"Steph? Ric? Where are you?" Belle called, looking around for the pair who had left her to think by herself and to talk in private.
They came running when they heard her, Ric was worried something bad must have happened, but Steph was calm and collected. Nothing seemed to faze her in the slightest. Then again, that was Steph. Miss Cool, Calm and Collected. As soon as Belle saw them, she started jumping up and down excitedly. Steph, ever cool, asked her straight out what the answer was. Belle said "I know there is only one person I have to be with and I've tried so hard to hide those feelings but its come to a point where I have to decide. I've decided on Drew." Ric looked pleased. "Im glad you've finally sorted everything out. I was worried you might do something stupid like try and commit suicide or get really depressed. I think you should call Luc and tell him now. I know its stupid doing it via phone, but it's a lot better than face to face." Ric said knowingly, wrapping his arms around Steph who tried to elbow him in the stomach playfully. "Enough Mr Dalby" Steph said laughing as Ric tried to tickle her. Belle was hopping up and down from one foot to the other, eager to be back at the Diner to talk to Drew. But she grew serious at the thought of having to break up with Lucas. She pulled her phone out from her bag and quickly dialled Lucas's number. He picked up on the first ring.
They exchanged pleasantries until Belle suddenly said "Enough is enough. Im really sorry Luc, but its just not going to work between us. We are too different to be completely compatible. As it is, ive had feelings for someone else ever since the Christmas Pageant…" she was interrupted by Lucas's angry voice. She put him on loudspeaker so that Steph and Ric could hear. They caught most of the tirade and shared a look that said 'next stop, lucas's house'. Belle did the honourable thing and hung up on Lucas halfway through his tirade, then made one more phonecall, this time, to Drew. When Drew picked up, she said quickly "Meet me outside the Diner in 20 minutes. I have something to tell you" then hung up and turned her phone off. "Is it alright if I ask for a lift back to the Diner? I know its out of your way Steph, but is that ok?" Belle asked hesitatingly, as she realised that Steph and Ric had done more for her than she had asked of them, with no complaints, just friendly advice and shoulders to cry on. She owed then so much.
"Sure. We have to pick something up for dinner anyway and I have to see Brad and im working at the Surf Club tonight so that's fine with me. How about you Ric?" Steph said turning to Ric. Ric nodded. "Yep fine with me. Sounds great in fact. Ive been meaning to speak to granddad anyway."