Chapter 32: Chapter 32

JAYDEN

It was good to see the surprise on Bella's face when she entered the hall to see her students wishing her a happy birthday. She couldn't hide her surprise at all. I stood at a good spot where I could watch her show her surprise and gratitude. Ethan nudged me and I smiled. "You did a great job, Jay. You knew exactly what will make miss Bella happy and you did just that"

I nodded. "Yes, I did. And thank you for trusting me on this". Diana walked closer to use. "Hi, Dia"

She smiled and then rested herself on the wall. "Good to see you, Jay. And thanks for making Bella so happy"

I rolled my eyes. She shouldn't be the one to say thank you to me. Ut's should be me. When I first thought about the idea, I felt it won't be accepted, and even though Ethan, Dia, and Katie thought the idea to be good and the students also feels it's a good idea, Bella might not want that. The thought lingered in my heart for a while but I kept shut about it. My visit to Bella the last time and seeing how much she cares about every one of her students: note, I saw the excursion document she had been trying to arrange; I knew that was the perfect birthday gift to give to her.

So when I got back to my room, I told Ethan about it and he asked me to talk to Bella's friends. "They would be able to help" he had said. "And if they think it's a bad idea they would tell you and maybe help get a better plan" Ethan had added. It wasn't difficult for me to buy his idea, cause I had that in mind already. I quickly placed a call to her. Thank goodness she gave her number to Mira the other day. I explained everything to her. She accepted the idea and was willing to help me through with it. Katie and Ethan were of help too. Now, seeing the result of our hard labor, I couldn't help but be happy, I did this.

I was happy I visited her that day. Happy I checked through her book when she went to the kitchen to drop the tray. I smiled. Seeing her happy make me happy. I couldn't feel a cold breeze blew across my face, jolting me out of my thought. "Hey" Ethan whispered,". "Don't tell me you're thinking of her?" Ethan said

I rolled my eyes and Dia chuckled. "I wasn't thinking about Bella, ok?"

Ethan furrowed his brows. "Bella?. I wasn't talking about miss Bella. What Re you talking about"

I batted my lashes. "Y-you weren't talking about Bella?". He nodded. "Then who were you talking about?"

"Mira. I mean Miranda"

I flushed in embarrassment. I had thought he was referring to Bella when he said her. I never knew he was talking about Mira. I only wanted to clear myself. I never wanted him to know I was thinking about Bella. I thought he knew. I can't believe I sold myself out while trying to cover things up. I sighed. "I-i thought you were referring to Bella"

Ethan chuckled. "You were thinking of Bella and while trying to hide it from me, you ended up telling me the trust"

I groaned. Ethan will tease me at every chance he gets. That's the reason I never wanted him to know in the first place. Dia cleared her through and I groaned. I had forgotten she was here. I can't believe we had all this conversation right in front of her. "I can see you both are having a gentlemen conversation. I think I should leave you guys"

"N-no Dia, you don't have to go. We are done having the conversation. Right, Ethan"

Ethan frowned. "What conversation are you talking about?"

I groaned. Ethan should not play dumb right now. This isn't the time to play dumb. "Ethan..."

Dia raised her hand. "Nevermind. I should go join Bella and Katie"

I sighed. "If that's what you want

She nodded. "Yes. And for the conversation. Bella's won't hear about it"

I furrowed my brows. "What conversation?"

"You thinking about her?"

I groaned. "I wasn't thinking...". Ethan glared at me and I rolled my eyes. "Fine. I was thinking about her. She can't know about it"

Ethan folded his arms. "That you can't own up to the fact that you're in love with her and have been thinking about her or..."

"Y-you mean, Jayden is in love with Bella?" Dia interrupted him, her eyes blinking in a rapid motion.

I made to say something but Ethan interrupted me. "He is. He just won't admit it"

"Why can't he say it to her?. Why can't he admit it?" Dia asked

He shrugged. "I don't understand why he can't tell her. Even when he knows she loves him too"

I furrowed my eyes. "Are you both talking about me?"

"Who else are we talking about if not you?"

I frowned. "I never said I love Bella. I..."

"You what. You love are but you just won't admit it"

Dia watched us argue with each other. Ethan won't stop talking and I wasn't ready to accept what he was saying. Dia couldn't stop laughing as the argument became more heated. "I don't love her, can't you get it?"

"You're just been afraid she is above your standard. And the fact that she is your lecturer made..."

"If I had wanted her, I would go for her. You know that"

Ethan scoffed. "You never will. That's what I know"

"I don't love her..."

"You don't love who?" Bella asked from behind. I froze at my spot unable to utter a word. There was no way I would tell her I don't love her. I could still remember how she left the house for some days just after I told her not to love me. I wasn't ready to risk not seeing her.

"Maybe Ethan was right. You do love her" my subconscious mind said

I groaned. I don't love Bella. Why can't everybody understand that?. "Jay?!!" Someone ed jolting me out of my thought. I rolled my eyes. I must have been lost in thought. She folded her hands and said, "You haven't answered my question". I sighed. "You don't love who?"

I stared at her. She seems tense. Seeing her looked this tense, I knew telling her I don't love her for the second time will not only spoil her mood but it will also spoil her day. I needed to find a convincing story to tell her. She furrowed her brows and Ethan chuckled. I groaned. "I..."

"Has your tongue been cut off?" Ethan asked. I could sense the sarcasm in his words but I had a pressing issue which was to convince Bella. I glared at him and he chuckled.

"Dia, what's going on here?" Bella asked

Diana raised her hands. "That's Jayden's question to answer not mine".

I groaned. That's so unfair. I thought they would both help me out on this but it seems they won't be doing that. Bella turned to face me and I had to scratch my hair. She frowned. "You all should not make a fool out of me ok?"

"Jayden, you heard her" Ethan answered and I glared. He shouldn't be doing this. Aren't we friends?. He should support me and not go against me.

I sighed. I will need to say something or Bella might suspect something is wrong. I sighed. I needed a female's name to use in replacing her, used in my previous sentence which had caused this awkward moment. Not just a female's name but a name she knew so well. Someone she knows. The only name I could think of was Mira. That is the only rival she has right?. Mira wasn't close by. Though I wasn't sure of where she was at this time, I felt her name would be the perfect bait to get Bella off my neck. "I meant I don't love Mira"

Surprises were written across their faces. Though to Bella, she was surprised I never loved Mira but to Ethan and Diana, they had never thought Mira would be the name I would use. I chuckle and Dia raised an eyebrow.

Bella batted her lashes. "You mean you don't love Mira?"

I made to say something but had a sob. We all turned to see Mira staring at me. I groaned. I hope she did not listen to our conversation?. "Don't be daft. If she hasn't why are her eyes swollen from tears?" My subconscious mind asked

I groaned. "Mira, you're here"

She sniffed. "Thanks for letting me know"

I furrowed my brows. "I had suspected you had feelings for her". She pointed at Bella who widened her eyes in surprise. "Now I have evidence you do. Thanks for not loving me"

I batted my lashes. She heard me. I groaned. "That is not..."

"You don't have to explain. I know you love her. The way you look at her, it's obvious. I think you should let her know. You both will make a perfect couple"

I groaned. "It's..."

She ran off before I could form my next word. I brushed my suit backward. I was only trying to get out of one trouble only to end up in another. I ran after her. "Mira!!"

I couldn't catch up with her so I stopped running after her. I sighed and turned back. Bella moved closer to me. "Bella, what Mira said...". She raised her hand and then walked past me. I groaned. What the heck just happened. I brushed my hair backward. How the hell will I be able to convince Mira I wasn't serious about not loving her? And also convince Bella, what Mira said wasn't true.