After her empowering meeting with Johnny Zest, Bella Benevolent woke up feeling confident the next morning. . .even though she had an unpleasant task at hand–cleaning out her locker for the last time at Copperdale High.
“I was only at Copperdale a short time, but I made some lifetime memories–some good, some terrible, but I’m a stronger person because of it,” Bella states nostalgically.
Principal Prescott appeared out of nowhere to ruin Bella’s moment.
“I’m sorry things have turned out this way, Miss Benevolent, but you’ve made your decision. Please gather your things and leave campus promptly.”
Bella’s mood changed quickly. “I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am doing the right thing by walking out the doors of Copperdale High School. I refuse to lower myself by being a part of something that degrades and humiliates my fellow Sims simply for being who they are.”
Bella is referencing weeks of prejudice and ignorance shown to aliens and werewolves by Principal Prescott.
Bella was so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she almost missed the look of cluelessness on one student’s face.
“You look lost,” Bella was heard saying to the newcomer. “I’m Bella. I was just on my way out, but I can help you find your next class.”
The new student quickly gained the attention of several more students.
“Thanks. The name’s Edwin and according to my schedule here, I should be in Ms. Coombes’ class.”
After some small talk, Bella was seen introducing Edwin to other classmates and teachers.
“Edwin was homeschooler and is now going to public school,” Bella explains. He seems really cool and kinda mysterious.”
“Edwin seemed kind of nervous, so I wanted to let him know that I would keep an eye out for him,” Tsutomu Goto reveals. “I think we have some classes together.”
However, one Sim was a bit wary of Edwin, to say the least.
“There’s something about Edwin that is rubbing me the wrong way,” Holden McGlum interjects. “I don’t dislike the guy but something is just. . .off.”
“Maybe Copperdale will be ok,” Edwin states with an air of cool detachment. It’s too bad Bella isn’t sticking around. She seemed really sweet.”
After the crowd has dispersed, Edwin was seen taking a swig from his secret stash of plasma juice.
“I’m not hiding my identity,” Edwin stated matter-of-factly, “but I’m not flaunting it either.”
Later that night, Bella met up with Holden in Tartosa for some much needed bestie banter.
“Holden’s been out of the loop the last couple of weeks, so I wanted to update him on everything that’s been going on,” Bella explains.
However, Kyle Kyleson was not about to let that happen.
“Kyle kept asking me if he could stay at my place for a while,” Bella says. “I had to explain to him that I’m only 17 and live with my parents.”
After a few more moments of pure awkwardness, Holden grabbed a table closer to the beach to pour his heart out.
“I feel bad about not being there for you, Bella, Holden states remorsefully. “The cancellation of the Occult Sims AP course, the removal of the alien books from the library, the protest–you called out all the ignorance–and I didn’t stand with you.”
“Holden, it’s fine. I know you support me,” Bella interjects.
“Don’t let me off the hook so easily,” Holden continues. “The truth is that I don’t stand up to my parents. They don’t hate vampires, werewolves, or aliens, but don’t exactly embrace them either. They expect me to have the same values.”
“I really wanted to join TEEN with you, but I knew this would cause a fight with my mom and dad ,” Holden adds in exasperation. “But, I know this is no excuse for what I’ve done.”
“Holden, I would never want you to go against your parents’ wishes,” Bella was heard saying. “I’ve known them both all my life and I know they’re good Sims–they just had some wrong ideas put into them at some point. I’m just glad you’re being honest with me.”
“That honesty comment really got to me” Holden tells us. “I felt like I still needed to confess some things.”
“Well, I haven’t been completely honest,” Holden states reluctantly. “Do you remember that whole thing with Jay? I told you I didn’t want you to hang out with him because he was a werewolf? “
“How could I forget?” Bella asked, half-joking and half seriously.
“It didn’t bother me so much that he was a werewolf. It bothered me because I thought you would start to like him– more than me-and possibly want him to be your boyfriend. I was afraid to know where I might stand if you were in a relationship.”
“Jay is definitely not my type,” Bella replies. “And–even if he was– there’s no one quite like you.”
“It was in that moment that I felt something shift between us,” Bella continues. “My mind flashed back to our “just-friends” kiss after prom. I felt my blood run through my veins and felt a little unsure of myself, but also exhilirated.
After a few seconds, Holden broke the silence. “You know there’s no guarantee we’re going to end up at the same college, Bella. We should make it a point to spend as much time together now as possible.”
“We’re going to make these last couple of weeks count,” Bella promises as she takes Holden’s hands.
While Bella and Holden pledged their undying friendship, new classmate Edwin seemed to appear from nowhere as he watched the entire episode unfold from afar.
Though Edwin was inconspicuous, he was unaware that someone else had chose to cast an eye on him from the distance. Someone who had been tracing his every move.
Will Bella and Holden hang onto their friendship amidst all the changes that surround them? Is there more to Edwin than meets the eye?
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