whispers {isabelle}

[Nathaniel Wood]

Nathaniel Wood !

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It was starting to get dark outside, therefor evening at Camp Bell and time for the campers to get back to their cabins. Well, that was if it had been a regular evening.. It wasn't though, the Campers were having a dancing competition, in the main building, and because of that they wouldn't be returning to their cabins till later in the evening. Why Nate wasn't taking part in this competition was simply because no body had told him about it. He was actually surprised that nobody had, especially when his brothers where here. It really didn't matter much now, he didn't care about it that much, right now all that mattered was Belle and what was wrong with her.

He had just gotten of an IM chat, with her, and was now, despite the time, making his way over to her cabin. She was hiding something and he was going to find out what. Other than that he had to talk to her about Melissa and the way she treated Isabelle. That just wasn't fair and that was something Nate wouldn't let, he just wouldn't let Melissa get away with hitting his friend, period.

He was practically mauling the lawn, like a giant bear would mauled a human, as he half ran over the grass, on his way over to Belle's cabin. He looked like he was angry, even though he wasn't. Slightly upset, that was what he was, but not at Isabelle. He was upset because he already knew that, no matter what, she wouldn't let him do anything about the whole situation with Mrs. Melissa Hart. That bugged him terribly, because he really cared for Isabelle. He liked her.. Maybe he didn't say that to often. He needed to do that, tell her that he cared and liked her more often. That way her self esteem might get better, as well.

As he neared the cabin, he could already see it, he recalled the whole conversation. There was some guy that she liked and she was hiding it from him. Why would she do that? Was it that bad of a crush? Was it a bad guy? He didn't believe so.. She had said that he was sweet and would she lie about something like that? She had said that he reminded him of him, that Nate reminded her of him and he frowned upon this. Him, reminding her of the boy she was crushing on. He was such a stupid boy, how couldn't he put two and two together? He was so oblivious to everything, it was insane.

He ran the rest of the way to Belle's cabin and stopped at her door. He knocked, two loud knocks, on the door before speaking; "I told you I would come.. Open the door, Belle"

[/color] He called out and knocked again, just to be sure that she had heard him "I need to speak with you, will you please open the door for me?"[/color] He asked and looked down on the door handle. He could try and open, maybe she hadn't locked the door.. He doubted it though.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Isabelle Stone]

'The knight in armour is at the door,
But Cinderella doesn't want to let him in.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Only moments ago, she had switched the computer off quickly, not even bothering to exit the chatroom before hand. The moment she discovered that Soul_Man, the person she had been talking to for the past four weeks, was actually Nathaniel Wood, the one person in the entire world that she had fallen in love with, and the only person she had never thought it would be. Now, the laptop lay abandoned on her bed as she paced nervously up and down the cabin, heart rate increasing once more.

Now that he knew who she was, and she knew about him, there was no hiding anything anymore. She had told him about Melissa, and about the guy that she liked. True, he had yet to figure out that he was that guy, but in time he was going to find out. Nathaniel wasn't stupid. He could put two and two together. And at this rate, she was afraid that perhaps he already had. And now he was on his way over to the cabin, another thought that struck absolute terror into her system.

A knock on the door alerted her to his arrival, and she looked at the door, wide eyed as she gasped. Already she could hear his voice on the other side of the door, asking to be let in. There was no chance for her to run and hide, for there was no backdoor to the cabin, and since the light was clearly on, no hope of pretending that she wasn't there. Fighting back the tears in her eyes, she walked to the door, leaning against it slightly, unable to stand on her own.

"Nate, I can't....I can't let you in."

She could already feel the sob that was building in her throat, begging to be set free of the restricting confines. Her eyes began to water as she bit her lower lip, looking up for a moment in a failed attempt to stop them. All of the emotion and hurt she had been feeling for the last few years was eating away at her, making her feel vulnerable and alone.

And to make it worse, she was standing in her pajama bottoms and a tank top, her sweater having been left accidentally in the wash. Her arms and back were exposed, along with the scars of her past, which, if he saw, would devestate her for the rest of her life. No one had seen them, not even Simone, her best friend. No one knew, and she couldn't stand it if he found out.

Not like this.

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[Nathaniel Wood]

Nathaniel Wood !

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Not only where the light, inside the cabin, on but he could hear her pace back and forth, restlessly, as he stood outside the cabin and waited. She was in there and she couldn't hide, though he really didn't get why she had to hide from him. Whatever was wrong, she was very upset and Nate, to be truly honest, didn't like it at all. She was his best friend, apart from his brothers, she was such a sweet kid and she deserved the very best. She didn't deserve to be treated, by Melissa, like she was being treated, like trash, and she didn't deserve to be upset right now. For some reason he felt guilty, in ehr being upset, like he was the reason to why she was upset. He didn't know why she was upset though so he didn't know, he couldn't know, if he was part of the cause to her being upset. He would hate to be.

He heard her walk toward the door and awaited for her to open up for him so they could talk. But the door didn't open and her steps slowly faded away till he could no longer her the silent thud of her foot pressing against the floor. She had come to a stop, at the door, and was now leaning against it. He frowned and placed both his hands on the door. What was happening? He felt so very confused. Why wouldn't she open for him? Why wouldn't she let him in so they could talk? Was she angry with him? He didn't understand and he didn't know what he felt right now. Mixed feelings.

"Nate, I can't....I can't let you in."

[/color] She said and he shook his head.

"Why can't you let me in? Did I do something?" He begged of her and pressed his hands against the door. It made noises and he sighed "Belle, please.."[/color] He cried out, starting to get really worried. Melissa and all that didn't really matter anymore, only if it was part of the reason to why she was upset now. What mattered now wast hat Isabelle was upset and Nate didn't know why. It was killing him, practically killing him.

"You have to let me in, now.. I'll break the door if you don't"[/color] He said, being as serious as can be. He would break the door if she wouldn't let him in.. Or well, no maybe he wouldn't but he would definitely crawl in from the window if necessary. "You're worrying me to death, Belle"[/color] He said, pressing his hands harder against the door, as if he was trying to break through the door, with his bare hands.

"Please, Belle.. I know there's something wrong I just don't know what.. You're upset, I can hear it in your voice"[/color] He called out and knocked on the door again "Belle.. Belle, I'm your friend, why won't you open for me? I want to help.. I care about you, I really do.. Please let me in so I can help you, if I can.. If not then let me just hug you?"[/color] He leaned against the door and bit his lip "Belle, please"[/color][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Isabelle Stone]

'The knight in armour is at the door,
But Cinderella doesn't want to let him in.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fear, that was the best word to describe what she was feeling at that very moment in time, with the boy of her dreams standing on the other side of the cabin door, begging to be let in so he could figure out what the matter was. But the trouble with that, was that he was the one who was making her feel so silly and girlish, making her uncomfortable in her own skin. Had she fought that urge to go and find him online, this never would have happened. He was so close, so close to finding out the truth, and she was sure that he wouldn't take no for an answer for much longer.

"Belle, please.."

His pleading only made it harder for her to ignore him, that nagging feeling pulling and tearing at her stomach as she stood there, trying to listen to her brain more than her heart. But her heart was stronger, making her fingers inche slowly toward the knob of the door, unlocked against her better judgement. Then she pulled back, trying to rid herself of the emotion that wanted to let Nate in so she could throw her arms around him and sob until her heart broke completely. There wasn't much left of it that could be broken, not anymore.

"You're worrying me to death, Belle"

At that, she choked slightly, that sob making its way further out of her throat and toward her mouth. She was hurting him emotionally, and that felt like a sharp physical pain to her. Her arms wrapped themselves around her stomach as she stood there, finding it difficult to breathe. The tears began to freely flow, knowing that her secret was no longer to remain so, that all of the time she had spent trying to hide her true feelings from him were to come to nothing. He would find out the truth, and never again look at her the same way.

"Nate," she gasped, pulling at the doorknob. "Nate."

Her voice was by now a mere whisper, caught in the base of her throat as she tried to call to him, tried to tell him why it was that she couldn't talk to him, why she didn't want to let him in. But it all came out in sobs, sobs that shook her entire body until she sat on the floor, trying to banish the hot, salty liquid that spilled from her dark brown eyes. If he saw her like this, she could never look him in the face again.

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[Nathaniel Wood]

Nathaniel Wood !

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He was starring at the door, in horror. Why she wasn't opening up was no longer bothering him so much. What bothered him now was that she was not answering him. Whatever was happening it was serious enough to make her this upset and Nathaniel didn't like it, not the least. She didn't even want to speak to him, was it that? What had he done that had made her make this decision, to not speak to him? No, maybe she did want to speak to him but couldn't because of something. Was it Melissa? Was it because of him knowing about Melissa, and what she had done to Belle? Was it that, which made Belle shut down for him. Or was it something else, something that didn't have any relation to Melissa? Was she mad at him for some reason? Couldn't be, she didn't sound mad.. She sound upset about something, sad.

"Belle, won't you say something? Speak to me, please, I need to know you're okay"

[/color] He said, knocking on the door once more like it would help. It wouldn't help the least knocking on the door, it didn't seem like she would open up even if he started crying now. Maybe he actually should try that.. Start crying, maybe then she would open up for him. But that would just be mean and she would hate him if he did that. He didn't want for her to hate him.. She was his only real friend here, it seemed like. She listened to his music and liked to listen to it. She was the most honest person in this whole camp and she didn't care that she might not be as perfect as everyone and that she didn't have as much money as all the others, including Nate. She was herself and that was all that mattered. Just the fact that she dared to be herself made her a hero in Nathaniel's eyes.

"Nate, Nate."

His eyes widened as he heard the sound of her gasp, and then shortly after that of her sobs. Oh. No. She was crying. He felt his own hands hammer into the wooden door "Belle, open up right now!"[/color] Not that he was scolding her, not at all, he was just worried couldn't she understand that? "I'm crawling in the window, I'm serious with you.. You need to open up for me"[/color] He turned to the window and looked at it. He actually thought of doing it.. If she wouldn't open up for him then he would just make his way into the cabin. And if the window wouldn't open he would smash it open. Anything to get into the crying Belle. "Belle.."[/color] He murmured "You're crying.. Belle, somethings terribly wrong and I need to know what.. If someone did something to you then I'll kick his or her butt, I swear I will!.. Whatever made you cry should burn in hell.. You're my friend and I care so much about you, won't you open the door and tell me what happened?"[/color]

He looked down at the doorknob. Maybe the door was open, maybe she hadn't locked it and maybe he had been standing out here for nothing.. Maybe he could just walk in. He bit his lip an reached out for the doorknob. He pressed it down and.. Jesus.. The door was open. Had it been open this whole time?!.. He damned himself to hell and then pressed himself against the door, opening in, though he did it as gently as possible, afraid that she might be standing on the other side of it.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Isabelle Stone]

'The knight in armour is at the door,
But Cinderella doesn't want to let him in.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

He was still there.

Didn't this boy give up, she asked herself. And why not? She was nothing special, just a girl who couldn't even expose the one thing that made her feel different and worthwhile to the rest of the world. Not with Melissa around, anyway. And now that Nate knew, there was no stopping him from doing something about it, for her was sure to confront her later on. Melissa, of course, would deny the whole thing and then come back to attack Belle again for letting him know. That was the last thing she needed.

Isabelle felt as though her entire body was on fire, from her lungs to her heart, which she could feel crumbling in her chest. Once Nate found out the truth, he would never look her in the eye again, never acknowledge the fact that she was still at camp. All those years of holding onto her affections for him would come to nothing. Everything that could go wrong, would.

"You wouldn't understand," she whispered.

But when a small sound alerted her to the opening of the door, meaning that Nate had decided to try the unlocked knob afterall. Isabelle was trapped with no where else to go, stuck in a cabin with only one door and a few windows. Once Nate opened it, he would see her in her sorry state, sitting on the floor, having a difficult time inhaling the surrounding air. And he would ask her what the trouble was.

And she would have to tell him.

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[Nathaniel Wood]

Nathaniel Wood !

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Well, surely he wouldn't give up, why didn't she understand that? Did she not understand that he was her friend and that he cared about her? Was she completely oblivious to the fact that he cared about her, could she not see that? If he didn't care would he then be standing outside her cabin, banging on the door, and pleading for her to let him in so he could try and help her, if he could? Of course he wouldn't if he didn't care. But that was just the point. He did care and Belle was important to Nathaniel. She was the one true person whom he could share everything with, really. She was the most honest person he had ever met. If he wanted the opinion on something he knew who he had to go to - She would tell him what she thought, hands down. And, she was the only one in this camp not pretending to be something she wasn't. She wasn't like Melissa, she was just the opposite. And besides that, she didn't make any Drama's.

He could hear her whisper, from inside the cabin, but he didn't quite catch what she had said. It didn't matter though, because he was already on his way into the cabin - he couldn't believe that the door had been open all along.. He could have been inside the cabin minutes ago, instead of standing outside and banging on the door like the idiot he was.. He hadn't even tried to open the door before, how stupid could you be?
He stepped into the cabin, as quickly as possible and shot the door closed. His eyes fell, immediately, on the figure sitting on the floor, all crumbled up in herself. He examined her and bit his lip. Oh no, poor Belle. She looked so.. Fragile and.. Hurt, as she sat there on the floor. She looked helpless and Nate really couldn't help the feeling of sorry and guilt that suddenly filled every inch of his body.

"Why wouldn't you let me in, Belle?"

[/color] He asked her, almost whispering, and then fell down on his knees in front of her. He didn't reach out for her, just sat there on his knees, in front of her, and looked at her face. Tears where running down her face and she looked absolutely miserable. It was so sad, he couldn't believe that she was sitting there and crying. Why was she crying? Why was she so upset? Why wouldn't she let him in, before, and tell him? Would she tell him now if he asked her? She had to.
"Please.. Please, Belle, tell me what's wrong'[/color] Now he reached out for her. He lifted his hand out and reached out for her, wanting to embrace her or at least take her hand.. Something, just touch her.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Isabelle Stone]

'The knight in armour is at the door,
But Cinderella doesn't want to let him in.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

With one quick, hurtful look up, she saw that he really had entered the cabin, standing in the doorway with a look that instantly told her that he was not leaving anytime soon. She watched with tear filled eyes as he walked forward, his voice soft with genuine concern. Her lips pressed themselves together in a futile attempt to remain silent, eyes blinking rapidly to try and erase the tears that sat there. Her arms were still wrapped protectively around her, shielding her body from view, and the scars that went with it.

Having him see her looking the way she did made Belle even more uncomfortable than normal, where her arms and back were covered by a shirt of some sort. But now, clad only in her pajama pants and a tank top, she was completely exposed to his eyes. There was no way to hide them from him this time. Her deepest, darkest secret would be exposed, out in the open for everyone else to discover.

She watched as he dropped to his knees, only a short distance in front of her, one hand extended toward her. For a moment, her own hands fell to her lap, laying there limply. He was so close, she didn't even have to extend her arm the entire way to touch him. And he was concerned about, for her, not for any other reason but the fact that they were friends. That idea was painful. He would never know the truth, because she would never be able to tell him, and in all honestly, he was far to oblivious to guess. She was sure of it.

But before she could change her mind, Isabelle reached out, her entire body falling into his arms, losing her balance. Her eyes widened farther than before, knowing that that was it. He could see them.....

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[Nathaniel Wood]

Nathaniel Wood !

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She was wrapped in her own arms, as if she was trying to shield herself from the world, like she was trying to hide herself. That was, practically, what she was doing. The fact that she hadn't wanted to let him in only made him believe that theory of his even more - she was trying to hide, shield herself from anymore pain, by wrapping her arms around herself. Would she feel better if he embraced her? Would she feel better if he was to hold her, shield her from any harm that may be inflicted upon her from the outside world? He wasn't sure, if she hadn't wanted to let him in before then he wasn't sure if she wanted for him to help her with whatever was wrong, help her to shield herself. Maybe it was even him that had made her this upset? He didn't even know what had made her so upset and it was upsetting him. He knew he would feel absolutely terrible if it turned out to be him that had upset her this much. What could he have done that had upset her?

He then knelt down in front of her and reached out for her, invited her to come into his arms. She hesitated, he could she that she did, and a worried look appeared in his narrowed eyes. He didn't notice the scars of her bared arms yet, as he was looking at her face - examining all her facial expression before he examined anything else. She looked so miserable, with the wet cheeks and the tears which where hiding in the corner of her eyes. He felt so sorry for her and he had to concentrate so he wouldn't just wrap his arms around her.

Then, suddenly, she stumbled forward into his arms. Nate couldn't help but feel slightly good about that, clearly she wanted his comfort. But the good feeling Nate was feeling quickly disappeared as he let his eyes trail down to her bared arms. His eyes went wide and he grabbed unto her shoulders, pulling her away from him so that he could take a better look at her. He starred at the scars and then let his eyes trail back up to her face "Belle.. Who did this to you? Who gave you all of these scars?"

[/color] He whispered, still starring at her face. He didn't understand.. Who would do such horrible things to her that would leave these kind of scars?

His eyes went wide as a thought shot through his mind. Was it Melissa? Had Melissa done this to her? Or was it someone else? Before he could really react to his own thoughts he had pulled her back into his arms. He was shielding her, he was protecting her, making sure that nothing bad would happen to her. "I'm sorry.."[/color] He whispered, not sure why he was apologizing.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Isabelle Stone]

'The knight in armour is at the door,
But Cinderella doesn't want to let him in.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

She choked on her tears, her body quivering from the effort of crying. Belle was a sad sight to see at that moment, crumbling to bits in the arms of her white knight, who didn't know what he was to her, afraid of almost everything around her. But there was nothing she could do about it. Her entire world had fallen to pieces in a matter of minutes, from the very second that Nathaniel had discovered her identity, to now, when he questioned her about the scars on her arms and back. How could she explain?

His arms pulled her away from him for a moment as she stopped crying, tears still staining her face from before. He wanted answers, it was clear in his dark eyes. But she didn't know if she could give them to him without betraying any truths about herself. It was unlikely.

"My father," she whispered. "When my mother died, he blamed me. Said that the only reason she died was because she had had me. For as long as I can remember, he's either beaten me, or screamed at me, pushing me to try and make it big in his world. But I can't, Nate. I can't perform in front of people, I can't."

Yet another secret had been betrayed to his ears, but it was too late for her to care any longer. Even he could put the pieces of the puzzle together at this point, with all of the bits of information he had been given. When he pulled her back, her fingers found his shoulders, gripping him lightly as she lay her head on his shoulder, burying herself in him. She had never before been this close, this intimate with him. And his embrace was warm, despite the cold night that surrounded them. He wasn't going to leave, she knew that now.

Her voice was soft when she spoke again, mumbling in his ear. "The one on my neck is from Melissa. Her ring caught the skin when she hit me. That's why my hair is always down, so people don't see it."

She leaned up again, hands still on his shoulders, the occasional tear still falling from her eyes as she looked up, dark brown into tunnels of black.

"She told me that she wanted the one thing in the world that I would never have the courage to go and grab for myself," Belle told him. "You."

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[Nathaniel Wood]

Nathaniel Wood !

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He starred down at the horrible sight of the scars on hers arms and back. My goodness. These where serious marks, whoever had gave them to her had meant to hurt her and hurt her badly. This was no joke, these marks where serious and they would forever be with Belle, remind her of what had happened whatever it was that had happened.
He soon found out what had happened, she was hesitant though about telling him. Afraid, maybe, of how he would react? He didn't know but she did end up opening her mouth and speaking; She said that it had been her father who had done this to her, who had gave her these scars and he couldn't believe it. She told him that after her mother had died her father had blamed her and that, for as long as she could remember, she remembered that he had either hit her or screamed at her. She also told that he had been trying to push her to try and get big, as a singer of course. That was when he had pulled her into his arms again. Oh, he wouldn't let her dad hurt her anymore.. He would make her move in with him and his family if necessary.. She was not being abused this way again, never, he would make sure that she didn't. "I'm so sorry, Belle.. I know it probably doesn't mean much but I really am sorry.. You never deserved to be treated like this"

[/color] He whispered, letting his hand trail down her arm, over her scars.

He felt her head buried against his shoulder and smiled an awkward smile. At least he knew that he could comfort her, just a little. He would sit here with her as long as she wished for and just hold her, if that was what she wanted.. He would sit here all night if she'd like. She seemed like she needed it and he understood why. Not many kids got to go through what she had gone through. She had been abused by her father.. To her luck, if you could call it luck, she hadn't been sexually abused. Or had she? "Did your father.."[/color] He swallowed something. He was afraid of the answer he was gonna get "Did your father sexually abuse you?"[/color] He asked, almost whispering the words out of his mouth. Please say no, please say no[/b] he begged in his own mind. Oh god, it would be devastating if she had been.. He swore, if he ever met Belle's father he would wrip his head off.

A shiver went down his spine when she mumbled in his ear, it tickled slightly but he stayed calm as he listened to her speak; "The one on my neck is from Melissa. Her ring caught the skin when she hit me. That's why my hair is always down, so people don't see it." She said and he bit his lip. Slowly, very gently, he let his hand brush the hair away from her neck and rested the palm of his hand on the scar, which Melissa had left her.
Then, as she continued speaking, he felt how his heart rate started to grow at a rapid speed, till it was pounding against his chest.


"She told me that she wanted the one thing in the world that I would never have the courage to go and grab for myself," she paused; "You." And then he felt as if he froze. Him? Melissa wanted him? And Belle.. Belle she.. She wanted him as well.. Was he the boy who Belle liked? He pulled away, slightly, so he could look into Belle's eyes "Me?.. Am I.. Am I that boy you spoke of on the IM chat?"[/color] He asked, starring her straight into her tear filled eyes. Him? Had they been fighting over him? He was the reason to why Belle now had that scar on her neck? He brushed the area, on her neck, his facial expression still slightly shocked.. How could he not have noticed?[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Isabelle Stone]

'The knight in armour is at the door,
But Cinderella doesn't want to let him in.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

And so the truth was revealed.

There was no hiding anything from him anymore, on any level. Her life had once been an open book for anyone to look at, read and share with the world, and it had taken Isabelle a very longtime to hide that book away from the prying eyes of those who wished to use it against her. But now that he knew, instead of being afraid, she felt as though an enormous weight had been lifted from her chest, making it easier for her to breathe and think clearly. At that moment, Isabelle Stone thought that maybe there was a chance that things would be a little bit better than they had been before.

By the tone in which he spoke, she could tell that Nate was worried, genuinely worried. Never before had she heard such a voice actually trying to help her, wanting to spare her of the pains of life. It wasn't just someone telling her that she was worth more than that, there were no mere words. But this boy, this wonderful, handsome boy, wanted her to feel as though she was worth the space she occupied and the time she took up. He cared more for her than anyone else ever had in her life, even if she was sure that he would never love her back.

"Did your father sexually abuse you?"

His question was slightly shocking, but not totally unexpected. Belle understood why he would ask. Statistically, there was no reason that she shouldn't have been sexually abused, but thankfully, her answer was true.

"No," she whispered. "I guess I wasn't worth that either."

When he shivered, she could his body quiver, unsure of how to respond. She had no idea as to what had set him off, nor would she ask. But her own body relaxed slightly when she felt the warmth of his hand, folding on top of the scar that had been so kindly left to her by Melissa, a constant reminder of why she had to be careful when she was around him. Only now would she ignore this warning and allow herself to be so close, safely hidden from view in the cabin where she spent her nights, often times alone.

But when he asked her if he was the guy she had spoken about on their IM conversation, one look into his eyes told her that she would be unable to lie to him, even if she wanted to. Bowing her head with shame, her answer came in the form of a mumble, almost inaudible to any ear. Had he been farther away, Nathaniel would have heard nothing.

Yes."

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[Nathaniel Wood]

Nathaniel Wood !

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He felt scared, like he had never been. Why was he being so scared? Why was it that Belle, and whatever had happened to her, made him so scared. He wasn't scared for himself, not at all, he was scared for her, as funny as that may sound to anyone it was true. He felt weird about it as he had never felt like that before, being so worried and afraid for one person. He guessed that it was because he cared so much for Belle - That had to be why he was feeling what he was. He crinkled his nose and pressed her body against his. He had to feel her close to him, to know that she was right here and not anywhere else getting beat up, or something similar to that, by some drunken man who would probably be her father in Nathaniel's imaginations, or whatever you would call such horrid pictures

He had asked her if she had been sexually abused by her father and he answer shocked him; "No,I guess I wasn't worth that either."

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Nathaniel's eyes went wide. Not worth that? What was she talking about? What the hell was the girl talking about? Sometimes he just didn't understand her. He wrapped his arms more fully around her and rested his chin on her shoulder "Worth it? You never deserved it. You never deserved being treated like this, ever.. Why would you think you where worth being raped by your father, or not worth it?"[/color] He didn't understand Belle right now. What she was saying hurt him, deeply. Did she think that she was to be raped, that she deserved to be raped by her dad - or whatever your would call a human who did such horrible things to his daughter, look at the girl - all wounded with scars and everything. "Do you think you deserved being raped? Because if that's the case I have news for you.. You don't, never will and never had deserved to be raped, or treated like the way you have been.. Both your dad and Melissa should go to hell for doing things like these to you.. It's insane"[/color] He kept holding her close, refusing to let go of her.

That was until she spoke again, telling him about Melissa. That part he had actually not listened to much, he had been thinking deeply about the scars he had seen on her arms - it was all so horrible, he couldn't believe that she actually had to bear these things and wake up to watch them, every morning, an recall all the times she had been hit or screamed at by her father. At least the scar, which Melissa had left her, was on her neck, somewhere Belle wouldn't look to often. He was sure though that she still remembered that hit very clearly.

It was first when she started speaking, about Melissa telling her that she wanted to have what Belle would never have the courage to grab herself, that he had 'woken up'. And he was shocked to hear what she had said. He was the one Belle was crushing on.. Crushing on? In love with? He starred down at her, as she bowed her head down, ashamed of what she had just told him. Why was she ashamed now? She had to look at him, he needed to see her face. "Yes."[/color] She said and his eyes went even wider. Oh. Why had he never noticed this? His eyes narrowed, as he looked at her. When he thought of it now, when he knew that she liked him, he could maybe put two and two together. He suddenly realized that both Simone and Kyle had given him hints about this. He felt stupid.

As gently as possible, he cupped her face with his hands and lifted her head up, so he could look her in the eyes "I don't know what to say to you, Belle"[/color] He murmured, honestly. He didn't know what he was supposed to tell her.. The girl didn't think she had a chance with him did she? She thought so little of herself. Well.. She didn't know how highly Nate thought of her "You just did.."[/color] He said "Grab what you wanted, for yourself"[/color] [/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Isabelle Stone]

'The knight in armour is at the door,
But Cinderella doesn't want to let him in.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Isabelle felt his body tense with his words, seeing just how much he misunderstood the comment. It's not like she wanted to be raped, for her to feel like that would make her insane, sick and obviously unfit to reside among others. But it was the mere matter of normality. Most kids who were abused physically and verbally were at one time sexually abused as well. For her to fall out of this category only set her more apart from the world, even if perhaps in a good way. It was just one more thing that made Isabelle Stone more shadow than human.

A sigh escaped her lips. "This is what I mean, Nate. My mind makes connections that you would think are insane. This is why I didn't tell you. I didn't think you would be able to understand."

The feel of him holding her so tightly felt good, better than she had imagined it would feel. There was the hot intensity of passion, the passion of a friend being soothed by another, even if that friend meant more than they could know. She had always wondered what it would feel like to be held that way, to be so close to him that the only way she could possibly be closer was if she was inside of him. Now she knew. Her skin tingled under his touch, her nerves were jumping around inside of her body. And all the while, he still held onto her, pressing her closer and closer to him.

And his words were hot, firey and filled with a hatred unknown to Nate, and to be honest, it scared her a little. He was normally the compassionate, softspoken one were humanity was concerned. Hearing him speak of Melissa and her father like that, it made her heart quiver in fright. This was a side of Nathaniel that she had never before seen, a side that would have otherwise remained hidden in dark shadows. It was almost as if the hidden monster had finally broken free of his cage, shackles still attatched to his legs and arms as he flew through the walls of his prison with a fury.

Right now, that was what was going through her mind.

Silence passed between them after she told him the truth, uttering that single word. Her heart was surely beating loud enough for him to hear, and her ears began to ring, nothing else being there to fill them. It felt like time was slowing down around them, and Belle prepared to pick herself up off the floor and run down to the lake, or even to the meadow, where she could be alone to wallow in her own self pity. But before she could, she felt his hand cup her chin, raising her head so that their eyes were locked onto one anothers.

"You don't have to say anything. I just threw it away," she whispered sadly. "I didn't grab it for myself."

He didn't understand. She already knew that he could never love her the way she loved him. Very slowly would she be able to accept that.

"You could say a lot of things, Nate. Tell me that you never wanted to see me again, that you're disgusted. Whatever. At least if you said those things, it would be easier to take."

[/size]

[Nathaniel Wood]

Nathaniel Wood !

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Nathaniel looked down at the miserable girl who sat there, in his arms, pressed against his chest. He had misunderstood her comment, he had understood, after what she had said afterward. She hadn't told him all of this because she had thought he wouldn't understand. She had maybe had the right to think that way. Nathaniel didn't understand, he didn't understand her and they way she was thinking, but he was trying so hard to. Now, why would he even bother to try understanding this soul, who was resting in his arms? because he loved her and he cared for he, possibly much more than she thought he did. He bend down over her, like he was wrapping her in his own body, and pressed her even closer to his body - he was practically squeezing the life out of her, he just wanted to feel her close to his own body.

"Maybe I don't understand, that might be true"

[/color] He murmured, frowning a bit on the words, which where coming out of his mouth. It felt weird, somehow, because he really did want to understand her, saying that he didn't understand her made him feel weird for some reason "But I am really trying to.. And you should still have told me, Belle"[/color] He continued, in a low whisper as if there where other inside the cabin, as if he only wanted for her to hear what he had to say - which was true enough.
"Don't you know how much I care for you?, Have I not made that clear already?"[/color] He asked her, though he didn't want any answer for that. She didn't need to answer any of those two questions.

She was crazy, to make those kind of connections, he had to say that. But he didn't care, really. It didn't matter if she did make such connections to thing.. She had gone through a horrible childhood, he didn't blame her for the things she might think.. It was okay and she wasn't really insane, he felt guilty that he had even thought that she was crazy for making such connections, as she was. She was a good girl. She was nice and funny and simply an amazing person and Nate really did love and care for, more than she thought. More than he thought.

When she told him about Melissa, and him, his heart started beating faster than ever. Realizing that Isabelle, his best friend, had a crush on him came as quite a shock to Nathaniel. How he hadn't picked up the hints, from his brother, his brothers girlfriend and from Belle herself, he didn't know. His eyes narrowed. Something had to be terribly wrong with him, was he really that ignorant toward other people? Was he that oblivious, unaware, of things happening around him? He felt mad at himself for being like he was.. He must have hurt Belle a lot, he was sure of it. Plus, he was the reason to why she now had a scar on her neck.

As he cupped her face, and lifted it up so he could look her in the eyes, she spoke; "You don't have to say anything. I just threw it away, I didn't grab it for myself."[/color]

He frowned a little upon what she had said; "For whom did you grab it then if not for yourself?"[/color] He asked, whispering as he leaned closer to her. "I don't want you to throw it away.."[/color] He said, in a low voice.

If she really believed what she was thinking right now then she was a complete fool. How could she ever believe that he could never love her the way she loved him? And what if he already did so? What if he had just been oblivious to his own feelings, as he had been oblivious to hers?

"You could say a lot of things, Nate. Tell me that you never wanted to see me again, that you're disgusted. Whatever. At least if you said those things, it would be easier to take."[/color]

"That's stupid, Belle.. I don't want that"[/color] He said, once again in a low voice, leaning down to her "Do you truly believe that I would never want to see you again? That I'm disgusted?.. Do you not believe that I could love you the way you love me?"[/color] He asked her, letting his lips brush against hers "Huh?"[/color][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]