💫She's Different💫

Bella's Mentor

End Of DEAR (Bella's Perspective)
"Yeah, I don't know why he did that. He just looks so stupid now."
"Bella, I want to give you something."
"Okay." She handed me a little note and I looked at the back of it.
"This is just between you and me. You don't have to tell anyone about it, okay?"
"Yes." I slid on my sweater and she took everybody downstairs. I started walking home and Ms.Hinds stopped me.
"Yeah?"
"Can I have a hug?" She asked. I gave her one and smiled.
"Get home safe."
"Okay. Have a good evening."
"You too honey." I got home quickly and went upstairs to my room. I needed to read this letter.
Ms.Hinds Letter
Dear Bella,
I wanted to ask you if you'd like to have lunch with me tomorrow and order the food of your choice. I was lucky enough to be chosen to be your mentor. I'm so grateful to have been chosen for such an amazing role in your life. You're such a sweet little girl and I can't wait to get to know you better!
Love,
Ms. Hinds
Woah! She's my mentor?! I've never had one before so this was actually really cool. It made me feel so special. So important. Wow.
"Hey Bella!" Lucy said.
"Hey!"
"What's that note you got there?"
"Nothing Lucy."
"Okay. Get ready for dance, we gotta go soon." I went to go look for a leotard and slid it on quickly.
"Lucy! I said while running downstairs to Noah and Lucy.
"Yes hun? Where's your pants honey?"
"I just now realized something," I said as she fixed my leotard.
"What is it?"
"I was supposed to make a decision and I'm not sure about it."
"How come?"
"Because, it's hard to think about."
"Well, how big is it?"
"Kind of big." Noah came over and made this weird face.
"Why do I feel like I know what it is."
"Why do you feel like you could come into my business whenever you want?" He laughed and I pinched him. He pushed me back and I looked at Lucy.
"You started it Bella. Now that you guys are done wasting time let's go."
************
The Next Day
"Soo..how do you feel about me being your mentor?"
"I feel really good about it." She laughed and I smiled back.
"Thanks for the Chinese."
"Don't mention it sweetie."
"Ms.Hinds?"
"Yeah?"
"Where are you from?"
"Trinidad."
"Where's that?"
"In the Caribbean."
"Oh!"
"Where are you from?"
"I don't know."
"Your parents never told you?"
"No. It's tricky."
"Wanna talk about it?"
"No thanks,"
"I want you to know, that as your mentor, you can tell me anything under the sun." I nodded and she took out a little notebook.
"This is our personal notebook and you can write me about your feelings are even about your day and I'll always write back. Cool?"
"Cool. Can we play some music?"
"Mhm, What do you want?"
"Bruno Mars!"
"What's your favorite song by him?"
"Treasure."
"Do you even understand what that song is talking about?" She said with a laugh.
"About a pretty girl. I guess."
"You got that part right."
"I like those songs. I don't know why." We moved to the beanbags and talked a bit more.
"I feel comfortable in this class."
"Why?"
"Because I don't feel that different."
"Because of me and Gamory?"
"Yeah." I got a bit emotional and started to cry a bit.
"Sweetheart, it's okay."
"I always feel so left out sometimes." I revealed.
"When my friends talk about certain things I don't understand, or when they complain about their hair I'm like you don't even know!" She gave me a big hug as I just let it all out.
"It seems like you've had this bottled up for a really long time."
"Yeah, and I can't tell my Mommy about it. I can't even tell anyone, because a lot of my family doesn't look like me."
"And you know what Bella?"
"What?"
"I'll be here to listen."
"I'm going to write about it."
"Okay, okay. That's good. How about you go wash your face before the rest of the class comes?"
"Okay."
**************
Kitchen (Olivia's Perspective)
"The door opened and I looked up to see my kids walk in the door."
"Hey kiddos."
"Hey Mom." Bella went straight to the basement and I sighed.
"What happened?"
"She didn't tell me. She said someone like you would never understand." I slid the peppers into the pot and I got some sauce.
"Making chili?"
"Mhm. Do me a favor and grate that cheese over there. I'm going to make quesadillas."
"Sure." I watched as he grated and chuckled.
"It's okay, relax. As long as you do what I told you, you won't get cut."
"It's awfully scary though Ma." He finished grating and went to go wash his hands. Sat down in the dining room and continuously watched me cook.
"How's school?"
"Good."
"Make new friends?"
"Yeah. Lucas and Maverick."
"I heard Brent goes to your school. You guys still talk?"
"Yeah Mom. We talk a lot. I was wondering-" Bella came upstairs quietly and took water out of the fridge.
"Hey," I said quietly. She waved and went back downstairs.
"I hope you're doing your homework." She nodded and kept going down.
"She seemed really happy."
"I think she still is happy. Something's just there. We both know that if she was really upset, she'd be acting out. She's growing up and learning how to handle her emotions differently and knowing when it's appropriate to cry over something or not."
"I guess so."
"Call your sister up for dinner please." He went downstairs and he came back up alone.
"She said she's finishing her math." We started eating and Bella came upstairs.
"Hey honey." I was grabbing some juice and she gave me a hug.
"Feel better?"
"Yeah."
"Come and eat something." She ate a tiny bit before saying she needed to watch a tv show.
"And you say she's fine."
*************
Bella's Beanbag Corner
"Hi Mommy."
"Hey sweet pea. You alright?"
"Yeah, I am."
"What's that notebook for?"
"Nothing..It's just a notebook." She took it from me and put it away.
"What are you hiding from me?" I questioned.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know what I mean."
"I'm not hiding anything from you,"
"You've been receiving gifts from someone that I don't know about. That's what you're hiding."
"It was just some chocolate and chinese." It seemed like grooming to me. And I didn't want my daughter to get hurt by someone again.
"Who's giving it to you?"
"Can you just stay out of my business?!"
"Do not talk to me like that young lady. I'm your mother, not your friend. It is my business to know these things."
"No it isn't."
"It is when you're coming home upset."
"I'm upset because of people like you!" She went downstairs and I stood in confusion. People like me.
*********
My Room (Bella's Perspective)
After Mommy left me alone, I got my notebook and wrote to Ms.Hinds.
Letter To Ms.Hinds
I hate my Mom! She's always in my business and asking me about things that she doesn't even want to know! Always treating me like some baby. She doesn't do that to Noah, so I don't even understand why she's doing it to me!
I put the book away and went into my bathroom. To look in the mirror. I had to shower and go to sleep.
"Bella, open up."
"What are you doing here?" I looked at Aunty Amanda and closed the door on her.
"Bella Benson, What was that about?"
"I don't want want you in my room."
"Why can't I come in your room?"
"BECAUSE I DONT WANT YOU HERE!"
"Bella, cut it out."
"No, I'm not going to just magically cut it out. I'm not your slave! I told you to just give me a break and you've been bothering me ever since." I locked myself into my bathroom with my iPad and played some games. I felt calmer. But I still refused to talk to them.
*************
Morning Arrival (Ms.Hinds Perspective)
"Morning Be-" She stormed past me and threw herself into her chair.
"Bella, what's wrong? Step outside with me for a minute." She picked her head up and I urged her to follow me outside. She cried when she got out and I gave her a hug.
"What happened?"
"Stuff."
"Does it have to do with our conversation?"
"Well a little bit."
"Tell me what happened." I looked down at her and she tilted her head.
"Wanna go somewhere more private?"
"Yes please."

A/N: I love how her sense of style is starting to mature 😭