Into the Shadows

Chapter 5: Lucky Charms Fruit Loops and Monkshood Root

Bella made her way downstairs. She hadn't slept a wink. Her feet pattered against the wood floor to the kitchen as she rubbed her eyes. Looking around, Bella saw that her mother already left for work--her purse was gone. Assuming her father was upstairs sleeping, Bella quietly made herself a bowl of Lucky Charms cereal mixed with Fruit Loops.

She quickly made the sugar meal, knowing that if her dad happened upon her eating it, he would highly disapprove. Plopping down onto the couch, she flicked on the TV. It was only 6:00 in the morning so, not much was on. Settling on Saved By The Bell , Bella ate her breakfast in peace. For the first time in a long time, her mind was buzzing in something other than redundant boredom. Just the thought of Noah made her cheeks and ears start to burn.

'Goodness gracious, I'm so stupid.' She thought to herself with a guilty grin. She didn't know when she'd see Noah again, it made her sort of nervous. There were so many variables in them meeting again that it nearly made her dizzy. Not only that, but just as their introduction was impromptu, there was no doubt in her mind that their next meeting would be aswell.

Bella's nerves started to sink into the bottom of her stomach. They were kind of like checker pieces that got to the opposite end of the board. Once they settled, they seemed to flip over and turn into something stronger. Just like a regular checker turned into a king, Bella's regular nerves flipped in her stomach and turned into dread.

'Honestly, knowing my luck, I would run into him at the worst possible time imaginable. Like I'd probably in the middle of eating. Then I would turn and smile, only to see him backing away slowly with his hands up. Yeah, it'd be because I would have different pieces of who knows what in my teeth and my hair would probably be sticking up in different directions and I'd probably have food all over my clothes, too and knowing me, I'd probably forget to put on deodorant or something and I'd probably say something incredibly stupid.... Oh my God, I'd probably say something stupid like, "Hey Noah, you're human right? Cool so, how's that working out for you? Jesus Christmas, I'd probably trip and smash my face and then-- well maybe he could give me CPR-- but you don't need CPR for a smashed face, damn it. Knowing me, I probably would. I'm just that uncoordinated. But it's not like I'd be complaining 'cause he's like gorgeo--'

"BELLA!"

Startled, Bella looked up to see her exasperated father.

"What's up with you? I called your name at least six times."

"Sorry, Dad. Just got a little caught up in my head... You know." Bella said slightly sheepishly as she tapped her temple.

"Oh trust me, I know." He said while playfully rolling his eyes.

He turned and began making something for himself to eat. Bella's dad was roughly six feet tall and had a dark, but graying, goatee. He was also bald, a trait that he and the rest of the family liked to make jokes about. He just shaved all his hair off, after considering that his hair line was really just lingering.

"So Dad, when are you going in today?"

"I'm leaving around 11:00. I'll be home by 8:00. Mom is leading a retreat for the youth group she's been working with, so she won't be home until like 10:00. Is that okay?"

"Oh ok, yeah that's fine."

"I just hate leaving you alone all day."

"It's really okay, Dad. I don't mind being by myself and you and Mom have important things to attend to."

"All right. Well I'll be at the restaurant most of the day, but I have to meet with some vendors later in the afternoon. Feel free to stop by though, I'll tell Marco to save some of his fried goat cheese for you."