Heart of Glass (A Pierce the Veil Fanfiction)

XXXVI

Belle's POV

I was dressed festively in a red hoodie that belonged to Jaime and white skinny jeans. The weather was unusually cold for San Diego and I sat in the passenger seat of Jaime's car, trying to prepare myself.

"You ready?" Jaime looked at me and gave me a sad pat on the shoulder. We were in my parents' driveway and I took a deep breath.

"No." I chewed on the inside of my lip nervously while Jaime reached over and pulled something out the glove compartment. A second later, there was an elf hat sloppily placed on my head. I laughed at what he did and adjusted it so it fit right. My freshly straightened hair sat under it with my blonde streak going down my right shoulder.

"Well now you are. I'll come back to get you whenever you text me. And try to mend things with your dad." He planted a short kiss on my lips and I gathered the bag that contained two wrapped gifts. I hopped out the car and rang the bell while Jaime drove back home.

The cold air bit at me and I pulled the hoodie tighter around my body. I impatiently waited until my mom answered the door and she immediately pulled me in for a hug.

"Annabelle!" Her arms were tight around me and I smiled into her.

"Hey mom. Where's dad?" She tensed up and let go of me. Taking a good look around, the house had really let itself go. The Christmas tree had minimal decorations on it this year and there were only three gifts under the tree. The house was a mess and things were strewn about. I looked back at my mother who had a depressed look on her face. He hair was unruly and she had on pajamas. It was unusual because she always put on clothes in the morning, even on Christmas.

"Your father is gone. I'm not sure where, but he isn't here." The look on her face seemed so alone. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and I couldn't help but hold her close to me.

"Mom, what happened!?"

"When you left, we had a huge argument. He got mad and he packed his bags and left. He just left me Annabelle! I don't know what I'm going to do!" She weeped into me and I let her. I led her over to the couch where we sat and I comforted her.

"Mom, dad wouldn't just leave like that. I'm sure he'll be back, he loves you. I'm staying here with you for the rest of break, okay?"

"No. Go be with Jaime. I like him, he's good for you. The color in your face is already coming back and it's better that way. I'll be fine, I swear." I looked at her unsurely and she nodded.

"Call me for anything, mom. I promise I'll pick up the phone for you or get back to you as soon as I can." I pulled her back in and we sat talking for a few hours.

"Oh, those are from me to you by the way. With everything going on, your father and I didn't have time to do any real Christmas shopping, so I just picked out a few things I thought you'd like." I went to sit on the floor in front of the tree and opened my gifts.

The first gift I unwrapped was a small box. Inside it, there was a silver necklace with a small book charm on it. The book had my nickname engraved across it so tiny and it was beautiful.

The next box I opened was a sketchbook. The cover was decorated by my very own mother and it had my favorite quote on the cover. I read it aloud.

"When freedom is outlawed, only outlaws will be free." I smiled up at my mother and she smiled back at me. We had shared the same passion for drawing and art.

The very last gift was my favorite. I opened the lid and inside sat four old and beat up books. The covers were flawless but the pages inside were not.