"Mia, don't wander around if I ever put you down, okay?" I told her as I walked up to my locker.
More stares.
Ignore.
Ignore.
I know they can see the resemblance.
Ignore.
"Okay." She nodded, but was looking somewhere else.
I looked over to where her attention was directed to.
Beck.
Staring intently.
He caught my gaze.
He smiled, and then walked up to me.
I grabbed my notebooks and stuffed them in my bag before closing my locker.
"Miss Jadelyn, am I right? Or is it Mrs.?" He smirked.
Hide no emotions.
I smiled.
"Definitely 'miss'." I grinned.
"Are you going to introduce this little girl to me, miss Jadelyn?"
He was blocking my way.
Don't piss me off, Beck.
As much as I love him, I'm trying my very best not to rip his head off with this sweetness.
"I'm Amelia," Mia introduced herself.
Her eyebrows furrowed, and then laughed heartily.
"What's so funny, baby?" I asked her, blowing a raspberry on her cheek.
She giggled louder.
"He's . . ." She tried speaking in between giggles.
I was laughing along.
Even Beck was.
He had this little twinkle in his eye.
Something that happens only when he's extremely happy.
We're going to have to have a pretty serious talk when this week ends.
"I was what?" Beck asked, stroking my little girl's cheek.
Mia's giggles died down.
She had a crimson blush replacing the pinks in her cheeks.
Mia, I love you.
But you're still too young, baby girl.
That boy is mine.
"You were ballerina." She managed to get out before breaking out into another hearty fit of giggles.
It was Beck's time to blush.
The bell rang.
"Let me help you with your bag," Beck offered, his hand already reaching out for my sling.
"No need,"
I do NOT need special treatment.
He knew I made that clear with him before.
He didn't need to disregard that now.
Just because I'm playing a role.
"Come on. We're going to the same class, just let me help you."
Without warning, he grabbed my bag.
I can't yell at him.
I don't want to break character.
I settled with a death glare.
My signature one.
The one that seeps through your pores like incinerating fire.
I saw him gulp as he walked beside me towards the classroom.
Smirk.
I kissed Mia's head.
Lunch.
Festus was serving mixed berries.
He should have that on the menu every day.
I found a vacant round table.
I sat Mia on my lap.
I debated whether or not to use utensils.
The berries looked very fresh.
I threw the forks and knives away.
"Dig in, baby girl." I grinned.
"No fork?" She looked up at me.
Beck and the rest of the gang spotted us.
"That's why God gave us hands. Go on."
To show her that I really meant us eating without utensils, I picked up a grape and popped it in my mouth.
The gang sat around.
They were staring.
"See?" I said around a half chewed grape.
I picked up a strawberry and brought it near her mouth.
She clamped it shut.
I swallowed my grape.
I sat her sideways on my lap.
She was facing Beck.
"Come on, Mia," I told her, trying to part her lips with the strawberry. "Open your mouth."
Her forehead crinkled as she sucked her lips in.
"May I try?" Beck cut in.
"Be my guest."
I huffed.
He took his plastic knife and cut the strawberry lengthwise.
He took one half of the strawberry in his fingers and put it near Mia's lips.
"Say 'ahh', Amelia," He crooned.
I looked at the others.
They started eating their food, occasionally glancing at us.
I looked down at Mia.
She was chewing.
"How'd you get her to . . .?"
I was appalled, impressed, yet hurt all at the same time.
"I don't know. Maybe the berry's too big for her?" He queried.
I shrugged.
I looked down and I saw that her mouth was open, waiting for the next one.
"Well, well, well, princess. Last feed and then you pick 'em up yourself." I told her, gently shoving the other half of the strawberry in her mouth.
I looked at the gang again.
They looked rather shocked at how I talked.
They better get used to it.
I'll be doing that for three more days.
And one more thing.
I smiled at them.
Their eyes widened.
"Woah, Goth girl turned to the good side!" Puppet pointed out.
Robbie put his hand over its mouth.
"Shut up, that's her character," I heard Robbie whisper in its ear.
"Yo, Jade," Andre called.
I snapped my head to look at him.
"What's your," He swallowed. "daughter's . . . um, name?"
Why do I constantly have to remind myself that he doesn't know?
All of them think it's an act.
"Her name's Amelia." I told him, stroking her hair.
I had my attention on them for so long that I wasn't able to see Beck and Mia.
Beck continued cutting up strawberries for her, and as he did, he fed them to her.
Slice by slice.
"I thought she was supposed to feed herself?"
I quirked an eyebrow at Beck.
He grinned sheepishly.
I'm guessing Mia was able to wrap him around his finger.
I don't know if this is good or bad.
How was I supposed to tell him the truth by the end of the week?
Conflicted.