Sunshine || l.h. {complete}

Twenty Eight

this gif makes me think of how luke looks at belle while she's talking or eating or just existing

okay so i just want to premise this chapter with a sorry it's so short but i had to add this tidbit in before i could post the next (veRY LONG!! much fluff!! much cuteness and coupleness and Bellke love fluff!!) chapter. so, this chapter is a necessary filler but also very important to belle's story. 

(don't read if you don't want to be spoiled, but you need to know)
WARNING: serious trigger of forced vomiting in this chapter, but it's a part of belle's past. if it's too triggering for you, just know that belle sometimes doesn't eat, or throws up, because she wants to punish herself or doesn't think she's worthy of eating because she's so guilt-ridden over her brother's death!! 

anyways, let's read!! 

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"I'm sure they'll be fine, dear," Victoria buts in, glaring at her husband. He huffs and crosses his arms, his glasses sliding down the bridge of his nose, "Fine, but here's the rules..."

"She needs to eat before and after," her father continues sternly, "Belle gets faint if she doesn't eat and I don't want another trip to the ER. You'll be taking her car. Make sure she's wearing her seatbelt, and absolutely no texting, keep her phone in your lap. You need to have her here back on my doorstep by eleven or else this will never happen again."

After a moment of Luke standing there in pure shock, William cuts back in, "Am I clear?"

Luke's head bobs vigorously, eyes wide and throat shaking, "Yes sir."

Belle clears her throat, cutting her eyes at her father, "Actually, daddy, I was thinking I could stay the night with my friend Elaine on Friday night. She and her boyfriend Ashton will be at the game and she lives twenty minutes from our house."

Crossing his arms, William looks skeptical, "I want you to not only call me after the game, but call me in the morning as soon as your eyes split open."

"Yes sir."

Luke looks terrified, she takes notice, and it is adorable in the weirdest of ways, and Belle ends up feeling bad for him. She wonders if Luke has ever had a father figure to boss him around about his behavior. It would be strange if he didn't, because he takes charge and acts like a gentleman, and other things like that. Fighters aren't born, they're made. And by the way Luke is good with teaching the younger boys and girls how to defend themselves, he probably was taught as a child or at least guided in standing up for himself.

"Thank you for dinner, Mrs. Victoria," Luke blushes, looking down at his clean plate, "It was delicious."

Her mom's cheeks turn bright red at the compliment. Belle doesn't bring over many friends, let alone ones that are gushing with compliments. Victoria pats Luke's hand, "You're welcome, Luke. It's nice to have a boy with an appetite around again."

It's a stab to her back, a twisted, rusted knife that's digging into her flesh and bone.

Victoria glances at Belle in an apologetic way, but it doesn't quench the bleeding that's blossoming in her daughter's chest. Belle's throat closes off and the panicked feeling rises from the bottom of her stomach, the spiders of anxiety crawling up in her throat.

"C-Can I be excused, please?" Belle asks, her hands shaking.

"Yes, dear," Victoria nods, the sadness in her eyes intensifying, "I apologize."

Belle pushes herself away from the table and she's woozy all over. Her head is sweating and her stomach is vibrating underneath her skin and muscle. Hands clench the fabric of her shirt to keep her hold on reality as the scene from the night plays in her head over and over. The guilt begins eating her alive and before she knows it, she's sat on her knees in front of the porcelain bowl of the bathroom.