𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐇 𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐑, 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚃𝚃𝚈 𝙻𝙸𝚃𝚃𝙻𝙴 𝙻𝙸𝙰𝚁𝚂

𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 1 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 16

On the next day, after that what happened at Spencer's house, Bella was in school standing in the library when she got an SMS

Elizabeth
Come home, your dad is here

The blonde was shaking. Did he say anything to her? Maybe blamed her for something?

She couldn't even think of school in this moment, she immediately rushed home finding her dad and Elizabeth in the kitchen

"Bella. What a lovely surprise" Her dad said. In confusion the girl just put on a fake smile

Elizabeth chuckled. "Me and your dad talked. He told me that you're feeling way better since your mom's dead"

What an asshole

"Mhm. Kinda" She lied, knowing that if she told the truth it will have consequences

"Listen, I can't stay. Business meeting. See you later" The man told, leaving the house

"I.. I have to go. School is still on, after all. I will be home soon" Bella explained, walking away

Instead of going to school she just went for a walk. She flinched when she felt that someone tapped her shoulder

"Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to scare you" Trevor told

She smiled. "Hey. Where are you going?"

"School. Aren't you going?" He wondered noticing that she's without her bag. She shook her head

"I'm, uh, not feeling well. That's why I went for a walk" She lied, feeling bad for it

"I mean, I could skip school If you don't want to be alone" He offered

She was confused. Why would he want to skip school for her? She was his sisters best friend, and they clearly couldn't date. Right?

"Your parents won't mind? Gotta remind you, you're a Hastings" She told

He chuckled but looked sad at the same time. "My parents don't care about me as much as they care about my sisters. I am the only guy in the family, just as much as I am the middle child. I could run away, and my dad wouldn't give a damn"

The girl didn't know what to say. "I am sorry to hear that"

"Don't be. So, do you want company?"

She smiled, nodding. "Sure"

The both walked for a bit, talking about all kind of things in life

Before they separated again, he told her

"It's so unfortunate that I didn't met you earlier, Bella"

-

On the next day, in school, it was Emily's swim competition and all of the girls will be there to support her

"Bel, Hold on" She heard Hanna saying. She stood next to a guy

"That's Caleb. Caleb, that's Bella" She introduced, smiling. He studied her face

"I know you. From prom. You were trying to break into-"

"Nice meeting you. You guys better hurry up before we miss the competition" The blonde interrupted, not wanting anyone to hear what her and Spencer did

Bella walked off and saw Aria and Spencer who sat there already

"Oh, hey Bella. Why weren't you in school yesterday?" Aria wondered

"I wasn't feeling so well"

Spencer furrowed her eyebrows. "Really? Hm, my brother wasn't in school either"

"When is Emily gonna swim?" Hanna, who joined them with Caleb, asked

"She's the anchor. She swims last because she's the fastest" Aria explained to her. Caleb walked away for a moment

"Why are we sitting with Caleb?" Aria wondered

"Why not?" Hanna replied. "Hanna, I like stray dogs too, but sometimes they bite" Spencer told

"Okay, well he's had his shots" Hanna defended, "Go Emily!"

"Han, she is not even in the water yet" Bella chuckled

"What is Trevor doing here? He told me he'd skip the swim thing" Spencer wondered, noticing her brother sitting in the crowd as well

Hanna smirked. "Did you tell him Bella is here as well? Maybe that's why he came"

Bella looked at her in confusing. "What do you mean?"

"Doesn't matter. You'll understand soon enough, I believe" Hanna smiled

Emily swam now and they all cheered for her, being proud of their friend

-

After the swim competition, Hanna ans Bella walked outside the swimming 'room' together

"Hanna, what did you mean earlier?" Bella asked

"Bel, I saw you guys yesterday. I had sub and skipped and then I saw you guys" She admitted. "Oh.. Well, i can assure you that there is nothing going on"

"Okay, if you say so. Catch you later" Hanna spoke, walking away

Bella's phone vibrated

Unknown
'There's nothing going on' You sure, Bella? Didn't look like it when I saw you both. -A

"You son of a goddamn-"

"Woah, are you okay?" Trevor interrupted. She immediately hid her phone. "Of course. Just.. my phone is kinda broken"

He smiled. "I've been there. I wanted to ask you something"

"Sure, go ahead" She told.  "So, don't take this the wrong way.. But I would love to go on another date with you. Maybe only as friends, and if you're saying no or if you want to ask Spencer first I can completely understand-'

"Sure, that sounds great" She interrupted. "Wait, really?"

She chuckled. "Yes. Like you said, it's just as friends so I don't think Spencer would mind"

He smiled. "Okay. Well, I'll tell you the details tomorrow"

"Sounds good"

-

At home Bella felt bad. She didn't want to lose Spencer. Of course she already said she wouldn't mind but still. Could they ever be more than friends?