BELLINGHAM'S GIRL (under editing)

CHAPTER SEVEN: Hero

BELLA'S POV
The weekend passed too quickly, and soon it was Monday morning again. I couldn't wait to tell Joyce and the others about my lunch with Jude. As James drove me to school, I replayed the day in my head, a smile never leaving my face.

When I arrived, Joyce, Zade, Chloe, Emily, and Princeton were all waiting for me.
"Morning, guys!" I called out, feeling the warmth of their friendship.

"Morning, Bella!" they replied in unison, eagerly awaiting my news.
"How was your weekend?" Joyce asked, a knowing smile on her face.

"It was amazing," I said, unable to hide my excitement. "I had lunch with Jude on Saturday."
"No way!" Chloe exclaimed. "Tell us everything!"

I recounted the entire day, from our conversation to the promise of future outings. My friends listened intently, occasionally interrupting with questions and exclamations of excitement.

"That's so awesome, Bella," Emily said, her eyes wide with admiration.
"I know," I replied, feeling a sense of happiness and anticipation for what lay ahead.

"Enough about me, let's talk about Joyce. You've not updated us about your date with Princeton" I teased and Princeton and Joyce got up to leave at the same time.
"Come back here" we all shouted as they ran. We laughed at them.

As the school day began, I felt a newfound energy and excitement. With my friends by my side and the promise of more moments with Jude, I knew this semester was going to be unforgettable.

The second week flew by quickly due to classes, assignments and catching up with friends. Joyce, Zade, Chloe, Emily, and Princeton made the transition back to school life smoother, and our lunch breaks were always filled with laughter and stories.

Surprisingly, Amanda and Eve didn't come to bug me so there was no school drama for now.

The following Saturday, I decided to go shopping. My friends were all busy with their own plans, so I set out on my own. I had a list of things I needed, and I figured a solo shopping trip would be a nice way to unwind.

The mall was bustling with activity, and I enjoyed browsing through the stores, picking up a few new outfits and some accessories. As the evening wore on, I realized I was getting hungry. I decided to treat myself to dinner at a cozy little restaurant I had been wanting to try.

After ordering my meal, I headed to the restroom to freshen up. The restaurant was nearly empty, and the restroom was quiet. As I was washing my hands, I heard the door creak open. I glanced up and saw a man enter, his eyes darting around nervously.

"Excuse me, this is the ladies' room," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

The man ignored me and took a step closer.
Panic began to set in. He was walking towards me.
"I won't hurt you. I just want to have a piece of you" he said and I freaked out. Just as I was about to reach for my phone, the door swung open again, and Jude burst in. He was wearing a face mask but I could tell it was him. His eyes had a hint of anger and concern.

"Get out," Jude commanded, his voice low and threatening.

The man hesitated for a moment, then bolted out the door. Jude quickly followed, making sure the man left the restaurant before returning to me. He gently placed his hands on my shoulders, his eyes filled with worry.

"Are you okay, Bella?" he asked softly.
I nodded, my heart still pounding. "Yes, thanks to you. How did you know I was here?"

"I was having dinner with a friend here and I saw you coming in." Jude explained. "I was going to coma and say hi but then I saw you going to the restroom, then saw that guy follow you into the restroom. I knew something was wrong."
"You seem to always be here whenever I'm in trouble. Thank you." I said and he smiled.

Jude insisted on taking me home, and I was grateful for his presence. As we walked to his car, I couldn't shake the fear that had gripped me moments earlier. But Jude's calm and reassuring demeanor helped soothe my nerves.

"Thank you, Jude," I said as we got into the car. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up."
"I'm just glad I was there," he replied, starting the engine. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

The drive home was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Jude's presence was enough to make me feel safe. When we arrived at my house, he walked me to the door and gave me a warm hug.

"If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me," Jude said, looking into my eyes.
"I will," I promised. "Thank you again, Jude. You really are my hero."

The following week, the incident at the restaurant still lingered in my mind, but I focused on my studies and spending time with my friends. I told them what had happened, and they were all shocked and concerned.

"That's so scary, Bella," Chloe said, hugging me tightly. "I'm glad Jude was there."
"Me too," I agreed. "It was like something out of a movie."

Despite the lingering fear, the support of my friends and family helped me move forward. I continued to see Jude whenever we could find time in our busy schedules, and our bond grew stronger with each passing day.
The next week was a blur of classes, homework, and moments spent with friends. Joyce, Zade, Chloe, Emily, and Princeton made sure to keep me busy, distracting me from the haunting memory of the restroom incident. Joyce and Princeton's budding romance was a source of constant teasing and amusement. We would catch them exchanging shy glances or sneaking off to have their own little chats, and it always brought a smile to my face.

On Wednesday, during lunch, I received a text from Jude: "Hey, how's your day going?"
I couldn't help but grin as I replied, "Better now that I've heard from you."
"Want to grab dinner on Friday? My treat."
"Sounds perfect. Can't wait!" I texted back, my heart doing a little happy dance.

Friday evening arrived, and I found myself at a charming little Italian restaurant Jude had picked out. The ambiance was warm and inviting, and the smell of fresh pasta filled the air. Jude was already there, waiting for me at a corner table. He stood up and gave me a hug as I approached.

"You look beautiful," he said, making me blush.
I noticed that whenever we were out, the place was always quiet and we were always alone in the place.
"We are always alone when we go out" I said to him and he smiled

"Actually, I book the whole place because I don't want you to feel uncomfortable whenever we're together. I don't want fans staring and I don't want you out in the spotlight yet" he said truthfully and I smiled.
"You really put in a lot of effort into our dates. I'm sorry I didn't notice" I said
"It's no big deal. Anything for you" he said and I blushed.

We spent the evening talking about everything and nothing. He told me about his latest training sessions and some funny stories about his teammates. I shared stories about school, my friends, and even a few anecdotes about my siblings, Benson and Bianca. It felt so natural, so right.

After dinner, Jude walked me back to my house. As we stood by the door, he pulled me into a gentle hug. "I had a great time tonight," he whispered.

"Me too," I replied, feeling a warm glow spread through me. "Thanks for everything, Jude."

The next few weeks followed a similar pattern—school, friends, and stolen moments with Jude. My bond with him grew stronger, and my friends noticed the change in me. They could see how happy and content I was, and it made me realize just how much Jude meant to me.

One weekend, my siblings and I decided to spent the day catching up. We went to the movies and had dinner at a fancy restaurant. It was Nice to have some sibling time. Bianca had started her art projects. She had started a new series of paintings, and our house was quickly filling up with her vibrant creations.
Benson's internship was coming to an end meaning he would soon be back to school for his final semester.

One afternoon, as I was studying in my room, I received a call from Jude. "Hey, Bella, I have some news," he said, his voice tinged with excitement.

"What is it?" I asked, curious.
"I got tickets to a concert next weekend. Billie Eilish's concert actually. Do you want to go with me?"

"Of course! That sounds amazing. She's on of my favorite artists," I replied, already looking forward to it.
"I know. You mentioned it before" he said and I felt emotional knowing that her cares and remembers all I say.