Chapter 8: Conversations

Bella was sitting in Ann and Jack's room with the couple. She was halfway to panicking. "What am I going to do?" she moaned with her head in her hands.

Jack was standing by the door with his hands in his pockets and Ann was sitting next to Bella on the bed. "So the hinting didn't work?" Ann asked her with care.

Bella looked over at her. "No, he hinted to me. It's all so confusing," she complained.

-Jack POV-

He pulled his hands out of his pockets. "Why don't you let me talk to him. Man to man."

Jack saw Bella bolt upright. "No. I couldn't-"

"Actually," Ann cut her off and squeezed her hand. "That's a wonderful idea, Jack." Ann looked at Bella. "It's alright. Not like Jimmy'll know we sent him."

"True. We get along real well," Jack returned his hands to their rightful pockets. "Gunna go find 'im now." He left the room and set off to find Jimmy.

-Bella POV-

"Ugh. Goddamn it! This is a bad idea, Ann," she glared at Ann.

"No it's not. You'll know about Jimm and maybe you two can get together."

"Perfect!" Bella shouted. "Even though I've never been with anyone," she threw her hands up as she spoke.

Ann's eyes were wide and she had a look of amazement on her face. "Really?"

She gave a nod. "Yeah."

Ann apologized. "How old exactly are you?"

"I just turned eightteen a month ago," Bella said proudly. "Although, I've been stuck in a house for nearly three years because of my father."

"Oh. Well that explains it then," she laughed, giving Bella a little nudge.

Bella nudged her back. "Got any advice Mrs. Driscoll?" she giggled.

-Jimmy POV-

"Jimmy? Can I talk to you?" a voice questioned from behind him.

He turned around and saw Jack standing behind him, looking somewhat troubled. "Is everythin' alright Jack?"

He walked in and sat on Bella's old bed. "Actually, I need to talk to you about something."

"Look, I don't have alot of time and-"

"Jimmy," Jack said sternly. "Man to man. Talk." Jack had a pleading look that was still serious and determined.

He sat down on his own bed. "Talk but I don't got much time."

Jack nodded a bit. "Jimmy," he sighed. "Do you like Bella?" Jimmy's expression jumped from calm to shocked. He stuttered, too. "If you do, and you don't have to answer, but you should tell her."

His voice was quiet. "How?"

Jack chuckled, "However you think is right, Jimmy. I told Ann how I felt through a play I wrote."

Jimmy smiled. "Okay. Thanks Jack."

A knock at the door interrupted him. Jack stood up and opened it, his tall figure blocking Jimmy's view of who it could be. "Well hello Bella," his voice sounded playfully suprised. "Jimmy actually wanted to talk to speak with you," he moved aside and she came in. "I'll just leave you two alone," Jack smiled as he left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Bella looked to Jimmy as if she would faint. "You okay?" Jimmy asked, approaching her.

When he got close enough, she grabbed his arms to hold herself up. "I-I'm fine. What you need to talk to me about?" she looked up at him.

"Whoa," he muttered. He didn't mean to say anything, but it slipped. Her eyes were drawing him in.

"What?" she asked tilting her head and letting go of his arms.

"Your eyes. They're full of life."

"Thank you?..."

He groaned. "I'm doing this wrong I think," Jimmy rubbed his face. "Jack said I'm 'posed to tell you."

Bella was confused. "Tell me what?"

"That I like...you." Jimmy realized what he said. 'Well. Told her at least.'

Bella smiled, leaning up to his face and kissing him on the cheek before enveloping him in a hug. "I like you too Jimmy."

At that moment, the Venture shuddered. "What was that?" Jimmy held Bella protectively against him.