Grazie Bella (The One and Only)

5- Table Talk

"You're pronouncing it wrong, try again" I commanded. He looked down at his text book and tried again. He looked at me with a hopeful face and I nodded.

"That was perfect! Do that a couple more times and answer the last question" After a couple mumbles, he got it. I even gave him ahead start on the next homework. I looked at my phone it was almost nine.

"It's almost nine, I should get going. Looks like we're done for the day." I started to get up.

"Bye, and...thanks" He said with out making eye contact. I didn't want to leave without patching things up but he was making it difficult. I guess I couldn't blame him but I had to try.

"Before I go, about earlier I jus-"

"Bella, don't!" He cut me off. "Don't even start, I honestly said all I had to. Just go"

"Oh okay" I tried to hide the hurt from my face. This wasn't going well. I hurried out and he didn't even look up. I'll just text Andrew because I didn't want to go upstairs to say bye, it was still his house and I shouldn't be crossing boundaries.  I just wanted to get home. All the way I thought about how my life has changed in a couple days. Homecoming was next mouth, I thought with a smile. I should probably get my life together by then.

As soon as I closed the door, I realized I was really hungry. I ran to the kitchen and found my mom putting a plate in the microwave. She looked up and was startled to see me.

"Sweetie I didn't know you were home. I was just saving a plate for you." The smell was incredible. "I just got home" I told her.

She sat down with me. "How was tutoring?" She asked as I bit into the chicken. I swallowed and told her it went great. I loved my mother and she was so understanding. She knew something was wrong with the look on my face. She passed me a piece of garlic bread and we talked about everything. I caught her up with everything that was going on in my life, the stats on my relationship with Andrew. Even somethings had to stay private.

"Well it seems to me, that you have decide where you and Andrew stand. You also need to talk to Alex. Apologize for the way you treated him and figure out where things go from there." She advised.

"But I did try to talk to Alex!" I protested.

"Did you try hard enough?" She asked I shook my head and stood up to wash my plate.

"Well there you go!" She said scrolling through her phone.

"Before I forget, the homecoming dance is in two weeks." I reminded her.

"Yeah?"

"Can you make an appointment at the hair salon for me?" I pleaded.

"Sure honey and let me know when you want to buy your dress. I can give you my credit card."

"Thanks mom!" I gave her a kiss good night and ran up to my room.

Nya came out of the bathroom and followed me inside.  "Zach was looking for you" She informed me.

"Why?" I asked as I changed to my pjs. She shrugged. "So, I wanted to ask you if I could borrow your silver top."

"What? No, why would you need my silver top?"

"Well, I wanted to look great for Picture day this Friday.  Please?"

"Nya I just bought that top, even I haven't worn I yet" I made a mental note to wear it tomorrow. She pouted it. " You can wear my red sweater, I can do your hair and put some mascara on for you in the morning. ummkay?

"OMG!! Yayy thanks Bells you're the best."

"Haha ya okay. I better go see what Zack wants" I left and knocked on his door before opening it. He was sitting at his desk, eyes glued to his laptop. He turned around to face me.

"Bella! what can I do for you?" He laughed. That was Zach goofy as hell. "I dunno, you're the one looking for me?" I said confused.

"Oh ya about that. Sit" He beckoned to his unmade bed. "I'm good." Who knows what happens in there. Besides, when was the last time he changed his sheets? Boys are gross. There was a lot more room in here now that Jeremiah moved in the basement for some reason. 

"I heard you were dating Andrew? He pulled my attention again. Of course he would hear. They were both Juniors, friends even.

"Yeah so?"

"So, you are too young to be dating and Andrew is older then you."

"I'm sixteen Zach, and Andrew is only a year older then me. You're talking a bunch of garbage!" Is he serious?

"I don't like this Bella, he breaks up with Gwen, then suddenly he's dating you? I don't approve, if he wasn't my friend I would've beat him up already!"

"You will do no such thing Zach. You're not my dad, you can't tell me who I can and can't date. Plus, Andrew and I are on the same page, so he's not using me like you're implying" I was yelling now.

"Are you sure?" He asked with a leveled tone.

"Yes" Of course I was. We were on the same page the moment we skipped small talk and pretended to be together. "I know what I'm doing Zach and I would really appreciate it if you stopped butting in my love life ok? He was silent. "Okay?" I pressed on. 

"Fine" He grunted, But I was certain he wasn't going to let this go. I stormed out thinking just maybe, if I was doing the right thing for once. I shook my head. Of course I was. I'm not perfect but I don't usually screw up. I wasn't gonna start now