Chapter 7 Perception

A/n: JSYK, the people that Bella meets along her journey are real people in my RL. This character, John, is based off a guy that I've had a crush on for over a year...although I've severely altered his personality.

Thanks for being patient w/ the slow updates the past few days.

Now...on w/ the show...

"John, you don't know me. I don't know you. I wouldn't even begin to try to analyze who you are as a person." I said, almost defensively. I don't know why this guy was getting under my skin.

"Bella, you're right, I don't know you, but from what I can observe from your body language and facial expressions you are rather quite and reserved. You were your heart on your sleeve and you are obviously missing the hell out of someone." He stopped, pulled his bag up to his lap off the floor and pulled out a book.

"See this picture? Tell me what you think about this guy." He pointed to a picture of a group of guys, all dressed in goth gear, all covered in piercings, tattoo's with black lined eyes. The guy he was pointing to was a little chubby and appeared to be trying to hide behind the group.

I assumed John took the picture, as I don't recognize his face anywhere in the group.

"Um, he seems like he's trying to hide behind the rest of the group, maybe he doesn't want to be noticed." I answered as honestly as I could.

"That's me, Bella." He said as I shook my head, not recognizing his face with the boys face in the picture.

"Oh, wow, I didn't even recognize you. When was this taken?" My curiosity got the best of me.

"Four years ago and I've lost about 150 lbs since then. You see, I'd always been the chubby kid who could sing. But it wasn't until my band mates kicked me out of the band that I realized if I wanted to front a band, I had to make some changes. I've always been shy but I love to sing and perform." He paused while he shook his head furiously, he let out a small laugh, "I know, ironic, huh?"

"Definitely." I replied.

"You see, Bella, no one took the time to get to know what my problems were, they just wanted me for my voice. But when I couldn't meet their needs in the manner they wanted me to, they just dismissed me like I was nothing. I didn't want to be nothing anymore."

"So they took you back? You are singing with them now?" I wondered how he could just forgive them all so easily after they had hurt him.

"Those losers?" He asked, pointing to the group of guys in the picture. "Um, that would be a big, fat no, pun intended. Oh they ooh'd and awe'd over me after I lost the weight, but by then I'd met a new group of guys, formed a new band where I was respected, I was wanted and they got to know me as real friends."

"Huh." So he hadn't forgiven them.

"Bella, my point in showing you this is that I see you, hiding within yourself. Girl, you need to let your sun shine bright for the world. There is something special in you, I can see it."

I smiled. He reminded me of Edward just then. Edward always said that I had a gift that world needed to see but I was always to shy to give it to the world.

Maybe he was right.