The Eyes of the Devil.

[Vincent Mortelle]

It's been a few years since he actually had his own way of doing things, yeah he had covered some of the shifts at his old high-school, but that was in Washington. He partly wanted to return, but he went where the work was, and it was definatly needed on this campus. Sifting through some of the paper work, he got a papercut and he stuck his finger in his mouth. Sighing sarcastically he was going to be seeing this girl, and he knew that he should have an idea of what to expect. This school was nothing like he had worked in before, and he was delighted to take the challenge, nothing stopped him and he looked up above his computer at the plaque he had strategically placed it read, "I will break you down to nothing, and build you up from square one." A few of the kids at his old school would make him crap for being one of his counselors interns. Jill Snow, was his instructor during the grewling months of tiresome internships. It was fun to work by her side. It was something he didn't expect. Kids would come in at lunch and just, well hang out. It was an atmosphere he wanted to re-create here. It was something he didn't want to stray far from. Turning around in his computer chair he looked over the office, it was clean and the skateboard rack he had on the wall held three Sector Nine long-boards. It was a favorite past-time of his, also it was his mode of transportation.

Again he looked at the paperwork he had. McKensie, Isabella, she had a nickname, Bella. Typing her name into the database he looked up a little bit of her information to get a feel for her, and he smiled. He remembered a girl from the internship that seemed to be like her. Not being able to focus he put his Zune on the dock and turned up the stereo a little not to disturb his thoughts, and still be able to here. His favorite song came on, it was crammed with Motley Crue and all the sorts. "Just Another Psycho - Motely Crue, Saints of Los Angeles." He turned it up a little and hummed. His eyes focusing on the pictures and he knew she would be here soon, he just wanted to talk and let her know he was going to be here for a a while. He didn't feel like he was going anywhere and he knew that these kids needed someone older they could somehow confide in. Their secrets were safe with him, their secrets were secure. He had a corl board on the back wall above a circle table, it was empty and he hoped that he would have many pictures on that square of brown disgusting thing. He smiled softly he then scrolled through a list of students who needed help and he knew that this was going to have to happen after class. He taught Marine biology so he had other things to do in his mean time, after all from Washington, there was a high demand for his kind.

[Bella McKensie]

Damn stupid bloody headmistress. If it weren't for her Bella would not have to go to this stupid meeting. But of course, that pushy ass lady had to go over her file just one more damn time and find her little classroom outbursts worthing of some good ol' one on one with a shrink. Bella was not happy at all. With her jeans falling a little and her shirt clinging to her body she stalked the halls. She wore a grean military style hat with a skull on the side and a black A7X hoody on. Hood up of course.

Hood was always up when she felt insecure. And she definatly felt insecure right now. He was going to pick appart her brain. Just when she thought she had everything figured out. She was going to school in two years in Boston for dance. She was with an amazing boy who she was deffinatly falling for. And falling hard. What more could there be? Past? She was not telling anyone about the past. Not even Kyle knew about that. Who the hell did this Mortelle guy think he was if he thought Bella would crack?

Counselors Office

[/b]

Crap. There she was. No going back and saying she forgot. yeah.. how many times would that excuse work in a row? She was just going to have to face the music. That which blared in her ears was Motley Crue. Saints of Los Angeles. She'd never been there. Didn't much care to. There wasn't anything but ocean city and smog anyway. And she had plenty of that here in Brooklynn.

With three short knocks she stuffed her hands in her pockets and waited. This was going to be a really crap day. So crap infact it even made her not want to see Kyle. He was her world! Wanting not to see him made her feel like crying but she blinked and sucked it up. Flipping open her phone she sent him a quick text. His little picture on the phone made her smile but she stuffed it away quickly so as not to draw any attention to her big fat emotions.[/blockquote][/size]

[Vincent Mortelle]

He laughed a little as he messed up on his game of solitare, he didn't bother shutting it down, the door was open and he waved her inside, it was his politeness, he could tell she didn't want to be here, but he wasn't going to force her to do anything. He proped his feet up and looked at her keenly. He smiled as he folded his hands over his lap, his boots were firm on the desk and a mini-fridge was under the desk behind him, just where is should be. He opened it up and pulled out two cans of soda, they were silver and read Barq's Rootbeer. It was his favorite. "Want one?" he wasn't good about starting up conversation, but he always knew soda was delicious, and he was parched. "I'm sure you already know who I am, but let me remind you, Vincent Mortelle, I am the guidance counselor here for a while. Well, I don't have to be a counselor if you don't want me to be, I could just be that guy you talk to, like your friends in school or what not." She seemed of the silent type, and he didn't mind in the least.

Facing her he pushed the can toward her. "It's here if you'd like it, if not I can put it in the fridge." She reminded him of some of the students he had in Washington, damn he really missed them. Although he needed to get started on the right foot and this was a fashionable way to do so. he sighed and then turned

[Bella McKensie]

She stared at him and took the soda. Hell it was free. Did her music get louder? Damn she didn't remember turning it up. It sound like it was being doubled by another song. With a sigh she took it out of her pocket and shut it off. Stupid thing must need to be charged. She stuffed it in her book bag and then realised the song was still going. It was on his Zune on the dock across the room. Pinching her eye brows together she sighed. This was so fucking ridiculous. She threw the can in her bag and leaned back.

With her arms folded she stared at him for an hour straight. It was a very silent hour, but Bella was good at not talking. When the second hand clicked passed the 12 she sighed. :"Sorry Mr. Mortelle. I'm not talking to you. You're neither friend, nor enemy. And I'd rather nothing I say get back to Headmistress Andrews. Her and I aren't exactly friends." Standing she slung her bag onto her shoulders. "Guess I'll see you for another staring contest on thursday.:"

And there she was.. The next thursday, staring at him from the same chair. This was going to get redundent very quickly.

[Vincent Mortelle]

Shaking his head. "You know I can do this forever, afterall I get paid to sit here and listen to you." He shook his head and looked over at his Zune and flipped through another bout of songs. He pretty much lived for Motley Crue, you could tell just through his style the song that rolled on was 'What's it Gonna Take.' He listened to it. "I'm a counselor and a Marine Biologist, I obviously have a lot of time, and also I'm a night owl." He slouched back down in his chair and looked at her. "So you can either talk, spark up some conversation, or you can sit there and look at me for the next hour."

He didn't want to sound like he was impending on her personal life. "Your secrets are safe with me, the staff won't know about our conversations, they will have no idea what we talk about here, they will not know about your life, unless you allow them to. As well as the students. As the staff they will know nothing of this unless you let them in. For god's sake Bella just let me in." Hand meeting with forehead, or forehead meeting with hand he took a look at her and sighed. Thinking to himself that she has to break sometime, everyone has a breaking point.

[Bella McKensie]

Staring at him she was more than shocked. No teacher had ever spoken so bluntly with her before. "Uh... I um..." She picked up her iPod and put the headphones back on. She was shutting up. Caving in and snapping closed like a clam. Staring again she made sure to only blink a few times. "I'm still not talking."

When the hour rolled through she pushed away the few tears in her eyes. Standing she took her bag and left without another word. But of course, she'd be back next tuesday.

Comming through his door she didn't even bother to knock, he was expecting her So she knew it wasn't a problem. Throwing down her bag, she yanked the earbuds out of her ears and dropped her iPod on the round table. "I don't want to be here okay? I never want to be here. I'm not damaged. I'm not scary. I'm just...Bella. Okay? I'm a student with an....amazing guy to see everyday, and....And some bad things in my closet. But...." She looked around and sighed. "I keep my clothes in a dresser, Mr. Mortelle. So my closet doesn't need to be opened." She stared at him for a second with tears threatening her eyes. "And this isn't talking to you... It doesn't count.. You don't know shit about me or my life."

[Vincent Mortelle]

He smiled at her as she came in the following Tuesday. She was emotional and he could feel it coming from her. He didn't press instead he stood up and sat next to her. "You don't have to talk Bella, honestly I'm here if you need something but for fuck's sake, at least let me know something about you." He was a cool counselor, he wasn't going to pull out the cro-bar anytime soon, but until she was willing he would be patient.

He didn't like not knowing about his students and he definatly didn't like when they cried. He could see the tears forming in her eyes and they began to fall. He took his index finger and wiped the salty substance from her cheeks. He didn't want to impose on her, but he wasn't going anywhere. "What happened today?"

[Bella McKensie]

Standing there she stared at him. Her shoulders were dropped as she stayed silent. "Nothing. Absolutly nothing happened today." She moved away from him and sat down in her usual chair. Concentrating hard on her nails she let her mind run wild. "I have nightmares. All the time. About what happened. About his dead body. About the court. It's in my file Mr. Mortelle. If you really need to know straight from the horses mouth I'll tell, but if not just... just look it up."

She could see him even now in her head, that dead body laying benieth her feet as she moved for her mother to run. He wreaked of alcohol and other illegal substances. Things she would never try. Drinking was one thing. She'd been known to have a drink or two but she never got drunk. "there is a boy in my dorm....He said something the other day...Something that bothered me....A lot. It may have sparked the memory nightmares."

Travis was such an ass hole! Why did he have to go and open his fat ass mouth. She had enough problems as it was. And at the same time, she didn't have any. People thinking that she did just made the skelletons in her closet rattle a little louder. She massaged her temples. This was all giving her a killer headache ands he seriously wanted to just lay down and cry for hours on end. It was another one of those Anti -Kyle feelings. the ones that left her feeling so alone and vulnerable. If she didn;t want to be around anyone, that would have had to include him and she always wanted to see him. The feeling of not, made her feel weak. He had this way of alway making her feel safe and wanted. Not like a piece of trash that should be left by the dumpster for the garbage man to pick up. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she hung her head in silent shame.

[Vincent Mortelle]

She started to talk to him and he listened from his position in the office. Putting an elbow to the table he rested his cheek in his hand. He wasn't as professional as some counselor's were, and he didn't want to be, he wanted the kids to understand that he was only a few years older then them and they could achieve the same goals only if they put their minds to it. Nightmares were something that needed to be worked out he smiled at her as she wept. Handing her a soft tissue he studied her features as if he were reading her. He was quiet as she spoke, and when he thought she was finished, he chimmed in.

"I don't think the files tell the complete truth Bella, I'd rather here it from your mouth, but I'll let you tell me on your terms." He listened to her talk about her dreams of the dead body, her mother the drugs. It was all to familiar to him, all the same aspects, it wasn't a lie, he knew it wasn't. "I want you to know that we all have our skeletons, and I'll let you in on my past as well, but that will come in time." He was trying to lighten the mood, but as a counselor he knew that it couldn't be helped and it wasn't going to. Seether was playing quietly from his zune and he turned it off to listen to her better. He moved to his desk and tried to get it through his head. Not wanting to sound blunt he knew right now she didn't want to really talk about it. It was in her posture and her body language. "Did you have any questions for me?"

[Bella McKensie]

"No! No I have no questions." She wiped away her tears. Looking up at him she sighed. "Just....What do you do when it feels like everyone has this image of you because of the things you've done in the past, and you know that it's not you. Mr. Mortelle.. I don't like spilling my guts all over the place, but tagging bathroom stalls with my teen angst just doesn't seem to cut it anymore." She had no chapstick so she took to absent mindedly chewing at her bottom lip for a second before starting on her story.

She told him everything. Her grandpa in the Ozarks and how when he died she moved to Hell's kitchen to live with her real parents. She told him about how they were total junkies and how one night she shot a man in the skull three times to get him off her drunk and fried remains of a mother. She told him about Charlie and how they were inseperable, until her parents decided not to let her go back to CHA after the close. She missed Charlie like hell. They were practically sisters. "We used to say, they don't put B and C together in the alphabet for nothing." Laughing she noted the fond memories. How C would back her up against Travis. "He's they guy I said is talking shit.. er... bad mouthing me in my dorm." she went on to explain Kyle and her relationship with him. How much she truely care for him. And then about how Travis had mentioned the time it would take her to kill Kyle too. Like she was some cold blooded murderer.

"I'm not a bad person. I just know what's right. So I've gotten into a lot of fights in the passed... that happens when you grow up in the Irish Getto with the mafia next door. You learn to be a little tough ass. You learn to defend yourself from all the creeps who think you're their whore for the night." She sighed and looked around. "there.. .you know.. so... break me down." She pointed at his sign. "Think I need to be fixed? I honestly think there is nothing wrong with me... just everyone has problems with who I am. There are little people who really see me for...well me."

[Vincent Mortelle]

He listened patiently it was the way he did things, he understood how to act with certain people at certain times. She chewed her lip and he pulled a can of soda out of his fridge behind him, he was thinking and listening at the same time. It was a different day, and he offered her another can of pop without talking, just placing it on the front of his desk. As she finished up her story he smiled and shook his head. "We all have our problems Bella, some more drastic than others, and we all take time to repair. Let's start with one thing at a time. It's usually easier that way. Like the saying says." She pointed at the little plaque thing on his wall and he smiled. "Forget about everything everyone else says, I understand that it isn't as easy as it sounds, but you need to just not let Travis get to you. He obviously has problems of his own, and I don't want you to get involved with him."

He put both of his hands over his face and thought for a minute before opening a drawer and pulling out a bendy straw, I guess old habits break hard. Then, still with his eyes covered, he began to drink the Rootbeer, it was his favorite by far. Silence fell and then you had thought of something. "Where do you want to start?"

[Bella McKensie]

She took the rootbeer and then shyly pulled a sandwhich from her bag. "Do you mind? I don't eat a lot in my dorm. You never know what Travis may have slipped in there." She moved her chair to the table and faced him. Sitting criss cross on the chair she ate a little and talked in between. "Start where you see the biggest problem. I like to climb up hill then down not the other way around." With a light smile she sipped the soda and tapped her foot to the music on his Zune. "Dude.. do you even like this job?"

She though maybe that was rude so she kept talking to justify her question. "I mean.. you sorta just sit here and listen to people's crappy lives. Most of the time I don't care to listen. It's their problems...not mine. How do you do it?" She leaned over and peeks into the fish tank. Making a fishy face at them she chuckled. "Cool.." Leaning back she finished her sandwhich and kept working on the soda. He was actually kind cool. For a mentor.

Part of her wanted Kyle to meet him. She thought maybe they could talk boards. Mr. Mortelle had a good collection going on and Bella knew Kyle was an avid skater. "You mind?" She pulled out her cammera and laid almost under the rack of boards. Snapping a shot she looked through the lense at the rest of the room. "Hey Vin...Why don't you buy a bunch of random pictures of people so you can put them on the board? Then people might be more compelled to give you real ones." she laughed and put her cammera down. Pulling out a picture she had in her bag she took a tack from the little cup next to the board and hung it. The picture was of her and Kyle on the 4th of July. She smiled at the memory and almost let out a silly little laugh.

[Vincent Mortelle]

She relaxed and it made him smile, she was actually a very funny person. "I love my job, because I love people and I love the atmosphere even if it means listening to problems." As she pulled out her lunch he opened his fridge and pulled out some chinese and then pulled some chopsticks out from the drawer. "We don't have to start today. I'll start getting a little more professional as we go, or when you feel you need it." Lifting his food in his hands he made his way to the table and sat across from her. His eyes were soft and she seemed to some how appreciate him even if it meant that it was going to take sometime.

She took out a camera and took pictures of his Sector Nine Long Boards, he laughed as she continued and then that was about all he could muster up in his mind. She seemed happier then when she first walked in the other day and he enjoyed her company. It was a start he thought, a start of a new lunch crew, thank god he had a large office. As she tacked a picture on his corkboard he smiled at her. It was the first picture he had recieved from anyone, and it was awesome.

"I like to work with people, and I listen to their stories, half of you kids don't have it as bad as I did in high school." He mumbled off a little as he scooped some food into his mouth. "So, why don't you invite Kyle to our next session, you seem pleased with him, or you can come tomorrow, if the doors open don't mind you can just make yourself at home. I was thinking of getting a couch in here. Eventually."

[Bella McKensie]

"Kyle?!?!"She spun around and looked at him with her back now to the cute couply picture of her and her musician. "What? Uh... I mean...." Her cheeks were buringing and she had to check her heart rate subconsciously so she was sure she wasn't going to dye in a little puddle on his office floor. "What about Kyle? I mean... what do you want to know about us...er him and I...er.. him.... no....Us." she stamped out the last word with determination. It wasn't like he had a ring on her finger, they were still young. The feelings he gave her just made it feel like "us" was a necessary word in some cases.

Though the thought of him made her happy, it also made her nervous. what if he didn't feel the same way about her? Gah!! thinking made things difficult. Sometimes she wished she could just escape from her own brain. With a little irritated sigh she fought with herself. This was a daily process since she'd been seeing him. Before that she'd mostly just let things go unless they pissed her off. In which case something was deffinatly started up.

[Vincent Mortelle]

Letting out an unusual laugh for him he coughed on his lunch and looked at the girl still laughing a little with Yakisoba noodles hanging out his mouth. Old habits die hard, so he used his chopsticks to cut of the food. He snorted a little and looked at her reaction. It wasn't what he was expecting. "So is he a friend or something else? I mean I understand if you and him are an Item or not. I'm here to talk to Bella, like I said your secrets are confined within these walls."

He leaned forward a little and took a drink from his soda. "I loved once, and haven't since then." He didn't know what to say after that so he went silent and took a picture out of a folder he had on his desk. It was a picture of him in high-school and he had a girl in his arms. She was a brunette beauty, and she had a very soft face, her eyes were a fierce green and he tacked it on the wall looking at it. Longing for her. "Are you sure you didn't have any questions for me?" He tried to lighten the mood as he pulled his eyes of the 5x7 picture.

"Don't make me start up a game of 20 questions that you have to answer." His laugh was soft, just like his smile and it was in his mind that he was to be this caring person. Actually it was his mind set, as he dealt with the struggle of these children, he was dealing with the struggle that he had killed 3 people in his past.

[Bella McKensie]

"Uhh..." god it was practically her favourite word lately. "Kyle and I are..In a relationship. Of sorts. Yeah... we're an.. " Item? That seemed a little inappropriate. They weren't a product on store shelf. It seemed so..perminant. And she wasn't so sure of that. "We're exclusively dating one another." She was trying to sound casual and not overly intellegent. She blinked a little and then looked at him.

"You ever experianced anything similar to what I have? I mean... all in all..?? With everything in my life?" She looked up to the ceiling and sighed. "It's not like there are a whole lot of people out there who've gotten away with murder legally by the court and then totally turn around their life. I dunno... I... I'm going through a lot of stuff..." She let out a sigh and then looked down at him. "Hey so you know a lot about like.. college and everything....Tell me something. Exactly how good do you have to be to get into the Boston Academy of Performing Arts on a 100% fully paid scholorship for Dance?" She looked a little shy and disconfident. She knew he'd never seen her dance so he didn't know how good she was.....or that she had this said acceptance to this said college with this said scholorship in her back pack at that very second, laying only a few feet away and right next to the knife she threatened Travis with.

[Vincent Mortelle]

She opened up with him, so he would have to let her in on his life. He didn't talk about it, so he pulled up a notebook. He also didn't know if his office was rigged, but he would find out if it was sooner or later, though he knew as himself and how secretive he was he wouldn't say this aloud. Reaching over he grabbed a pen and started to write.

In high-school, my mother and father were, as you described yours. So as I did what any un-normal person would have. I held a grudge against them and got into drugs myself. Though I was a very heavy user, into the stronger ones. I used and abused as some would say. I was very into heroin for the most part, and now I'm in Rehab for it. Well back to the start, I blamed my parents for my addiction, I blamed them for the way i was, even though I graduated high school as Valedictorian, they weren't there to see me come out on top, like they told me, would never happen. I proved them wrong, even though they were not there to see it.

At the beginning of summer in 2001 me, my friends and step-dad were joking around, mind you we were still in school, and we were all hanging out at my place, we were up in my room, which was across the street from the High-School I graduated from, I was playing around with my syringes, though I was already high, so I really didn't know what was going on. My dad, Teigen, filled the syringe I was going to use with a leathal dose, he knew it was going to fuck me up, but he didn't know what the outcome was going to be.

So being in that state I took the syringe and slid it into my arm, like I would any other dose. In a few seconds I found myself hunched over vomiting all over the carpet. I passed out. My mom, who was sober at the time, looked at me and called the police, she's seen it before. Though she didn't realize Teigen was the one who did it. Paramedics arrived at my house and took me to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. They told her if she was to call two minutes later I would be gone. Granted they left out the fact I was dead on their arrival.

After I recovered from that excursion, I was yelled at by Teigen, and he continued. My mom followed suit and I was completely indispose. Even though I died for a few hours, they continued to yell, and they themselves did pot, and most of all Meth. It pissed me off to the point, where I snuck into their room and pulled Teigen's handgun out of the end table with gloves on. I waited patiently in my room. I was sober, and I didn't like either of them. I hated Teigen, and I hated my mother for changing for the man, instead of caring for me. One, Two. Each had a shot through their forehead.

There was knock on the door to their room and I was panicking. With out knowing who was on the other side I shot eight times through the door. Finding out it was the woman who was trying to help me. The only one who really knew me. She was still breathing after I opened the door throwing the gun to the side I freaked out and called the police and the paramedics. I'm surprised I got away in that mind state. I carried her and i was wearing gloves, I told them that I came home and this is what I came too, the doors open and her on the ground barely breathing. Her name was Cira. I miss her.

He held the paper to himself and folding it in half handing it to her. "It takes a lot to get into a school like that, especially one from your past. Also, a fucking free ride? I'd take that up over anything, especially since you still have time. Why? Did you get accepted?"

[Bella McKensie]

Bella wasn't really in the mood to read it right then. No matter his story he was in a good place now. And he was good people. Nice to talk to. Sticking the paper in her pocket she sighed at his quesion. Accepted. HA! Bella hadn't even applied. College always sent knots into her chest. Made it hard to breath. It just was so damn fast. What happened to the parties? The drinking and flirting? It always dissapeared with age. With responsibility.

Breathing in deep she pulled the letter from her bag and handed it to him. "I didn't even apply. But apparently they want want me to attend." The envelope was clearly printed with her name "Isabella McKensie" right on the front. The letter explained all the details to her about the scholorship she was being handed. "I can't even imagine how this happened..." She was still trying to wrap her head around it. Even though she'd recieved the letter back in July. She remembered fondly the night she told Kyle.

"Please, please PLEASE tell me you're not pregnant, Bella..." Kyle had said. Bella was shocked and swore up and down she wasnt and that she was only his. "I've been accepted to Boston Academy for Performing arts." He'd hugged her and congradulated her. She could still taste his lips like she'd had them only hours before... but chances were it had only been hours since she last had him in her kiss.

Opening her eyes she shook the feeling. "Sorry... A memory came rushing back.. one of those ones you can't help by relive over and over again. And not because you have to... but because you want to. Because it feels so absolutly wonderful. It was almost like a dream it was so perfect." She was smiling and blushing a little.

[Vincent Mortelle]

He laughed softly and shook his head. "I want you to read that, but on your terms not mine." As she answered his question he smiled at her which obviously meant somthing was going on. She handed him a letter addressed to her and the grin he wore was completely happy. He didn't know why she shouldn't take this opportunity, after all it's only going to happen once.

"This is a very difficult school to get into Bella, fuck, I wish I got into something this big when I graduated, even though I know i could have, I chose not to, but I didn't have to, I had a lot of school ahead of me. They offered me all kinds of scholarships and such. Though I chose to go to Western Washington University." Laughing softly to himself. Sliding the letter to her as she zoned out.

She told him about a memory she wanted to continue to relive. "Those are usually the best ones to have, I relive the worst, though they seem now that they are the best." Standing up he opened the door to his office and pulled out some papers, it was his mail, which her letter reminded him of. Washington State primaries were going on and he hated politics. He took his seat again.

"If you have the option to go to the school I would seize up the opportunity and go for it. Especially a free ride, that's a once in a life time. WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!" He held up his ballot and growled a little. He hated it, though he still opened it. Looking at the names. "Do you want to know what I think of your shitty government? Huh? Do ya?!" He laughed a little as he talked to the ballot scribbling all over it he let out a snort and then broke out in song. "Gregoire, you are one bitch, go on blow Dino Rossi's tiny dick!" Reacting completely different he fed the ballot to the shredder. "Yes, my precious feast upon today's and tomorrows government."

[Bella McKensie]

Bella smiled. It was starting to feel like she could actually do this. After what felt like months of mulling over the details it finally felt like she was ready. Ready to become something. She was recognizing herself as talented and beautiful. Courageous and amazing. At least she felt that way on the inside. For once it felt like everything was going to be okay. But the one thing that would be missing was the one person that constantly made her feel the way she did now. Could they do the distance thing? Would he be close enough for that to not be a problem? Would he go back to Michigan? God she hoped not. Blinking she looked at Mr. Mortelle as he made up his political jingle.

"Ummm okay??" Politics were not really something that cranked Bella's gears. And she wasn't having anything to do with them... well not voluntarily. Official authority wasn't something she wanted to pertake in. She knew they had to have it, but when it came to who took care of it, Bella didnt care. until she had a problem with them that was. Like gym. They needed it, but she didn't care who it was teaching until he told her no iPods. Then she had a problem. Sipping her soda she giggled at him and watched him shread the paper.

[Vincent Mortelle]

She laughed and he looked at her. He loved to shred anything he could get his hands on. It was his thing and he was happy to do it. He grabbed a few blank sheets of print paper. Setting the shredder up on the table. He put one sheet in at a time, and it was fun. Stopping for a minute. He smiled. "What's on your mind Bella?" He hummed her name like it was tangible. It was something he seemed enjoy, and he was beginning to enjoy her company.

"Bells, if he likes you enough he will be with you no matter how large of a step you take to further your career or education." He sighed being reminded of Aeryn and then looked to the picture that was posted on the corckboard. He would take these pictures down to lay some construction paper. He fed the shredder another blank white sheet and smiled at her.

"I understand you 'love' this boy, but if you don't do what will make you happy then it's not really love. I want you to think of what will really make you the best person you can be. Forget about the responsibility, of making decisions until you have to. I want you to make a list of your priorities and bring it back when you have an idea. They Don't have to be in order, just write what you want in life and then I'll help you with the rest." He smiled at her and then fed the shredder again. "Would you like a go?!"

[Bella McKensie]

Listening politely, she tried to take what he said into consideration. It wasn't that she didn't 'love' him. Just that she wouldn't exactly call it that yet. They'd only been together for a short time. Sure, he gave her that happy warm fuzzy girl feeling, but 'love' was sorta a word that scared her. Though that was just what it was. It was JUST a word. But she was JUST a girl and Kyle was JUST a boy. But the thing to her was... when they had their little moments nothing seemed to be just what it was. It always seemed like...everything.

Bella looked at her bag carefully as he shreaded. "I think I have a good few things I can shread..." Pulling open her bag she took out two math quizes a page of history homework and a science paper. She looked carefully at him....and thought better of the science paper. She switched it out for a small stack of papers the headmistress had given her. "Okay.." With a smile she began feeding the papers through the shears. "So long failing math grade. And good ridance to my boaring history which I'm so regretably good at." starting on the headmistress papers she grined wickedly. Her dark rebelious side was showing as she held herself back from cramming the papers into the blades. "Here's to trying to give me direction with my life while telling me I'm nothing but a delinquint with no real family and a joke of a career plan."

[Vincent Mortelle]

He stopped as she said that the head mistress told her that. Shaking his head he got a little defensive. "Who in their right mind would say that to students who are trying to make better of themselves?" Slamming a few papers down on the table he frowned. "I'm going to have a word with her sooner or later, and I'm going to bring that shit up!" He was frusterated and he didn't know how he was going to react. "If you're into dance, so be it! No one should ever, and I mean EVER tell someone they are going to fail at life. Your career path may be different from mine, and hers, but she should at least have some faith in you, that you're going to be bettering yourself."

He leaned back in the chair and sighed, it was something that really pissed him off. "I was told I would amount to nothing. I was told that I was going to fail drastically, but it took the faith of the teachers, that I passed. Honestly, I don't think you would believe me if I told you that I graduated as valedictorian of 2003, not many people believe I did. Especially with the past that I hold." Getting up he opened a cabinet and pulled out all his graduation things, his robe, the rope and the other things he had to wear, since he was on the honors list, and all of that fancy stuff that other students should have gotten. Pulling out a paper he laughed as he read it aloud.

"To everyone sitting in front of me, to those who have stood in this place before me, to the families and friends of these students. We all had to struggle through four grueling years at this school. No one would have expected a low-life to be at the top. Each and everyone of you didn't believe in me, except for a select few who are not with us today. I want to take the time to recognize the friends of those who can not stand with us today. Aeryn Mulligan, a faithful friend, athlete and a woman who knew what she wanted in life, and was well on her way to many universities. Johnathan King, who was the greatest kid alive, he should be standing right next to me at this very moment, he would have been more proud to have this spot. I know I don't deserve it..." He stopped and looked at her. "I'm sorry." Letting out a laugh he put the paper back in the box and sifted through it even more. Pulling out a large photo album and a yearbook.