STARGIRL

30. Belle , Bella

    The cold gust of wind pushed up against Maddox's alabaster skin. He trudged through the heavy snow and let a soft sigh escape his thick and pouty lips.

He stared up at the dark and cloudy morning sky in the realization that it would rain again later that day. He loved Washington, but he had grown both restless and weary because of the weather as of recently.

He removed a hand out of the front pocket of his maroon Margiela hoodie and then pulled open the diner's door.

The doors sensor rang and he was immediately greeted by warmth and the delicious smell of coffee.

He looked around the dining room, it was almost empty if it hadn't been for an elderly couple eating together at their table or the waitress counting her tips at the register.

The only other person in the diner was Belle Valentine and her face was hidden behind the laminated menu she was reading. Maddox approached her, he took notice of her brown leather satchel on the floor right beside the booth and the pink lanyard to her car keys dangling off the edge of the table.

Belle lowered the menu when Maddox slid into the seat across from her, "Finally." She playfully greeted him with a smile.

Maddox smiled back at her while he continued trying to get comfortable in the vinyl seating, "Sorry, it takes me like 20 minutes from my house to get here plus people apparently forget how to drive when it rains."

She scrunched her nose up and snorted, "I was joking."

Maddox nodded his head and grabbed the menu that was set down in front of him on the table before clearing his throat, "How was Saahar's cabin?" He casually asked her.

Belle shrugged her shoulder, "It was whatever you know?" She looked down at the menu again to finalize her decision on what to order, "It would've been more fun if you had gone though."

Maddox skimmed through the breakfast section but nothing really seemed to call his attention. It was too early for him to be awake let alone eat.

"I'm sorry I was just tired last night and I didn't want to leave my mom alone on Christmas."

Belle rapidly shook her head, "Oh no, I didn't mean it like that X, I wasn't trying to guilt trip you or anything."

He peered at her from the top of his menu and chuckled. Belle rolled her eyes and sat back in her chair tapping her fingernails against the tabletop.

"That's cute." He casually commented as he laid the menu down on the table.

A scarlet colored blush seared itself through Belle's face. She cleared her throat and looked away from Maddox who was intently watching her. He was entertained by how his simple comment made her so awkward and shy.

After a few moments of Belle avoiding his stare, she rested both of her arms on top of the table, "So..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced back at Maddox who had begun to fidget with his cellphone. She stayed silent only seeing that neutral expression on his face completely change as he smiled wide at whatever was on the screen.

Belle cleared her throat and gained Maddox's attention. He quickly looked up from his cell phone's screen and smiled at her. And in return, Belle replied with a fake sloppy grin too. Not wanting to be rude, Maddox closed and put his phone away in the front pocket of his hoodie. He began to shuffle in his seat again, the vinyl material beneath squeaking with each one of his movements.