20

"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

– Joshua J. Marine

Bella's pov

I officially hate Monday's now. Specially because after having the most amazing weekend, I'll have to go back to school.

School life is sad because of Monday.

Anyways I get ready for my day. I decide to wear a floral top today with my pair of denim shorts. I do my usual face routine with mascara, lip balm and decide to curl my hair a little to make them wavy.

After completing my breakfast I hear the noise of Jacob's car.

"Heyy handsome" I call him handsome because he is. He looks amazing. His hair still wet from shower but perfectly styled, his grey t shirt complimenting his dark brown hair.

"Hello gorgeous, I missed you" he says. "You just saw me last night" I reply. Though I missed him too. How can't I when he is such a perfect boyfriend.

"So, your point being?" He asks to which I laugh and give him a kiss on his cheek.

"How about today, we all go to my place for studying?" He suggests. I haven't been to his place till now as we usually go to Xander's but I do think that it's a great idea.

I have one class with Xander, so I decide to sit right next to him. He has been a bit distant lately which I am not able to understand.

"Hey Xan" I greet him with a hug. Don't ask, it's a habit I learned from Jacob. Now we both are the one's who keeps on hugging people.

"Hi" he replies awkwardly.

"How's your relationship going with Madison" I ask curiously. "It's not a relationship Ella" he replies but still avoiding to look at me.

"Xan, did I do something? Are you mad at me for something?" I ask.

"No Ella, you didn't do anything. There is no relationship between me and her. I am not like Jacob. I like meaning less stuff with girls with no emotions attached" And finally looks at me softly.

"It's okay. I am not judging you for anything. I just feel that you are becoming distant from all of us. So that's why I wanted to make sure that everything is okay" I smile at him.

"Okay class, so for the upcoming assignment you guys will have to work in pairs. The person sitting right next to you is your pair. For this project you need to read a book and write a book review upon it. Also you'll have to discuss your opinions, which could be same or different from one another. In front of the class. You have one week time for this" The professor says and gives us a new project for assignment.

"Hey partner" a girl who is also sitting next to Xander says to him. To which he looks at me while smirking.

"Hi, I think you kind of misunderstood. I am doing this project with Xander so you'll have to find yourself another partner because well he is mine." I kindly explain to that girl, to which she glares at me in return.

What is everyone's problem with me.

She looks over at Xander for help but he raises his hand as if surrendering to me. "You heard the lady" he says. I laugh at his stupid actions.

"So which book do you have in mind?" He says while looking at me.

"Umm, what about the great Gatsby?" I suggest, I have already read this book so many times and I am in love with it.

"Yeah sounds good to me."he agrees with me.

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"Baby can we cancel the plan of coming to your house today? Xander and I got a project in which we are working together. So after studying we might have to work upon it a bit as we only have one week time." I explain to Jacob, to which I know he is a bit sad but doesn't show instead he smiles and says "of course cupcake, we can do this some other time".

I knew he'll understand.

Taylor and Cole are acting a bit weird today. For instance they both came together in Cole's car. They keep on looking at one another from time to time. I wish both of them realize their feelings soon because others clearly can.

After studying together for about half an hour we all get tired from it and decide to continue tomorrow. Although I'll still have to stay back because of the project.

"Elle I can stay as well if you want, and then drop you off like usual" Jacob suggests, I know he wants to spend more time with me but I don't want him to wait for me so I reply "it's okay baby, you can go. Xan will drive me back to my place. And I'll call once I am free. I love you".

Thankfully he doesn't argue much and says I love you to me and leaves after giving me a kiss.

I have also became closer to Donna from these couple of months. She loves me as her own daughter and keeps on making me special food. Even today when she heard I'll stay for longer time, she decided to make me pasta. Which I truly love. I also love her a lot, she is the sweetest person ever. I bring her some of my baked goodies as well in return.

"So have you read the book?" Xan asks me. "Yes I have, what about you?" I reply.

"Not much of a book fan" he says while touching owns hair. "Well lucky for us then, we can watch the movie instead" I suggest.

This could work since we have to work in a pair he can watch the movie to understand better whereas I already have read the novel and seen the movie as well. But anyways I'll get to know his opinion which matters in this project.

I sit on the couch while Xander sets up the movie. Oscar also comes running towards us happily. Oh I forgot to mention he loves me now. Because apparently he loves attention and well I love dogs so it was bound to happen. I pick him up and make place for him to sit right next to me. Xander stares at me for a while because of my action but then shakes his head and continues doing his work.

Donna gets me my pasta and some dog treats for Oscar. And we then start watching the movie.

*after a while*

"How can anybody love someone that much, I mean how stupid to love daisy when he could've had anyone he wanted. He was ready to die for her, take all the blame to himself. Now that's really some unfair shit. Oh god I love this movie and dislike daisy equally. One lesson learned from it- never to fall in love and only focus on your ambition" he starts complaining soon after finishing the movie.

Well I had same kind of reaction when I first read it. It's so beautifully written and even portrayed in the movie that leaves everyone shocked, sad, and very much in love with Gatsby's character.

"I know right, but I don't think that's the lesson we should learn from this. Instead we can learn how to actually love other people. If everyone in this world starts loving someone as much as Gatsby loved daisy, it'll be a much better place. It teaches us the power of love, hope and ambition." I reply trying to make him understand a different point of view. I think he did get my point and that's why he doesn't push the topic further.

I do believe in the power of love, hope and ambition.

Ambition helps us stay motivated and achieve our goals. Hope helps us in moving forward, and stay positive about everything. And well love makes everything more special and gives you the real feeling of being alive.

"Do you love Jacob that way?" He suddenly asks looking straight into my eyes. His eyes tells me he is serious. "I do. Jacob brought back the happiness in my life, he makes me feel special, and secure. It's like I know that this guy won't ever do anything to hurt me. And that I can trust him completely with my own life. I know it may sound stupid as it's only been some months. But even in such little time, I have fallen in love with him. So yes i do love him that way, i can do everything for him." I reply in a serious tone but still with a smile. Talking about him makes me smile all the time. But he doesn't say anything after that and just keeps looking at me and then gets up.

"I think it's getting late, and I should drop you off to your house" He says, to which I nod.

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What are your favorite quotes from Gatsby?

Hope you liked it💕