Weeks had passed, and Bella and Justin had managed to avoid each other on campus. It was as if fate had been on their side, allowing them to steer clear of awkward encounters. But on this particular Tuesday afternoon, Bella's luck ran out. She and Kathy had just finished registering for their courses and were heading to the car pack, when Bella spotted Justin walking towards the registration office with Chloe.
As Justin and Chloe approached, Chloe was the first to spot Bella. She frowned immediately , and she became more affectionate with Justin, playfully placing her hand on his arm and laughing at something he said. Justin's eyes landed on bella as they walked closer , and his heart skipped a beat as he locked eyes with Bella.
For a moment, time stood still. The love and connection that had once burned brightly between them still lingered, and Justin's eyes seemed to hold a deep longing. Bella felt her heart flutter, and she couldn't look away. Kathy's voice broke the spell, gently pulling Bella away from the scene.
As they walked, Bella glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes still meeting Justin's. Chloe, sensing the tension, did the same to Justin, playfully tugging him along while still keeping her eyes on Bella.
In that fleeting instant, it was clear that the emotions between Justin and Bella were far from resolved. The connection between them still pulsed with a life of its own, and it seemed that neither of them could easily shake off the past.
Bella's eyes welled up with tears as she forced herself to face forward, the pain of seeing Justin with Chloe like a fresh wound. Kathy, sensing her distress, quickly swooped in to distract her, launching into a conversation about their upcoming exams and trying to steer Bella's mind away from the heart-wrenching scene they had just witnessed.
But as soon as they reached the car and Bella slid into the drivers seat, she let her emotions overwhelm her. Tears streamed down her face as she gazed out the window, her body shaking with sobs. "I saw them together for the first time physically," she whispered, her voice cracking with anguish. "Justin looked happy with her... they laughed... I just can't believe this."
Kathy's expression softened as she watched her friend break down. She knew Bella still harbored feelings for Justin, and seeing him with someone else had brought all those emotions flooding back. "Bella, I don't like this," Kathy said, her voice laced with concern. "I thought you'd moved on. That bastard doesn't deserve you at all."
As Bella continued to cry, Kathy gently handed her a tissue, helping her clean her face. The tender gesture was a small comfort, but Bella clung to it, letting Kathy's words sink in. Maybe Justin wasn't worth her tears. Maybe it was time to let go and focus on herself. But for now, the pain felt too raw, too real, and Bella let it consume her, her sobs echoing through the silence of the car.
As Bella's tears subsided, Kathy's efforts to distract her paid off, and they were both laughing together. Bella had come to terms with her feelings for Justin and was ready to move on. Kathy, sensing her friend's newfound resolve, casually asked about Austin, the guy Bella had been chatting with online. "How's Austin doing? Have you guys talked recently?" Kathy inquired, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Bella smiled, feeling a sense of comfort when thinking about Austin. "He's good," she replied, her voice softening. "He sent me a text not too long ago, but I'll reply later." Kathy raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the mysterious guy her friend had been talking to.
Bella had saved Austin's number as "Who" initially, not knowing his name. However, as they started chatting, she learned that his name was Austin. Despite the brief nature of their conversations, Bella felt a connection with him. She enjoyed their exchanges, finding his messages thoughtful and engaging.
As Bella mentioned Austin, Kathy's expression turned thoughtful. "I'm glad you're talking to him," she said, her voice gentle. "You seem happy when you mention him." Bella nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend. She was indeed happy when thinking about Austin, and she looked forward to getting to know him better.
With a newfound sense of hope, Bella felt like she was taking steps towards healing and moving on from her feelings for Justin. Her conversations with Austin were a welcome distraction, and she was excited to see where things might go between them.
As the evening drew to a close, Bella and Kathy arrived back at their apartment, exhausted from the day's events. The silence in the car was a welcome respite from the emotional turmoil Bella had faced earlier. As they settled into their routine, tackling work, reading, and assignments, Bella's phone suddenly buzzed with an incoming call from Austin.
"Hey, Bella, good evening. How are you doing?" Austin's warm voice filled the line, immediately lifting Bella's spirits. She smiled, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her as she replied, "I'm doing okay, thanks for asking."
As they continued talking, Austin mentioned that he was thinking of visiting his younger brother at Lifetime College soon, but his work commitments were keeping him busy. Bella understood the demands of work and assignments and expressed her hope that they'd meet soon. The conversation flowed effortlessly, with Austin's calm demeanor helping to soothe Bella's frazzled nerves.
Their talk was a gentle reminder that sometimes, all it takes is someone's understanding and kind words to make a difference. As Bella settled into her routine, she felt grateful for Austin's presence in her life, looking forward to the possibility of meeting him in person soon.
The connection between them was growing stronger with each passing day, and neither of them knew that their lives were about to become even more intertwined. The revelation that Austin was Justin's brother would come as a surprise to Bella, and it would change everything. But for now, they were just enjoying each other's company, unaware of the surprises that lay ahead.
***
Justin stormed into his apartment, shouting for his friend John. John emerged from his room, looking concerned. "What's wrong, man?" he asked, noticing the distress on Justin's face.
"I saw Bella," Justin replied, his voice laced with emotion. John's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you for real?" he asked, trying to process the information.
Justin nodded, his eyes flashing with a mix of emotions. "Yes, I'm telling you, I saw her. And you know what? My heart still beats for her. I still love her," Justin confessed, his voice cracking with sincerity.
John's expression turned thoughtful. "What about Chloe?" he asked, referring to the girl Justin had been intimate with. Justin shook his head. "We're not dating. I know we've kissed and had sex, but she pushed me to do it. It wasn't mutual. I don't feel the same way about her as I do about Bella."
John's eyes widened in shock. "You're telling me you had sex with Chloe?" he asked, his voice incredulous. "When did that happen?"
Justin shrugged. "We were on a walk, and I escorted her to her apartment. She told me to come in, and... well, you know what happened."
John's expression turned incredulous. "You're kidding me, right? When were you going to tell me about this?" he asked, still trying to process the information.
Justin waved his hand dismissively. "John, that's not the issue here. The issue is Bella."
John's expression turned serious. "Okay, let's focus on Bella then. But I have to ask, how do you think she would feel if you two eventually got back together and she found out about Chloe?"
Justin's face darkened. "No one would tell her," he said firmly. "She can't know."
John raised an eyebrow. "You really think you can keep this a secret from her? What if she finds out somehow?"
Justin shook his head. "I don't know, but I'm willing to take that risk. I just want to be with Bella again."
John's words hung in the air, and Justin's mind began to wander to Chloe. "And what about Chloe?" John asked, his voice laced with concern. "You've given her hints that you might like her. How do you think she'll feel when she finds out you're still in love with Bella?"
Justin rubbed his temples, feeling a headache brewing. "That's true," he admitted. "She's going to be a big problem." He looked at John, feeling uncertain and torn. "I don't know what to do, man. I feel like I'm stuck between two people."
John's expression softened, and he offered Justin some advice. "Just follow your heart, Justin. Do what you want, what feels right for you." Justin nodded, taking John's words into consideration.
After a moment of contemplation, Justin said, "I'm going to text Bella." John's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Now?" he asked. Justin shook his head. "Not now. Later." John nodded in understanding. "Okay, do what you feel is right."
The two friends continued talking, discussing everything from their day to their plans for the future. Justin's mind kept wandering back to Bella, wondering what she was doing and whether she'd respond to his text whenever he texts. He felt a sense of uncertainty, but he knew he had to take a chance and see where things went with Bella.