Bella (The Wanted Child))

A New Friend

Fourteen years later, Bella had blossomed into a graceful, confident young woman, known for her warm smile and kindness. Her charm seemed to touch everyone around her, leaving them feeling blessed in some way. The Johnson family had also grown, now with a third child, a spirited little girl named Lillian. Lillian adored Bella, following her everywhere like a devoted shadow, her "handbag" as the family teasingly called her. Despite the age gap, the sisters were inseparable.

Their older brother, Oscar, was their silent protector. Though he was only a couple of years older than Bella, he often felt it was his duty to watch over his sisters. He kept an eye on them from a distance, ensuring they were safe but never drawing attention to himself. His protectiveness was especially fierce for Bella, who had become known in their community as "Bella the Divine Girl" due to her captivating beauty and the unexplained aura that seemed to surround her.

Bella had a rare gift, though she wasn’t fully aware of it. Her inner strength and grace created a quiet sense of magic that others felt deeply, even if they couldn't put it into words. Many claimed that just being around Bella brought them good fortune, and it was hard to deny that she had a powerful influence. The family, proud and grateful, cherished Bella’s unique spirit.

One sunny afternoon, Bella arrived home, her face lit up with excitement. She rushed into the kitchen where her mother, Mrs. Johnson, was preparing dinner. Lillian, as usual, trailed closely behind, her little eyes wide with curiosity.

"Mom! I made a new friend today at school!" Bella announced, her voice filled with joy.

Lost in her memories, Bella felt her cheeks grow warm as she recalled her recent encounter with the hottest guy in school. Her heart beat a little faster as she thought about Jayden’s easy confidence and the way he’d effortlessly stepped in to help her. She’d felt a spark she couldn’t quite explain, and the thought of it left her flustered.

Sitting in her usual spot by the window, Bella had been trying to focus on her notes, but she realized with a sigh that she’d left her notebook with her classmate Emma. Emma was always eager to spend time with Bella, and although she didn’t quite understand why, Bella tried her best to be polite.

As she made her way over to ask for her notebook, Emma lit up, clearly thrilled for another excuse to chat. Before Bella could even finish her request, though, a familiar voice interrupted.

“Kindly hand over the book to the beauty,” Jayden said smoothly, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.

Bella’s heart skipped a beat. Jayden’s presence was magnetic, and the way he looked at her made her feel both flattered and self-conscious. She bit her lip, trying to hide her blush as Emma, wide-eyed, immediately handed the notebook over to her.

“Here you go, Bella,” Emma said, clearly impressed by Jayden’s casual authority.

Bella smiled, taking the notebook, and turned to Jayden. “Thank you… and thank you for helping me earlier, too.” Her voice was softer than she’d intended, but she managed to keep it steady.

“No need for introductions. Everyone knows you, Bella,” he said with a friendly grin.

Bella’s face turned a deeper shade of red. She’d never thought of herself as someone everyone would know, and hearing it from Jayden only made her more self-aware.

“Oh, well… thank you again,” she murmured, feeling almost shy. “I need to get going, though—my brother is waiting for me.”

Jayden nodded, his gaze warm and steady. “See you around, Bella.”

She hurried away, clutching her notebook and feeling a mixture of exhilaration and embarrassment. As she made her way down the hall, she couldn’t stop herself from glancing back. Jayden was still watching her, and when their eyes met again, he gave her a small, encouraging smile. She quickly looked away, her cheeks still warm.

Just as Bella was stepping outside, she heard a familiar voice calling her name. Her mother’s voice snapped her back to reality, pulling her away from the dream-like haze of her encounter with Jayden.

“Bella! Dinner’s almost ready, sweetheart. Could you help me set the table?” her mother called from the kitchen.

Bella blinked, grounding herself back in the present, and took a deep breath. She couldn’t stop the smile that crept onto her face, and she felt a little foolish for letting herself get so caught up in a single moment. But there was something about Jayden that was undeniably captivating.

“Coming, Mom!” she called, feeling a slight blush lingering on her cheeks as she joined her family.

As she set the table, her mind wandered back to that brief but unforgettable encounter with Jayden.

“Oh, Bella! You were telling me about your day at school and that new friend earlier,” her mom said, a gentle smile on her face as she began setting out the plates.

Bella blinked, momentarily startled from her thoughts. She hadn’t realized she was still daydreaming about Jayden, and the memory of their encounter made her cheeks warm up again.

“Oh, um… yeah!” Bella stammered, trying to sound casual. “I met a new student today.

Mrs. Johnson looked up, smiling at her daughter’s enthusiasm. "That's wonderful, Bella. Is it a he or a she?"

Oscar, sitting quietly at the kitchen table with a serious expression, looked up sharply. His brows knitted together as he awaited her answer.

Bella hesitated, glancing at her brother. "Well... his name is Jayden," she said carefully, watching Oscar’s reaction. "He was really helpful today, and we got along well. He seems like a very nice person."

Oscar’s expression darkened immediately. "No," he said flatly. "He can’t be your friend, Bella. A boy and a girl can’t be just friends."

Bella rolled her eyes, exasperated but amused. "Oscar, come on. He’s just a friend, and he’s really kind. It’s not like I’m dating him."

Oscar crossed his arms, his protective instincts kicking in even harder. "Doesn’t matter. Friends lead to other things, Bella. I don’t want you getting distracted."

Mrs. Johnson stepped in, sensing that this could turn into a full-blown argument. She placed a gentle hand on Oscar’s shoulder, smiling at her son. "Oscar, it’s okay for Bella to have friends. Besides, it sounds like Jayden is a good boy. Maybe he’ll help keep an eye on her when you’re not around."

Oscar muttered under his breath, but Mrs. Johnson's calm and reassuring tone softened him slightly. He looked at Bella, a mixture of worry and affection in his eyes. "I just don’t want anyone hurting you, Bella. I know you think you’re invincible, but... you’re still my sister."

Bella stepped closer to him, touched by his concern. She placed a hand on his arm. "I know, Oscar. And I appreciate that. But trust me—I'm careful, and I’ll let you know if anything feels off. Besides, it’s nice to make friends. You should try it too," she teased, giving him a gentle nudge.

Oscar couldn’t help but c***k a small smile. "Maybe... but just remember, if he does anything wrong, he’ll have to answer to me."

The family shared a laugh, breaking the tension in the air. Bella felt grateful for Oscar’s protectiveness, even if it was sometimes a bit overwhelming. She knew he only wanted the best for her, and despite his serious demeanor, he truly cared.

Later that night, as Bella lay in bed, she thought about Jayden and Oscar’s reaction. She wondered if perhaps there was something different about her that made her so treasured by those around her. The community had given her the title “Bella the Divine Girl,” and sometimes she could feel that there was something unique inside her, a hidden strength she couldn't quite understand. It was as though a soft light shone within her, attracting people to her, and filling her with a sense of purpose she didn’t fully grasp yet.

Her thoughts drifted to Jayden. He’d been so kind, quick with a smile, and attentive in a way that felt genuine. She hoped Oscar would eventually warm up to the idea of her having friends outside the family, even if that friend happened to be a boy.

In the quiet of the night, Bella closed her eyes, a feeling of contentment washing over her. She whispered a small prayer, grateful for her family and the love that surrounded her. She knew she was blessed, not just because of the gifts she possessed but because of the people who cared for her.

In the weeks that followed, Bella and Jayden’s friendship blossomed. They shared quiet moments in the school library, exchanged laughter in the hallways, and occasionally walked partway home together, much to Oscar’s dismay. Despite his initial disapproval, Oscar had softened slightly, watching the two from afar, his protectiveness still unwavering but tempered by the trust he had in Bella.

Jayden was unlike anyone Bella had ever known. He was thoughtful and attentive, listening to her dreams and ambitions with genuine interest. He encouraged her in ways that made her feel seen and valued, as if he could sense the hidden strength within her that she was only beginning to understand herself.

One afternoon, as they sat beneath the shade of a large tree near the school, Jayden turned to her with a gentle smile. “Bella, I know this might sound strange, but… being around you feels like a blessing. It’s like you have this light inside you that just… makes everything better.”

Bella blushed, her heart fluttering at his words. “You’re just being kind,” she said, brushing it off with a shy smile. “But… thank you.