Chapter 18

**Bella-Rose pov**

Dan, our resident carefree man, continued nodding to Johnny's emotional outburst. Before Johnny can pop a vein and raise his blood pressure again, I rushed to Dan's room and searched for his hearing aid. I found it on the top of playboy magazines. SERIOUSLY? I picked the aid with only two of my fingers, careful not to touch any part of the magazine, and ran to the main hall. I don't want to imagine whose hands touched that magazine and after doing what. Yuck.

Once I entered the main hall, I realised my error. All those cookies have been prosecuted, found guilty, and eaten by the hungry mob before me.

"Guys! I made them, especially for Mathew. It's his favourite. At least you could have left one for me to take it to him", I whined as I searched the boxes for any crumbs.

"Honey, that thought is enough to pump blood in my veins. You really made this for me sweetheart? Does that mean my love is finally cracking that wall you built around your heart? Bella Mia, I thought I would die craving your love before seeing this day. You have made me a happy man indeed! Tell me, when shall we fix the wedding?", Mathew said behind me as he entered the hall.

"Whoa...whoa...whoa. Hold your horses, Mathew. I said I made your favourite cookies. But I didn't say they are especially for you. This lady is still unattainable to you", I said pointing to myself, lying about the reason behind the cookies.

A loud snort can be heard from the background. " Says the one who baked his favourite cookies. Jezebel! I once had a neighbour who used the same tricks in my husband", said a mean-sounding voice. That's Penelope. Every high school has mean girls. That too exactly 3 in number. And the middle one is the leader. Here, Penelope is that. Queen B of old age home. Add a cup of Stella, 2 cups of Amanda, stir it for five minutes, and rest it for a while. Ta-da you will get Penelope who is twice mean as they both put together.

Of course, Penelope has a reason too. Zero points for guessing it. If you are unable to guess then "I'm sorry to say, but you need to improve your logical skills. FYI, I give tutoring classes on the side. Interested people can call me". To those who are still guessing it, it's MATHEW. Penelope has a crush on him. So, anyone Mathew flirts with becomes her target. The funny thing is she doesn't throw barbs at his other dates or ex-hookups. Nope, her wrath is reserved only for me. Lucky me, yay! I may be the only one in the universe who has jealous-ex targeting me without ever going on a date.

"Penelope! Funny I didn't see you there. I thought you might be resting in your room", I voiced my lost hope.

"Ha! You wish! I know all your parlor tricks. Trying to entice male folk with your baking skills. I once had a friend who tried that with my husband", Penelope addressed undeterred.

"How many people tried for your husband? Maybe they just want to offer food because you don't know how to cook. Ever thought about that? I wonder why your late husband never took them up on their offer?", I threw back at her.

Penelope's face started to match the colour of her dress. Not one to lose, Penelope drew the big guns from her arsenal. "At least I had one. Not like you, dangling poor male folks from your fingers. My Henry loved me. Harlot!"

That's it. She has gone too far. Sarah entered the hall at that moment. I put back the boxes I was holding on the table, ready to March to her seat when Sarah stopped me. It's like a scene from a battlefield where I stood at one end in my armour and Penelope and her gang stood on the other side of the field with swords drawn.

"No Bells! There are too many. You can't face them alone there", Sarah said from afar trying to reach me before I can step foot on the battlefield.

"No Sarah, enough is enough! There may be tens of thousands, but I'm courageous. I won't back down. I have to face this. I will fight for my cause or die trying! I can't let them get away with this. When my honour is questioned I should defend it. And no James has ever backed down from that challenge", I puffed my chest for emphasis, which made Johnny, Dan and Mathew look there. Ah, men! No matter the age, they behave the same.

"But Bella, think about the consequences. What will you tell your family?" Sarah asks, concerned for my well-being.

I took a deep sigh before continuing, "You. You will take care of them in my stead. Tell my family", I gulped before continuing, "tell my family I was brave till the very end. Ok?", I asked as I wiped sweat trickling my forehead.

"Yes, of course. I will. You take care of Bells. Come back victorious. I will cheer for you from here", Sarah said with an encouraging smile as she gave me a thumbs up. Coward! She won't come with me to the battleground. Anyway, I don't want anyone. I can face this alone. Oldie, bring it on!

I braced myself, holding my imaginary sword before stepping foot on the battlefield.

"So, the goody-two-shoes have a backbone now?", Penelope sneered, taking a jab at me.

"At least I'm not the one who needs two people behind my back to act superior", I cut her.

Behind me, I can hear the betting taking place about who wins. From what I can hear, the crowd is favouring Penelope. Penelope's tenacity is renounced. So, no surprise there. Only Mathew, Sarah, and Dan are at my side. Dan is still not wearing his hearing aid, that's why there are 3 on my side.

"Better be superior to a meek mouse", Penelope drew blood with this one. The crowd oohed in the background.

"At least I'm not a bitch", I plunged the sword in her belly. The crowd gasped. Someone dropped something in the background. Its clutter is the only sound in the main hall. Fumes can be seen blowing away from Penelope's ears. Before she could cut me into two, the admin staff entered the hall.

"Ok guys. Time for some meditation. Those who want to do it please follow me. The others can do whatever you want but please be quiet and stay in the backyard where the staff can help you if you need anything. Miss James, Miss Jacob's I'm afraid your time is up", said the secretary as she ushered people out of the main hall.

"This is not over yet", threw Penelope as a parting shot.

I visually gulped thinking about the future. Sarah joined me as I backpedaled towards the entrance after saying goodbye to everyone.

"That was intense. I thought you are done for. What with the way Old Pen throws daggers at you!", Sarah said, looping her arm around mine.

"What can I say? Saved by the bell", I said as we both laughed at what nearly happened.