Chapter 13

Belle was sitting at the park after what happened with her step-father and mother. "Why the hell does mom married that bastard?" she muttered as she pulled out her IPOD. "He can't hurt me, he's not even my father." She glared and put on the earphones and remembered Matt. Another problem, she sighed and laid on the bench closing her eyes.

After a few hours she woke up and sat up. She looked at her watch that indicated it's 6 in the evening "Ah...Where am i going to stay?" Her phone rung. "Yeah?" She answered.

"Hi Belle," Steve greeted.

"'ssup?" she asked casually.

"Heard you got suspended..." he trailed.

"Yup, I did." she said.

"Ah..." he said and a pause. "Why?"

"None of your business," she said.

"Oh, right. None of my business." he said. "So...where are you staying?"

"Ah..." she bit her lip. "Somewhere out here,"

"What do you mean somewhere out there? They said you go home," he said with a worried tone.

"Well, my step-father doesn't want me staying at his house." she said. "And mom wouldn't do anything then dad..." she trailed. "We haven't talk for a while but he would've been glad if I called which I wouldn't do."

"Then..." Steve has uncertainty in his voice. "Where are you staying?"

"Told you, somewhere here." she said with a shrug as she gather her things and stood up. "Hey, I have to go-"

"Wait," he stopped her from hanging up.

"What? Do it faster, I think I'll look for a job for just a week." she said.

"You...can stay here at my place. I wouldn't mind and I live alone plus there's extra space." Steve said.

"Stay at your place? You're at school, right?" she raised an eyebrow.

"I went home. I am suspended for three days." he explained.

"Oh...with Matt?" she inquired.

"Yeah, he too but don't worry, we didn't said why we fought 'cause that would've drag you in the problem." he said.

"Ah...thanks and about the place..." she trailed thinking. "I'll call you if I'll stay."

"Okay, be careful." he said.

"'bye,"

She looked around. "Work, work, work..."

She went inside a restaurant where there is a sign that they needed a waitress soon as possible. She got hired and was working when three very familiar boys walked in.

"Belle?" Chase asked.

"Hey," Belle greeted. "Are you ready to give your order?"

"Can I order you?" Nathan grinned at her.

Matt punched him in the arm. "Drop it, Nathan. You still owe me."

"Sorry," Nathan said and winked at Belle. "What are you doing here, Belle?"

"Working," Belle said, glancing at Matt who was staring at her.

"Of course you're working, I can see that but why are you working?" Nathan asked.

"I need money. Jack busted me out of the house and said I can't stay there and he didn't give me money." Belle shrugged. "Come on, I have lots to do, give your orders."

Matt ignored what she last said. "You mean your dad kicked you out of your house?"

"Not my dad, my step-father," she frowned. "The orders, please."

They gave their orders and Belle walked away. After a few minutes, she came back with the food.

"Yum, yum." Chase dug in. "Where are you going to stay? You can't go back to the dorm 'cause well, you're suspended and you were supposed to be home."

"I'll find that out myself." Belle answered.

"Why don't you just stay at Matt's house. He lives alone and it's big, two people can fit there...especially at the bed." Nathan laughed.

Belle smiled at his joke then shook her head. "I can't. I'll just stay maybe...at a motel. There's lots of it nearby."

"You are not staying at any motel." Matt stated.

"What?" Belle raised an eyebrow at him. "You can't judge what I do and what I don't."

"Just stay at his place so he wouldn't be worried." Chase translated. "Plus, you can't go at the motel all alone, it's embarrassing."

"Guys, cut the lame jokes and your dirty minds." Matt sighed heavily. "So...are you staying with me or not? It's better and cheaper that way."

Belle sighed. "I'm going back to work. I'll tell you later if you can wait." she turned and walked away feeling her heart beating faster than usual.

"I can always wait for you," she heard Matt said.