Determined By Fate

Chapter 3: Looney Doctor

The light of a new day leisurely permeated the room, causing Bella's eye to flutter as she stirred, groaning in disdain at the sight of another day.

Attempting to retreat, she burrowed herself under the blackness of her plush Harley Quinn-covered blanket.

A knock at her bedroom door sent the previous night's events charging into her brain at an alarming rate. She flinched from the pain of what she'd done to her mother and at the funk she'd have to face today. The door opened, Charlie's rugged face peeking through the frame, " Good Morning, Stinky Girl. Your Ma told me you didn't get a bath last night. Go get it in the tub, and I'll set your uniform out."

Bella begrudgingly withdrew from her cocoon following her dad's request. She controlled the urge to tell him she could get her clothes out herself, and she wasn't a baby anymore. Charlie enveloped her in a tight hug, and Bella recoiled internally, loathing the affection.

She ended the hug before he could speak, quickly beelining for the bathroom where she discovered the bath already drawn. She tested the water, dipping her big toe in first then sinking in with the assurance that the water was good to go. The feeling of regret swaddled the stinky girl, who now had to wash off last night's transgressions.

Slightly jarred by his baby girl's lack of energy, Charlie went into Bella's closet, acquired her neatly assembled uniform, and draped the garment across her bed. He bounded down the steps two at a time to finish preparing Bell's favorite breakfast, chicken & waffles, hoping it would bring some luminance into her eyes.

Loading the waffle maker, he sprinkled a few fruity pebbles on top of the batter before closing the lid. Going to the fridge, he grabbed the pulp-free orange juice, filled a cup to the brim, and plated the crisply-golden chicken wings as the waffle maker dinged. He created several more fluffy treats before Bella made it down the staircase.

Happy to finally be greeted by her presence again, he smiled broadly, saying, "Have a seat, Princess."

While Bella was dressing, she'd smelled the decadent aroma of her favorite meal cooking, nose, and stomach beckoning her to the kitchen as Charlie placed the food on the table. "Thanks, Daddy," Bella said stiffly, stuffing her mug.

After breakfast, he walked her to school while asking, " So, Bella, what happened?" Charlie prodded. There was no question about what he was referring to.

" I just wanted to finish our word search, Dad," Bella murmured, guilt heavy in her voice.

" You hurt your mother in more ways than one with your actions, Honey. You need to apologize." Charlie responded chidingly.

" I know, Daddy. I didn't want to hurt Momma. I don't want to be a bad girl. I'm sorry", she replied in earnest.

Her dad sighed. " I understand, but you have to learn from your mistakes, Bells. You're getting older now, and one day, an apology just won't cut it." Bella nodded sullenly, glints of tears stinging her eyes. Charles bent down, meeting Bella at eye level as they stood in the buzzing school courtyard. Wiping away her tears, he said, " You are a good girl, Bells; you just have to work hard at staying one. Have a good day at school, and I love you. Your mom and I will be here to pick you up."

Placing a kiss on her forehead, he sent her off through the doors of the academy.

The blare of school bells startled Isabella from her third nap, signifying it was time to bumrush the lunchroom.

Bella watched as her peers flew from their seats and out the door. Bella leisurely went to her cubby, retrieved her lunch, and headed out. Once in the cafeteria, she found a table to herself. She noticed Angela sitting with a group of girls who'd once bullied them, and Jacob was getting cozy with the school trouble makers. As she ate her food, Bella's memory drifted back to the day when everything changed.