Title: Bitter Ecstasy part 3
Rating: PG 13
Friday Afternoon
Hamilton sat in his AP history class, thinking about what his dad had said to him the day before. But no matter how many times Hamilton spun the story he just couldn't forgive Jake. She had lied to him, even made him question his sexuality. Friends didn't do that to each other, no matter what. The bell rang and Hamilton snapped back to reality. He started to pack his bag, when Scout and Will approached him.
"Hey man," said Will
"Will, Scout." replied Hamilton curtly.
When the classroom had cleared out Scout quickly spoke up.
"Hamilton, we know about Jake." Scout said softly.
"So? What do you want me to do about that?" Hamilton was getting angrier by the minute. She waited for the half of the summer session to work up the courage to tell him, but then goes and spills the beans to Scout and Will the very next day.
"Don't be so touchy, we just think maybe we should all sit down and talk about this." said Will reasonably.
"Whatever, you two can have a chat with her. I don't care about her anymore."
And with that comment Hamilton fled the room. He was getting sick and tired of everyone telling him what to do with Jake. He just wanted to forget her and move on.
Back at the History Classroom
"Asshole" spat Scout, fuming at Hamilton's reaction.
"Come on Scout, if you were in his shoes how would you react? I mean, the guy's totally freaked. Jake was supposed to be his best friend and she lied to him, he's got to be hurting too." Replied Will smoothly, ever the peace-maker.
Scout knew what Will was saying was the truth, but he couldn't help but still be pissed off.
"Whatever. He just doesn't need to act like a jerk."
"Look, let's leave it. We told him we know, the rest is up to them."
Will and Scout headed off towards their dorm room to do their homework.
Friday Evening
Jake sat in her new dorm room. She had finally finished decorating the walls. Above her bed she hung her various posters; her bed sheets were cream and pink, with flowers decorating the borders. Her desk consisted of her silver laptop, and books that were neatly stacked above each other.
She got up and went to her window. She was lucky to have such an amazing view. She could see the rippling lake and the green forest that draped past it for what seemed like an eternity. Jake knew that what happened between her and Hamilton couldn't be resolved. She knew that if Hamilton gave her a chance she would make the situation better, but the ball was in his court and all she could do was to wait – wait for the warm friendship that she had endured for half the summer . . . all she could do was wait.
Friday Evening Fleming Residence
Hamilton sat in the middle of his blue covered sheet, hugging his knees and rocking back and forth. His head pounded, and it was all Jake's fault. The conversation with her, the conversation with his dad, the conversation between Will and Scout, were crushing his mind. All his life he had been a loner, always been home schooled. Then he got a chance to go to New Rawley and be one of the students, and to top that of he made an amazing friend . . . who in the end stabbed him in the back. Hamilton shook his head. He wasn't going to sit around and mope after Jake, he was going to make new friends and maybe find himself a girlfriend who was actually safe in her own skin. Hamilton made a plan – he was going to forget the last few weeks, and enjoy the rest of summer session.
Friday Evening Scout and Will's Room
Will was sitting at his desk reading his chemistry book. Scout was sprawled on his bed listening to his CD Walkman. After a few minutes Scout took off his headphones, and watched Will. He was amazed at how his best friend could study on a Friday night. Scout's eyes lingered on Will just a little too long - he watched how his friend flipped through his heavy text book, how he scratched his head, how he scrunched his pale, freckled face at a problem he didn't quite get. He loved all these things about Will, and was starting to realise that his friend was no longer a friend but something more. Scout closed his eyes wishing the feeling to go away, but knew that when he opened his soft blue eyes he would feel the familiar tightening in his chest, and the slight skipping of his heartbeat. Scout quickly stood up.
"Will, I'm going to see Bella, okay?" said Scout.
Will gave him a little wave but continued flipping through his textbook. Scout shook his head and quickly left the dorm room, heading for the gas station.
Bella Banks Gas Station
Bella had just finished her late night shift, and she was tired. She headed towards the kitchen. She pulled out some bread from the bottom cabinet, then went over to the fridge and grabbed some salad, cheese, and chicken. She plopped down on the stool that was tucked away under the kitchen island. She started to spread the margarine that was left carelessly on the worktop – such a Grace thing to do. She then spread some chicken and pilled the salad on top. Bella took a great big bite, and swallowed the meaty goodness. She felt her stomach tighten and relax, for it had been a few hours since she had any time to eat. The garage was doing great, due to the fact that it was the only one around in this area. Now most of the Rawley kids used it, and when a big party or parents weekend were planned at the prestigious school, the Banks' were off their feet. Bella sighed – she was happy that they were doing great business, but she was getting too tired dealing with both the garage and school. Not to forget her distraught friend. Jake had called Bella a couple of times, both had only said "Hi" and "bye", but Jake really needed a girlfriend to talk too.
Bella thought about that night.
Week and a half ago
Ring Ring Ring
Grace: Hello?
Jake: Hi, can I speak to Bella please? Jake tried to stop herself crying.
Grace screamed up to Bella, "BELLA, PHONE!"
Bella bounced down the steps, and grabbed the phone of her younger sister.
"Jesus Grace scream much?" Bella said, rolling her eyes. Grace just shrugged and headed out.
"Don't wait up, I'm going to Joe's." answered Grace with a smirk.
"Like I ever do!" muttered Bella, and was welcomed with a slam of the front door and screeching of tyres.
Bella: Hello?
Jake: Bella Banks?
Bella: Yes this is her. Who is this?
Jake: Hi my name is Jake; I am Scout and Will's friend from New Rawley.
Bella: Oh yeah, they mentioned you before. Erm . . .how did you get my number?
Jake: Oh Scout gave it to me . . . he said I could talk to you?
Bella knew a little about Will and Scout's friends at New Rawley, but why would Scout give her to number to a complete stranger was beyond her.
Bella: Why?
Jake: He thought you might understand.
Bella: About what?
And that's when Jake told her, even though Bella been a complete stranger. Bella always had that nurturing quality about her. She listened and gave the distraught girl advice. She was shocked at what Jake had done to get her mother's attention, but she sympathized. Bella was relieved that
Jake didn't stay at the boy's school for very long and had come clean about everything. So from that day Jake and Bella had their midnight talks, getting to know each other, and helping each other out. Both were too busy to see each other face to face. It was like they were net buddies, except they were "talk-on-the-phone" buddies.
Back to the Kitchen
Bella quickly finished off her midnight snack just in time for the phone to ring.
On the Phone
Bella: You know, mystery man, we will have to meet soon.
Jake giggled into the phone.
Jake: One day my princess. So how was your day today?
Bella: Tiring. She said, stifling a yawn.
Jake: Well you got to sleep my Princess, and I will come down to the Tower and save you.
Bella laughed.
Bella: You are my Prince. She sighed dramatically.
Jake: I'll see ya tomorrow after school my Cinderella.
Bella: 'K said Bella yawning again.
Jake and Bella clicked of the phone at the same time. It had become a joke between the two girls, about fairytales. Bella poked fun at Jake about charade, and slowly she became the prince and Bella became the princess.
As Bella headed out from the kitchen and into the garage office to turn off the lamp, a ringing of the bell indicated that someone just entered. Bella cursed herself for being reckless and quietly grabbed a baseball bat that sat beside the table. Tip-toeing over to the shadow, she raised the bat and took a swing.