Chapter 21

Chapter 21 – Persuasion and Pines

Bella kicked off her shoes the moment she got home, letting the comforting scent of her mother's fresh-baked banana bread greet her at the door. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting soft orange streaks across the living room. She wasn't sure how long she stood there staring blankly at the wall before her mother's voice called from the kitchen.

"Bella, sweetheart, you're home! Come taste this — tell me if I added too much cinnamon again."

Bella followed the voice, dropped her bag by the door, and walked into the kitchen where her mum stood in her apron, smiling with a spoon held up like a peace offering.

She tasted the bread quietly and gave a small nod. "It's perfect."

Her mother narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Why do you sound like someone just stole your lunch money?"

Bella shrugged. "Nothing. Just tired."

"Uh-huh. Spill."

Just then, her father walked in, followed by her older brother Andrew, who had shown up unannounced again, probably to raid the fridge. He gave her a side-hug and flopped onto the couch with a dramatic sigh.

"Family dinner it is," her dad said, clapping his hands. "And you, young lady, look like something's bothering you."

Bella sighed and moved to sit on the armrest near her brother. "There's a school trip coming up. One week at a retreat center. It's supposed to be fun. Optional, of course."

Andrew's eyes lit up. "A trip? Like, a real getaway?"

"Yeah."

"And you're going, right?"

Bella hesitated. "I'm not sure. I was thinking of skipping it."

"Why?" her mother asked gently, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Is there a reason?"

"I don't know," Bella murmured. "I just… I don't like being around people all the time. And this means sharing rooms, activities, group games—there's no space to just breathe."

"And this isn't about that boy, is it?" Andrew teased, nudging her with his elbow.

Bella shot him a look. "It's not about Ethan."

Andrew raised his hands in surrender. "Didn't say it was. But if it was, I'd say that's even more reason to go. You can't run from awkwardness forever."

Her dad chuckled. "Well said."

Her mother sat down beside her, tucking a strand of Bella's hair behind her ear. "Sweetheart, sometimes the things we don't feel ready for… are the exact things that help us grow. I know being surrounded by classmates can be overwhelming, but this trip might just be what you need. New environment. New memories."

"And you'll have Sarah and the others with you, right?" Andrew added. "I've met them. They'd protect you from bears. Or annoying boys."

Bella gave a soft laugh despite herself. "There are no bears, Andrew."

"Still. You know what I mean."

She looked around at their expectant faces — gentle, supportive, and oddly persuasive in their own ways. Maybe this was what she needed. A break from her thoughts. From school drama. From the chaos Ethan brought into her life — even if he would be there.

"I'll think about it," she said at last, voice low but not completely dismissive.

Her father raised an eyebrow. "That means yes."

Her mother smiled. "We'll help you pack."

Andrew smirked. "You better bring back snacks."

Bella rolled her eyes, but something inside her stirred — a flicker of anticipation, buried beneath the layers of uncertainty.

Maybe, just maybe… this trip wouldn't be as bad as she feared.

The morning sun filtered through the classroom blinds, warming Bella's skin as she sat at her desk, fingers playing absentmindedly with the hem of her sleeve. Miss Claire was still discussing the trip itinerary at the front of the room, her voice bright and full of energy as she clicked through a slideshow of nature trails, cabins, and campfire nights.

"This retreat will not only serve as a way to relax," she said, "but also to build teamwork and friendships. The center has a zipline, hiking trails, and a team-building ropes course. Oh, and yes—don't worry, there's Wi-Fi."

Laughter rippled across the room, but Bella wasn't really paying attention to the screen. Her mind was still a tangle of nerves and reluctant excitement.

She had submitted her permission slip that morning, signed and sealed. It was official—she was going.

"I still can't believe you're actually going!" Sarah whispered from beside her, practically bouncing in her seat.

"I told you I was thinking about it."

Emily leaned forward, grinning. "Thinking about it and actually going are two different things, Bella. We're proud of you!"

Alex chimed in from behind, "This is going to be the best trip ever. Just imagine late-night chats, horror stories by the fire, hiking, and s'mores."

Bella gave a small smile, warmed by her friends' enthusiasm. "You guys better not leave me behind when it comes to anything sporty."

"You mean, like... the ropes course?" Sarah teased.

Bella groaned. "I already regret this."

The class buzzed with excitement as Miss Claire handed out group forms for cabin preferences and activity sign-ups. Everyone gathered around their friends, forming tight-knit huddles and scribbling names across sheets.

As Sarah filled out their group's form, Bella felt a shift in the air — a quiet tension. She didn't even have to look up to know why.

Ethan.

He stood near the back with his usual easy posture, arms crossed, chatting quietly with Matt and Jake. Bella's eyes flickered to him for the briefest second before she returned her gaze to her hands. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing she'd signed up too. Not yet.

But somehow, as if sensing her glance, his eyes met hers.

It was only for a second — long enough for her stomach to tighten—before she quickly looked away.

"So," Emily said slowly, "Ethan just asked Jake if we're going. Guess he noticed."

Bella didn't reply. She kept her eyes focused on Sarah's pen moving over the form.

Sarah nudged her gently. "We've got your back, okay?"

"I know," Bella murmured.

The bell rang, and students began trickling out, already talking about outfits to pack and snacks to bring. Bella slung her bag over her shoulder and moved toward the door with her friends.

But just as she was about to leave the classroom, a voice called softly behind her.

"Hey, Bella."

She froze for half a second, heart skipping.

Ethan.

She turned slowly, schooling her features into something neutral. "Yes?"

He stepped closer, hands casually shoved in his pockets. "So… you're going on the trip?"

Her tone was cool. "Looks like it."

"Good," he said after a pause. "Maybe it'll be fun."

Bella nodded once. "Maybe."

And then she turned and walked away — not coldly, but not warmly either.

Just enough to keep her walls intact.

As she walked out into the hallway with her friends, the hallway buzzing with excited chatter, she didn't look back.

But Ethan watched her go, a small thoughtful smile playing at the edge of his lips.

Bella sat cross-legged on her bedroom floor, her suitcase sprawled open in front of her like a gaping mouth waiting to be filled. Her room was a soft mess—clothes draped over the bed, socks in a pile, and a list of essentials scribbled in pink ink beside her phone.

She had packed and unpacked twice already.

It wasn't that she didn't know what to bring. It was the weight of everything else that made her hesitate.

One week.

One whole week away from home, from safety, from the predictability of her daily routine. Surrounded by classmates. And him.

She pushed a hoodie into the suitcase with more force than necessary.

"Don't overthink it," she muttered to herself.

A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in."

Sarah peeked her head in, a knowing smile on her face. "You haven't even zipped that bag yet?"

Bella sighed. "It doesn't feel real."

Sarah stepped inside, holding a small gift bag. "Well, it's happening. And I got you something."

Bella raised a brow. "You didn't have to—"

"I wanted to. It's silly, but... here." She handed over the bag.

Inside was a small notebook with Adventure Begins written in gold script across the front, along with a cute pen shaped like a strawberry.

Bella smiled, touched. "Thank you, Sarah. This is really sweet."

"It's for writing down all the unexpected stuff that's definitely going to happen," Sarah grinned. "Even if you're avoiding a certain someone the whole time."

Bella rolled her eyes. "I'm not talking to him. End of story."

Sarah plopped down beside her. "You say that now, but this is a trip. A rom-com-certified environment."

"I'm serious," Bella said quietly, folding a sweater. "He's charming, sure. But he's not... sincere."

"You don't know that," Sarah said gently.

"That's the problem," Bella whispered, almost to herself. "I don't know anything about him except that he's confusing."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken thoughts between them.

"Whatever happens," Sarah said, standing up, "just promise me you won't shut yourself off completely. This trip might surprise you."

Bella didn't reply, but her fingers hovered over the small notebook. Maybe she would write something down, after all.

---

Later that night, after her parents came in to double-check her packed items and offer way too many snacks, Bella climbed into bed. The moonlight streamed across her room, soft and silver, casting shadows that danced along the walls.

Her phone buzzed.

A message.

From Ethan.

> I hope you have fun on the trip. If you ever want to talk… I'll be there.

Bella stared at the message for a long time.

She didn't reply.

She simply turned off her phone, rolled over, and pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders.

She had made up her mind. She was going to enjoy this trip with her friends.

Not for Ethan.

Not for anyone else.