Curious Isabella

ISABELLA

"GOOD MORNING, DAUGHTER. Before you leave for school, eat a nutritious breakfast." When I got to the kitchen, my mother said something to me. I was already dressed in my uniform and ready to go to school. I had intended to eat a sandwich, but my mother had made a full breakfast.

I sat on the nearest chair and placed my bag beside the chair next to where I was sitting. My mother will not let me go to school unless I eat what she has prepared. She may be the sweetest mother in the world, but if you ignore the food she has prepared for you, she can turn into a tiger. And I'm not ready to see that tiger this early.

"Are you not going to work, Mom?" I asked her as I watched her prepare my food in front of me. It was nice to have someone take care of you before you went to school.

"I do, but my schedule is in the afternoon. And I might be gone for a week or so, baby," My mother replied.

"Okay, mom. Take care of yourself, please." I told her and began to eat the food she had prepared.

"I will certainly do, ma'am," she said as she kissed me on the cheek.

"Mom, I'm so sorry. You haven't taken a bath yet, have you? "I whimpered. I was teasing her. I appreciate my mother's affectionate treatment of me, but I'm sure she hasn't brushed her teeth yet.

"Do I smell now?" She inquired, sniffing herself. I bit back a laugh. My mother is occasionally duplicitous.

"You kissed me, and I know you haven't brushed your teeth yet," I explained.

"Oh... So that's your concern? Instead, allow me to kiss you more "My mother is amazing. The more you criticize her, the more she will do the opposite of what you want her to do.

"Mom! No!" I pretended to stand up, and she didn't approach me again. Instead, she made fun of me.

"You don't want Mommy to kiss you anymore. Do you have a boyfriend? That's why you're saving your kisses, for now, Belle?"

"Mom, I don't have one. Boyfriends and romantic relationships are just annoyances. It's not on my priority list, "I said this while eating.

"Oh, you're so focused. You haven't done so yet, but I'm sure you will someday. Anyway, I'm so proud of you, Belle. Don't be like your mother, who didn't finish her studies because she was blinded by love. Keep doing what you're doing, baby. But please know that mommy does not regret it because those circumstances brought you to me. I am still blessed."

"Mom, I am more blessed because you are my mother. Who is lovely and who adores me so much," I said.

"Aww, Belle..."

I just smiled. I'm not ready for that kind of drama right now. I'm referring to the relationship. I'm currently enjoying my high school experience, which I believe is going well. Even though I have a lot going on in my life right now, my reputation is my top priority. And I want to make Mom, Uncle Gary, and Gianna proud of me.

Speaking of Gianna...

"Mom, where has Gianna gone? Did she eat her breakfast?" I asked my mother, and I ate quickly because I didn't want to be late for class.

"No, she did not. She had just drank coffee and stated that they had an early group study for the quiz bee competition. By the way, give this to her so she can eat it during your lunch break, "Mom said as she handed me a lunch box.

"Wow! Is this for real? Do I have one, too?" I was ecstatic when I saw it. Mom hasn't made a bento box in a long time. Mom's cooking is the best, so I'd rather eat the food in this bento box than in the cafeteria. I'm relieved that she can make this and cook for us.

"Of course, Belle. Make sure you give the other one to Gianna. Okay? "She reminded me.

As soon as I finished my meal, I stood up. I placed the bento box inside my bag and approached Mom.

"Yes, Mom. I'm leaving now. Bye. Take care later on your flight. Please text me whenever you are able, okay?" I kissed my mom's cheeks, and she hugged me tightly.

"Yes, little madam. Stay safe as well. I really like you."

"I adore you, too, mom. Bye." Then I was out of school.

~*~

I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO GIVE GIANNA HER BENTO BOX BECAUSE MY FRIENDS WERE WITH ME ALL THE TIME. So I sent her a text message telling her to sneak the bento box into her locker.

It was lunchtime, and I noticed Gianna had gotten her bento box. I was overjoyed. We exchanged a quick smile when she looked at me. I didn't realize anyone had noticed us.

"Isa, that looks delicious. Is that your mother's famous bento box, about which you always brag?" Scarlett inquired as to when we would be eating in the cafeteria.

"Yeah. You want to try some?" I offered.

"Sure!" Scarlett exclaimed excitedly.

"Which one do you want to eat?" I enquired.

"That one," she said, pointing to the dish she wanted to try.

I took a piece of the food and brought it to her mouth with chopsticks because that's all I had.

"Uhm! This is absolutely delicious! Isa, I think we should pay you a visit soon. So that we can sample Aunt Elizabeth's cooking," Scarlett remarked.

I just nodded. Because I don't know what to say. In my mind, I'm afraid I'll have to disagree that the girls will come to my house. There's no way they'll know where I live.

"Let me eat, too!" Claire stated the obvious.

"Me, too!" Paisley exclaimed.

So I let them sample the food that Mom had prepared. Mom's cooking is popular among my friends. I was overjoyed and proud. My mother is the best.

I was pleased to see Gianna eating so much on the other side of the table.

~*~

IT WAS CLUB TIME, and we had cheerleading practice. I completed the papers for the SC tasks and delegated the remaining tasks to my Vice President.

I was on my way to the girl's CR to pee before going to cheerleading practice. I was still at the door when I heard familiar voices conversing inside the restroom.

It wasn't the same as what I'd seen or heard Madison doing before. Instead, the two familiar voices were chatting as if they were old friends. I was stunned and perplexed. How? When? Why?

My feet couldn't move, and I'm unsure why, especially when they started laughing and teasing each other. I was back in a trance when some girls passed over me and went straight ahead inside the CR. My feet seemed to have a mind of their own and went inside the restroom with me because I couldn't hold my pee any longer.

Scarlett was on the other side of the comfort room, and Gianna was on the other side. They were awkwardly silently fixing something on their faces, or should I say pretending, because there were other girls there now.

"Hello there, Isa. I'll see you at practice," Scarlett said this when she saw me and went outside first.

I'm not sure what happened to my pee, but I didn't feel like I needed to pee right now because all I wanted to do was talk to Gianna. She had been acting strangely for the past few days as well. She seems to be avoiding me. I have a strong suspicion that she is attempting to avoid me on purpose, even at our house.

I understand that if we're at school, she can ignore me all day and I won't mind. But what about in our house? No, I can't stand it. That's the only place where I can be myself and express my genuine love for her and my family.

Then I heard her and Scarlett giggling and talking like they were best friends.

Fortunately, the other girls had already gone outside, leaving me alone with Gianna.

We haven't talked in how many days? I lost track of how many times I said that. And I miss her.

Gianna was washing her hands, and I simply imitated her. She was also averting her gaze from mine. Even when we're alone here, she avoids my gaze. Why?

"Luna," I said.

She didn't look at me, but she said, "Someone might hear or see us. Are you afraid?" She had finished washing her hands.

She's afraid of being caught talking to me, but what about Scarlett? What's the real story with them?

"Are you mad at me?" Instead of responding to her question, I asked her.

"No. However, other students may be able to hear us here. Let's talk about it later. In private," said Gianna.

Why is it so cold? My heart is aching. Why is she this way?

She was about to turn her back on me, so I had to get her attention and talk to her. So I told her about my father.

"I saw my biological father." That piqued her interest because she came to a halt and returned my gaze. I knew she wouldn't be able to resist me.

"When?" she inquired.

"Two nights ago. You were busy, so I didn't get a chance to tell you about it," I said, fidgeting my fingers. I wanted to tell her everything—the entire story. And I was curious about what had been going on in her life over the last few days.

"I'm sorry, Belle. Many things are going on, but I am currently busy, and you are as well. But if you want to talk about it right now, I'm willing to listen. However, you still have time to practice, right?"

"Yeah. It was not the best of times. I-i... Let's talk at home instead. Later, please?"

As a response, she nodded. That pleased me.

"I missed you, Luna," I said.

I saw her smiling, and I'm not sure why, but I felt at ease when I saw her warm smile.

"I missed you, too, Belle. I'll see you at home tonight. Good luck with your practice," said Gianna.

I gave a broad smile and nodded. We were almost done talking when a pest came in and called out Gianna.

Let us disguise the pest's name as Madison. She was evilly smirking at me as she walked away with Gianna. Because Gianna went outside first and Madison was on her back, she overlooked Madison's smirking at me. Biatch with two faces! She irritates me!

~*~

WE PRACTICED LIKE THERE WAS NO MONDAY. This year, we had to rehearse for the tournament. We won the championship last year, so there are high expectations for us this year. Fortunately, our old captain, Willow, was still willing to help us in her spare time.

Miss Amelia was also a huge help. She is always willing to share her cheerleading knowledge and experience.

According to what I'd heard, Miss Amelia was the captain of the cheerleading squad during her high school and college years. She wanted to be an educator, so she became a teacher. At the same time, she can assist the cheerleading team because she's nearby.

Due to the practice and exhaustion, I got home late most of the time and fell asleep right away. Every time I came home, Gianna was already asleep, so we didn't get to talk about things or catch up on what was going on in our lives.

So, until now, the proper relationship between Gianna and Scarlett remained a mystery to me. I know they were enemies before, but how did Scarlett become so friendly with Gianna? When did it all start?

I'm dying to find out the answers to all of these questions and confusions in my head. But I was exhausted every time, and I didn't have the energy to talk to Gianna most of the time. So I decided to confront Gianna another time. If I have time, our schedules will coincide. I hope so.

Because the moment my head touches my pillow, I begin to drift off to sleep.