Chapter 47

**Bella-Rose POV**

Before James may ask me about the ball, I closed my laptop and went into the kitchen in search of some snacks. Yup, total cowards’ route. But then you would also do the same if James is behind you.

Sarah's kitchen is as dry as a well in the desert. What else can I expect from an artist? I tried to whip up something from these bare essentials.

I was flipping the pancake when Sarah entered the kitchen rubbing her eyes. It took her a minute to understand my tense posture.

"Are you alright?" She asked me as she scrutinized my troubled expression.

"I don't know", I informed her, my mind playing the words James sent to me.

"Talk to me. Maybe I can help" Sarah said as she opened the refrigerator and took out the fruits to go with the pancakes.

"I messed up really bad Sarah. Last night all that talk, went to my head. And today early in the morning I messaged James’s spouting nonsense about doubts, emotions, and whatnot. I really hurt him, Sarah. It was never my intention", I confessed as a lump formed in my throat.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I failed to compose myself. Sarah covered the distance and engulfed me in a hug from behind as I meticulously worked on the pancakes.

"Oh honey, it's not your fault. Shit happens. Last night we all were pretty bummed. It messes with your head. With enough incentive, even war can break out between two countries and you are just two individuals. Not to add to the fact that Amanda was relentless to make her point.

Anyways, nothing will come out of pondering it. It was done. Just mail him, you were sleepy, and say sorry. If he is as serious as you say, then he will understand", Sarah tried to comfort me.

"I already did. But it doesn't feel right, Sarah. He has been so nice and kind to me. What another male can be as patient and understanding as him? I have to muck it up somehow with my big mouth", I stuttered as I hiccupped and tried to control my sobs.

"Shh...Bells. You apologized. He must have understood from where your doubts were raised. Now bury that hatchet", Sarah consoled me.

"But-"

"Nothing of that sort. I'm not listening to your self-pity anymore. Remember what Amanda says, live a little", Sarah added as I finally stopped crying like a baby.

"And Amanda is right here to agree with Sarah", Amanda said as a way of greeting as she sauntered into the kitchen wearing silky nightwear that was more of lingerie.

As soon as we heard her voice we backed out of our hug and guiltily looked at her as if she caught us with our hands in a cookie jar.

"I heard what you said", Amanda blurted as she folded her arms.

"Amanda", I opened my mouth to utter an apology.

"Don't bother. It's ancient history now. You crying over it doesn't make it any better. Where is the fire girl who hauled me over the coals? I liked her better than this cry baby", Amanda scoffed as she easily discarded what we were discussing.

I threw the nearby napkin in her direction in rebuke but as always, my aim was poor and she easily skipped the upcoming attack.

"What are you making? Ohh...pancakes. I like it. Let's just stuff ourselves to the brim with these yummy-looking ones and go shopping", Amanda said as she pierced a piece of pancake with a nearby fork and stuffed it in her mouth.

"Shopping?" Sarah asked as she looked pained. I'm no better.

"Uh... I have work to do", I tried to backpedal.

"No excuses. I'm not hearing anything", Amanda had repudiated our measly protests.

"But seriously I do have work to do. What with Nana bedridden and all. Charlie is a huge help. But I cannot shove everything on him. He is not used to doing all the work or being in charge. It might confuse him. And I don't trust Pat with my Nana's accounts a bit. I have to pull my own load Amanda. I can’t just ghost on them with a minute’s notice", I attempted to reason with her.

"Say your excuses to some other poor soul. I'm not listening. Call Charlie to manage for these two days", Amanda threw my reasoning out of the window.

"Amanda, it's not as easy as you make it sound", I said as I put the pancakes in three plates, added syrup and the fruits that Sarah had cut.

"Why not? Here, give me your phone", Amanda snapped my phone that was on the table as I placed the pan back.

"What are you doing?" I shouted as I shuffled towards her, worrying that she might open the Gmail account of mine.

"Hey Charlie, this is Amanda. Bella's friend. You remember me...awww. I need a favor, Charlie. You see, Bella here is going to the hall tomorrow and I have taken the duty of her official fairy godmother."

"Uh-huh. Oh ya. Absolutely", Amanda nodded as she spoke to Charlie.

"So, you see, I cannot let her go to the bakery for these two days", she clapped her hands as if Charlie had given a brilliant solution to the world's problem.

"Really Charlie!!! Aw... you are a gem. See ya", she sugarcoated her adieu and rested the phone on the table.

"There! Done. Now you are officially on leave for two days", Amanda pronounced triumphantly.

"What have you done? How?" I asked as scenarios of Sweet Gum Tree getting looted ran through my mind.

"You can thank me later. I asked Charlie very nicely and he said he will pull some strings for extra help. Now you don't have to worry about the bakery", Amanda declared as if she has achieved an impossible feat.

However, I'm still unconvinced as Nana depends on my skill to handle the bakery. Charlie though worked as long as me if not more, he was always in the kitchen, not at the front counter or the office. If I let them have their way, I'm sure they will mess up the papers I strained to put into order these past weeks.

"But Nana..." I tried to object.

"I will call her too. Now shoo. Let's get ready and meet her in an hour", Amanda didn't budge an inch as she pushed me towards the spare bathroom in Sarah's home.

"What's so important that we have to shop? I can wear something you have", I shouted over my shoulder. I then compared our figures in the bathroom mirror for a minute and said, " At the least, I can try to squeeze in your loosest dress", I added as I hopelessly looked at the difference.

God, her waist can fit in one of the legs of my pants. It's so thin. Will James be disappointed?

I didn't pay attention to what people think as "in" these days. It's zero, plus or in between, I guess. I stopped following it after my teens. Working in a bakery automatically adds an inch or two to your waist. You tend to forget about your figure once you stop mingling in crowds. And Amanda wants to shove me in the middle of a crowd. What friends do I have!

"Honey, I love you. But I'm not going to sacrifice my dresses on you. It would be suicide to my dress if I give you one", Amanda said waking me from my musings.

I growled playfully at her. She bumped my shoulder and strolled to the door. Before she could go through, she stopped and asked me as she half turned towards me.

"Can I ask you something?" As she chews her lower lip. That's a nervous gesture of hers. And Amanda is never nervous.

"Sure", I said tilting my head.

"Promise, you won't chew me out?"

"What is it, Amanda?" I prompted patiently to draw a long breath.

"You never bothered when people underestimated you yet you defended this guy like a mother hen yesterday. Why is that?" Amanda finally posed the question she must be mulling since last night.

"One, I'm not a mother hen. That's just eww. Two- he would have done the same for me", I ticked off my fingers as I said my explanation.

"Then why haven't you guys met yet? Why are you stalling? What's the reason? Just meet at someplace and get this over with. Surely, meeting in person is more beneficial than this mail game" she asked, confused about our relationship.

"Amanda!" Sarah shouted from behind her.

"What? I'm curious", Amanda told Sarah and turned towards me.

"Ever heard of the word subtle?" Sarah countered.

"It's ok, Sarah. We can meet in person, Amanda. It's just a drive away. But can't you see how special our relationship is? Him mailing me and me being in the same city as his... it's fate guys. Our destiny is written beforehand and when it's time we will know" I patiently explained.

"Great philosophical words. Ever thought to take the class?" Amanda asked sarcastically.

"Uhh... it's all new Amanda. What we have is magical. Once we meet in person, I don't know if we can preserve that magic. I might not like the way he walks or eats. He might not like my curves or my no-filter-mouth. It's a huge thing. Nothing will come out if we rush it"

"What does your boyfriend say about this?"

"He respects my wishes. He said and I quote- I will match your pace as long as I can walk with you", I said proudly.

"Sigh", Sarah added.

"Is this man real? I want my very own James. Where can I buy another piece?"

"Nope. This one is already taken", I shut the door on their dreamy looks.