Save in his arms

" Dad am off now. I made pancakes for breakfast " Bella yelled as she ran down the stairs."don't worry about lunch money. I have some loose change. I'll be fine "

She walked slowly taking in the morning air. A smile creeped in her lips as she twirled around. She felt happy. Finally she was able to tell Angie her secret. Her mind felt at ease. A heavy load had been lifted off her chest. The sky seemed brighter. The air more warm even the birds sang more cheerfully.

She woke up super early today to avoid meeting any of the kids from school especially Stacey.

Suddenly her mind shifted to her dark days.

The heaven's gate had flunged wide open as the rain poured down. Her aunts and uncles were dressed in black as they all watched her mother's casket lowered into the grave. The news had hit her like a bomb and she had locked herself in her room for the whole day. Her father did not bother to ask her to come out as he was in his own room. Both of them mourning her in their own different ways. The house was wrapped in dark silence.

They all stood in the rain mourning her. How could they believe that her mom was dead.

He let them bury her. He let them take her mom from her. She always knew death was there but she never expected it to happen - at least not at that time.

The rain poured more heavily drowning the sound of her voice as she cried loudly. Somehow she wandered from the house. Her feet dragged her in the cold to where she did not know but as long as it would take her mind off things, she did not care.

" why not join her mother " the thoughts whispered in her ears.

Take your life. it would be over within a second. Snap! Just like that and you will open your eyes to your mother's smile.

The words reeled her in and her feet dragged her towards the river.

The current was fast as the rain filled the water. Her eyes searched for anyone but could find none. Her eyes closed as if to give up finally. What is there to life anymore.

With that thought,she dropped into the river. She could not swim so they water took her in sinking her to it's depths. Her mind told her to survive but the whisper cried on, telling her that her mother was only beyond the wall and that she would cross It in a few moments. That was all the assurance she need and she gave up the struggle.

"Bella" a voice screamed as her chest was pumped." someone call an ambulance. Hurry!! " His breath was in halves as he struggled to get a heartbeat. Water dropped from his body. Apparently he had dived in to save her but who was he and how did he know her name.

She could hear him but she couldn't move or do anything.She coughed up water as he gave the last pump to her chest.

" thank God you are okay" he finally relaxed as he slumped on the ground " what were you thinking jumping into that river. You can't tell me you fell in cause there is no way in hell you just left home to come here to fish. "

The sirens could be heard from a distance. She closed her eyes. She was way too exhausted for anything.

Why did such a bad memory have to come to ruin her morning.She shrugged it off resuming her cheerful walk.

She stopped to look at a blooming flower unaware that she had stopped in front of Don's house. A butterfly flew by taking her attention. He saw her from the window. Grabbing his backpack, he kissed his mom goodbye.

"hey. Hope you don't mind me walking you to school " his hands in his pocket to hide his rattling fingers

" you really don't give up do you"

" Well am new here. New home - new school and apparently a new dad. A lot to take in if you ask me. Just need someone to talk to.A friend"

Bella looked at him before she extended her hand to him with a smile "Just for the day. We can hang out. And before the day runs out, am sure you will find plenty of reasons to hate me just like everyone else. Then you will move on to find your princess which by the way am referring to Stacy Faversham. "

" You say that with a smile but am pretty sure you were sarcastic about it" He smiled.

His coffee brown eyes sparkled pulling her in. She wished she could stare into them forever. No one could resist that she knew. He truly was every girls' dream boy.

" So what's your favourite colour " he asked as they walked slowly

" what "

"what"

They both laughed lightly

" my favorite color is black. What's yours?" she replied

" Blue. Why black? "

" why blue? I hate blue "

" why black? I hate black"

She looked at him intently " but I think black would look good on you anytime any day "

He flashed one of his killer smiles and she regretted passing that compliment as her heart banged loudly against her chest. "Thanks.I like blue cause it reminds me of the sea. And of the clear sky. These two things set my soul at peace. I love peace. Everyone does"

" I see"

" why do you love black"

" I don't know. Just think it's cool in all. It's my mom's favorite as well" the cheerful mood melted away

" my mom was the greatest woman on earth. She was the only thing that kept me moving. She would always wear a smile so big you would think no problem could weigh down on her. But there she was dying.She never told dad or anyone. " Tears rolled down her eyes "it's so unfair to think that such a beautiful woman would be laid with such a terrible fate.Why would God bless me with a mother so great and then take her away from me. He took the only joy In my family. It's so unfair "

He stood there stupefied but within the next instant, she threw herself at him, crying on his chest. His arms wrapped around her like a blanket. They stood together till the sun rose and her tears stopped.