We are back for another day!
Thank you all so much for sharing your stories with me last week. It's been so eye-opening and interesting to hear about the different experiences.
As always, thank you to my beta, Fran S. Flower, and my pre-readers, Jgaff & DaniDarlingxx.
Day 2: March 14, 2020
Bella
8:07 PST
Los Angeles, California
The ringing of my phone wakes me. I groan, reaching for it across my bed. "What?" I whine as soon as I answer it.
"Nice, Bells," Dad grumbles. I frown and roll over, blinking hard.
"Hi, Dad."
He harumphs again. "How are you doing, kiddo?"
"I dunno, fine, I guess." I yawn.
"Mhmm, and how about this pandemic?" he prompts. I blink. For a moment, I've forgotten it completely.
"Oh, that," I mumble. I can practically hear him rolling his eyes. "Um, I don't know. School is canceled right now while they try to figure out what to do."
"And work?"
I grunt, shrugging one shoulder. "I don't know, Dad. I haven't heard anything yet." It's a valid question and concern. Do I still have a job?
Dad is quiet for a moment. "All right, have you started looking into flights?"
I frown. "What do you mean?"
"Bella, you're coming home."
I sit up in my bed. "What? No, Dad. I'm staying here."
Dad grunts. "Bella, there is a pandemic. You need to come home."
I can't believe this conversation is happening right now. "Dad, I'm staying here. My whole life is here."
"Bella," he growls.
"No, Dad. I'm not a kid, okay. You can't snap your fingers and make me come home." I feel like shit for saying this to him. Especially since he does try to help me out when he can, but I can't just tuck tail and run off back to Washington.
"Bella," Dad's voice is harsher, and I know I've made him angry. "The world isn't safe right now."
I roll my eyes. "So why would you want me to travel?" I demand. "Look, I'm staying here. I have rent covered until the end of the school year. I won't ask you for anything." I'm mad and lashing out where I know it hurts him.
"Bella, you can always ask me for help," he says, and I know I've hurt him. I reach up to tug my hair. "I just want to make sure you stay safe."
I roll my eyes. "I am," I tell him. "You have to trust me, Dad."
He's quiet for a long moment, and the longer it stretches, the more offended I start to get. Finally, he lets out a long breath. "I know, Bells. I do."
His words are barely comforting.
"Dad, I have to go; I gotta check in with everyone," I say quietly. He sighs.
"All right, kiddo. You know I worry, so try to check in with your old man more, okay?"
I soften. "Yeah, Dad, of course."
We say our goodbyes before I toss my phone on my bed and lean back with a heavy sigh. For most of my life, it's just been my dad and me. When I was in Washington, he seldom checked in on me; he just trusted I'd be fine. The moment I got on the plane to LA, it was like I'd gotten a whole new dad. He called all the time, worried about every little thing, actually paid attention to what was going on in my life. It was exhausting and usually annoying, especially after nearly four years of me living down here.
He does bring up some valid concerns, though, and I feel a sick twist in my stomach thinking about work. If I don't have a job anymore, how the hell am I going to keep affording this place?
My thoughts swirl and cloud in my head. I groan, throwing my covers off. If I'm up and on the verge of having a fucking panic attack, I think I at least deserve some coffee.
Hands down, this Bella is my favorite Bella I've ever written (and honestly, I fall in love with Bella every time I get to write her). This one is just getting started, and I cannot WAIT for you all to get more of taste of her because she absolutely KILLS me.
See you loves tomorrow!