's Perspective)
I still can't believe it. They're engaged and she doesn't want Dad to know. And I guess that's her right, it's her life, but he told her that he was marrying Liv. I've gotta stop thinking about this, this is too much to wrap my head around.
"Are you bored?" Noah asked.
"Somewhat. I'm just here for a cheesesteak."
"I think we're almost done here, luckily."
"Dad, I wanna go to the beach. Can we go to the beach?" Leia asked.
"Maybe."
"Maybe?? So then we are going to a beach!"
"Keep guessing Leia, keep guessing." Jonah and Noah started talking to each other, leaving me to think...again.

Kathleen: Mom never told me about their engagement
Me: I guess she's taking her sweet time telling you guys. Do Maureen, Lizzie, and Richard know?
Kathleen: of course they do. I guess she thought I'd take it badly.
Me: If that's the reason, it's funny that she told me. I can't stand him. I only tolerate it for Mom.
Kathleen: That's true... You never told me why you hate him so much, you said you had a valid reason but you forgot to tell me.

I twisted my thumbs. This isn't something to throw around lightly. But if I sit here and let him marry her and she finds out after, I'll never forgive myself.

Me: He's been cheating on her.
Kathleen: Are you being serious?!?
Me: Kathleen why would I lie about some shit like that? He's been cheating on her for at least 6 months.
Kathleen: how do you know that?

How do I know that? Let's see.

A couple of months ago.....
"Mom?" I don't know why she wouldn't just let me go to the stupid football game.
"Mooom?"
"Jesus fucking christ." I went upstairs to see if Mom was sleeping or something when I heard some noise.
"Don't tell me they're boning each other right now. How traumatizing." I muttered. As I tried to sliver to my bedroom the noise ceased and Charles spoke.
"You have to leave soon...my girlfriend's kid son is coming home soon, and if he sees us-"
"Can't I stay a bit longer?"
"Audrey....I'll come over tonight after I take Kathleen to that dinner party."
"Five more minutes. Please?" I saw a bunch of red hair and I tiptoed to my bedroom. I knew that he was bad news. What am I supposed to do??

"This is killing me." I felt physically sick. This is why I hate staying by Mom's these days. I went to find a bench and I closed my eyes. I know I said that I wouldn't think, but I just told Kathleen and she's asking me for proof. I can't avoid it now. I shouldn't have said anything.

"Eli, we're gonna leave! Dad said you gotta come now." I heard Bella say.
"Leave me alone."
"Everyone's kind of waiting on you.....Dad's getting annoyed. Are you sick? I could get you a ginger ale-"
"Bella, get the hell away from me. You're paying me some mind now because none of the boys are talking to you?"
"Okay, rude. You can stay here for all I care. I get that you don't necessarily like me all that much anymore, I don't even know why, but you don't have to be a fucking douchebag when I haven't even done anything to you."
"I'm the douche?? Do you see how you are when you get in one of your "moods"? One second you're happy and the next you're the biggest bitch ever. You're literally bipolar." I looked up and Bella looked hurt and Dad was pissed.
"Okay, separate now." Bella went over to her friends, crying, and Dad came over to me.
"Get off of me." He restrained me.
"Hey, hey, calm down."
"What's going on with you?? Calm down." He let go of me.
"Why are you so upset?"
"Why don't you ask Mom that?"
"I don't need the attitude. What did Mom do?"
"Eli, what did you do?"
"She got engaged to Charles and didn't want me to tell you. But I hate his guts and I never want to go over there again." He paused.
"She what?!?" I showed him the picture of the ring. Dad didn't look quite happy but I couldn't tell why.
"We're gonna talk about this...just not right now."
**********************
The RV (2:45 PM) (Olivia's Perspective)
"But he took a dig at me first." Bella said in between tears.
"I hear you, but go ride with your Aunt for now. Just until we get to Virginia."
"Can I stay over there for the night? The girls and I wanna watch movies and stuff."
"You can." I gave her a hug and a kiss before she exited the RV. I sighed. I just wanted this to be a good trip. Noah's pissed at me, Bella and Eli are fighting (which I never saw coming), there's a bit of tension between El and me. I envisioned a happy trip, like the old times.

6 years ago (North Carolina)
"Enjoying that s'more?!"
"Yes, Aunty! You make the best ones!" Bella sat in her lap as we all gathered around the fire.
"So guys, what was the best part about today?" I asked.
"I liked it when we went kayaking and had the race, it was awesome! Plus, we won!" Noah said.
"I liked when we were fishing and I caught the baby fish. I was sad that we had to put it back in the water. He was really cute!"
"His name is Ferb! Ferb this fish, Julia!" Bella replied.
"Ferb was cute! Ma, can I get a fish when we get home?"
"I'll think about it." Addie said with a smile. We both know that none of the kids are getting a fish. We have too many pets already.
"Bella, what was your favorite part? You too, Jonah."
"I liked playing tag in the woods and kayaking with everybody. It was so much fun." Addison kissed her and I smiled. This was such a good trip.

"What happened?" I asked as Elliot came towards me.
"We could talk about this later, let's just start driving." So he's unhappy when I don't speak to him or open up, but then he goes and hides things? How backhanded. He was nervous and sweating, which signaled to me that he was hiding something big.
"Elliot, what is it?"
"Liv."
"Don't Liv me. I'm supposed to care."
"You don't let me care about you though." I sighed.
"That is beside the point right now, you look very distressed ever since you talked to Eli, is he okay?"
"Angry, but he is okay."
"What's gotten you so shaken up? Please tell me, El." He got up and started the RV. There's no use pushing anymore.
"Mommy, me and Gabby made friendship bracelets when I was in Alex's RV. Mr. Garrett helped us."
"Oh, that looks so beautiful! Did you enjoy your little sleepover?"
"Yes! We watched Barbie movies and had popcorn. It was fun!"
"That's great, honey." I kissed and hugged her.
"Can Gabby and Liam and Gabe come tonight? We'll be good kids, I promise!"
"I know you will, but I have to check with their parents. Kay?"
"Okay! Mommy, do you want to do an adult coloring book with me?"
"I'd love to." We sat at the kitchen table and she pulled out the books and the markers. At least she's okay.
*********************
Aunt Addie's RV (Bella's Perspective)
Eli was being such a dickhead. I didn't even do anything to him and yet he was yelling at me like I ruined his entire day. So who wouldn't say something back? He's usually pretty nice to me.

Jake: Bella, are you there?

This is the last thing I need right now. I'm worried about what Jake wants to talk about but then again I'm also scared that Mom and Dad are gonna get mad at me over the whole Eli thing because they seem to be fighting a bit. Like they're okay for the trip, but you know the tension is there. I'm sick of this.
"Bell, you didn't vote on the movie!"
"You guys choose for me!" I said with a smile. I sat on my god-sister's bunk and held my stuffed penguin. The same one my Mommy gave me when I was little.

Me: sorry I was busy all day. What did you wanna talk about?
Jake: Is it true that you used to talk to Brayden?

Wait....how does he know about that? I mean he knows that we were friends but never that we were talking to each other at one point. I didn't know that it mattered. We were only 11 anyways. Middle school relationships are weird.

Me: yeah, why?
Jake: Why didn't you tell me that?? I had to hear that from the man himself and you two be all friendly and stuff
Me: I don't have feelings for him anymore, not after the weird shit he did. I just talk to him because everyone else is his friend and I don't wanna cause bad vibes.
Jake: Then why is he saying that you guys did stuff together?
Me: Because he's jealous. Jake, you know how Brayden is why are you even listening to him?
Jake: Because you don't tell me anything so I don't have much to go off of, do I?

Great, I love this! Now we're arguing over text and that's the worse because that's how things get mixed up and-

I started crying on my stuffed penguin. I don't like arguing, it makes me teary-eyed and scared. Because what if the person hates me now? What if they're mad at me? And I hate it when people are mad at me. I always feel like it's my fault. It's just always so tense and I hate it.
"Bella, the girls are-" Aunty paused.
"Hey, what's the matter? Sweetheart, it's okay. You can talk to me." I shook my head.
"No, it isn't."
"Why not?"
"Jake's mad at me."
"Why, what happened?"
"I don't wanna talk about it right now." I told her.
"Do you want me to tell your Mom?"
"No, I couldn't even tell her anyways. And she'll get too worried."
"Okay, just need a minute?" I nodded.
"Alright. I'll tell the girls that you feel a bit sick. Just know that I'm here for you, okay?"
"Yes. I know that very well." She smiled and tapped my hand.

~To be continued