Category: STORIES

JUST US

                   Bella

Lunch break was over and we all head back to class.
  I sat down on my seat and nodded my head when I remembered I’ve gotten a new seat mate now, Fynn. The new guy.

 Sophie seems to like him, well since they’ve both bet on getting highest grade on your test next week. Two competitive people.  After having three extremely long classes, school was was finally over and everyone grabbed their backpacks and head to the door.
  Sophie met me at the entrance of the school and we both head to the bus stop to catch the bus. Like we always do.

 The bus wasn’t that full, it’s not always full cause almost half of all the student there owns a car, really cool cars you’d want to get in sometimes.
  Sophie and I sat at the back of the bus, that’s like where we always stay cause it has less people and its beside the window where there’s more view.
  The bus starts to drive but then suddenly stopped.
  “What’s going on.” Sophie sighed.
“Maybe some one is getting on” I suggested.
And I was right someone was getting in , cause the door opened and closed again.
 The bus started to drive again and Sophie breathed out a sigh of relief.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I have to be home on time. My parents are having visitors and apparently, my brothers and I have to be home on time, to look responsible and proper” she replied.
 Oh.

“Can I have a sit here?” we heard a familiar voice say and both looked up to see Fynn.
“Fynn.” Sophie called.
“Can I sit?” Fynn asked again., smiling at me.
“Sure… why not.” I said as he took the empty sit beside Sophie.

“So I guess you don’t have a car like the rest of us in this bus!” sophie started.
“I don’t” Fynn laughed.
“Well looking forward to riding after school with you” sophie laughed.
“Yeah me too!” Fynn replied.
 The three of us became quiet, I was mad, I wanted to start a conversation but I didn’t know what to say and Sophie beat me to it. I am such a boring person.

“So tell us more about yourself Fynn” sophie said.
“Really… what would you like to know about me?” He asked.

“Anything?” I shrugged and Sophie nodded. Well at least I said something.

Fynn smiled… at me “Anything like what?”
 “Your family, age. Likes and dislikes anything at all” sophie shrugs.
“Oh well yeah sure okay, I… I just moved to this town newly and I live with my older brother.”
Fynn was nervous, and you could tell. Why would he be, or hasn’t been around girls before? But the whole cheerleader team where around him during break, so why is he nervous now.

“Wow, an older brother, so you don’t live with your parents?” sophie asked and Fynn shook his head negatively.
“Wow. Your house must be rules free.” Sophie said making Fynn laugh.

“So how old are you.?” I tried to say something and my voice sounded like shit.

“Well I’m… I think… I’m eighteen.”  He said.
He thinks???
“You think?” sophie said my thoughts out loud.
“No… I mean I am.” Fynn laughed nervously.

Sophie glanced at me awkwardly before turning back to him.
“Now tells us what you like,” sophie said.
“What I like?. Well I like a lot of things.” Fynn starts to smile. “Pretty things”.

“Okay… what’s your favorite colour?” I asked.
Why did I ask that?.

Fynn answered anyways “I like pink.”

Sophie glanced at me trying to hold in her laugh.
“You know that’s such a weird colour for a boy, as cool as you!” sophie narrowed her eyes at him.

I chimed In. “I don’t think it’s weird, colours are just colours.” I shrugged.
“I know right?” sophie scoffed. “But we’re in year two thousand and twenty and he’s a boy, he really shouldn’t be saying that out loud.”.
 Well she does have a point.

“Why shouldn’t I say that out loud, it’s my favourite colour” Fynn said.
“If you don’t want to loose your entourage, don’t say that out loud.” Sophie assured him, he turned to me and I nodded in agreement.
He’s so innocent.

“Maybe you should take something like. You know red, blue, black, that’s what the cool boys take as favourites” I added.

“But I’m not one of the cool boys.” Fynn said doing air quote around ‘cool’
“Then should we lend you a mirror!” sophie rolled her eyes.
“Look I don’t know what hole you came out from, but we’re just helping you out so you won’t say something stupid in front of your thousand cheerleaders girlfriends.”

“Girlfriends?” Fynn repeated looking at Sophie, he was confused.
“What. They’ve been around you all day, some even sneaked on our class just to get a sneak peek at you. Those sneaky little cheerleaders” Sophie laughed.

“Don’t worry, just try not to say you like pink in front of them” I assured Fynn and he nodded but he was still looking confused.**
–
 “Oh thank God we’re almost at the bus stop” sophie tells me, and I remembered her early meeting with her family and guests.
“Yeah, good for you, sometimes I feel like living in this bus.” I laughed to myself.
Well I mean it.
I’m tired of that house.

“Don’t worry, one day I’ll buy a bus for you to live in” Sophia laughed… I laughed too “Thanks in advance”. I said.

 The bus stopped and we all came down at the bus stop,
 Sophia held her backpack firmly and smiled at Fynn and I.
“Fynn, it was nice to meet and talk to you today, and goodbye Bella. I’ll see you tomorrow in school and after school, remember I’m coming over tomorrow, to study.” Sophie said before walking away, leaving Fynn and I.

“Uhm.. Okay… goodbye,” I said and start to walk away but he seemed to be walking with me.
“Bella..?” he called and I turned.
“You’re going this way right?” Fynn asked pointing to road I’ll be taking home.
I nodded positively and his lips curved into his doll smile.
“I’ll be taking that road too, can we go together?” Fynn asked.

“Hmm sure why not!” I tried to smile.

Why do I feel nervous all of a sudden.
Oh yeah, right, I’ve never walked with a boy before.
Wow. I am so lame.

We both walked quietly in the lonely street, both of us not saying a word and I could feel my face heat up and it was awkward for me, He also happens to be the coolest guy in school, well you don’t get to see that everyday.
 Walking with him was one thing, and being so quiet was another thing that made me feel even more awkward.

“So where do you live?” I started a conversation and almost cried when my voice sounded like a mess.

I cleared my throat and looked away.

“I live… I live… Well I live around.” Fynn shrugged.
“Oh okay,” I said.

 We both remained quiet and I didn’t know when my legs starts to speed up.
Wow I am such a weirdo.

“Hey Bella… Wait up!” Fynn laughed behind me and walked up to me.
“Oh sorry, I’m just in a hurry I have something to do at home!” I lied with a nervous laugh.

“Well should we walk faster then, we’re almost at your house.!” he said pointing to my house.

Wait. What?

“How do you know my house” I was shocked.
“Oh I… I… there was… A way you kept looking at it so I decided to guess and it was your house… So I was right” Fynn expound.

 We both walked quietly without saying a word and I breathed a sigh of relief when I finally appeared in front of my house.
“Well… Goodbye” I said and disappeared inside like someone being chased.

 I got to my room and placed my backpack on the floor. The thought of acting weird earlier made me cringe and I shook my head negatively and decided to take a shower.

 After taking a shower, I ate dinner by myself and start to study,
 I closed my books immediately it was 7:30pm and sighed, that’s it for today, I need some beauty sleep, who am I kidding, beauty sleeps doesn’t work on me.

I stood up from my bed, shoved my books in my backpack and walked out of my room and to my balcony, the evening breeze welcomed me and I breathed out a sigh of relief.
  I looked at the tree opposite my balcony and the name ‘Jojo’ suddenly sang in my head…
 I mean, I was confused but I didn’t allow that get to me, I decided to go back in when I heard my name.

“Bella!”.
It echoed and looked around,
Who the hell is calling, that voice doesn’t sound like my aunt, uncle or cousins. Who could it be.

“Bella down here!” I heard again and I looked down from my balcony and I could see a boy standing and waving at me.

   I looked closely and saw it was Fynn, the day was getting dark but it was still bright enough for me to see it was Fynn, he had his bright smile and his hand never stopped…
“What are you doing… Here.. Here?” I stuttered. Trying to make my voice audible at the same time quiet.
“Oh I told you, I live around.” He smiled. “My house is like two blocks away from here, I just came to say Hi” He said and I nodded.
“Okay then… Hi” I said with a small wave.
  He came to say hi… To Bella
That’s an honour.

“I’ll be off then, goodnight!” He smiled, I smiled back and immediately he walked away I heard a knock on my front door.

 I quickly left my balcony and hurried to answer the door.
 I opened the door and Jane stood there with her phone.

“Jane…” I called softly.
“Yeah, hey Bella, mom wants you downstairs.” she said.
What did I do?.

“Oh really? Why?” I asked, my heart was pounding.
“I don’t know actually, I think she won something and wants everyone to have dinner together, she’s just happy, so come Downstairs” Jane said before walking away.
 I’ve already had dinner without them, but seriously this is an honour, having dinner with my aunt and cousins, it has never happened before.
Is today my lucky day or what?
Are they finally seeing me, have I become Visible.!??

 I closed the door to my room and walked out of my room.
As I made it down the stairs my heart made an uneasy rhythm.

 I came face to face with my aunt’s entire family in the dining room and for the first time in three weeks, she smiled at me.
“Why don’t you join us for dinner Bella, or you’ve already had dinner?” she asked.

“Uhm.. No I haven’t” I lied, she smiled and I took a sit beside Jane cause she looks like the only person who likes me after our small Conversation about Sean and Jennifer kissing.

  The food on our plates were mouth watering, hot and ready to eat, my aunt and uncle ate, while Jane and Jennifer focused on their phones.

“For once in your lives, keep your phones away and eat!” My aunt yelled at her daughters and they both rolled their eyes and obeyed.
“Why aren’t you eating?” my uncle asked me…
“Oh…i am” I said lowly, before grabbing my fork.

We both ate quietly but my aunt and her husband kept smiling at each other, and goodness my aunt has my dad features too much.

“But seriously” Jennifer started. “Jane did you see the guy at school today?”.
“I did… He Was good looking and he’s a senior too” Jane said uninterested about the sudden conversation.
“Like he’s so hot and I heard he’s name is Fynn” Jennifer giggled.
 Here we go.

“So what now. Are you going to make him yours?” Jane asked sarcastically.
“If I have an opportunity to talk to him, he’s all mine, I’ll bet you on that one.” Jennifer boasted.
Jane rolled her eyes. “With your ugly looking nose and teeth who’s going to fall for someone like you!”.
 Jennifer was shocked by the insult but she didn’t let Jane win that easily.

“Well I guess Sean fell for my ugly looking nose and teeth when he kissed me!” Jennifer smirked.
Jane stabbed her fork on the table and turned to her twin..
“You bitch” Jane gritted angrily.

“Yeah kissing people’s boyfriend Is what I do, how do you like that?” Jennifer laughed.

“Jennifer……….!” My aunt called angrily.
“What mom..? You heard what she said about me!”
“Why don’t you try to have some manners okay! And don’t ruin my mood!”  my aunt yelled.
 Jennifer grunt and stood up angrily.
“Yell all you want mom, I’ve given her a taste of her own medicine, i will now have my dinner in my room” Jennifer said before walking away.

 Jane sighed and turned to her mom. “Why didn’t you just give birth to me. Why twins, why her? I can choose Bella over that beast’.
“Jane, don’t call your sister a beast”. My aunt sighed.
“But she is!” Jane rolled her eyes.
“Jane…” her father scolded.
“Whatever, you’re both biased anyways”. Jane said eating her food angrily.

 I ate mine quietly not saying anything, until my name was called by my aunt.
“Yes…” I replied softly, well this woman give me the chills.

“So one of my daughter ruined my mood, but I’m still happy, something good happened to me today, and you don’t get this everyday, now tell me if there’s anything you’d want me to get for you, anything at all!” my aunt asked.
“Anything?” Jane interrupted.
“She’s not talking to you” her father chimed in.

“It’s okay, I don’t need anything!” I said.
“Are you sure? Tell me now!” My aunt repeated.
Well what do I want.?

“Well I’ll be studying with Sophie tomorrow and I was wondering if I could go to her place to study!” I said, I want that permission, I want to leave this place for once.
“No. You can invite any friend you want. But going over to a friend Is a no, have you seen Jane and Jennifer gone out before?” my aunt asked…
Well she doesn’t know, but they do sneak out a lot

“So tell me anything else?” my aunt continued.
“A phone.” Jane helped…
I glanced at her, thanking her for the idea.
“Oh right, you need one right?” my aunt smiled and I nodded happily.
 “A phone it is!” Her husband smiled and she nodded.

“Oh and about your study group you’re having tomorrow, instead of using your tight room, you can use the study room in the house and Jane and Jennifer will be joining you!” My aunt said…
“Oh okay.” I tried to hide my smile.
“What? But I don’t want to study!” Jane groaned.
“You will too” My aunt said before standing up and leaving with her husband.

“This is all your fault” Jane pouted at me.
“I’m sorry” my voice was low.. We were the only ones in the dining room.
“It’s okay, but what’s better than having a new phone?” she smiled and I smiled at the idea.

“Hey,” Jane said quietly, “Don’t worry, she’ll know I did it all, just come help me dye all Jennifer’s white cloth to brown with the washing machine”.

“But…
“come on, she’ll have no idea, just help me, she’s in her room now, I’d like to see her kiss that!” Jane said pulling me up and to the laundry room.
Well we’re going to do that, but wait!   is today my lucky day or what??

T. B. C

Next Episode

JUST US

                Bella

Okay so today is almost over and here I am in my room locked up with Jojo, a dog who a mysterious boy left for me and also a dog who barks to me and I actually understands them.
 This must be a Dream, it can’t be real, I’m human and human beings don’t understand dogs, but I understood this dog and it said he made me understood what he was saying cause I wished for it.
 When did I ever wish to understand animals.

  My mind was flooded and so was the barking of Jojo saying I should open the goddamned door.
 If this is a dream, Hell I want to wake up. And if this is not.! I don’t know if I want to be alive anymore. Cause this sure is creepy.
 
 I stood up and slowly opened the door to the balcony. The day had turned dark and the rain that fell made everywhere cold.
 I stood three feet away from Jojo and anytime he walked closer I moved away cause this dog ain’t ordinary.

  I sat on my bed and watched as jojo’s black eyes watched me from where he stood on the ground…
 I felt someone standing on the balcony and when I turned someone was standing there, I could see a silhouette, but you could still tell it was a boy…
 I looked harder and it was “The boy?”

 “Are you jojo’s owner?” I asked as he slowly walked in my room.
“Yes…!” He nodded as the room light took his face.
He doesn’t look human.
Nope he’s not.
His skin was too smooth, his black ebony hair was freaking me out too, and his face features looked like the ones from dolls.
His eyes colour had changed from how it was during the day.
“Okay, Good, please you can take your dog and you can both leave I’ve had enough today!” I said moving back a bit so the boy could walk in and take Jojo.
 He walked in even more and grabbed Jojo from the ground.

He stood straight and with a smile he said.
“i hope Jojo didn’t cause you any trouble, he’s a really good—
“He did cause me trouble… That dog, that dog isn’t ordinary is it?” I asked.
“What are you talking about Jojo is just an ordinary dog!” the boy shrugged. And did I forget to mention his accent was extraordinarily sweet.

“He’s not, cause when he barks I understand them… i understand his barks”. I said and realised I was sounding pretty crazy.
“Well maybe that’s because you want to!” The boy grinned.
“Huh?” I was confused.
“If you don’t want to understand Jojo, just wish for it and you won’t!”  the boy smiled.

Is Jojo a wish dog or something.

“Are you joking with me, is this even real or am I dreaming?” I huffed.
The boy laughed. “It’s not a dream, Jojo Is real, we’re both real!”

“Then do you have any explanation…
“Explanation for what?” The boy smiled. Why does he keep smiling.
 “How come I can understand your stupid dog?” I was mad.

The dog barked but I heard “I am not stupid”

“He’s right, he’s not stupid!” The boy added and I stared at him blankly “you can understand him too?” I asked, bewilderedly.
“of course, he’s mine!” the boy replied happily.

“Okay… Okay look, you’ve gotten your dog, now please leave!” I ordered.
“Why? You don’t want us here?” The boy asked looking sad.
What is wrong with him?

“Why would I want you here? You and your dog are both strangers and weird, and now you dog has left me confuse and please if you can leave and let me settle my mind i will be glad!” I sighed.

“Okay we’re both sorry for making you Confuse, we will leave, but we will come back again tomorrow!” The boy smiled about to go when I stopped him.

“Tomorrow?” I asked and he nodded.  “I’m sorry, do you know me? I mean from anywhere, like have you seen or met me before?”
 I was going crazy I literally wanted to scream, like who is this dude. And where did he come from.
“Nope I just met you today, and I’d like to be friends.!” he replied.

I scoffed. “Friends?”
 And I rolled my eyes “Do you think, just by crawling out from a tree giving me your dog to me and saying weird things to me is how to make friends. I’m sorry but please can you leave.!!”.
 I don’t even understand what’s going on here any more,.

“Okay fine, I’ll leave!” he frowned.
“And don’t ever come back!” I quickly said.
“Fine…!” The boy said and immediately he walked back into the dark balcony with Jojo in his arms, they both disappeared into the darkness, leaving me to breathe in heavily. “Finally”
I breathed out, walked to the balcony doors looked at the thick dark night before closing the doors, locking it and placing my curtains over it.

  That night I couldn’t sleep well mostly because it hasn’t been too long since I woke up and again because of Jojo and his owner who said his name is also Jojo.
What a weirdo right?

 I closed my eyes and and sighed heavily. I hope whatever happened today, I hope it doesn’t happen again.

  Before I knew it I started to feel sleepy and,
 I was fast asleep again.
*
 The next day, my alarm woke me up and as usual after my morning routine, I joined my cousins in their father’s car and he drove us all to school.

   We all got to school and went our separate ways.
 I got to class and as usual I walked up to my seat, stayed quiet until a teacher walked in the class.

 During lunch time, Sophie and I ate together, We always eat together, though she gets invited to eat with other normal and less boring people but she always declines them and eat with me.
   I don’t get why she always chose to hang out with someone boring like me.
 While eating, we don’t talk or say anything, we just eat and go back to class. Well I appreciate her being here but still I hate myself for being so lame and not being such a good or ‘normal friend’. And to say I understood a dog yesterday. I am definitely not normal.

 We were both eating quietly, Sophie was eating and at the same time studying, we’re like the same, studying every minute, but not when I eat.

“Remember Mr Lawrence test is next week, and also I’ll be at your house on Friday, so we can study together” sophie suddenly said, dropping her pen and taking a bite out of her meal.
“Yeah I remember, I’ve been studying too,” I said.
“Good. You know we have to Ace it, cause that’s what people like us do! We ace every exam or test” Sophie smiled.

It didn’t sound weird but I had to ask.
“People like us?”
I asked.

“Yeah people like us, you know we’re not like the rest of the school, I mean look around!” she said and I looked around the crowded cafeteria with a whole noise coming from every corner.

Sophie continued “Everyone in this room aren’t like us, we’re the determined school type material, we’re the type that doesn’t get B plus or A minus in our exam or test, we’re always at the top of our grade!” sophie laughed.

I laughed too. “Okay so we’re the school type material, then what type are others?”.

“Well apart from us and some couple of other people, I know the rest of the students here are here forced to come here or are here to see friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, you know what I mean, and I don’t hang out with people like that, I hang out with people who puts sckool and studying first, like you!” she smiled.
So that’s why she hangs out with me. Fair enough!.

“You see Ricky over there?” sophie said pointing to the school’s popular boy.
“He’s having a pool party on Friday, and believe me when I say the whole school is going to be there.” Sophie rolled her eyes.
“Well except us, cause we’ll be too busy studying!” I added.
“And that’s why I like you!” sophie sighed with a smile.  “I got invited to that stupid party but I said I had plans. I would  prefer studying with you than going to a party full of bird brains.!”

Now I see why she hangs out with me, we’re both the same.

 After lunch we both went back to class and before we knew it, school was over.
 Sophie and I took the bus home and didn’t say much on the way until we had to say our goodbyes at the bus stop.

 I got home feeling exhausted, I felt a bit better after taking a shower  and I went downstairs to grab my dinner before coming back up to eat.
 After eating I decided to read for the upcoming test,
+
I read till my eyes almost came out and I didn’t know when it also became dark.
 I decided to call it a day and I closed the text book, I curled myself in my bed, nothing to do, I started to think about nothing… well that’s how I do since nothing is really going on in my life, and it’s boring, what else should I think of.
Some people say when you feel sad and stressed, think happy thoughts. But I don’t think I have happy thoughts, my happy thoughts are clogged by this lame life I leave.

 Just then I heard a knock, but it wasn’t coming from my door, but from the balcony door.
 My heart skipped a beat when I turned to see it was Jojo and his owner standing outside the glass door.

What is he doing here? I thought angrily.
 I ignored him and laid back on my bed, he’ll leave if he gets tired,. I mean that’s what I thought but he kept knocking and knocking, but I was keeping my cool pretending I couldn’t hear anything thank God the doors are locked., I even covered my face with my pillow.

 Soon enough I couldn’t hear any knock.
He must have left!. I thought and breathed out a sigh of relief. It’s 9 o’clock PM doesn’t he have a home?.
  I decided to cover the curtains over the balcony doors, I took the pillow off my face and turned to get out of the bed,
 I screamed when I saw jojo and the boy sitting on the floor in my room, both smiling at me.

“How… how did you get in here?” I was breathless.
“Oh I just walked in.” He replied.

“But… But the door was locked!” I said slowly moving to the door, so when I get there I can run out of my room cause the boy and his dog are scaring me out.

“Like I said I just walked in!” He smiled.

“Well okay…
 I said,  I am already at the door, my hands were behind my back  grabbing the door knob and was already turning it and slowly opening the door when the boy paused and leaned his head to the right, he saw my hand at the door and then he looked at me.
“Are you trying to go away?” he asked.

“Huh?” I pretended to be dumb.

“Why are you always running away from me or sending me away!” He scratched his head looking at me innocently.

“Because I don’t know you okay… Now please leave.!” I said slowly opening the door, but suddenly the door closed itself and locked itself.

Huh?.

“Well don’t you want to know  about me?” He said and I could swore his eyes shone green immediately he said that.

Jojo barked and this time I didn’t understand it and I was glad, I’m not crazy after all.

“We can trust her Jojo!” the boy said to his dog. “And you already showed her a little part of it so..?” The boy shrugged at Jojo and Jojo barked.

Goodness. They’re both having a conversation and, trust me? What do they want to trust me for? I’m super confused.

T. B. C

Next Episode