Sarah

Bella's pov

We got out of there. I might be almost blind, but my hearing is perfect.

I tried to ignore it, but the whispers were too loud,

“Look, is that girl from earlier…”

“She looks a mess, frankly…”

“She really thought she was the one… what does she have special? So ridiculous…”

“Shhh, she might hear you. She is having a bad time… let's admire in silence.” And their giggles were what I heard next. Their voices, so sweet and delicate—just like a poisonous flower, beautiful but deadly.

We reached my brother's car and he helped me in. There was a moment of silence, a lot of questions roaming in my head. About what just happened, but especially about that man that caused all of this mess,

How can someone be so cold? I'm sure he could hear me. But still, he didn't bother to help me. And about the gaze I felt—there is no way I'm wrong. But, what's the use of this? It won't change a thing after all. It won't change the pain I'm feeling, the wounds inside that seem so impossible to heal.

“I'm sorry, Ella,” My brother said out of the blue, “I shouldn't have insisted…”

“It's okay. I'm okay.” I said. The total opposite of how I'm feeling right now. But after all, he was just trying to help me.

“Don’t lie to me, Ella.” He said, placing his hand gently on my face, wiping the tears I didn't know were still running on my cheeks. “I'm supposed to protect you, not put you in danger.” He said. I couldn't see much, but the tone of his voice was enough to say how much he regrets it. “I will never let something like that happen to you ever again.” He said, his emotions expressed on each word.

“I know, brother. Thank you…” I said. The last two words mean so much more.

If it wasn't for him I'd probably have married Marcus and lived a hell on earth. How could I even fall in love with such a person?

The same person who promised to love me no matter what, but couldn't keep such a simple promise. Love. No matter the circumstances, no matter if the world is ending, if there is no infinity. We promised to love and support each other in the highs and lows, the best and worst.

It wasn't even an hour after the marriage and he broke the promise. Taking my best friend to the bed that was supposed to be ours.

If it wasn't for my brother, I'd still be locked in my room, searching for the meaning of life. Asking myself how I could be so blind to not notice that it was all a lie. It was all fake. Was that even love? Is love supposed to hurt this bad?

So many questions. It's just too much to forget…

The ride to the eye doc was quiet. I was exhausted, physically and mentally. Regretting even trying. The only thing I could do was to close my eyes and contemplate the serenity of that moment of peace.

“We are here.” Ed announced once we reached the clinic, “Hmm, just let me…” He said and at the next instant I felt a soft tissue touching gently on my cheeks. He was cleaning my ruined makeup. I totally forgot. My face must be a mess. “And done,” He paused for a few seconds before continuing, “So beautiful, just like always.” I looked at him, well, at what I could see of him. After everything that happened today, his words were enough to make me smile.

“Let's go?” He asked.

“Let's go.” Again…

The check up was something that my absent mind didn't bother to process. Soon I could see clearer with the new glasses. Still, not perfectly, the lenses weren't precise, but at least I could see.

“Your permanent glasses will be ready in a week or so. Until then, these ones will do.” The eye doc said and soon we were ready to go home.

But, do I want to go? Do I really want to face the memories of today in the silence of my house? Hell no!

“Ed, can you let me go shopping? I needed to buy some stuff.” I asked, the first excuse that appeared in my mind... I just want to keep my mind busy. Nothing better than new paints and palettes to help me with that.

“Sure. Just tell me where.” Ohhh brother, you didn't get it… “I need some time alone,” I said, “to think.” He arched one of his brows. His look of someone who didn't buy my words, but still…

“Fine. But call me whenever you need. I'll even stop the time just to make sure you're alright.” He said. And I couldn't help but smile at his words full of love.

“Thank you brother.” I said. He gave a tight hug and got in his car. 

“Bye, Ella!” He said before starting the engine. “Bye.” I said and as expected I was alone again.

I bought some new paint, a pencil palette, brushes, lots of frames and stuff like that. 

That's what I'll do. I'll spend time painting my frustrations. The only way I can express myself and keep my mind sane.

I was ready to go home when in the middle of those typical mall sounds, I heard someone crying. I searched around looking for the source. There, not too far away I saw a little girl crying. Her dad was trying really hard to comfort her, effortlessly.

What's going on?

She started running and in another second she was in the ladies restroom.

This feels like déjà-vu. Where did I see this?

No. That's not the point.

Without noticing, I was already there to help, as he couldn't get in.

“Let me talk to her…” I said and he nodded.

Her quiet sobs in the cabin were impossible to not notice. “Hey sweetie. I'm Bella.” I said, “Do you wanna talk?”

“Please, just let me be.” She said, her voice low.

“You know. There was a time I was crying just like you. I didn't know what to do, so I hid. There are always gonna be bad times in our lives, and we'll cry. The point is that we need to be brave, get up and start again. I assure sweetheart, everything is going to be alright.” I said. I know what this is. I've seen this before. I won't let her hide like I did. I won't let her give up on her dreams and end up like… me.

In a few seconds she came out. Her beautiful brown eyes soaked and swollen, tears rolling on her pinkish cheeks, making her fair skin glow—but still, not enough to hide how pure and beautiful she is.

“There you are. So brave.” I told her and her face lit a bit, “What's your name sweetheart?”

“I'm Sarah.” She said.

“Sarah. Such a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. I hear you. Tell me why do you cry?”

“My dad hates me.” She said, “I'm the reason mom left…” And the crying started again again.

“No, no sweetie. I'm sure your dad loves you.” I said, not sure if what I was saying was true, but with no other idea to make her stop crying.

“You don't know me... nor my dad. He never plays with me, He... He is always busy, always working…he hates me.” She was sniffing so pitifully. It was breaking my heart. 

But, wait… Then, who's the man outside? 

“I'm sure he loves you. It is impossible to not love you. Just look at me. I barely know but I already love you.” I said, the first words that came into my mind. All of them, true. “Come on, let's make a deal. You stop crying and we'll play any games you want.”

“Any?” She asked, a big smile placed on her lips and her face brighter than ever.

“Any.” I said. And could help but smile too. After such a long day, it feels so good to be the reason someone smiles.

We talked a bit longer. I washed her face and when we were ready, we walked out.

“Oh, Sarah. Are you okay?” The man from earlier asked.

“I'm ok, uncle.” Ohh, uncle.

“Thank you so much for your help. I can't even imagine what I would do without you, miss…” he stopped mid sentence. And as I was already exhausted, it took me some seconds to process that he was asking my name.

“Oh, I'm Bella.” I said, “And I'm happy to help.”

“You remember your promise, right?” Sarah asked. Recalling my promise.

“Oh, of course I do, let's have fun!”

“Wait, what?” Her uncle asked, but the anticipated joy on our faces was enough to explain. After all I had today, this was all I was waiting for.

We had lots of fun together. Playing all the possible games in that enormous mall. Her uncle, just like a kid—free and spontaneous.

I wish I could be like him.

“I really have to go now.” I said, extremely exhausted after the whole afternoon playing.

“Ohh. Please, just a little bit more.”Sarah pleaded, using her best puppy face.

“Sarah, she needs to go. She has already done a lot.” Jared, her uncle said, looking at me with a faint smile. Genuine—he is a gem, so rare nowadays. Sarah is so lucky to have him. With someone like him to support her, her father's absence must be less painful.

“Don't worry, Sarah. I'm sure it's written in the stars. Our ways will certainly come across again and we will have a lot of fun.” I said and she smiled widely, displaying the cute dimples she has on her pinkish cheeks. She is the word adorable itself.

I gave her a bear hug and after saying our byes I went straight home. Silence, peace at least.

This was good, enough to make me forget about the bad events of today. At least for a bit.

I laid on my bed. My body, tire, but my mind, restless.

Of all the events of today, playing with Sarah and her uncle was what actually made my day. I had real fun after so much time. 

Maybe…maybe there are still good people in this world.