the graceless

[instar]

Bella sits out, this year as every year, from gym class. It's just asking for a lawsuit. She does stretches and crunches and push-ups in the corner.

Comments

[instar]

"Maybe I will figure it out all by myself, if you bring me enough pie."

[aeskhyne]

"Maybe you will," he says, shrugging.

[instar]

The bell rings; Bella folds up her mat.

[aeskhyne]

"See you tomorrow," says Trouble, and he takes off.

[instar]

The following day, Bella has her answer; she'll tell him after gym if he doesn't approach her at lunch.

[aeskhyne]

He approaches her at lunch.

"Hi!"

[instar]

"Hi. Renée says you can come over with pie this afternoon, or tomorrow if that works better."

[pandion]

"And Bella has to share," pipes up Andi.

[instar]

"I will share."

[aeskhyne]

Trouble laughs. "Sure, today works."

[instar]

"Okay." Bella writes down the Swan family address on a corner of notebook paper and hands it over.

[aeskhyne]

"Cool," says Trouble. "I'll be there when the pie's done. Maybe sixish."

[pandion]

"Pie for dessert," beams Andi.

[instar]

"Yes. Well, probably. I've never arranged pie delivery before; maybe it's not very reliable."

[aeskhyne]

"Uh-huh," says Trouble.

[instar]

"Do you need to be compensated for ingredients or anything?" Bella wonders.

[aeskhyne]

"Nah."

[pandion]

"Freeeeeee piiiiiiiie!"

[instar]

"My consolation for the weirdness of this situation is that I can't think of any reason you would be likely to poison us."

[aeskhyne]

"Yeah, I'm sure that's consoling as hell," snorts Trouble.

[instar]

"Renée's likely to invite you to stay for dinner if you show up at six," Bella adds to Trouble.

[aeskhyne]

"Fine by me," he says, shrugging.

[pandion]

"Tonight is bean stew, there's always leftovers of that anyway," Andi says, nodding.

[aeskhyne]

Trouble smiles.

[pandion]

"I wonder if she will make you eat salad to get dessert if you literally made dessert and brought it to our house?" wonders Andi.