Bella felt a mix of relief and worry. Donald was okay, but Jake's words still lingered in her mind. They had won, but there was something off in the air.
The next day at school, Bella found Donald sitting with Mike in the cafeteria. She walked over, smiling. "Hey, you! Great job yesterday!"
"Thanks, Bella! I was worried there for a second," Donald said, his eyes brightening.
Bella sat down, but she noticed Jake lurking nearby, smirking at them. She felt a shiver. "I'm just glad you're okay," she said, trying to shake off the bad vibes.
As they ate, Donald kept glancing at Jake. "I can't believe that guy," he said, rolling his eyes.
"Just ignore him. We won, right?" Bella replied, trying to stay positive.
"Yeah, but he won't stop. It's like he wants to mess with us," Donald said, frustration creeping into his voice.
Bella felt a knot in her stomach. "You can't let him get to you. You're better than that!"
"I know, but it's hard when he's always around!" Donald shot back. Bella blinked, surprised by his tone.
"Are you mad at me?" she asked, feeling hurt.
"No! It's just… everything!" Donald said, throwing his hands up. "I'm trying to focus on football and you, but Jake keeps showing up!"
Bella felt her heart race. "I'm here to support you! But you need to let this go."
"Easy for you to say! You're not the one he's targeting!" Donald snapped, and Bella recoiled.
"Wow, okay. I'm just trying to help!" Bella felt tears sting her eyes. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.
"Maybe I don't need your help!" Donald shouted, and the cafeteria fell silent. People stared. Bella felt embarrassed and angry.
"Fine! If you don't want my help, then I won't offer it!" Bella shot back, standing up. "I'm tired of feeling like I'm walking on eggshells around you!"
"Me too!" Donald said, pushing his chair back. "Maybe we need some space!"
With that, he stormed out of the cafeteria. Bella stood frozen, her heart pounding. Did he really mean that?
Sarah rushed over. "What just happened?" she asked, looking shocked.
"I don't know! We just… fought," Bella said, feeling tears spill down her cheeks.
"Don't cry, Bella. You guys will work it out. Just give him some time," Sarah said, trying to comfort her.
"I hope so. I just wanted to be there for him," Bella sniffed, wiping her eyes.
Later that day, Bella tried to focus on class, but all she could think about was Donald. When the final bell rang, she decided to go home instead of going to his practice.
At home, Bella paced her room, feeling restless. She wanted to talk to Donald but didn't know how. Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Sarah: "You okay? Heard about the fight."
"Not really. I'm worried," Bella replied.
"Talk to him! You guys can't let Jake win!" Sarah encouraged.
"I know. But what if he doesn't want to talk?" Bella typed back, feeling scared.
"Just try! You got this!" Sarah replied, and Bella took a deep breath.
The next day, Bella woke up feeling heavy in her heart. She knew she had to talk to Donald. Their argument still stung, and she missed him. She wanted to fix things, but how?
At school, Bella found Sarah waiting for her at their usual spot. "You okay?" Sarah asked, looking concerned.
"No, I'm not! I need to apologize to Donald, but I don't know how," Bella admitted, fiddling with her hair.
"Just be honest. He'll understand. You guys care about each other," Sarah encouraged, giving her a supportive smile.
"Yeah, but what if he's still mad?" Bella sighed, feeling anxious.
"Just go for it! You got this!" Sarah said, giving her a little push toward the hallway.
After lunch, Bella spotted Donald sitting under a tree, looking deep in thought. She took a deep breath and walked over. "Hey, can we talk?"
Donald looked up, surprised. "Uh, sure. What's up?"
"I'm really sorry for yelling yesterday. I didn't mean it. I just got frustrated," Bella said, her voice shaking a bit.
Donald sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to snap at you. I feel so much pressure with football."
"I get it. I just want to help you, but it's hard with all the rumors," Bella said, feeling vulnerable.
"Yeah, Jake is a pain. I can't let him get to me, but he does," Donald admitted, his eyes softening.
Bella stepped closer. "Let's promise to talk things out instead of fighting. I don't want to lose you."
"Me neither. You mean a lot to me," Donald said, his voice sincere.
Just then, Jake walked by, smirking. "Aw, look at the lovebirds! Making up already?" he teased.
"Shut up, Jake!" Bella shouted, feeling her anger rise.
"Chill, Bella. Just having some fun," Jake replied, waving her off.
Donald clenched his fists. "Leave us alone, Jake."
"Fine, but remember that drama makes things interesting," Jake said, walking away with a smirk.
Bella felt frustration boil inside her. "Why does he always have to mess with us?" she asked, throwing her hands up.
"Don't let him get to you. He just wants a reaction," Donald said, trying to stay calm.
"Easier said than done!" Bella replied, feeling overwhelmed.
"Let's focus on us. We can get through this together," Donald said, pulling Bella into a hug. She felt warmth spread through her.
After a moment, Bella pulled back and looked into Donald's eyes. "I really care about you. I just want to make sure we're okay."
"Yeah, we are okay. We just need to stick together," Donald said, smiling.
Later, Bella decided to show Donald how much he meant to her. She planned a surprise picnic at the park, hoping to lighten the mood. She packed sandwiches, chips, and his favorite soda.
When she arrived at the park, Bella laid out the blanket under a big tree. She felt excited but nervous. What if he didn't like it?
A little while later, Donald arrived, looking surprised. "Wow, what's all this?" he asked, grinning.
"Just a little picnic to say I'm sorry," Bella said, smiling shyly.
"This is awesome! You're the best!" Donald said, sitting down and grabbing a sandwich.
As they ate, Bella felt happy. They were joking and laughing like old times. But then, Donald's phone buzzed. He checked it and his smile faded.
"What's wrong?" Bella asked, noticing his change in mood.
"It's Jake. He's spreading more rumors about us," Donald said, looking frustrated.
Bella felt her heart sink. "What's he saying now?"
"Just the usual stuff. He thinks we're fighting and that I can't handle the pressure," Donald said, clenching his jaw.
"Ugh! I'm so tired of him!" Bella said, feeling angry. "We can't let him win!"
"I know, but it's hard when he keeps poking at us," Donald replied, looking defeated.
"Let's not let him ruin this. We're stronger together," Bella said, trying to keep the mood light.
Just then, they heard laughter nearby. It was Jake and his friends, clearly eavesdropping on them. Bella felt her blood boil.
"Looks like the picnic is going well3! Romeo and Juliet" Jake called out, grinning.
"Why don't you go bother someone else?" Donald shouted back, his patience running thin.
"Chill out, man! Just having some fun!" Jake replied, acting innocent.
Bella stood up, feeling bold. "You think this is funny? You're just a bully!"
"Whatever, Bella. You'll thank me when Donald loses it," Jake said with a smirk, turning to leave.
As he walked away, Bella felt a wave of anger and sadness. "I can't believe he's still messing with us!" she said, feeling the tears well up.
"Don't cry, Bella. We'll get through this," Donald said, reaching for her hand.
Just then, Sarah showed up, looking worried. "What's going on? I saw Jake being a jerk again."
"Just the usual. He won't leave us alone," Bella said, wiping her eyes.
"Let's not let him ruin our day. We're here to enjoy each other," Sarah said, smiling encouragingly.
As the sun began to set, Bella felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe they could get through this together. But just then, her phone buzzed again. It was a text from Ryan: "You better watch out. Jake has a plan to take Donald down in the next game."
Bella's heart raced. What was Jake up to now? She looked at Donald, feeling a mix of fear and determination. They still had a lot to face, and the tension was far from over.