Big Changes, Big Differences

Who Would Have Thought

"You've changed." Alex breaks the silence as we sit on the floor against the lockers. I quickly glance at him before sighing.

"You've changed too." I avoid the subject of my changing. Alex laughes and shakes his head.

"Stop avoiding the subject of you." Alex places a hand on my shoulder. Suddenly I freeze as a memory enters my mind.

It feels like I can't run fast enough. Like I'm in slow motion. Finally, after what feels like forever, I reach my mother.

"No Mom. Don't close your eyes. Look at me!" I cry as my mother starts to lose consiousness. Then, she looks up at me as I place my hands on her wound.

"Mom, please don't go. Don't leave me, please." I cry harder as more blood gushes out of the wound.

I then feel a warm hand on my shoulder. Its my mothers hand and the look in her eyes explain it all.

"Mom, just hold on. You will make it through this. Even if I have to give myself up for you." Tears slip from my eyes.

"Bella!" My mother whisper-yells at me. I look at her as her normally bright blue eyes start to lose colour.

"P-please, go back to Mayville. T-take care of-of your Dad for me. And I- I need to tell you something." My Mother cries.

I nod for my mother to continue and she gives me a weak smile, which I return.

"In the Attic at your Father's house, you will fi-"

I was snapped out of my memory daze by someone shaking me. "Arabelle! You still there?" Alex looks deeply concerned. I nod slowly before I look around me.

"Oh, thank the stars. You were unresponsive for about 5 minutes." Alex explains with a greatful sigh.

"Sorry, I just, um, sort of zoned out." I spoke shakily, the memory still running through my head.

"Oh, where did you zone off to?" Alex asked, looking quite intrigued. I want to tell him, I really do, but I need to tell both Matt and Haylee too.

It would be easier to tell the story once.

"I'll tell you later, along with Matt and Haylee." Alex tensed up at the mention of Haylee's name and I knew exactly why.

I internally smirked as I remembered the video that Haylee sent me. She did a really good job of embarrassing both Matt and Alex.

Alex looked at me with deep red cheeks. I swear he saw the smug look in my eyes that I was trying so hard to hide, because he blushed even more. If that was even possible.

"Oh, shut up!" Alex mumbled embarrassed. The hallway rumbled with my loud laughter as Alex desperately tried to hide his face.

"It wasn't that funny." Alex mumbles to himself but loud enough for me to hear. "Oh, come on! If it was anybody else then you wouldn't be able to stop laughing." My laughes die down a bit and turn into giggles.

Alex thinks about my words. After about a minute he starts laughing like a mad man. I knew he would laugh. Its cute to see him laugh like this, so I laugh along.

"If anyone were to see us right now, then they would think were insane." Alex laughed further. "To bad I don't think you're crazy, I know it." A voice spoke.

The second the last words left their mouth, I was up and hugging them. "I missed you so much Haylee." She hugged me back. "Who wouldn't." Haylee said sarcastically.

Alex stood up awkwardly and just watched us. I knew he missed Haylee and their friendship. Haylee was to Alex the same she is to me.

A sister.

Well, considering they actually are related, only makes it harder. Alex and Haylee are siblings in blood and bond. They're twins.

Once me and Haylee break apart, I push Alex towards Haylee. "Kiss and make up." Were my wise words, which made them cringe. Laughing, I walk off.

After I turn a few corners, trying to explore the school, I come to a certain class. A certain somebody was sitting by the window, focussing on his work.

Matt.

I couldn't resist being annoying, as I learned it from my friends in London. Maybe the people here would be able to handle it better than the people in London.

Quickly, I ducked beneath a window, as I was scared that Matt would see me. Once comfortable in my position, I peak over the edge of the wall and into the window.

I tapped the glass, capturing Matt's attention. His chocolaty eyes widened as he could see the idea running through my head.

Smirking evilly, I made a funny face. One after the other came, only getting weirder and funnier. By accident Alex and Haylee walked past me.

They saw what I was doing and decided to join in on the action. We started making funny faces together and soon enough, Matt started laughing.

We could hear the muffled yells from the teacher but the one Alex, Haylee and I all heard was, "Detention this afternoon!". All three of us ducked under the window as we laughed.

I looked back into the window and there he was, glaring at me playfully. I only smiled at him, then waved goodbye as Haylee, Alex and I walked off without another word.

***

So the rest of my classes were boring. I couldn't sit near any of my friends. But hey, who cares when you can yell at them and then get detention.

I know I don't.

That was sarcasm.

The good news is, it's lunch. I am officially starving and can't wait any longer to eat the lunch my father packed for me. He insisted. I love my dad.

I actually should have eaten this morning. But then I wouldn't be hungry for lunch. Sometimes I confuse myself.

I also think to much.

Entering the lunch room, I smile. Not only because of the inevitable death of my food but because of my friends.

They are seated together at our usual table. It's like I never left and nothing changed, but everything dramatically has.

Matt has definitely been working out. I mean look at those muscles. He has also gotten a lot tanner than before. And he, finally, got a haircut.

Alex let his hair grow out of its annoying buzz cut, which makes him look sexier. As for his muscle situation, he hasn't really changed in that department.

Haylee, on the other hand, changed significantly. Her red hair used to be tied back and messy but now its loosely curled, bouncing off of her shoulders. Haylee's style also changed a lot. She used be a tomboy but now she is a fashionista.

Silently, I sit down next to Haylee, just in front of Alex. It looks like they are in a deep conversation about lockers, so I don't disturb them.

I eat my lunch with a small smile on my face as I watch how my friends rant on and on about how the lockers need a new paint job.

Once my lunch is finished, I rest my chin on my palm as I watch my friends. They still haven't noticed me, but I only smile.

I clear my throat loudly and the conversation stops. All three of my friends look at me like they can't believe I'm here.

I just keep staring at them all with a smile. "What?" Matt asks at the same time as Haylee and Alex say, "How much of that did you hear?"

The next words make my grin only grow. My friends all grin back at me after I speak the undeniable words.

"I missed you guys so much, you wouldn't even believe it."