The leaves changed colors and fell from their places on the trees. Days and weeks were meaningless, as I sat in my room that was now piled with boxes. I hadn't talked to Bella since that day in the parking lot, even though she made many attempts to talk to me until one day she finally gave up. I was no longer worth fighting for, and this is what I wanted from the beginning. Wasn't it? I mean it was the plan from the moment that I found out that I would be moving, to end it now so that there wouldn't be any heartache later. But if this was the right choice then why did it hurt so much? I looked at the clock that remained on the wall, 6:17; it was time for the winter festival at the school. I didn't want to go but Esme and Carlisle had volunteered us for one of the booths, Alice was down there now setting it up.
The gym was totally transformed into a winter themed hell. It didn't take any time to find Alice among the hundreds of booths; her voice can travel across large areas well.
"Alright Alice I am here. What do I have to do?" I leaned over the counter of the booth, trying to figure out what exactly Alice had set up here.
"All you have to do is set up the bottles when someone knocks them down. Do you think you can come out of your shell for a few hours and do this?" Alice was still upset about what had happened between Bella and me. Of course she had stayed friends with her, but according to Alice Bella hasn't been the same since.
"I think I can manage." I replied with a hint of frustration in my voice.
"Fine. Then I am going to find Jasper for a little while, and try not to scare the kids away." Alice stormed off leaving alone behind the small wooden stand. Groups of kids passed but very few ventured to stop and try to knock down our bottles. After an hour of doing hardly anything I was close to putting up the close sign since it didn't look like Alice was coming back any time soon. I searched the small booth for a piece of paper and marker when a musical laugh traveled my way. Peaking over the counter I saw my Bella at the booth across from mine, except she wasn't alone. She stood next to a tall boy with russet skin and long black hair, who was trying to land the rings over the class bottles but failing miserably. When he ran out of rings he just shrugged which made her smile again…….oh how I wish it were me making her smile again……he grabbed her hand but she seemed to hesitate at this. Joy filled the pit of my stomach because I could tell that she wasn't entirely comfortable with this boy. I was still hidden behind the shelf when I heard a deep voice approaching.
"How about this one Bells? Do you think I have a shot at winning at this one?" They were coming to my booth! Should I stand up or pretend that no one is here? I had to make a spit second decision…..I stood up as soon as I heard them approaching. The look on Bella's face was priceless, she just stared at me wide eyed….one, two, three seconds passed before I dropped her gaze with the grunt of the boy standing next to her.
"Well good-evening, would you like to try to win a pretty prize for your pretty girlfriend? I said emphasizing the last word. The boy had a huge smile on his face but I saw Bella cringe and look down at her hands out of the corner of my eye.
"Yeah I'll take a go." Said the boy, not denying what I said. Was it true? Had Bella moved on so quickly? A sharp pain ripped through my chest but I carried on as if nothing had happened. After 5 throws the boy lost miserably. "Sorry Bells, I guess I am just really bad at these games." He chuckled as he said this but Bella continued to look at her hands.
"Nonsense, a beautiful girl like you shouldn't walk away empty handed. I mean it is not your fault that your boyfriend can't throw a ball." The boy got angry at this but before he could say anything I continued on. "I am sure we can find a suitable prize for the lady, just for tolerating the embarrassment of this date." I pretended to dig around under the counter for a prize but I really just grabbed one of the small stuff animals, a lion, and hung the necklace that I had been carrying around for weeks around its little neck. I had gotten Bella a delicate silver chain with an angel pendent on it that said Love Always on the back, long before the break-up. It was going to be her Christmas present but I figured now would be a better time then never to give it to her. "Okay, here we go a little lion for the lady." I held it out to her and she hesitated for a second before taking it. She didn't notice the necklace around the animal right away, which I was happy about because I don't think I could stand her reaction if she hated it.
"Thanks." She replied meekly under her breath before catching my gaze once more. I am not sure what I saw in her eyes, a mix of anger, hate, and love. She still loved me deep down but there was nothing that we could do now but go on with our lives. The boy grabbed her and once more and began to walk away, when she stopped and turned. Bella dropped his hand and leaned over the counter. "And he is not my boyfriend." At these six words I was so elated that I was ready to jump up and down. I was ready to grab her and hold her in my arms and kiss her. But she soon scurried off to take hands once more with that boy.
THANKS FOR READING AND REMEMBER TO REVIEW! THANKS AGAIN AND HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!