"As long as we are together." (23)

Bella and I got our burgers and sat down in a table facing each other in front of the large windows overlooking the street.

"You know..." I whispered.

"I have just noticed how nobody here gives a damn about other people... It's not like that in California."

"You're right. It should be like that."

She sighed, then moved her chair closer to me.

"Something is bothering you in California?"

"I don't know...I always get the feeling that everyone is ready to judge you- whatever choice you make..." I confessed with a lump around my throat.

I just can't explain this feeling of telling her everything that was going on trough my mind.

"I can sense that too. But, Ellie, don't get confused between what people say and who you really are." She affirmed in a confident way.

"I'm still trying to figure it out..." I whispered.

"Well, me too... everyone feel a little lost at our age..." She shrugged.

Her talking made me me feel accepted and understood, as I haven't in a very long time.

Bella smiled and rested an hand over mine:

"But Ellie, I think you are a... beautiful... smart girl with a great future ahead."

My lips parted in a genuine, moved smile, as I was squeezing her hand.

"You just told me such a beautiful thing." My voice trembled.

I took her hand and entwined with mine:

"You always have the right words at the right time, Bella, I don't know how you do that... but you are helping me so much right now." I affirmed.

I looked straight into her hazel eyes and... I got lost in them.

Bella gave me shy, happy smile as she spoke tenderly:"Oh Ellie... It's just what I think..."

Then she looked around and giggled:

"Doesn't it make you laugh that we said these things to each other in a Mcdonald's... over some burgers?"

I tried to remain serious about that:

"No. This is way more poetic."

I came closer to her face and leaned the tip of my nose against her cheek.

Her candid skin was so soft that makes me want to feel it more.

I snapped her a shy kiss as I spoke: "Let's just eat now, shall we?"

Bella winked at me: "Oh, you can say that out loud..."

~

"So, what kind of dessert do you want?" Bella asked me, approaching against my chair.

"I'm quite full, actually..."

She stood up, smiling: "All right, I'll pick one and we'll share it."

"I'm coming with you." I said, surrendering.

"No, stay. I'll be quick."

I nodded at her and saw her walking towards the screen to order.

I got lost in her perfume.

A spicy, vanilla fragrance with a hint of jasmine and musk that hitted my senses in the most sweetest yet intense way.

I followed her with my gaze...

her long red hair, her slow but confident walk, her delicate way of adjusting her hair behind her ear to focus on the menu's...

My phone made the sound of a notification that woke me up from my thoughts.

From Joe:

>

Although I didn't want to, my face and mood suddenly darkened.

I turn on the airplane mode in my phone and putted it back inside my bag.

Thinking about him still made me feel nervous somehow... it's like his shadow it's always following me.

And it's not a good feeling.

And I keep wondering if Bella feels the same about her boyf... Leo...

When I turned my gaze towards Bella again, I noticed that a boy had approached my table.

He was smiling at me. A smug smile.

I looked around, thinking (or praying) that I had been mistaken for someone else, but no one was around my table.

"Hi..." He said with a smirk.

"Uhm... hi..." I murmured awkwardly.

"Have... we met?" I asked.

Rhetorical question since it was impossible.

"No, but I wish it..." He winked.

I tried to ignore him but he didn't move an inch.

"Me and my friend..." And he pointed his finger to a boy who was giggling in another table.

"We are from Spain and since we'll be staying here for a while... we were looking for someone to have fun with... to a couple of drinks maybe... without any commitment of course." A self-satisfied smirk appeared on his face.

I sighed deeply, appealing to my self-control.

My politeness let him talk... now I felt an urgent need to interrupt him.

Before I could barely open my mouth, he spoke to me again.

"So we saw you... all alone... and we were wondering if you'd like to join us..."

"She's not alone, by the way." Bella interrupted him in an annoyed tone as she sat down, making her presence full known.

"Hi to you, too... my name is Xavier."  The boy's smile brightened ever more as he saw her.

Bella ignored his introduction and kept looking down at him in an annoying way.

Then she looked into my eyes with an amused, yet comforting smile, which chased away all my worries.

"Well... two are definitely better than one." He affirmed looking at us, proudly convinced he made the funniest joke ever.

Bella clutched her jaw and the fork she was holding in her hand.

Her playful annoyed expression turned into an irritable one.

The rhythm of her breathing grew more in intensity.

"No. Listen, no is our answer." I spoke firmly.

"Oh, don't let us down, please girls..." He protested.

"Not even if we offer you a beer? Come on, there's a pub near here..."

Bella huffed sharply, her hands tense and intertwined under her chin.

Bad sign...

"It would be a no in any case. If you would excuse us now."

I can tell her impatient and wary tone of voice wanted this conversation to end.

He smirked: "Hmm... if we could get to know each other... then you girls can change your mind... see, we are—"

Bella's eyes narrowed into a sharp, judging gaze.

"You never seem to get the hint, do you? How about this..."

She paused and her right eyebrow arches in irritation: "You'd better stop now your monologue and take that no, or maybe your toxic masculinity can't even take a no for an answer?"

A hint of sarcasm veiled her comment, but her expression was serious.

Ok. That was hot.

I had never heard her voice this colder, although she kept her usual self-control.

And somehow... I liked that.

He was shocked and definitely embarrassed now.

He didn't take it further, he just walked away, understanding his failure.

I let out a sigh of relief.

"Are you okay?" I immediately asked her.

Bella nodded slightly, then dropped the fork and leaned wearily in her chair.

"This is why I lost faith in men." She affirmed, crossing her arm.

"I couldn't agree more... but Bella, you handled him perfectly. He deserved that."

She sighed wistfully: "I'm used to it by now."

"That doesn't mean that I don't hate it when it happens. God... It pisses me off."

Her eyes became so transparent that I could clearly read her frustration.

"I'm so sorry to hear that..." I whispered in a sad tone.

"And I do understand you."

I offered her my hand and she entwined it with mine as a little smile returned to her face.

"There will be no more interruptions." I affirmed.

She melted in a smile.

"Let's just... eat this cake, shall we?"

I winked at her, hoping to cheer the situation.

"Cherry and dark chocolate. You go first." She said smiling as she handed me the plate.

"Exotic." I commented.

I tasted it and it was really... delicious, then I immediately prepared a small piece for her in the fork.

"May I?" I whispered, bringing my hand closer to her.

Bella nodded and tilted her head to the fork I was holding for her.

When her lips slid sinuously into the fork, she smiled to me with that captivating look in her eyes.

When she swallowed that piece of cake, she bit her lower lip, licking the inside of her mouth with the tip of her tongue...

What the hell....

She probably had no idea- but everything she does blow me away.

I feel like I am helpless...

"That's delicious, don't you think?" Bella asked me, rising her eyebrows.

I nodded, trying to hide my embarrassment.

We shared the last pieces of cake and got up to leave.

When I turned around I saw that boy, he stared directly to me with the fakest sad expression ever.

Bella's hand gently intertwined with mine as she gave me another comforting look.

Just before we left, I caught a very coldly and threatening exchange of glances between them.

I could swear Bella was smirking while he became pale with embarrassment or... envy.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked her smiling softly.

I could tell she was satisfied. "Yes, Ellie, I'm fine, now. What about you?"

I clung her waist. "Oh, I'm fine too..."

"So, what do you want to do now?"

"Whatever we want." I replied.

"As long as we are together..." I added, blushing.

Bella smiled sweetly.

"With no interruptions you said earlier, huh?"

She kept smiling at me as she approached her lips closer to my ear, giving me chills.

"How about we call the uber, Ellie? Maybe we can go back to the resort and look for a quiet place, what do you think?"

Her soothing , warm voice makes me shiver.

I nodded. "That's exactly what I want to do."