Simplify & Solve

Chapter 14: I Need A Life

Bella's POV

Ryder's Grandpa strides into the room with a stern look on his face like he owned the place. Well technically he does...details details. Swallowing hard I watch him walk across the room until he's standing in front of us. He's looking at me with judging eyes, I can tell. Is my outfit not expensive enough? Turning his nose up into the air he looks at Ryder with narrowed eyes. 

"Who's...this?" he asks Ryder looking at me once again with distaste. Well then. Bitch no need to look at me like that, I can see you don't like me, Feelings neutral. I obviously didn't say this out loud but I have just as much sass in my head as I do in real life.

"Uh Grandpa, this is Bella Harmor, my girlfriend" Ryder says nervously. I see this guy is intimidating to his family as well. Ryder'a Grandpa immediately perked up when Ryder said my name. Snapping his head towards me he looks at me in a completely different light to what he was one minute ago. What the hell is wrong with this man. One minute he hates me and the next he's smiling at me? Something is definitely going on here. Looking at Ryder I send him curious looks which he sends back. Well we both obviously don't know what the hell is wrong with this old guy. 

"Harmor you say? Yes a very...respectable family in the business industry" he says looking at me with creepy eyes. Ok. I'm scared. He looks like he's gonna kill me. Maybe I should go home, yeah that sounds good... and safe. 

"Well um, I've got to go so.. I'll see you around Ryder. Nice meeting you Mr Bradley" I say slowly inching towards the door. Like hell it was nice meeting him. Ryder walks up to me saying he'll walk me out so we head towards the open door. Just as we're about to leave the room his Grandpa clears his throat and walks towards us.

"If you don't mind my boy, I'm going to walk Bella to the front door. What sort of host would I be if I let my house guest leave without being escorted by myself" he says putting his hand on my back and pushing me out the door. Looking back at Ryder I mouth a 'help' but before Ryder can do anything we're already in the hallway and out of sight. 

"So Bella, has your Grandfather talked to you about suitors yet?" he asked me. What is this old guy going on about? Suitors? I'm 17. I don't need to be married yet. 

"Uhm no he hasn't" I say folding my hands together. Nodding his head thoughtfully he continues walking down the hall to the stairs. 

"You seem like a nice girl Bella, I'd hate for you to get hurt somehow but that's just life sometimes. You're stuck being the wrong person at the wrong time"

Ok. This guy is on crack. It sounds like he's talking about my death to me. Who does that? Thankfully we reach the front door just before I'm about to explode on him about being crazy. That wouldn't be the best first impression. He'd probably tell Ryder's parents as well who will make Ryder dump me cause they think I'm crazy. I'm not the crazy one. Old Bradley is the crazy one. 

Giving him a tight smile I walk out the door. Surprisingly Greg is already here waiting for me. That's strange, I don't remember calling him to pick me up. Oh well he's here now and ready to take me home. I'm going back home tomorrow so I can go back to my normal life without having weird conversations with old people. I love my Grandpa really, but he's brought up some pretty weird conversations during this visit. 

When we pull up in front of the house I hop out and wave at Greg who gives me a nervous smile in return. Rude. No wave? Gosh has he no manners? Shrugging I bound up the front steps and pull out the key to open the door. Once I'm inside I immediately go to my room. I guess it's time to pack up my bags for home. Gathering my clothes I stack them on top one another in my bag. Heading over to my shoes I put them all in a bag except my converse. Those are for me to wear tomorrow. Picking a simple cropped top and a pair of shorts I lay them on my bed along with some underwear. That's my outfit for tomorrow sorted. Packing the rest of my things away I zip up my bags and set them by the door. Grabbing a plastic bag I put it on the desk to put my dirty clothes in later. 

I'm going to miss my Grandpa but I can't wait to get home and see my friends...and Ryder. Even though I saw him today I wanna see him when his creepy Grandpa isn't around. I can't remember the last time I spent a full day hanging out with my friends. I've been so caught up with Ryder it's kinda hard to notice anything else. Oh well I'll hang out with them as soon as I get back. When I've moved my clothes from my bed to the desk chair I pull out my laptop and start watching some movies. I swear half the time I was here I've spent it on my laptop or some piece of technology. No one stopped me though so it's not completely my fault. I really need a life.

I'm sorry for this super short chapter! The plot is starting to show itself though. I feel like this story sucks right now but once it's done I will make it better, I promise. Love you all xx