Triple Life (#Wattys2015)

Ch 11

"Alright Belle, we'll be there in an hour." shouted Hayley as she waved at me.

"Then let's hit the mall!" squealed Anna.

"I am so glad you called me over, Belle." Michelle told as she came up to me.

"It's nothing, honestly." I waved off Michelle's gratitude with a smile.

"Meet you all in a hour!" I screamed at Hayley, Michelle and Anna.

I had decided to walk home alone since Hayley had to go her aunt's place. I walked towards Starbucks which was situated quite near to our school.

"Hello dear, how can I help you?" asked the lady in the counter.

"I'll have an iced coffee please." I told her with a smile.

I paid my coffee and turned around to bump into somebody. I looked up to apologise but as I saw the person, I was rendered speechless. I had bumped into Adrian Rider, who I avoided the whole day. Adrian had made many attempts to talk to me but I had ignored him or mumbled incoherently. In Drama and Math, I had tried to sit away as far as possible from him. Now, it felt so strange to have bumped into him. I looked around to see if Allison, Rhea or any of their cheerleader friends were around. For my luck, there weren't anyone from school; just Adrian and I.

Adrian looked at me and blinked. He cleared his throat awkwardly and backed off. "I am sorry." He said looking down and putting his hands in his pockets.

I blushed, it was my fault but he was apologising. How very sweet. Even after all this ignoring by my part, he was still apologising like a proper gentleman. "It's ok. I am sorry too." I said, trying not to sound to awkward.

He looked up at me and gave a small smile. It looked very cute on him.

Wait, what? Did you just call his smile cute? Belle, what the heck is happening? Stay away from Adrian!!!

I gave him a small smile before hurrying towards the door leaving Adrian confused and hurt. He had clearly thought I might talk with him again. I hated seeing hurt cross over his face because I was chickening out in front of him.

As I walked through the park drinking my coffee, I thought about the last few weeks. Coming to America had been a life changing experience but I liked it. Highschool was ok, though girls like Rhea and Allison were waiting for the perfect opportunity to brew up trouble. I was wondering how come I could be so rude to Adrian. Other than Hayley, he was the first kid to talk to me in school and became a friend of mine but because I was scared of Rhea and Allison I had decided to hurt him by ignoring him. I felt guilt in the pit of my stomach. It wasn't his fault I was hit. It was Allison's jealousy. I wish I could have gone back in time, so I could have told Adrian about the real reason for my absence. Maybe that would have saved us from more of Rhea's and Allison's troubles.

I sighed. It's too late now, Belle. You just threw away one of the first friends you made. He was so kind to you. Helped you during Math too but now, you treat him like this.

I felt a tear rolling down my cheek. I wiped it away. It was ridiculous for me to cry after everything was over. I felt like a horrible person. I wondered what my parents would say if they knew this.

They would say that it was very bad of me. Papa-ji and Nanaji will be disappointed in me. They had always told me to be honest, courageous, friendly and be loyal. Naniji won't be happy. Mama-ji will think I had changed after coming to America.

I was so deep in thought thatI hadn't realized I had come to the main road and was about to cross. I was going to cross but was pulled back by a strong arm. I jerked from my thoughts and turned around to see who had caught me in their hold.