Learning To Trust

[Taniya_K]

If you've got exams, then don't worry about it! Life comes first, even before Adelle!

Good luck!

xoxo

[LAURZY!]

Oh there's no need to worry anout it if you've got exams!

Good luck with them!!

[MissOlivia22]

My exam was quite easy thank god XD Thanks for reminding me to update, although after writing some twilight Fics, I found it annoying reading back and realizing I had said "Bella" instead of "Belle" XD

Long chapter to make up for lack of updates

Chapter 14

The door slammed closed as Aden entered the house, angry about what had happened previously that day and also feeling bad for blowing Belle off the way he had. He chucked his bag with force into the corner of the room and kicking the sofa. Looking up the ceiling and running his hands through his hair, he heard footsteps approach, stopping a few meters way.

“Aden?” Roman asked cautious at Aden’s defensive and angry form. Reluctantly he moved his hands from his hair and looked over, but not saying anything.

“You Ok?” He asked concerned.

“Fine.” Aden muttered, walking over to the steps of the stairs and stepping up onto the first step of the stairs, ignoring Roman’s attempt at eye contact. Aden paused for a moment, unsure whether he was still welcome to stay at Romans. He couldn’t remember specifically is it was only agreed for him to stay one night. He had just came back here in a spare of the moment having no idea where else he would go. He looked Roman in the eye for the first time since coming back.

“Your still welcome here” Roman told him, sensing his hesitance, putting a soft smile at the end. He began to slowly walk up the stairs and Roman didn’t argue as he headed off towards his room, deciding it was better to leave him to cool off for a while, instead returning to the kitchen to make dinner.

Up in his room, Aden sat at the end of the bed his head in his head, thinking about what happened.

[flashback]

Aden walked down the beach, his shoes off and watching as his feet sunk slightly into the soft sand. He was very aware that if he didn’t hurry up then he would be late, but he didn’t really care. He only had history with Mr. Copeland and assumed he wouldn’t miss much. He tensed as he heard a voice call his name from behind. A voice that belonged to the person he never wanted to see again. He quickened his pace but could feel his dad approach closer and then felt him grab his arm and calling his name. Aden swung round angrily, pulling his arm out of his father’s grasp.

“What!” He yelled and his dad flinched back at the anger that was clear in his voice.

“Aden?” Larry said, his voice almost pleading.

“Leave. Me. Alone.” Aden said bluntly.

“I just want you to come home.”

“Home!” Aden yelled “Home should be a place where I can go home without you trying to strangle me”

“I wasn’t feeling like myself.” He said, only to slur his words, alerting Aden to the fact he was drunk.

“Yeh and your drunk know!”

“Just come back with me. We can forget all this ever happened” Larry said, pleading again.

“Forget it! How can I forget everything he...” Aden trailed off, not being able to say the words out right.

“Stop lying” Larry hissed.

“I’m not lying” Aden said in a hushed voice, filled with emotion but saw anger flash in his father’s eyes, obviously trying to keep his own fathers reputation and wanting to admit what happened.

Aden glared at him for a moment before turned away from his dad and walking speedily away, yet he could hear his dad following him once again and grabbing his arm. Aden pushed him back, causing him to fall on the ground, sure that if he hadn’t; it was likely he would have punched him in the face.

[/flashback]

A little time passed when Roman called up the stairs at Aden telling him that he was going to work. Aden didn’t leave his room until he heard the door close as Roman left. After thinking about it for more than an hour, he decided to make it up to Belle and went to go find her on the beach. It was yet to get dark so he wasn’t sure whether Belle would be there yet. To his surprise, she was. Sitting with her knees pulled up and her arms rested on them loosely, she was watching the waves as the crashed around below her. He walked up to her slowly, sitting down beside her, a look of guilt on his face.

“Hi.” He said. She turned to look at him, smiling slightly at him.

“Sorry about earlier, I just had a lot on my mind” He said after a few moments of silence.

“It’s fine” She said, pausing for a second. “Anything you want to talk about?” Aden just shook his head, but pushed himself up to his feet, holding a hand out for her. She took it, eyeing him in mock cautiousness. He grinned at her, pulling her away and back up the beach. She didn’t ask any questions, eventually realizing they were heading in the same direction as they had the previous night. There was no hesitation as they approached Romans house and he pulled her inside without any worry of Roman being home.

“You don’t have to do this for me.” Belle told him, not used to such generosity.

“I wanted to.” He said genuinely. There was an awkward moment of silence as they both stood in the living room, unsure what to say.

“Want anything to eat?” He asked her, but she shook her head and looking like she was contemplating something.

“Could I take a shower?” She asked embarrassed and Aden laughed at her timid question.

“Sur. Upstairs, second door on the left.” He told her and headed towards the stairs.

“Umm.... I’m about to put some stuff in the wash. Anything you want me to add to the pile?” He asked cautiously. He didn’t want to seem rude. She seemed equally cautious as he was and shyly asked whether he could chuck the clothes she had in her bag in with the washing. Aden nodded and allowed her to head to the shower, taking her clothes and putting them in the washing machine.

--

Belle felt refreshed as she stepped out of the shower, wrapping once of the towels around her body and cautious as to make sure she wasn’t going to run into Aden and also to make sure no one else was home. She quickly realized that all of her clothes were downstairs in the wash and all she had was her school uniform and dirty underwear. Unsure what to do, she walked down the hallway, trying to remember which room Aden was staying in. After a few failed attempts at finding the right room, she finally pushed open a door to reveal the room she was looking for. She felt like she was invading as she snooped through the draws, looking for something to wear. In the drawers, she found a plain white school t-shirt which she slipped over her slender body after drying herself down. Only two drawers were full, the one with a few t-shirts, the other with boxers. Embarrassed, she slipped into the boxer and looked for some trousers or something to cover her body, only to find a lack of trousers in the drawers, at this point not realizing the bag in the corner of the room contained the rest of the clothes Aden had picked up from his dads. She sighed as she left the room, unsure what to do. Slowly, she stepped looked down the stairs. She didn’t just want to enter a room half naked and decided to give him fair warning.

“Um... I couldn’t find anything else to wear. Sorry” I shouted before slowly walking down the stairs. I froze as I realized Aden wasn’t alone. He looked just as shocked as she felt as she saw Roman and Aden sitting on the sofa, looking like they had just been engaging in a serious conversation. She looked down as if just to remind herself she was standing without any trousers, wearing Aden’s boxers. She blushed and tugged at the bottom of the shirt trying to hide as much of her body as possible as Romans eyes flickered, confused between the two teens.

“What’s going on here?” He exclaimed.

[Taniya_K]

Belle!

That was a brilliant chapter! Loved all of it, esp tht bit on the beach in Aden's flashback. Poor guy

I wonder what's gonna happen now! Roman's an understanding guy, right? Can't wait for more! Glad your exams went ok!

xoxo

Oh, and I totally understand the whole Belle/Bella mix

[LAURZY!]

ooo Belle and Aden have alot of explaining to do!!

Loved that he went and apologised to her

Brilliant update

Glad your exam went ok!

[xknomex]

yay an update

aol he apologised to her

I cant wait to see how they explain that

xxx

[wrongturntaken]

LOVED this chapter!!!

The flashback was really sad! No wonder Aden was upset!

It was good that he apologised to Belle and that last seen was funny!

Glad your exams went well, Update soon!!!

[MissOlivia22]

I really really need to go so this hasn't been checked probably, so i might edit it later

Chapter 15

Roman had returned home looking serious and joining Aden in the living room with a simple hello. He sat down next to him and he could feel that Aden was nervous about something, although he wasn’t sure why. He seemed to be flickering his eyes to the stairs and then back to Roman.

“Hey mate.” Roman said, trying to ease gently into the subject of his father. He had stumbled into the diner yelling about something he couldn’t understand. He was slurring his words and was obviously drunk. After convincing him to go outside, Aden’s father started to hurl abuse at him for taking his son and then desperately trying to convince him that whatever Aden had was all lies. Roman then tried to tell him that In fact Aden hadn’t said anything about what happened but he wouldn’t listen. Roman was about to bring the subject up when he heard a female voice call down the stairs. Aden tensed and his eyes widened and Roman shot him a confused look. Then Belle appeared at the top of the stairs looking embarrassed at her lack of clothing, but soon changing to horror as she realized Roman was home. She tried desperately to pull the top she was wearing over her body. Aden couldn’t help but to let his eyes wander over her perfectly curved body but quickly returned to her face. Suddenly words began to just pour out of her mouth in a jumbled stuttering way.

“I’m so sorry! I just, I didn’t , I mean don’t blame Aden. Oh my gosh I can’t believe this. This isn’t what you think.... ummm. Roman! This isn’t what it seems Roman. I just needed somewhere to shower, and then Aden washed my clothes and I only had my school dress and nothing else to wear, so I put on some of his clothes. Nothing happened or anything, I just...... I’m sorry” she said, trailing off, looking between Aden and Roman anxiously. She knew that Aden was only a guest and had the terrible feeling she had just ruined that for him. She bit her lip waiting for one of them to say something. Roman let out a small chuckle and both of the teenagers looked at him confused.

“Do you have anything else for her to wear?” He asked Aden who nodded absent.

“Um... in the bag in corner are some jeans. I’ll put your clothes in the dryer after they've been washed.” Belle nodded quickly and ran back up the stairs, glad for an excuse to bail from the scenario, extremely embarrassed. Aden looked back at Roman sheepishly, looking at the floor. Roman was still smiling slightly, not really bothered about the half naked girl in his house. He believed what Belle had rambled on about and a small part of him was glad that Aden was being more like a normal teenager, after all the drama at home. Although Roman understood, Aden was still looking at the floor, feeling he had ruined his chances at a place to stay.

“Nothing happened.” He murmured avoiding eye contact.

“I believe you” Roman said and there was a lingering silence. “So are you two...” Roman didn’t finish the question but Aden understood. He thought for a moment about the small kiss they had shared. They hadn’t actually said they were going out or confirmed they were boyfriend and girlfriend.

“Complicated?” Roman asked after he didn’t reply. Aden nodded and Roman smiled at him.

“Why don’t you go see if she wants anything to eat.” Roman said realizing how embarrassed Aden was at the situation. He didn’t say anything as he slowly walked up the stairs with Roman watching him as he went, trying to figure out when he would talk to him about his father.

Aden knocked on his door quietly, not sure if Belle had found any clothes.

“I’m decent.” She yelled through the door and Aden pushed it open to find her standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, wearing his clothes on and blushing.

“Sorry.” She muttered as Aden stepped towards her placing a hand on her chin and making her look up at him.

“It’s fine. Do you want anything to eat?” He asked in a hushed voice. She stared in his eyes for a moment not answering, before shaking her head slightly.

“Sure?” She nodded and she could feel herself moving her face closer to his without any control over her action. Their lips met and Aden’s hand slowly slipped from her chin and up the side of her face as their tongues laced together in passion. Belles eyes fell closed, but Aden watched her intently as their kiss continued, both of them having no intention of stopping. After a few moments they pulled back due to lack of air but their eyes remained on each other and Aden’s hand gently stroked her cheek.

“Sure?” He asked one more time, knowing she hadn’t eaten at lunch and must have been hungry. This time she didn’t argue and reluctantly they broke eye contact and stepped out of the room together. Aden started down the stairs but looked back up to see Belle hesitant. He laughed lightly.

“He doesn’t bite.” He told but her embarrassed facial expression remained on her face. Aden stepped back up a few steps grabbed her hand and pulled her down the stairs, only letting go when they reached the bottom. They could hear Roman in the kitchen and both walked slowly towards the door, side by side. He was already in the middle of cooking a meal but noticed when they entered the room. He noted their closeness but he held in a smile.

“Hungry?” He asked and they both nodded, not arguing with what he was cooking.

“It might be a little while.” He told them and they took that as a hint to leave him too it, instead entering the living room and sitting down next to each other on the sofa and flicking on the tv. Somewhere between that time and when dinner was done, the two of them had pushed them self together, Aden’s arm wrapped around her shoulder and Belle leaning on him, her eyes drooping slightly. They had their feet rested on the foot rest, both entwined.

“Dinner’s ready.” Roman shouted to them through the door and they both untangled themselves. Dinner was awkward, none of them knowing what to say. Belle felt out of place intruding on Romans life and Aden felt the same. The last night he was here he simply took a sandwich upstairs but this time he was forced to sit with him and try not t appear uncomfortable. There was small talk but nothing serious and most of the time Belle stayed quiet.

Roman was the first to eat his meal and there was more silence while Aden and Belle finished.

“So Belle.” Roman said unsure how to phrase what to say. He knew perfectly well that she had no where to stay and didn’t like the idea of her sleeping on the beach. It would be wrong not to offer her a place for the night but didn’t want to give her a full time place to stay. He already had Aden and he didn’t think he could manage another teenager. “ Where are you staying?” He asked giving her the choice to tell him if she did. If she didn’t want to admit then it was her decision.

“Oh, I’m umm... staying at a friend’s” She lied and Aden looked at her disapprovingly.

“Belle.” He said in a warning tone.

“Don’t Aden.” She whispered “I don’t want his sympathy” They tried to talk quietly enough for Roman not to hear, but he did.

“I can’t offer you a permanent place, but if you need a place for tonight you can stay in the guest room” Roman said, choosing his words carefully. Belle seemed reluctant to except the offer.

“I’ll sleep on the sofa.” She muttered only to have Aden shoot her an annoyed look. “There’s not point mucking up another room if I’m only staying one night.” She reasoned.

“I’ll sleep on the sofa then” Aden argued. Belle was about to refuse but changed her mind at the glare he was sending her.

“Fine.” She muttered before turning her attention to Roman. “Thanks.” She said smiling.

-

Later that night Aden lay awake on the sofa, uncomfortable and unable to sleep. He found it quiet amusing that he had been able to sleep on the beach with nothing but a jacket yet he couldn’t sleep in a warm house on a reasonable sized sofa. He contemplated going to join Belle, but decided against it not sure how she would react. He sat there for a while longer when he heard footsteps come down the stairs. He closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep, but soft footsteps approached the end of the sofa.

“I know you awake.” Came a female voice and he opened his eyes to find Belle looking over him in a bemused manor. “Come on.” She said holding out a hand. He followed her upstairs quietly, trying not be awaken Roman and slipped into the bed. It was awkward at first, until Belle pulled his arm so it was draped over her and then snuggled up against him. They both fell in to a deep sleep, enjoying the closeness they shared.

[Taniya_K]

Awwwwwwwwwww!

Loved it!

That whole chapter was just so perfect. Esp Roman's thoughts and reactions. So in character and all!

That kiss was just... wow! And the ending... Aw!

Cannot wait for more!

xoxo

[rfran]

Belle at the top of the stairs was really sweet.

The discomfort the felt being with at Romans with Roman was really well written.