[ Bella's Point of View ]
Having these two guys with me somehow made me feel safe and comforted. I realized I truly needed someone to be by my side all these years.
A year has already passed and today is our high school graduation. Everyone was just so happy, finally finishing a tough road.
However, a stricter road awaits us ahead.
"Congratulations, Bella." Jameson, in his suit, handed me a bouquet of yellow tulips. A small smile stretched on his face.
"Thanks," I replied.
Ivan graduated earlier than us, so he will be coming here later. Actually, we aren't dating anymore, but things still stay the same as a year ago.
If you call it friends, then we're still friends.
We decided to work on ourselves first before dating and anything else. Of course, Ivan agreed. He said he was willing to wait for years and woo me again.
He has been a great boyfriend, after all. But I want him to live without me. I won't do any good to him because I don't love him.
I'm glad he understood me.
I looked around the place, and it was just filled with joyful high school students, jumping, laughing, and crying around because it was the last day.
But still, Niana never showed up. I had never seen her ever since that night at the bar. I wonder what she's up to.
Is she dead? Or what could she be probably doing?
It's none of my business. Niana's out of my life already. If she tries to barge in again, I won't let my guard down anymore.
"Are you sure about entering military school?" I asked Jameson while we were walking along the hallway. Students were greeting us with "congratulations!" or "Good luck on your journey!"
These students barely even talked to me before, they didn't talk to me at least, but now, they're acting like they've known me for a long time.
I languidly smiled at each student who greeted us. I don't want to leave a rude impression on them on the last day they're going to see me.
"Yeah. I would want to be a soldier. I realized that being a cop will be very much boring," he replied, pulling every single petal from the roses he received.
"I envy you somehow. It's been years since I last held a gun. Take home a shotgun for me," I sarcastically replied. And then I thought it would be nice for me to have one. It wouldn't be sarcasm anymore.
"Bella, that's not very nice. I could take home my uniform and give it to you." He shrugged the petals off his shirt and looked at me.
"I don't need uniforms full of sweat."
"You would love my odor," he replied and went beside me, boasting his so-called fragrance.
I just glared at him annoyingly. He felt that and moved away.
"Alright, I'll just look for something better to give you."
"YOU TWO! HOW DARE YOU WALK ALONG THIS HALLWAY WITHOUT ME?" We both looked back at that harsh voice from Ivan. He approached us with an angry but happy look on his face. I couldn't explain, but he looks handsome. I would think he is also one of the graduates.
"Why do you have to ruin our moment?" Jameson joked. I wonder if it's a joke, though.
Ivan rolled his eyes at Jameson and moved his gaze towards me. He looked at me from head to toe, and his lips morphed into a smile. "You look gorgeous. Congrats on your graduation," he said gleefully. He seems much happier than the graduates.
"Thanks. You look awesome, too," I replied.
I knew I was slowly transforming like them during the past years.
They helped me during the days I was down, and I loved the attention I was getting.
"Aw, how sweet of you, my love." Ivan stretched his arms and moved closer to me, attempting to hug me, but Jameson blocked him from doing so.
"Just to remind you, Ivan, you broke up with Bella months ago, and you don't have the right to touch her," Jameson sternly said.
I sometimes wonder if Jameson still has feelings towards me. I'm not turning a blind eye to it, but I think it would be assured if I personally heard it from him, just like before.
"Why are you so mad about it? I'm just gonna hug her! Didn't you two hug earlier?" Ivan moved his gaze from me to Jameson and back to me.
I looked at Jameson, and surprisingly, he was also looking at me.
No, we didn't hug earlier.
I wonder why I felt so conscious all of a sudden.
Jameson rubbed his nape and looked back at Ivan, staring confusedly at us.
"Alright, I'll just hug the both of you." Ivan moved towards both Jameson and me and wrapped his arms around us. He was smiling from ear to ear.
"You're such a weird one," Jameson muttered and hugged back.
I'm grateful.
Years later, I know we won't possibly be the same way as we are today. Growing up and separating ways really does change a lot of things.
"Let's eat at a restaurant. My treat," Ivan suggested.
For the last time, I glanced at Niana's classroom. We haven't been classmates for the previous high school years, but I know precisely where her seat is. I have this weird feeling of commiseration, but I immediately shrugged it off.
Why would I feel pity for a person who betrayed me? And feeling it would be likely impossible.
How sad of her to be experiencing such envy towards me. Well, if I was her, I'd be jealous of myself too.
I mean, I am Bella.
We went to a Korean restaurant in town. It was a pretty small and hot place filled with smoke from grilled meat. The area also smelled like kimchi, but it doesn't stink. I love how it smells, though. It made me starve even more.
Jameson and I proceeded on an empty seat while Ivan ordered food. I looked at the place and wondered why I didn't know about this place before? Why didn't Ivan bring me here when we were dating?
After minutes, Ivan came back while walking flamboyantly towards us. He is even wearing a square-shaped sunglass.
"Tell me, Bella, why did you date this bizarre human?" Jameson asked.
"Ta-da! I already ordered you guys a very flashy meal. You should thank me." Ivan pulled his shades down and winked at me.
He became much gaudier when we broke up. Does he want to make me feel regret for breaking up with him?
Our orders came earlier than I expected. The staff brought us a circular grill and different varieties of meat. There were also a lot of side dishes like potatoes covered with soy, spicy rice cakes, pizza, and other Korean words.
"Oh, man, this is expensive," Jameson uttered while placing meat onto the grill.
"Yeah. Anything for my dearest Bella. Eat up." Ivan offered me a plate.
We filled our stomachs with those dishes. Most of it was spicy, and I loved it.
Ivan let out a heavy sigh and leaned on his chair. He was acting like he was full when he barely even ate.
They brought me back to my dorm and greeted me goodbye. As soon as Ivan left, Jameson turned back to me before I could even open the door.
"What?" I asked.
"Congratulations," he said. I know he was about to say something after that, but he clamped his mouth shut.
"What are you going to say?"
He looked back at me and gently smiled. He pulled a small black box from his suit pocket and opened it. Turns out it was a butterfly necklace. It was decorated with red gems.
"Turn around," he ordered.
I was dumbfounded because that necklace must've cost a lot. It's just unusual to receive something from him. It feels different and new.
Frankly, I kind of liked it.
I turned around and held my hair high. I felt the breeze of Jameson's gentle movements while putting the necklace on me. As soon as he was finished, he said, "Don't you dare lose this necklace. This worth more than my life."
I dropped my hair and turned again to look back at him. He was blushing.
As soon as he realized he was blushing, he immediately covered his face and looked away.
"Don't... don't look at me!" He commanded like a shy child.
"I already saw you, and yes, I won't lose this necklace." I held on to the necklace, and now that I'm wearing it, I get to observe the most minor details about it.
It's beautiful.
"Bye, Bella. See you tomorrow. I'll visit you here."
"Alright."
Jameson stood up there like he didn't have any plans to leave. He moved closer to me and placed his arms on either side of my head.
What is he doing?
"Bella, I hope you still behold my love for you," he muttered with a voice full of sincerity and decadence.
"Wait, what -"
As soon as I could finish my words, I felt his lips on just the side of my lips. It lasted for maybe five seconds.
He pulled himself away and looked me directly in the eye. His blue eyes were shimmering.
"Maybe I would kiss your lips when you're prepared. I love you, Bella. Please stay safe until our lips finally meet." His face formed a grin, and he left me bewildered.
Jameson, WHAT THE HECK? Did he just kiss me? I know it wasn't on the lips, but it was very sudden.
I finally got my consciousness back and went inside my room. I slammed myself against my bed and covered my face with a pillow.
What am I feeling now? I mean, WHY AM I FEELING FLUSTERED?
*Knock. *Knock.
I sat at my bed immediately when I heard someone knock on the door.
Did Jameson forget something?
I went to the living room and opened the door without second thoughts.
That's when I realized I messed up.
I saw a very familiar guy resembling my father's face. I know him, he is -
"Nice to meet you again, my dear sister Bella."
Angel's older brother. My stepbrother.
"Cooper."