Disclaimer: I don't own Lizzie McGuire or anything related to it. The song 'Miss Independent' belongs to Kelly Clarkson and 'Breathe' to Michelle Branch.
Chapter 8. Breathe
"I don't get you anymore! Why don't you ever tell me what's wrong?" Gordo inquired. Bella arched her eyebrows, looking at him. She bit her lip, trying not to say anything she would regret later.
"Okay,
Gordo, fine! Do as you want!" she exclaimed, angry, rushing out of
their house. She felt sick of him always bringing friends over when
she wanted them to be alone, of skipping dinners at her parents'
and of being just plain, simple Bella. She wanted out. After driving
for about an hour, she grabbed her cellphone, glaring at the rain
outside. She went through the list of names and hesitated, then
pressed the 'Call' button and placed it on her ear. "...Hey. I
don't know why I called, but... can I see you?" she asked, then
waited a few moments. "I'll come. Thanks. I'll see you then"
She hung up and rested her hands on the wheel, then started the car
again.
···
Lizzie clutched Callie's arm
while she grabbed her luggage.
"Okay, I'm terrified," Lizzie
hissed. Callie smiled and they walked slowly to the gate. A couple of
feet away, there were Ryan, holding a bouquet of flowers, and Jay,
who seemed confused at Lizzie's sight. Lizzie took a deep breath as
they approached to the guys and Callie jumped into Ryan's arms.
They kissed longingly while Lizzie and Jay just stared uncomfortably
at each other. The loving couple finally pulled apart and Ryan smiled
at Lizzie.
···
Bella looked around at the
once-so-familiar house and sighed, resting her forehead against the
wheel. She couldn't believe she was back there, after so many
years... A figure appeared and stood outside her window, causing her
to jump, before realizing it was him.
"Gosh, Paolo!" she
hissed nervously. He smiled and she realized he looked just the same
like when they had first dated.
"I thought you were regretting it," Paolo said. Bella shook her head and got out of her car, as he led her to the front door. They sat on the living-room, both silent, and he gave her a cup of mint tea, her favorite. She thanked him with a small smile and he stared longingly at her. She was still the same girl that drove him crazy. "Now, you gonna tell me why you are here? Bell, I can read you like an open book" She bowed her head and looked away from his caring green eyes.
"Gordo and I... It's not right anymore," she muttered, shaking her head. He followed her movements, quiet. "He's not what I thought he'd be... not now, at least" Paolo reached out shyly and caressed her pink cheek.
"I am sorry, Bella. Fairy Tales... do not always get their happy ending," he whispered gently. She nodded, swallowing back tears, and looked up into his eyes. He had always been wonderful to her, even if she was in love with Gordo. What was it so hard about it now? "At least mine did not" She closed her teary eyes and nodded, then kissed him quickly. He reacted surprised.
"Paolo, I'm sorry for what I did to you. It wasn't fair," she said. "I played with you, your heart and your feelings" He looked down and she caressed his face slowly. Yep, it was still him.
"What about Gordo?" he asked, staring back into her eyes. She bit her lower lip and shook her head.
"Don't
think," she said. He brought her face closer to his and they shared
another kiss.
···
"Baby, Dan's club is
waiting for us," Ryan said. Both Callie and Lizzie looked at him.
"C'mon, I knew Lizzie was coming, so I booked us up" Callie
smiled and pecked him on the lips, while Lizzie stared at her
fingernails. She was sitting on the passenger seat, next to Jay, who
had remained quiet the whole time. "Hey, J-Man... The next one turn
right. You missed the exit" Jay nodded. He had been staring
not-so-discretely at Lizzie. She looked pretty cute in her clothes.
Lizzie looked up slowly and met his eyes, making him to quickly look
away. Jay focused back on the road and turned as Ryan told him, then
parked the car on a side. Ryan got out first, helping Callie, and
Lizzie and Jay exchanged quick glances before she struggled to open
her door. Jay reached over her to force it and managed to unlock it.
She looked at him again.
"Thanks," she whispered, rushing out. Callie and Ryan were standing a few feet away, kissing one more time. "O...kay... Enough with the PDA for today, guys. It's seriously starting to get gross" Callie giggled, Ryan's arms still wrapped around her small waist, and opened her department door.
"C'mon, Jay!" Callie said, as Lizzie stepped in
after Ryan, who was carrying Callie's bag. Lizzie grabbed hers and
everybody went up.
···
Paolo gazed over
the covers and discovered Bella was awake, her eyes open and staring
at the ceiling. He wrapped an arm around her and she turned to
him.
"Bella..." he whispered. She kissed him sweetly on the
lips to keep him quiet and he melted down. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am. Better than I've been for a while, actually," she whispered back, closing her eyes. "Paolo..."
"What?" he asked, gazing into her blue eyes. She kissed him one more time.
"Thanks,"
she said, burying herself in his embrace.
···
Callie
smiled comfortingly at Lizzie as they all went to their places. She
grabbed her sticks and waited for her cue from Ryan. Jay focused on
his guitar, trying hard not to look at Lizzie. Ryan smiled at Callie
and she started, then Lizzie walked in. She was wearing an amazing
red top, backless and with a generous cleavage, and tight faded
jeans. It was more than enough to catch every men's attention. Her
hair was also neatly styled, in delicate ringlets, and falling over
her back. She gazed at Jay before grabbing the mic and smiled. He
sure was trying not to drool.
"Miss
guarded heart
Miss play it smart
Miss if you want to use that
line you better not start, no
But she miscalculated
She didn't
want to end up jaded
And this Miss decided not to miss out on true
love
So, by changing her misconceptions
She went in a new
direction
And found inside she felt a connection
She fell in
love
What is this feeling taking over
Thinking no one could
open the door
Surprise it's time to feel what's real
What
happened to Miss independent
No longer need to be
defensive
Goodbye old you when love is true
When Miss
independent walked away
No time for love that came her way
She
looked in the mirror and thought today
What happened to Miss no
longer afraid
It took some time for her to see
How beautiful
love could truly be
No more talk of why can't that be me
I'm
so glad I finally see…"
···
Bella
got back into the house she and Gordo shared the next morning, trying
not to make any noises. He had fallen asleep on the couch, waiting
for her. Biting her lip, she headed to the kitchen to drink some
coffee. She felt a sting in her hand and dropped the mug, cursing
under her breath. Of course, the noise had been enough to wake him
up.
"Bella?" Gordo said, walking to her. She turned to him.
"Where were you all night?"
"Out, okay? Now I wanna get some sleep, if you don't mind," she snapped, bending down to pick up her mug. He followed her with his baby-blue eyes, hurt.
"Fine. As you wish," he muttered, turning around and grabbing his keys. She followed him, regretting her outburst.
"Where are you going?" she asked. He didn't even turn, opening the front door, but stood in the doorframe long enough to reply.
"Out," he said. She closed her eyes as the door slammed and fell down on her knees, tears slowly streaming down her face.
End of chapter.
"I've been driving for an hour
Just talking
to the rain
You say I've been driving you crazy
and its keeping
you away
So just give me one good reason
Tell me why I should
stay
'Cause I dont wanna waste another moment
in saying things
we never meant to say
And I Take it just a little bit
I,
hold my breath and count to ten
I, I've been waiting for a chance
to let you in
If I just breathe
Let it fill the space
between
I'll know everything is alright
Breathe
Every little
piece of me
You'll see
Everything is alright
If I just
breathe
Well it's all so overrated
In not saying how you
feel
So you end up watching chances fade
And wondering what's
real
And I Give you just a little time
I, Wonder if you
realize
I've been waiting till I see it in your eyes
If I
just breathe
Let it fill the space between
I'll know everything
is alright
Breathe,
Every little piece of me
You'll
see
Everything is alright
If I just breathe
Breathe
So
I whisper in the dark,
Hoping you hear me
Do you hear me?
If
I just breathe
Let it fill the space between
I'll know
everything is alright
Breathe,
Every little piece of me
You'll
see
Everything is alright
Everything is alright if i just
breathe... breathe
I've been driving for an hour
Just
talking to the rain"