Helping my crush

Chapter fourteen - Too drunk

Chris's POV:

Bella's dad is not ok, and she knows it. The thing is that he doesn't accept help. It's visible that he needs it. One therapy would be good for him, but he won't go. I was thinking about talking with my parents. Maybe they can convince him, but I don't think he will want to talk with them. I want her to have an ordinary life. One day she will be nineteen. Bella will lose all her teenage years for nothing. She spent them taking care of people. The question is who took care of her. I want to help her with what I can, but to be honest, I don't know what I can do. I mean, we can go out or do things together, but someone has to take care of Emily and mister Evans. It's not a lie that he needs more care than his daughter. No wonder why she doesn't like him. Bella told me that she grew up watching him like that. She doesn't know who he was before. After all, she was only two. Both of them deserve better, but they have nowhere to go. I know that Bella still believes that her dad will be ok. Well, if he takes care of himself, he might be. The worst thing is that Emily has to watch this. I don't want to say it, but this might reflect her future. Seeing someone who doesn't want to change might make her stop trusting people. She would always trust Bella, but not someone else. I hope that I am not right. Bella is doing everything to make sure that her sister has a normal childhood, and I am proud of her. She is a strong girl.

Currently, I am in my English class with Bella. I looked at her and saw that she wasn't paying attention. I think that she is still worried about her dad. Almost a week has passed since his anniversary with his wife, but he hasn't changed. He started drinking again and coming home late. As always, Bella had to wait for him. Who knows in what condition he is? Sometimes I still feel bad for her, but I won't tell her. I know that she won't like it.

After this class, I walked to my locker. Bella left to ask the teacher something about our homework. I don't know how she finds time for this. I looked up and saw Riven making out with one of the cheerleaders. He will never find a girlfriend. Not if he continues like that. I think that he has tried on all except Jessy. It's like she heard her name. Soon she came in front of me and looked at me with a smile. I won't give her anything, so she better go away. Moreover, I am waiting for Bella. I pulled out my phone and ignored her.

- Hey, won't you look at me?

- No.

- Since this b*tch appeared, you haven't even noticed me.

- She didn't appear. Bella was there the whole time. I just didn't talk with her.

- Then why did you decide to do it now?

- Why do you care?

- Because you are mine.

- Who said that? I don't belong to anyone. Please leave me alone. Go and make out with Riven. I'm sure that he will enjoy it.

- You are the most popular boy in school. You have to be with me.

- This is according to girls. I am an ordinary boy. You can't tell me what to do.

- The most popular boy and girl are always together. That is how school life works.

- I don't know who lied to you. Look, go away and leave me alone.

I looked up and saw that Bella was there. I gave her a sad smile, and she understood what I meant. Jessy was about to go and talk with her, but I stopped her. I won't let her go after Bella. With who I am talking is not of her business. I told her a couple of things, and she walked away. I walked up to Bella, and she smiled at me.

- I'm sorry about that.

- It's ok. I don't care.

- Do you have plans for the afternoon?

- No, but I assume that I will have.

- I wanted to watch a movie with you. It can be at home or in a cinema. That is your choice.

- It better be at home. You know why.

- No problem. How about after school? We can go and get Emily. My sister as well, if you don't mind.

- No, I don't.

- Awesome.

The rest of the day, I was with Bella. On the lunch break, Jessy tried to talk with her. Well, Dani stopped her. I'm glad that I have a friend like him. I wanted to have lunch with her, but the team had to discuss things. Next week officially starts the new season. I will love it if Bella comes to my games. She probably won't have time, but I am hoping for at least one.

After school, Bell and I went to take our sisters from school. I texted mom not to go and take Jasmine. Later, I convinced Bella to go to the store. What is a movie without a good snack? Of course, the movie will be after we finish our schoolwork. The girls can watch it with us. What we have to do is change the movie. We walked home, and the girls went to Emily's room. I guess that they will study there. Bella followed what they were doing, and both of us walked to her room. She put on the bed everything that we would need and sat down.

- From where would we start? - I asked

- How about Math? That is our largest homework.

- I think that the teacher hates us.

- Maybe, or she just wants us to learn something.

We did our homework silently. From time to time, I was stealing glances from Bella. It's not my fault that she looks good. She looked at me, and I quickly nodded my head. I heard her chuckle but didn't say anything. After two hours, we were ready. Finally, I can take some rest. It's not like I don't like doing homework, but it's not my favorite thing. Bella told me to pick a movie while she checked the girls. I have to pick something suitable for kids. I know they like animations, but I don't want to watch one. Soon Bella came.

- Where are the girls?

- In Emily's room, taking a nap.

- To understand that it will be only us.

- For now, yes.

- Good. Now I can pick a good movie. - I said, and she laughed

- Pick whatever you want. I won't complain.

I found a good movie. Bella went to get some snacks, and soon she came with full hands. I went to help her. We were watching the movie peacefully. I wanted to hug her, but I didn't know how she would react. If I think too much, the movie will end. I carefully wrapped my hand around her and waited to see if she would pull away. Luckily, she didn't. Bella looked at me and smiled. We stayed like that until the end of the movie. Later, she went to make dinner.

- Can I help you? If you want, Jasmine and I can go home.

- No need to do it. I would like some company for dinner.

- What will you cook?

- Chicken with rice and mushrooms.

- Sounds good.

Two people work faster than one. After an hour, dinner was ready. We woke up the girls and sat at the table. Mister Evans was still outside. I don't know when he will come. Well, if he decides to do it.

- It's delicious. Can I have more? - Jasmine asked

- Sure. Emily, do you want more?

- I don't have much space, but yes. - she said, and we laughed

- Chris, what about you?

- Thanks, but I'm fine. The snacks from the afternoon still keep me full.

- If you say so.

After dinner, the girls went to play in the backyard. It was getting dark, but they would probably come inside. Bella and I went into the living room for another movie. This time she snuggled into me. I didn't say anything and only smiled at myself. If she knows how much I enjoy this. In the middle of the movie, we heard the front door. I guess that her dad decided to come home.

- Dad, are you ok?

- Yes, I... - he said and fell down

- Dad! Hey! Wake up! Dad!

- I will call an ambulance.

I assume he has been drinking too much, but the doctor will say. I called an ambulance, and a woman said they would come soon. Meanwhile, Bella went to miss Adams and told her what happened. Somehow, we managed to put mister Evans on the couch. We took Jasmine and Emily to her house. I will call my mom later. Soon the ambulance was there.

- What happened?

- I don't know. He came home and just fell. - Bella said

- I think that he might have been drinking too much. - I said

- Yes, this is possible. My dad has an alcohol problem.

- We'll take him to the hospital.

- Can we come? Please.

- Sure.

Bella and I took our things and went into the ambulance. What a great way to spend the night. I called my mom and told her to take Jasmine. Mom said that first, she would come with dad to see us. Later they will take Jasmine. After ten minutes, we were in the hospital. A doctor came and took mister Evans to a room, but didn't let us in.

- Hey, he will be ok.

- No, he won't. Dad will never stop drinking.

- He will be fine. I promise you.

Bella didn't say anything and sat on one of the chairs in front of the room. I sat next to her and pulled her for a hug. Right now, I can't do anything else. Soon my parents came. I gave them a short version of the story. Dad went to take Jasmine home. He said that it would be better if Emily was at home.

- Will you mind if I take her? - dad asked

- No, and thank you.

- Are you his wife?

We turned around and saw the doctor. It looks like the news won't be good. I hope that he is ok. Otherwise, Bella won't be ok. She stood up and looked at him.

- His wife is dead. I am his daughter. Is he ok?

- Yes, but he needs to eat more. He fainted because his stomach was empty. When was the last time he ate?

- I don't know. Maybe yesterday.

- Your dad is only drinking but not eating. He has to eat. Otherwise, this might happen again. We'll put him on systems to see if he will get better.

- Ok, thank you. Can I go and see him?

- Yes, sure.

Bella, mom, and I walked in. Mister Evans looks so pale. Bella sat on the bed, and I took a chair. I don't know if he realizes what he is doing. His daughter will do anything for him, and he doesn't even care.

- Dad, what happened?

- Nothing.

- Can you take responsibility for once? I am tired of being your babysitter. I have my own life, but thanks to you, I don't have time to live it. Why are you doing all of this? You know that this won't help you. If you think I will let you go away, you are wrong. I lost one parent, but I won't lose another one.

- You need a different life. It would be better without me.

- This is not true. Dad, I need you. How many times do I have to say it?

- Why do you have to be like that? Just accept the truth.

- No, I won't. I won't let you go down.

- Go home.

- Dad! - Bella said, crying

- Just leave.

That is exactly what Bella did. She left angry and upset. I walked after her and caught her before she did something stupid. I know that in situations like this, people don't think straight. Mom and I took Bella home. It's better if she stays with us tonight. She wanted to go home, but we didn't let her. Right now, she needs someone to be around her. I know that she is upset, but if I let her go, she might do something which she will regret later. Also, Bella had to think about Emily. As her friend, I will make sure that she is ok. I hope that soon everything will be the way it was.