I Love You Ms. J!

Chapter 17: The Dark Secret of Bella!

           

I walked away, aware of Aiko's eyes following me. It was an odd feeling. It was awkward having her confess to me as a guy, but even more so as a girl. I wondered what that meant. Aiko must have been waiting for a chance to get me alone all this time, and I blew her off.

How did I become so popular in that world? I thought of Bella, sick in her bed right now, unaware of what happened.

When school ended I texted Bella I was going to visit her. She texted me back telling me not too, that she didn't want to get me sick.

But I was missing my Bella, so I decided to go anyway. When I got to her apartment, it took quite a while for her to answer the door.

She looked out of breath and pale. I could tell she tried to make herself look a bit more pleasing in a rushed fashion, maybe even pick up a bit, as she looked completely exhausted. I pretended I didn't notice for her sake and insisted she lay back down on her futon.

"How are you feeling?"

"Not as bad as before." Bella spoke weakly. "I think I caught a summer cold."

"Is there anything I can do?"

Bella smiled and shook her head. "I'm happy you came... even if I look like this."

I wanted to kiss her, she was being so cute, but I knew she'd fight it. So I held her hand instead. "Don't worry, I'll wash up later." I told her as she was about to protest.

"I wish I could be better company." Bella said after a long silence. She had been zoning out, staring at me.

"It's okay. You can go to sleep if you want. I just want to be around you." I told her truthfully. "I could make you something to eat later."

Bella nodded, sleepy eyed, I just wanted to hug her.

"Go to sleep, Bella." I smiled at her.

Within minutes, whether she was fighting it or not, she passed out, her hand clinging to mine. I sat next to her, watching her sleep. Part of me wondered if I was being creepy, but she looked so beautiful to me, even sickly like that.

I watched her chest rise and fall as she breathed in and out, and how her facial expressions changed when she started dreaming about things.

I don't know how long I was doing that, but a knock at Bella's door broke my trance. She was dead to the world and didn't hear it, so I got up and answered the door. Standing outside was a girl I've never seen before, looking bewildered at seeing me.

"Hello? This isn't Bella's apartment is it? Did I get the wrong one?"

"No this is the right one." I told her quietly. "She's feeling sick, I'm just here looking out for her."

"Oh. Mind if I come in?"

"Uh..."

"Sorry. I guess it's rude of me to ask that and not tell you who I am. What was I thinking?" She giggled. Despite myself I thought she was slightly cute.

"How do you know Bella?" I asked, about to let her in.

"Oh... it's rather embarrassing. I guess you can say I'm her girlfriend."