Nice Girl

Chapter 25

Belle sat writing her article, every few seconds looking at her phone waiting for him to call or text or maybe even show up at her house like he normally did but she got nothing. The next morning she dropped by his house but his car wasn't in the driveway so headed to school without him, his car wasn't in the school car park either.. Where is he? Belle wondered as she parked up met by the twins who were smiling softly. Jenny and Jack spent the day mooning over each other and snogging at any moment they got, everyone thought that was why their nice girl was uncharacteristically sad all day, not smiling at people in the corridors and being the one crying in the toilets until someone came in. This carried on all week, Leo didn't show up and Belle fell into a deep sadness that seemed to drag down the rest of the school until Jenny finally snapped her out of it. As Monday morning came and the girl seemed to have had a weekend to sink further into her heartache, only leaving her room when Jenny dragged her shopping for dresses, Jenny pulled her aside in the corridor that was soon emptying. "You need to cheer up," she stated just before Belle could slip away to Art

"How?" Belle asked in the same dull time she had been using since last week

"I don't know but it's the Spring dance on Saturday B, you at least need to put in a brave face," Jenny instructed and Bell put on an unconvincing smile and Jenny rolled her eyes "Get yourself to art I'll see you later," Jenny shook her head as her friend headed off to class and her boyfriend met her at the end of the hall where he had been waiting patiently throughout their talk.

"How's she doing?" Jack wondered lightly looping an arm around her waist and taken the burden of books from her arms

Jenny sighed through her nose "Not good, I'm this close," she showed how close with her fingers as they walked to class "to sending Leo an angry worded message,"

"Just let him cool off and he'll come crawling back,"

"That sounds like sympathy," Jenny raised a perfect angry eyebrow and Jack smiled

"That's because it is Babe, we've... Well I've put Leo through a lot these past months, I'm surprised he hasn't kicked off before... Well apart from that punch," he added the waved Jenny's shocked look off "come on we'll be late for class," he kissed her temple and the continued down the now empty corridors.

Alfie sat in the trolley reading from their dads list. Belle tried to keep up her smile but she knew as soon as she got home shed just go upstairs and do her work and just be miserable, it was so tiring pretending to be happy "um dad said he wants pesto," Belle looked over her little brother, checked her phone, and pushed the trolley to where it was kept, just sighing as she did.

Belle sat at the traffic lights that were now green, with no traffic behind her she just sat in her driving seat looking left looking down the long road that lead to Leo's home. Belle had sat pondering her next move for the past few days wondering if he'd even be home, but she had prepared a speech and knew if she didn't do it now she wouldn't do it all, she would wait until he came to her but Belle didn't want that she wanted to fight for Leo cause he was worth it, worth everything to Belle. She was in fear of crying again but was woken up from her thoughts by a sharp horn behind her and turned left.

Tomorrow morning she was going to get her nails done with Jenny for the Spring Dance before school Belle tried to concentrate on that as she drove but when she reach Leo's empty looking home she sighed parking up and just sitting in her car, what do I do now? Not wanting to look like she was crazy she got out of her car and headed to the front door, maybe Emma will be home she can tell me where he is.

There was no answer to the door and Belle saw the old plant plot they kept the spare key under. You are not going to do this, her brain told her but she was already opening the door and slipping inside smelling Leo's usual scent feeling warm and almost happy for the first time in days, it felt like it had been too long since she had been here, even though it was only last Sunday when she left him feeling on top of the world. Belle climbed the stairs to Leo's room and laid on his bed looking up at the stars on his ceiling noticing the missing objects around the room like his sketchpad and the suitcase on top of his wardrobe. Belle sat up straight head falling into her hands what am I doing here? I'm not some psycho girlfriend who breaks into her boyfriends house! She got out her phone and texted him again then remembered his words "I'm done," am I even still his girlfriend? I'm just some psycho girl now not even having the right to be here in his room. As she left she texted him again putting on her smile.

She wasn't at all excited for the dance but put on fake enthusiasm for Jenny and the others sake all through Friday and Saturday as they got ready all day again. Jenny was so excited about the Dance and for the after party at Jackson's place, Belle wished she could just go home but knew Jenny had been working so hard on everything over the passed few months. Belle slipped on her silky midnight blue dress that reflected her mood as Jenny pulled on her bubblegum pink dress that matched her rosy cheeks, Belle guessed she was thinking about Jack again she tended to get that look when she did. "Wow B you look stunning," Joey smiled taking one of her arms as his twin took the other when they arrived at the venue, a large old manner house converted into a hotel, the room alone must have cost a fortune Belle didn't know how Jenny did it.

"Completely gorgeous," Ricky agreed as they entered the room that was decorated in silver and blue

Jenny squeaked with excitement on Jack's arm "it looks amazing babe," Jack kissed her cheek. Her friends enjoyed the evening laughing and taking pictures and the whole year told Jenny how much they had enjoyed the night. Jenny continued to squeaked whenever someone new came up to her congratulating the night and her efforts. Belle put a smile on and danced with her friends laughing at the twins and smiling softly at the new couple kissing on the slow ones. Then the year was occupying Jackson's house partying, drinking and having the time of their lives.

Belle stood outside in the empty back garden on the bridge that lead to the pavilion that was surprisingly empty of snogging couples since everyone was inside having too much fun. She checked her phone again, nothing. Why had she text him earlier? He was obviously ignoring her but she just missed him so much, she thought maybe he'd turn up to the Dance and they'd have a Disney like reunion she knew that would never happen, what if he had moved back to Sheffield? It was dramatic she knew, but it explained why he wasn't around. She remembered the last time she was here crazy dancing with Leo, that's where it all started with Jack as well. She wished she could go back... But then would she have had the amazing time at the cottage or the specially moments with just the two of them, no one could ruin what they had... But she had done that herself.

"I'm sorry I'm late," she thought she was imagining the voice so when she turned to see Leo stood there like he hadn't been missing for over a week, wearing a suit jacket, a formal shirt and skinny tie he looked handsome, hot, stunning, Leo. She looked over his face expecting anger or something but he just smiled.