Fan Fiction ❯ Everything You Want ❯ Risks Worth Taking ( Chapter 5 )

Everything You Want

Chapter 5:

Risks Worth Taking

 

 

 

“Your house or mine, Bell?” Cole inquired quietly, snapping Bella out of her thoughtful stupor and back into reality.

 

“Oh, um…” recalling her father's current state, Bella quickly replied, “Yours.”

 

Nodding, Cole took the next right that would lead them to his residence.

 

Taking in the simple, familiar beauty of Cole's ranch style family home, Bella sighed. `So many memories here. This house is ageless and unchanging, always standing ready to accept me back into its' embrace.'

 

Turning her gaze to the boy beside her, Bella allowed a flicker of a smile to light upon her lips. `Just like him.'

 

Cole pressed the automatic garage opener clipped to his sun visor, and waited patiently. `What can I possibly say to her now? What is she thinking? Is she freaked out? Disgusted?' Shaking his head, Cole shrugged away his disturbing thoughts and carefully pulled the car into the garage.

 

The two got out of the vehicle and Cole led the way through the dark into his house. Locking the door behind them, Cole threw his keys carelessly onto the counter and flicked on the lights.

 

Allowing her eyes time to adjust to the light, Bella glanced up at Cole and for the first time noticed the angry purple bruise under his left eye.

 

“Oh my God, Cole!” Bella winced and traced a gentle finger over the injury, “Does it hurt?”

 

“Nah, that asshole just got in a lucky punch. Nothing to be concerned about,” Cole responded nonchalantly, flinching slightly as her finger touched an especially sore part on his wound.

 

Not missing the expression of pain on her friend's face, Bella frowned. “Liar. It hurts like a bitch, doesn't it? Don't even try denying it, Cole. You're the worst liar ever,” Bella declared as she stepped around him and started rummaging through the freezer.

 

“Ha! Found you,” Bella muttered as she held the ice pack up triumphantly. “Sit down,” she commanded gently as she pushed Cole into a chair, kneeled in front of him, and placed the coldness onto his eye.

 

“I am so sorry. This,” Bella gestured at his bruise, “Is all my fault.” Unable to even look Cole in the eye, Bella turned her gaze guiltily to the linoleum at his feet.

 

Crooking a finger under her chin, Cole forced her to look at him. Cupping her cheek and brushing a wayward tear from her cheek, he murmured, “No, it's not. You've done nothing to deserve being treated like you were, don't think that for even a minute, Bella Marie.”

 

“You heard what he told you, he was using you. How could that possibly be your fault?” Covering his hand with her own, Bella replied, “Because I let him.”

 

Rising to her feet, Bella paced around the kitchen. “I knew deep down that he was using me, and you know what? I didn't care. All I wanted to do was forget and he helped me do that.”

 

“When we were together the only thing I had time to think about was what I could to do to keep him happy. So in a way, Derrick was right. I was using him. Just like he was using me,” Bella finished sadly.

 

Dropping the ice pack onto the table, Cole stood up and strode over to where Bella was standing. Gently he gripped her shoulders and shook her.

 

“Don't say that. You are NOTHING like that asshole. Depending on others for comfort and love is not the same as using them.” Cole searched her eyes with his own.

 

“Why didn't you tell me about this? You tell me everything, Bella. Why did you keep this, of all things, a secret? Don't you trust me?”

 

“Oh God, Cole. Of course I trust you!” Bella rushed to clarify her earlier statement, “But I couldn't tell you. I knew how you would react and I just…” she trailed off and dropped her gaze again to the linoleum.

 

“You just what, Bella?” Cole prompted.

 

Turning her eyes to his once again, Bella sighed. “I just didn't want to think. I didn't want to deal. And I knew that if I told you, you would force me to do just that.”

 

At the hurt expression that crossed Cole's handsome features, Bella flung her arms around his waist and buried her nose into his chest.

 

“Please don't look at me like that, Cole. I love you and I don't ever want to hurt you, but you made me tell you….” Her words were muffled by his shirt but Cole heard every word.

 

Stroking her soft, silky hair lovingly, Cole murmured, “I'm the one who should be sorry, Bella.”

 

Snapping her head up quickly, Bella replied with a confused expression on her face, “What are you talking about? What did you do?”

 

Running a finger affectionately down the bridge of her nose, Cole smiled sadly. “I promised that I would protect you from the monsters, don't you remember?”

 

Bella's eyes welled with tears and she nodded. When they were little, Bella was always terrified of the `monsters' in her closet. Despite what her mom and dad told her, she was convinced that one night while she was sleeping, they were going to eat her up.

 

Upset that his best friend was `in danger'; Cole came up with a plan. That very night, the two planned a slumber party so Cole could watch over Bella while she slept.

 

When Bella woke in the morning, Cole was still awake beside her. “You stayed up all night?” She had asked in child like wonder.

 

“Yup!” Cole had replied proudly, “I told you I would protect you from the monsters,” he had said with a tired grin.

 

Recalling that memory, Bella smiled sadly. “I'm not a little girl anymore, Cole. You can't always be there to protect me.”

 

Cole huffed indignantly, “Screw that, shit. I will always protect you. No matter how old you are and regardless to whether or not you want me to.”

 

Chuckling at his unwavering confidence, Bella pulled from his embrace. “Whatever, I know better than to argue when you're in your `king of the universe' mode.”

 

Rolling her eyes at his snort, Bella picked up the now warm ice pack and tossed it back into the freezer. Feeling Cole's warm hand on her shoulder, Bella faced him. Confused at his serious expression, she narrowed her eyes.

 

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

 

“We have to talk about what was said at the club, Bella. It can't be avoided any longer and you know it.”

 

Ignoring his words, Bella replied, “I thought we just did.”

 

“Don't do that. Don't play dumb. You know what I'm talking about,” Cole chastised gently as he forced Bella's eyes to his own.

 

“What do you want me to say, Cole?”

 

“Well, how about how you're feeling right now for starters.” Bella brushed his hands from her and turned away.

 

“I'm confused, Cole. What did Derrick mean when he said you were `lusting after me?'

 

`God, coming out her mouth that word sounds so…dirty,' Cole grimaced.

 

“Let's not use that word, ok?” At her hesitant nod, Cole continued quickly before he could talk himself out of it. “I think I might be in love with you, Bella.”

 

Smiling, Bella replied, “I already know that silly. I love you, too.” Cole shook his head and Bella frowned.

 

“No. Not like that, Bella. I think I'm in love with you.”

 

The room fell silent as Bella's brain struggled to comprehend what Cole had just told her. `He's in love with me? How…'

 

“When?” Bella finished her thought out loud and gazed up into Cole's flushed face.

 

“About a month ago.”

 

Bella gasped. `Oh my God. What do I do? What do I say?'

 

Observing Bella's panicked expression; Cole placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

 

“Shhhh, I don't want an answer from you right now. I know you need time to think this over and I'm not trying to force you into anything,” Cole soothed, “Take as much time as you need.”

 

“You know I'll be here when you're ready to talk.”

 

Relieved, Bella turned guilty eyes to his. “I'm sor…” Cole cut her off with a finger to her warm lips.

 

“Don't apologize. You have nothing to be sorry about.”

 

“I know admitting these feelings are risky for our friendship, but I think that sometimes there are risks worth taking.” With that, Cole smiled and led her into the living room.

 

Dropping her hand and striding over to the stereo, Cole turned it on and flooded the room with a relaxing jazz rhythm.

 

“I believe you owe me a dance, Miss Campbell,” Cole murmured as he quickly closed the space between them and pulled her close.

 

Melting into his familiar embrace, Bella sighed. `It feels so right to be in his arms like this. Almost like we were made to fit together.'

 

Enjoying the feel of Bella's warmth and body pressed so close to his own; Cole smiled and breathed in her sweet scent.

 

`Your mind may not know it, Bella,' Cole grinned contentedly, `but in your heart, you're already mine…'

 

 

 

 

*~~~~A/N~~~~*

 

 

 

Holy crap, I think that's the fastest I've ever finished a chapter! lol :o) I am so thrilled with the response I'm getting for this story. Thank you all so much for your support. *hugz* I hope you enjoyed this chapter because it was so much fun to write! Please continue to read and review! Remember, reviews = fast updates! Ya'll have no idea how happy I get when I receive reviews. I'm like a small child at Christmas. Seriously. lol

Tchao!

 

 

 

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JJQueen: *takes a bow* Thank you! I try. lol :o) Hope you liked the chapter and please continue to review!

 

 

 

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Xx_tearful_worries_xX: *BIG HUGZ* Thank you sooooo much! I was actually starting to get a little frustrated with anime spiral but your review perked me right back up! Keep reviewing and I promise to get chapters out to you as quickly as I can write them, k? :o)

 

 

 

Next Chapter: Faith and Fate