Miles stared at the old man next door who seemed to be new around the neighborhood. The old man's apartment was next to Bella's and ever since Miles drove into Bella's driveway, the old man had been given him strange looks.
He waved at the man and he clearly saw the old man narrow his eyes at him before trying to peer ahead. Just then, Bella walked out of her apartment all dressed. She was clothed in a cropped top and dark blue jean shorts paired with black sneakers. Her hair was done in a ponytail and she looked quite dazzling.
She had seen him staring at the old man, she quickly waved at the man who instantly waved back at her. Now it was Miles's turn to narrow his eyes, what was that about?
" I think your neighbor dislikes me", he exclaimed afterwards as he opened the passenger door for Bella. " Why so?", she asked with furrowed brows as she got into the car.
" I don't know, he's been giving me this weird look ever since I came here", he said softly as he did an imitation of the old man's face and Bella chuckled at how cute he looked.
He closed the door and walked straight to the driver's side, opened the door and got in only to meet a smiling Bella.
" Mr Wilson just newly moved here and has never seen such an expensive car in my driveway before", she said briefly emphasizing on the expensive car and Miles quickly got it. He drove a Bugatti, that would surely attract attention.
" I live in a middle class neighborhood where there is only peace and quiet. Surely a car like yours is bound to bring strange looks to its way", she said calmly as she playfully tapped on his shoulder and he nodded once more before starting the car.
Once they were out of the driveway, Miles smiled at the man and said within, I thought he was insane and only liked girls.
" So how was the service?", he heard Bella ask all of a sudden and he smiled remembering his time with the choristers. " It was great, I actually got to start the service this Sunday as the lead singer, it was awesome", he said enthusiastically and she chuckled softly.
" You make church sound so fun", she said with all honesty and she watched him smile that usual funny smile of his. Where his eyes would dazzle and his mouth would stretch wide, it made him look cute and unrestrained.
" It is actually fun Bella. I mean I'm not trying to say I'm a believer but I've got the voice you know, also, I get to sing with good looking girls and for someone who desires peace so much, you, might find the place warm" he said in a sincere voice and she just rolled her grey eyes at him.
He finally pulled over in front of the garden next to Junie and Carmen's house. She got down from the car and he did the same. Hanging her small chain bag over her shoulder, she hugged him tightly and he hugged her back immediately. They stayed like that for a while before separating from each other.
" You go home alright and keep granny company. I'll go in", she said and he nodded. He got into his car afterwards and drove off while Bella walked towards the porch. On getting to the door, she rang the doorbell but at first, no one had answered. She rang it for the second time and waited patiently once again.
This time it opened up but it wasn't who she had expected. It wasn't Junie, the eight year old, brown haired boy or his older sister Carmen who was blonde and just eleven.
It was...., it was...., Justin Gray. He just stood there staring at her with a blank face and she stood there watching him as well not knowing what to say.
He suddenly walked away from the door and she still stood there staring at the space he had just been occupying. Her grey eyes looked back and forth before her mind registered she had been left to stand alone at the door.
He really loved standing people up right? That jerk, she was going to show him that nobody messed with Annabella Curtis and got away with it.
She walked into the house and shut the door behind her softly. Then she made her way towards the living room, there she met Mrs Raya Smith, Junie and Carmen's lovely mother.
" Good afternoon Raya", she said smiling sweetly as Junie and Carmen immediately ran to embrace her. She had a way with children.
Mrs Smith stood up and walked towards her in large strides before enveloping her in a tight hug. " It's been a while", they both said at once as they parted ways and they chuckled softly.
" Bella, Bella, I want you to meet my favorite", Junie said from below, he was actually at Bella's thigh when it came to his height. Yes, he had a favorite which wasn't her, it was a guy whose name was Jay and who she was yet to meet.
Bella's eyes scanned the entire living room and then she stared towards the dining room looking for Justin. Junie grabbed her arm and drew her towards the kitchen since she didn't give him an answer. Could it be that Junie's favorite was actually, Justin Gray?
Just as she thought, when she got there, she saw him drinking water and talking to Junie's Dad who was a Doctor by profession. " Good afternoon Doctor Tyler", she greeted with an harmonious smile on her face and he smiled at her before patting her on the back.
" Dad I want Bella to meet Jay, Jay say Hi to Bella", Junie said softly and she just stared back at Justin who didn't refuse to make eye contact with her. He was actually staring back at her with a blank look on his face, no trace of remorse could be seen on that annoyingly handsome face of his.
" Hi", he said shortly afterwards and she impulsively glared at him. He made her feel so sad the other day and here he was saying Hi like any other guilt free person.
" Bella", Junie called tugging on her jeans then she looked down to see his small figure encouraging her to say Hi back.
She stared back at Justin's face and she didn't understand why her heart was a mess just by seeing him stand there but she really felt angry knowing he was actually not feeling sorry.
" Hi", she replied coldly as she thought of how she would confront him later. At this rate, if she stayed in this kitchen any longer, she might actually punch that blank look off his face. To think she had been feeling sad about this ass of a person.
She walked out of the kitchen and Junie stared at her departing figure with a frown marring on his cute little face.
" Jay do you know Bella?", he asked out of the blue causing Justin's face to flash with guilt before returning back to being stoic.
" I'm just meeting her for the first time", he said and signalled Doctor Tyler that he was leaving. Doctor Tyler nodded his head in understanding and he walked him out of the house.
" Come back to visit soon, Jay", Junie screamed all the way from the living room as Justin walked out of the house and Bella stared at the door for a while before going after him.
" Is something the matter?", Doctor Tyler asked Bella when they both met at the door and she shook her head, quickly voicing out that she would be quick. Afterwards she ran towards Justin and grabbed his hand forcing him to turn and face her.
" You have some guts Justin Gray", she exclaimed as she heard him sigh as if not wanting to deal with her right now and that only fueled her anger the more.
" How could you just not show up like that? Tell me, why are you such a jerk?", she asked angrily as she pushed his shoulders to let out her anger.
" To think that I trusted you once again yet you went and stood me up just like when we first met, who does that?", she asked gasping as she hit him more, feeling tired in the end, she stopped.
" Justin Gray you are an absolute ass and that's why you won't say anything. I have a certain dislike for people who disturb my peace of mind, so don't bother crossing paths with me again alright", she said decisively and he just remained there staring at her unfazed with his raven black hair slightly dishevelled.
" I can't believe I even cared for you at a time", she said staring at him, silently hoping he would say something to explain himself. Did he really not remember the times they shared together? Was he actually that heartless?
She scoffed watching him stand there with nothing to say and she walked away quite hurt but with a decision. Justin Gray, Out. She never bothered about people who betrayed her and he actually betrayed her so he was out.
Justin stared at her departing figure as he watched her walk into the apartment without for once looking back. This was what he wanted, for her to leave him alone, but why did it hurt like hell knowing that she was no longer a part of his life?
This was the truth of Justin Gray's life. He could never allow people to care for him and would never allow them see how much he was hurting.
He didn't want their pity and he didn't want their tears when he died, they should be able to move on even though he would no longer be around. If he got them caring for him, it meant too many people would be burdened by his loss which he doesn't want.
******
Authors note:
One beautiful chapter, hoped you enjoyed it. Like I said, the story is just beginning so hold on to your seatbelts, you're going to be watching the most amazing movie the world has ever seen. Okay maybe am exaggerating a little but who cares, I love this book, always and forever.