A/N: Hello to anyone who has ended up here. I started this story as a way of practicing my all ten fingers typing skills (that's not going so well by the way) but it kind of grew on me. I can't promise that I will finish it, but I will I try hard. And I would like to apologize in advance for any mistakes you might find in there. I am not a native speaker so there are going to be some. If you see some really disturbing ones, please, let me know. Now please, enjoy my story and let me know what you think. Janie
There wasn't any sunlight coming through the thick curtain of clouds covering the sky above Illinois. Unsurprisingly. I could swear there was some kind of secret legislation that allows only three sunny days per year. Thankfully I was one these weird people who need only three days to sunbathe and then they will stay tanned for several years.
The glassed-in door leading to a small cafe slash bar finally gave in to my incessant attack. I was just in time to prepare the establishment for the opening hours. After taking down the chairs and dusting tables, I unlocked the entrance and went behind the bar for another day of my job.
The morning flew by quickly, followed by noon and afternoon, and around four PM, familiar figure walked in. The pale brunette sat herself on the bar stool right in front of me and wearily threw her backpack on the floor.
„Hi," I greeted the younger girl distractedly, while balancing two lattes, a frappe, an espresso and a cappuccino on my tray. After leaving the coffee at the table number five, I came back to talk with my sister more attentively.
„What brings you here today? Forget it, you are welcome anytime. But more important question is: How was your first day at new school?" I asked excited, honestly wanting to know if she made any friends, what are the teachers like and everything.
„School was fine. It's crazy at home, the boys are running around like crazy, screaming and knocking things off. And I have an essay due tomorrow, do you think I could do it here? As much as it is weird to say, it's way quieter here than at home." The way she complained about her brothers causing ruckus made me realize that while she acted older than she was, she was still just seventeen, a highschooler.
„Of course, you don't even have to ask. Just take this table over there." I waved my hand at a table near bar. This way I could chat with her when I had a free moment. "Want me to bring you something? Water, juice, coke?"
"Water would be nice, thank you." She smiled as she sat down and pulled books and papers out of her bag. I brought her the soda soon and continued with my work.
The afternoon was slowly coming into evening and I found myself with some spare time on my hands. Moving quietly towards Bella, I sat down, scaring the hell out of her. She was so absorbed in her work she didn't notice me until I spoke. God only knows who she got that love for learning from. Her mom was a free spirit and our dad only finished high school and immediately after it he started working for local police. "What has you so interested?"
"An essay about the burning of the witches. It's nearly finished, though," she added with noticeable relief.
"Witches, you say. That should be easy. Write something about the amorality of it, add some drama and smoke and it's all done. Why are you slouching over it for," quick glance at a clock, "for three hours? Anyway, what kind of teacher assigns you an essay on your first day. And you didn't eat a thing since you've come here, aren't you hungry?"
I slipped into the mother hen routine towards the end of my monologue. I can't help it. I basically raised my four younger siblings after their mother died, it is no wonder I would try to do the same with my eldest younger sibling. I had to constantly remind myself that Bella was not used to my parental ways. She also spend most of her life caring for her "wild and free" mother, so the idea of someone trying to look at her as a kid must seem pretty ridiculous.
"Ha ha," she retorted dryly. "Unfortunately, it is not that easy. Mr. Banner seems quite strict and I don't want to cause mess during my first week. And now that you've said, yes, I am kind of hungry. Is there anything I could eat? Because I could eat." Looking around hungrily, she actually reminded me of the twins.
"That's the spirit," I said as smiled and got up. "I will get you a toast. Or two, and fresh water." I did as said, in ten minutes I was back with a plate, jug of water and a glass for me. My colleague, Linda, told me she will manage for now, so I could chat with my sister and get a break, which I desperately needed anyway.
"Here you go." I handed her the plate. "Now, spill. I want to know everything." At first, it didn't seem like Bella would willingly offer any information, but apparently she couldn't bear my unwavering gaze for a longer period of time. Good to know.
"Alright, if you really want to know..." She was drawing the words out dramatically, like I forced it out of her. "Apparently me coming here is the most interesting thing that has happened in this school since it was founded. The whole day, people were staring at me, talking about me, or in worse case, to me. I met some pretty unpleasant people, but some seemed fine as. I met a really nice girl, Angela, and her friends, who are the worst gossips ever, but don't appear to be mean." After a moment of hesitance, she continued. "We also had a PE lesson today."
"Oh my god," I pretty much squalled in glee. Bella in a PE? "Did you kill anybody?" I pretended to sound concerned like a good parental figure should, but I couldn't hide the inner older sister in me.
"Very funny." Obviously, Bella didn't appreciate being mocked. Note to self – you are not familiar enough to overly make fun of her. Bella moved in with us just last week, and even before that, during the summers she spent here, we have never gotten too close.
"I didn't manage to kill or seriously injure anyone, not even myself. But PE's are going to be a nightmare." I couldn't say I was surprised by this statement, after all anyone who spent more than five minutes with Bella knew how clumsy she could be. One of the many personality traits we didn't share.
"And what about your teachers?" I changed the topic, determined to find out everything that has happened today.
"They are alright, most of them. Mister Banner, history, is kind of harsh. He was also the only one who made me introduce myself," she made a face at this. "Mr. Kohl, who teaches chemistry is the typical mad scientist, Miss Madison, Arts, is very nice, she is smiling all the time. Hard to believe she is a teacher. Couch Smith si very strict and he has no understanding for those who are clumsy like me. Mister Andrews, biology, is the typical teacher type, pretty bored with students, but passionate about his subject. And that's it," she finished with a shrug.
"Alright," I motioned for her to continue, trying to remember the names and subjects. After all, I would be meeting these people at those Teacher-Parent meetings, no need to embarrass myself. "And what about boys? Met any interesting ones?"
"Martha!" Bella hissed, quickly going red and trying to pretty much hide under the table.
"So there is someone!" I exclaimed maybe a bit too loudly. "You have to tell your big sister everything. I desperately need to pass a little bit of womanly wisdom onto someone and there is no way I'm going to wait for Betty to grow up," I said, referring to Betty, our eight years old half-sister.
"There is one guy in my biology class, but I don't think about him this way, so get your head out of the gutter." Just as anything even remotely vulgar, the phrase didn't suit Bella's voice at all. "He just acted really weird. Mister Andrews sent me to sit next to him and he tensed like he was afraid I would eat him. Then he moved to the very edge of our desk and basically stopped breathing. Do I smell?" she asked, half annoyed, half irritated.
I leaned over the table and sniffed her hair. "You smell like your deodorant. But you should invest into some nice perfume." I added the next sentence with my best poker face and for a moment Bella thought I was serious. "Just kidding, I know you think it is a waste of money. Now, that you've shed some light on the situation, the only advice I have to wash your hair and forget about that guy. Furthermore, someone who sniffles random people is a weirdo anyway. "
"You are probably right. I am just going to pretend I didn't have biology today." Bella agreed thoughtfully. I have to admit, I was proud of my spectacular advice. "My essay is nearly finished, I will probably go and check on our living room." She added as she downed remaining water in her glass.
"I have to get back to work now, you know, to earn money. Come back when you have some real boy trouble to worry about." I added, standing up.
