HLAG chapter 14

I walk into the community center to collect Jennifer who is at the youth group she asked to attend a few weeks ago. I am so happy she's back to signing. Her talk with Bella seemed to have done her the world of good, but left me with this uncertain feeling on what to do about their growing friendship. Until I work it all out in my head, I am turning a blind eye to their frequent meetings at the back of the garden.

"Hi, I am here to pick up Jennifer Cullen," I say to the woman at the desk.

She looks down at the paper on her table. "She's in the art class, last door down the hall," she says and pointing to where the hallway is.

"Thank you," I say over my shoulder as I start to make my way down there.

As I get near the door, I can start to make out talking, and a mix of voices. "No, the elbow needs to be higher, child," comes a snooty voice, which is quietly followed by laughing. "Imagine you are in a field with flowers and fluffy bunnies," the odd voice says. It must belong to the art teacher. I shake my head knowing they must have got one of the wackiest art teachers.

I peak in the door window seeing the kids at the tables with a woman walking round them. She bends down looking at the drawings. "This is good, I can feel the cat's meow." Her hand comes out in front of her and does a claw movement. I have to move back and cover my mouth to stop the laugh that's trying to burst out. Once I have composed myself, I look back in. My eyes hone in on Jennifer who has a large smile on her face as she looks to the art teacher.

I look to the teacher to see she still has her back to me. She has her hair up in a bun with what looks like chopsticks sticking out holding it in place and a scarf that she's using as a hair band. My eyes move down her body to see she has a larger see through top over a cami, that seems to wave as she moves, and then the outfit is finished off with black jeans and army boot's. I tilt my head as I look at the unlikely shoe choice to wear. I feel someone looking at me and my eyes meet deep brown ones. Slowly the face of the eyes comes into focus and I swallow as I see Bella there biting her lip. She looks away from me as I watch her.

"Sorry everyone, we've run out of time," she says in her normal voice as she turns to them.

"Oh, can't we stay just a little longer?" A young boy whines out.

"Sorry, we went past our time already. I should have gotten you all to clean up with me, but now I'll have to do it all alone, poor me." The kids all keep their frowns in place.

"Come on, you will all be back next week, right?"

"Yes!" They all cheer as they stand up.

Bella waves as the kids all leave. "Sorry, you should have knocked," Bella says as she turns her back to me, as she starts to clean.

"Where is the art teacher?" I ask.

Bella shrugs. "Don't know, they told me this was where I was to go and then left me to it." I sigh, but my arm gets tugged and I look down to see an upset Jennifer.

"Please let me stay in this class, I love it," she signs to me with a sad face. I give her a smile hoping to calm her a little.

"Bella." I turn to the voice of the woman that just walked in. She looks at me and drops her hand that was holding out a paper.

"Sorry, I didn't know that someone was still here, I am Annabella," she says holding out her hand.

"Edward and this is Jennifer" we shake hands, and where I can still hear Bella cleaning up, my eyes stay on Annabella.

"Is there a problem that I can help you with? Bella is just a helper, she's not staff," she carries on as her eyes move between Bella and I.

"It's fine Anna. This is Edward Cullen. He's the police man that has to over see my hours," Bella informs her as she stands next to us.

"How come Bella is in this class alone?" I inquire still finding it odd.

"The art teacher we had, dropped out at the last minute. I was going to cancel this class till this young lady walked in, and I knew she could handle and teach this class alone." There is an undertone to Annabella's voice that's almost as if she's warning me not to fuck with her.

I hum as my eyebrows pull together. "You really need to see this girl's art work, she is amazing," Annabella tells me. "And don't worry, I drop in at random times. She always has the class in good order, and I make sure she does her time," she snips out at me as she passes Bella's time sheet.

"Good to know," I say in just as snippy of a tone.

She hums and turns from me. "Bella, I have a few odd jobs to do, just close this door when you are done. Remember to sign yourself out." Without waiting for Bella to respond, Annabella walks out of the room.

I let out a long breath and look down at Jennifer who stands beside me so quiet, I could forget she was even here. "We should go. Does Jennifer need anything for class next week." As I speak, I hear gasps, but as my eyes are on Bella, I see she's in shock, but there seems to be another feeling there; I am just not sure what it is.

"Just her." The words come out of her mouth in a gulp and I give her a nod before taking Jennifer's hand as we walk out.

HLAG~

"Can I really stay in Bella's class?" Jennifer asks me when we sit down for dinner. I was wondering how long it would take her to ask, but I never imaged that it would take almost two and a half hours.

"Yes," I say as I take a bite of dinner. "But if she smokes, swears, drinks, does anything that's not right or feels wrong to you, you need to tell me right away, Jenny," I say pointedly as I look into her eyes so she knows I am not kidding around.

"I will," she signs and then quickly cross her heart. I give her a wink and smile.

"How about tomorrow we hit the city and you can spend some of your allowance?" Jennifer's eyes light up right away and she bobs her head digging into her dinner.

"How do you feel about going to my mom's for dinner tomorrow too?" I have my head down, but look at her through my eye lashes. She seems to think it over before giving me the sign for yes. Even though she has a smile on her face, I can see the worry in her eyes. I am sure it is more than eating my mom's cooking that she's worried about.

Once Jennifer is in bed, I call my parents to let them know we are coming for dinner. I also gently hint that I would like this one to be drama free.

HGAL~

Jennifer and I have been in the city for over two hours, but she is yet to spend any of her money. "So where else do want to try?" I ask running out of places I can take her.

Jennifer looks around and her eyes go to some people passing with rolled up pictures. Her eyes dart around the place quickly.

"Do you want to get a street picture done?" I ask. With some hope that she would like my idea to get someone to paint a picture, I think that maybe we could get something painted on her bedroom wall.

Jennifer's head bobs as she looks up at me. "This way," I say as I pull her a little, heading to where they usually are.

We have to go down a few streets then some side streets before getting to the place most street artists gather. "So what would you like?" By the time I have spoken, Jennifer is pulling me along with her. I chuckle gently as we head over to someone doing graffiti art.

"What colors would you like?" A voice I know says. My eyes move up to see Bella standing there looking to the person she just spoke to.

"Red, purple?!" The woman replies and Bella nods. She starts to use spray cans.

I frown a little as she places a pot lid on the paper, but as my eyes move to the woman, she seems happy and amazed. When I look back to Bella, she has removed one of the lids and I swallow clearly seeing a plant. I stand there with my mouth on the ground. When she sprays more paint, I want to yell at her to stop! She's going to ruin it, but thankfully the words get stuck in my mouth. With the aid of paper, she turns the new paint area into mountains. "Huoly shit," I say as the picture comes to completion, it is amazing.

"How's this, ma'am?" Bella says holding the picture up for the woman to see. She smiles happily and Bella rolls it up putting some tape on it to keep it closed. As Bella hands the woman her new picture, the woman hands her ten dollars. Bella places it in her pocket with a smile.

"Hi, Jenny, D," she says as her eyes go between us. "Are you wanting a picture, Jenny?" Jenny bobs her head and Bella smiles at her.

"The one you told me about in class?" Again Jennifer bobs her head and Bella gets to work.

I watched her more closely, but again I find myself stumped at how she can do such elaborate pictures. Jenny's picture is of plants with Chicago's skyline overlapping; it really is amazing. Bella hands Jennifer her picture and Jennifer hands her some money.

"No, I told you I would make you one. You keep your money," Bella says kindly to Jennifer.

"Bella, please take it. Your picture is amazing and worth it!" I say as I finally find my voice.

Bella shakes her head and Jennifer starts to pull at my arm. "Can Bella do a painting of Narnia, and Aslan in my room?" I swallow and look at Bella who stands there in shock. Again I feel my arm been pulled so my eyes move to Jennifer. "Please?" she signs the word then places her hands together as if she is praying.

"I'll speak to Bella, she has a lot going on," I say trying not to write this idea off right away.

Jennifer pouts, but nods in understanding. "But for now, we need to go. You still have money to spend and my mom is expecting us in a few hours." Jennifer just huffs and I pull my hair.

"You should take her to the pet store, get that kitten you wanted." Jennifer's whole face lights up and she looks at me as she bounces up and down.

"Fine," I say giving Bella a look to say thanks, but really I would have bought Jennifer anything after that smile. "But you need to help take care of it," I tell her and just clasp her hand as she nods quickly.

"Bella," I say throwing down a twenty and quickly walk away with Jennifer. I just get to the corner when I hear her yell, "Thank you, D!"

I snort, but feel really good today. "No problem, Petal!" I yell back as I look over my shoulder giving her a smile.

As Jennifer and I walk to the pet store, my mind seems to be on what just went down with Bella. She seemed so relaxed and not her usual bitchy self. I wonder if it had anything to do with the art? That could be why Judge Aro gives her the art work, he may have already known that was a good healthy outlet for her.

I feel a pull and look down at Jennifer as she looks at me with worry. "What's wrong, honey?" I ask.

"We just passed the pet store," she signs and then points to the store.

I chuckle and tilt my head. "Sorry, my mind must have wondered."

Jennifer nods and looks a little confused at my statement, but doesn't ask me anything more. We walk in to the pet store and after an hour, we walk back out with not just one kitten but two. They were brother and sister and Jennifer didn't want them to be separated. The shop keeper helped us make sure we had everything they would need and also gave me a list of vets in my area.

Jennifer sits in my car, hugs and strokes them as I drive to my mom's. As I watch her from the corner of my eye, I know this has been a good buy.