Bella's POV:
My head was still spinning as I left Miss Newman's class and made my way down the hallway towards my locker. After throwing my schoolbag inside and grabbing my motorcycle helmet, I wasted no time heading out through the main entrance and across the parking lot. I got on my bike and I got out of there as fast as I could.
It normally took me about fifteen or twenty minutes to get home from school depending on traffic. Well, not this time. About ten minutes after leaving the school parking lot, I pulled into my driveway.
"That wasn't there this morning," I thought to myself as I stared at the moving truck right next door. "What in the hell is going on?"
I quickly put my helmet just inside my front door before heading next door to investigate. Before I could even knock on the front door, my next-door neighbour, Suzanne, opened it and greeted me with a smile.
"What's with the moving truck?" I asked as she stepped outside. "I knew you had the house up for sale but... You're moving already."
"I'm sorry, Bella," Suzanne said with a look of despair on her face. "I didn't think it would happen this soon either but Jerry's waiting for me in New York. Besides, the new owner wants to move in as soon as possible and..."
"Screw the new owner, Suzanne. I've known you and your husband ever since I was a kid," I said, trying to hold back tears. "If you leave, who's gonna give me a kick in the ass when I need it?"
"You're not a kid anymore, Bella," Suzanne replied as she sat down on the front step next to me. "You've grown into one of the most beautiful young women I've ever met in my life," She added as she slowly reached for my hand and held it in hers. "We'll always have Valentine's Day, right."
Before I go any further, allow me to go back and explain what Suzanne meant by that. Last year on Valentine's Day, thanks to a snowstorm, Jerry got stranded in Chicago on a business trip and didn't make it home. Seeing as how my mom was out getting screwed by God knows who, and seeing as how no one should spend Valentine's Day alone, Suzanne invited me over to watch a few movies with her.
Well, the night started innocently enough until I finally was able to convince Suzanne that we should drink the bottle of Red wine in her fridge. Knowing all about my mom's drinking problem and knowing full well that I wasn't old enough to drink, reluctantly, Suzanne agreed to split the bottle of wine with me. As it turns out, not only did we drink the bottle of wine, we also drank a bottle of Vodka as well. Long story short, Suzanne, feeling neglected and lonely on Valentine's Day, and me, being drunk off my ass, ended up having sex with each other. I guess you can say that was when I discovered that I was a lesbian. Now, back to the present.
"Yes, we'll always have Valentine's Day," I said to Suzanne, trying my best to smile at her. "Can I at least call you some time?"
"You better do more then call me," Suzanne replied as she leaned closer to me. "Your ass better come to New York and see me after graduation. I'll keep a bottle of Red wine and vodka on ice for you."
I couldn't hold back any longer. With tears in my eyes, I leaned forward and kissed Suzanne's lips. I held the kiss for about ten seconds before I pulled away.
"I have to get back inside," She finally said, wiping tears away from her eyes now, as she stood up and pulled me to my feet as well. "I have about a million things to do before I head out of here in the morning."
"Yeah, I... I have a lot of shit to do too," I said as I fought back more tears. "How about one last one for the road?"
Suzanne tilted her head to the side, almost as though she knew exactly what I meant. Before she could either accept or decline my offer, I pulled her in for another kiss. Everyone in the entire street could've been watching us but I didn't care and I don't think Suzanne did either. It felt nice, and natural, kissing Suzanne again even if it was a goodbye kiss.
"I love you, Bella," Suzanne said, wiping away tears, watching me back down over the front steps. "You be a good girl."
"You know me better than that," I replied, sniffing back tears of my own. "I love you, Suzie. Melee sure you keep that Vodka on ice for me."
My heart was breaking in half as I turned and finally made my way across the yard and up the front steps to my house. Thankfully, my mom wasn't there when I made my way inside. The last thing I ever wanted was for her to see me crying again.
"The fucking bitch didn't even leave me any money," I said as I put my helmet down in its usual spot and made my way upstairs into my bedroom. I guess that means I'm not eating again tonight."
I sat down in my bed and took off my combat boots and ripped off my jacket, throwing it across my room, as I began staring into the mirror above my dresser. In that instance, I couldn't help but think about my dad. I couldn't help but wonder how my life would've been different if he were still alive. The longer I stared in that damn mirror, the longer I kept thinking and the longer I kept thinking, the more I wanted to break down crying. However, a little voice inside of me, one that I didn't even know was there before, refused to let that happen.
"Grow the fuck up Bella," The reassuring voice said as I wiped a trace of tears away from my eyes. "You're not a little kid anymore. You're practically a fucking adult now. It's time you start acting like it."
I stared into the mirror again, nodding my head at my reflection, almost smiling at myself. Almost, but not quite. That's when I felt myself getting wet again. My jeans were still a little wet from riding to school in the rain on my motorcycle.
"I need to take a shower, get into some dry clothes and find something to eat," I said as I peeled my t-shirt off my body. "Seriously, there's gotta be food somewhere in this shit hole of a house."
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