Targets

Chapter Twelve -Small Get Together

“Go away!” Milly shouted.

“Milly, it’s Bella.” Bella said.

Milly opened her door but walked away from it and sat on her bed. The guys downstairs heard her yell and looked confused.

“I’ll go check on her.” Matt said.

They all walked up to check on Milly as Bella walked into the room slowly. They stood in the doorway watching as Bella sat next to her. Bella put her arm around Milly.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Bella asked.

“Why don’t you like us?” Milly asked.

Bella looked shocked.

“What makes you think that I don’t like you?” Bella asked.

“Because you won’t date my brothers.” Milly said.

Bella looked down and sighed.

“You know, not everyone has to be in a relationship. I can still be friends with them. I can still talk to them and it doesn’t complicate things. I made a promise that I wouldn’t. And I keep my promises. I promised my mother that school and work would be my priorities. So until I am 18, I am not focusing on anything else. But more importantly, a relationship doesn’t define a person. I am happy being who I am because I don’t have to be told who I can and cannot be friends with. I am happy to sleep in my underwear when I am alone and happy to dance in the shower and dance around a house naked. And I have no regrets. I am sorry if it hurts you Milly, but I will always be your friend as well and always visit you. I just don’t want to be in a relationship.” Bella tried explaining.

“But you fit in so well here, and Logan won’t admit it, but you make him tolerable. And he is happy with you. And you look perfect together.” Milly said.

Bella shook her head.

“How about this, I won’t say no to considering dating one in the future. But I made a promise and I never break my promises. I promised to not date until I was 18. So I can’t date yet. But I promise that I will consider it in the future. Not now, but far in the future.” Bella said.

“You really promise you will think about it?” Milly asked.

Bella nodded.

Milly climbed into her lap and hugged her.

“Mm, cotton candy.” Milly said.

Bella laughed.

“You are just like your brother.” Bella said.

“That’s not true, I’m a girl.” Milly said.

Milly rested her head on Bella’s shoulder.

“Sing to me please.” Milly said.

“How about I tune the guitar and start to play for you?” Bella asked.

“Yay!” Milly squealed.

Bella carried Milly and turned around to see the others.

“We have company.” Bella said.

“Run.” Milly said.

Milly jumped down and hid under her bed.

“Milly, apologise for hurting dad.” Kieran said.

“You hurt your dad?” Bella asked.

“Just a little.” Milly said.

“You shouldn’t hurt people. Not unless it’s in defence.” Bella said.

Milly sighed and climbed out. She walked to her dad.

“I’m sorry dad.” Milly said.

“That’s okay.” Matt said.

“How come you can get her to apologise, but she never does unless you ask?” Kieran asked.

“Because Bella is amazing.” Milly said.

Milly pushed past Kieran and skipped to Bella’s room. They all looked at Milly.

“Well Bella, are you ready to sing to Milly?” Matt asked.

The shower turned off quickly and they heard a slip sound.

“Sounds like someone else wants to listen.” Matt whispered.

Bella laughed.

“You should hear her.” Matt said.

“I’ll play for everyone after dinner. Just Milly gets a performance before dinner.” Bella said.

They nodded and walked down the stairs. Bella walked to her room and tuned her guitar. Logan walked into his room as Bella was tuning the guitar. Milly noticed and gestured him to shh. He nodded and smiled. He leaned at his door frame when he was dressed. Bella was in her black shorts and her black singlet. Her hair was in a messy bun. Bella played an acoustic version of It is you from Shrek’s soundtrack by Dana Glover.

Unaware that Bella's voice travelled down the stairs. Logan leaned closer to her door until he watched Bella. She was sitting on the single chair as she played the song. Milly cheered as she squealed in delight.

“That’s Bella?” Mitchell asked shocked.

“Yeah, you should hear her sing Hallelujah. She sang it to herself and it summoned everyone out of their rooms. Her beautiful voice echoes but we won’t tell her. So we can hear her everywhere.” Matt said.

Bella sang Celine Dion’s I Surrender then she sang her original song.

“In the bright sunny morning, do I feel your hand. Around my waist as I dance. Your arm in mine when I climb. Your voice with mine when I sing, your lungs and mine get filled when we scream. You are the air inside of me. Everything I am, you are. The Indifference you are, I am. Together or apart. Near or far. Our hearts beat as one, with every song we’ve ever sung. The string can’t be undone. My mother and I will be one.” Bella sang.

Everyone heard the emotion in her voice.

“Who sings that?” Vince asked.

“It’s not a song.” Kieran said.

“What do you mean?” Vince asked.

“He means she wrote it.” Matt said.

They listen closely.

“When the day is done, everything will never be undone. Everything I am, you are. Indifference you are, I am. Together or apart. Near or far. Our hearts beat as one, with every song we’ve ever sung. The string can’t be undone. My mother and I will be one.” Bella said slower.

The guitar slowed until it stopped. Logan started clapping. Bella looked at him in shock.

“That was beautiful. Are you okay?” Logan asked.

Bella nodded.

“Hug her.” Milly said.

Logan walked in to hug Bella, she felt his arms wrap around her and her tears came flowing out. Milly ran over to hug Bella as well.

“Let it out.” Logan said.

Logan and Milly both pat Bella's back in a comforting way. Milly cried as she felt the relief of letting her emotions out.

“Bella, how about us three sit next to each other again?” Milly asked.

Bella nodded.

“I’ll tell dad.” Milly said.

Milly took off. She left Logan in the room, hugging Bella. Logan lowered himself until he was on his knees in front of her.

“Are you okay? If you need to talk, I am here for you.” Logan said.

Bella smiled.

“I’m okay.” Bella said.

Logan wiped her tears quickly.

“Then let’s go downstairs.” Logan said.

Bella nodded. Logan stood up and helped her up. He carried her guitar for her and held his arm around her. Matt was at the bottom of the stairs with a curious look after Milly whispered that Bella is crying and they are sitting with her again. He saw Logan holding the guitar and his other arm around her shoulder as Bella wiped her face quickly. Matt walked into the room.

“Guys, behave. That original song made Bella cry. So don’t say anything. She’s upset.” Matt whispered.

They nodded. They saw her walk around with Logan’s arm around her.

“Bella, was that you singing Celine Dion before? You sounded amazing.” Mitchell said.

“Thank you.” Bella said.

“Would you like a hug?” Vince asked.

“I’m already hugging her.” Logan said.

He gave Vince a warning look.

“I thought the more hugs, the better. But it’s all good.” Vince said.

Logan carefully put her guitar down then looked at Bella.

“How about we play a song together?” Logan asked.

“I think I am going to get a drink of water.” Bella said.

Logan walked with Bella and Milly.

“They look like a family.” Vince said.

“They do, imagine when she finds out about the job he has.” Matt said to Kieran.

“Dad, she can never know. He has to pull back. Bella is too soft for his line of work. You saw her before.” Kieran said.