Ballad of Souls (Book 1/4)

Part 1 Chapter 4: Bella

Ethan sat in the car, watching out of the window, his eyes following the passing buildings of the city and Bella was driving them to school. He had not left the house since December. They were a few minutes from the school. Bella and him had talked and he said was so grateful he had a friend like her. She promised she was going to be the source of his strength today, tomorrow and most likely forever.

Bella had always been there for Ethan. They met back on the first day of last year. They were assigned as partners in science class and clicked immediately. They became inseparable ever since.

She was there when Christmas came around at that party. She said Ethan should call her when he got home. She never got the call. Bella was told about the accident some days later. She was devastated. She made her way to Ethan's house as soon as possible. She expected to see him crying but he just looked like his soul had been taken from him. He just looked dead but alive at the same time. For that weekend, Bella had stayed with him. Normally people go through the five stages of grief in a few days and then just stop, but Ethan went through them. It was agony for Bella to watch Ethan just sit there, in silence, tears running down his face but staying perfectly but terrifyingly still. It still gave Bella chills to this day.

He looked much better now that some time had passed. Bella was grateful. Today he looked like a reformed person, yet like a shell of what he used to be. He used to look like a fit, strong school rugby star. Now, like a skinnier, sad emo teenager. It was heartbreaking for Bella to see. She tried not to focus on it too much.

They stayed in silence the whole ride to school. It was what Ethan needed, especially after what he went through and having to go back to school. They turned the corner into the school's parking lot. A large brick building, with the yellow letters reading "Kultenville High School" plastered above the entrance way arches. The building had two smaller brick wings jutting off to the sides.
Bella parked her car. She looked at Ethan and she put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed. Bella felt that he was shaking. "I promise you will be okay. I won't let anything happen to you." Bella said reassuringly.

"Okay." He said, shaking. He looked out the car's windshield and took a deep breath in. "Let's do this."

They sat in the class, anticipating their new homeroom teacher, waiting for the new schedules to see if their friends would be in their class. Bella and Ethan sat in the back of the class, trying to avoid attention as much as possible. There were some groups of people who would share their condolences for Ethan and luckily they were all in small groups and did not come so often. Ethan's nerves were not yet calmed but Bella could see it was getting better.

Bella started fiddling with her pen. "How are you holding up there, Ethan?"

He was about to answer when the teacher walked in. He had dark hair and silvery sides with a matching stubble beard. His green eyes were lensed by glasses. Bella received a shiver down her spine.

"My name is Derryl Clarke but you can call me Mister Clarke." He said, writing his name on the black board behind him. "Your new homeroom and occult history teacher. Today we are starting with attendance but first," He looked to the door and signaled for someone to come in. "We will be welcoming a new student. Now I know it is a new year and basically everyone is a new student to me but as far as I know you all have been in this school before except the new student. Welcome in, Rose."

A girl with sandy blonde hair and dark eyes walked in and turned to face the class. She smiled and silently greeted everyone around the class until she locked eyes with Ethan and Bella, she frowned, eyes wide. Bella felt an even stronger shiver shooting down her spine. It was eerie.

"Okay Rose, you can take a seat wherever you want so we can take attendance." Said Mr. Clarke as he looked for the class list.

Rose took a seat in the corner by the window. She faces forward but Bella could see her eyes were looking at Ethan. What was her problem? Bella thought.

"Okay, guys, let's start." started Mr. Clarke. He started reading off names.

"Hey, Ethan?" Bella asked.

"Yeah?" he answered.

"Did you notice the new girl was staring at you weirdly?"

"Yeah. It was a bit strange, not gonna lie." He answered as he leaned back in his chair to look at Rose.

Bella slapped him and gave him a 'What the fuck are you doing?' look. "You cannot be doing that. She will be thinking we are the weird ones."

"She was staring at us fir-" Ethan was interrupted by Mr. Clarke.

"Are we bothering you two or may I carry on with attendance. As for you, Ms. Dawson, I have called your name twice already."

Bella looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry sir. Won't happen again."

"Good." Mr. Clarke said.

Bella looked at Rose again. This time, she was not staring at Ethan anymore, she was staring at Bella. She could not think about it too much since the bell rang. Bella grabbed her back as she had Math class now. Ethan had occult history now with Mr. Clarke. She gave Ethan a squeeze on the shoulder, reassuringly. She looked over at where Rose was sitting and she did not get up which meant she had the same class as Ethan. Great. Bella left the class. She caught a glimpse of Rose staring at her again. Still so eerie.