Helping my crush

Chapter eighteen - Getting close

Chris's POV:

My first game of the season went well. We won, and now we have to play again next week. I will be happy if Bella comes to my game, but I don't know if she wants to. I don't know why she doesn't want to believe me. I won thanks to her. She is my lucky charm. I never say things that are not true. I know she can't always be with me, but I enjoy spending time with her. Up to now, I haven't made a move, so if I don't do it, she might never understand how I feel. I could've told her, but lately, many things have happened. The good news is that her dad is home again. I went with Bella to the hospital. The bad one is that there is no change in him. Mister Evans is still drinking, and there is no sign of getting better. I know how Bella feels, but I don't know what I can do for her. Since the doctors didn't help him, I don't know who could do it. I mean, they did what they could while he was in the hospital. He was sober for about two weeks. That was. Later, he started drinking again. There is a chance that he was sneaking alcohol. I don't know how he did it, but since he came back to his old self, maybe mister Evans never left it. I didn't tell this to Bella because she was already upset about him. I don't want to make it even worse. He will get back to his old self, but the question is when. Bella is getting tired of him. The problem is that he doesn't think about anyone. Emily has to grow up like a normal kid, but this isn't possible. I hope that he will soon realize what he is doing.

It's the weekend. Last night, I offered Bella to stay at home, but she denied it. I know that she wants to take care of her dad. He might be many things, but mister Evans will always be her dad. Well, Emily wanted to stay at home with Jasmine. I'm glad that at least she is happy. Maybe because Emily is still young, the problems at her house are not affecting her. There is a chance they are, but she is not showing it. She is a good kid.

I woke up but didn't want to move. I was thinking about calling Bella, but I don't know if she is awake. After all, I didn't want to wake her up. I might go to see her later. Since I have no plans for the day, I can go out. Eating breakfast outside won't be that bad. I don't know when was the last time I was alone. I won't lie that I prefer to spend time with Bella, but I can't always be with her. I went to get ready and later walked out. Of course, I left a note for my parents.

I walked to the nearest diner and called Dani. I planned to eat alone, but we hadn't talked for a long time. It won't be bad to catch up with our lives. After twenty minutes, he came. Both of us ordered food, and soon it came.

- Finally, we have time to talk. - Dani said, chuckling

- It has been a while.

- I want you to tell me all the updates on you and Bella.

- Nothing new happened. Bella's dad is back home from the hospital. He hasn't changed at all. She was upset about it, but she couldn't do anything.

- What about you two? Did you tell her?

- No, I didn't tell her anything.

- Why? Man, you have to make a move.

- I know, but look what is happening. The last thing that Bella needs is a boyfriend.

- After a couple of months, the senior year will end, and you might never see her again. Is this what you want?

- No.

- Then do something.

- I will talk with her, but not today.

- Do what you want, but watch out. Until you decide to do this, it might be too late.

- I know.

- Can you tell me now what the heck is going on with you and Riven? At practice, he looks like he wants to finish you.

- Honestly, I don't know. I think that Riven wants to be the best.

- He is already a good player. What else does he want?

- My place and Jessy.

- I understand. Jessy is the only cheerleader with who he hasn't made out. - Dani said, chuckling

- It's not only that. The captain is famous.

- The only thing that you don't like.

- It's worthless. It doesn't matter if I am famous or not. That won't help me anywhere.

- Tell this to Riven. You have to watch out. He is unpredictable.

- Well, he told Bella to stay away from me. I can expect everything from him.

- What? He did that.

- Yes, but luckily, she came to talk with me. Technically, Riven had lied to her that I was skipping practices only to be with her.

- That's messed up.

- I don't know what I am going to do with him. Talking definitely won't help. He thinks that Bella is distracting me.

- I think that he is jealous.

- Of her?

- No, of you. I mean that you have a girl who is always with you. He has many, but temporary.

- And what do I have to do about this?

- Nothing. You can't do anything.

Dani and I talked for a while. It's good to talk with a friend. I know that no matter what I tell him, he won't tell anyone. Later, I walked to Bella's house. I knocked on the door, but no one answered. Maybe she is in the shower. I waited around ten minutes and knocked again. No answer. I tried to call her, but she didn't pick up. I am getting worried. Then something came to my mind. I walked to the neighbors' house and knocked on the door. Soon miss Adams opened the door.

- Hi, how can I help you?

- Hey, do you know where Bella is? No one opened the door. I tried to call her, but she didn't pick up.

- No, I'm sorry. Since Bella is not picking up, maybe she wants to be alone. I suggest you go to check for her mom. Maybe she is there.

- I haven't thought of that. Thank you, miss Adams.

- No problem.

I did what miss Adams told me and walked to the cemetery. Bella was there. She bought flowers. I saw that my granny had a couple as well. Maybe my parents have come this week. Now I know why she wasn't picking up. I can't understand why she doesn't want to share with me. I will listen to her. It is probably better if I don't know.

- Mom, I need you to tell me what to do. Dad is not getting better, and I don't know how to help him. How can I make him realize that what he is doing is not good for him? When you were with us, dad was doing everything that you said. Now, he doesn't even look at me. I know I might look like you, but this is not my fault. All I want is to make him spend some time with me. Is it that much? I try to do everything for him, but he doesn't even notice me. I don't know what else to do. I feel like dad doesn't love me anymore. Please tell me what to do. Give me a sign. I'm begging you. - Bella said, crying

I hate to see her like that. It's breaking my heart. I walked up to Bella and pulled her for a hug. She didn't do anything and only continued crying. I was afraid that she might pull away. I kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back. I wish that I could help her. Bella pulled away and looked at me. I carefully wiped her tears and smiled at her.

- What are you doing here?

- I came to search for you. I walked to your house, but you weren't there. You didn't answer my calls. Thanks to miss Adams, I found you. Why didn't you tell me what the problem was?

- Because I didn't want you to worry about me. I'll be fine.

- No matter what you do, I will always be worried about you. Bella, you are my friend, and I want to help you.

- You don't have to do it. - Bella said, and a couple of tears fell down

I put my hands on her cheeks and wiped them. I have to let her go, but I don't want to. Both of us were looking at each other like this is the last time when we'll be together. It will be a lie if I say I don't want to kiss her. I want this more than anything, but I can't do it. Not now. One day I will do it, but who knows when?

- Chris?

- Yes.

- Don't let me go.

- I won't do it.

I moved closer, and until I realized what I was doing, my lips were over hers. I said that I wouldn't do it, but something inside of me was telling me that I had to. What surprised me was that Bella didn't pull away. She kissed me back. We were staying like that for who knows how long before I pulled away.

- Look, I'm sorry. I didn't want to do it. Not now.

- Hey, it's ok.

- Aren't you mad at me?

- No, and I never will be. I only wish that you had chosen a better place. - Bella said, chuckling

- I didn't plan it.

- Don't feel guilty. You didn't do anything wrong. Moreover, I think that mom will be happy to see it. - she said and looked at the grave

- Will you go out with me?

- What?

- I wanted to ask you for quite a while, but I didn't know when. I wasn't sure how you would feel, because a boyfriend is the last thing you need. Well, if I don't do it soon, senior year will end, and I don't know if I will be able to see you, so I wanted to do it, and I...

Before I could finish, Bella came close and kissed me. Today is my lucky day. I had not one but two kisses from her. If this is not luck, I don't know what it is.

- I like you, Bella.

- I am happy to hear it.

- I'm sorry that I didn't tell you earlier.

- It's ok. Some things take time.

- Yeah, but I could've done it sooner.

- Can I ask you something?

- Sure.

- Are you sure that you want this? I mean that you know what my life is. I don't know if I can be the type of girlfriend you expect.

- I don't care about this, and yes. I am sure.

- Ok, then. I will go out with you.

- Thank you. Do you want us to go home? Emily is probably wondering where you are.

- Yes, we can go home.

- By the way, I noticed someone had put flowers on my granny's grave. Mom and dad didn't tell me that they had come here.

- Because they didn't. It was me.

- What? Really?

- I went to buy flowers for mom, so I decided to get some for your granny. I remember what you told me about her.

- This woman was incredible.

Bella and I walked home. Emily was happy to see her. They stayed for lunch with us, but later, Bella wanted to go home. As I see, Emily likes to be at home. She and Jasmine are like sisters. I'm glad that they have a good friendship. It'll be good if they manage to keep it, just like how I hope that I can keep Bella. She is important to me, and I don't want to lose her. Now, more than anything, I have to keep her close. I won't forgive myself if something happens to her. We became close, and I will always want us to be like that. I hope that after graduation our pats won't separate.