Chapter 16
by 
nickkorneev22
What's next?
New Day, New Challenges
You grab your phone to check if there are any messages. To your surprise, you see that Charlie has texted you again. "Hey Alex, hope everything is okay with Bella. Just wanted to check in and see if you're free tonight. I'd love to take you out for dinner."
You pause for a moment, considering your options. On the one hand, you're still concerned about Bella and feel a sense of obligation to be there for her. On the other hand, you're intrigued by Charlie and would love to spend more time with her.
You type out a quick response. "Hey Charlotte, thanks for checking in. Bella's doing better now, thanks. As for tonight, I'd love to go out with you. But I need to figure out some things first, like where to meet and what time. Can I get back to you in a bit?"
Charlie responds quickly. "Of course, take your time. Just let me know what works for you. Looking forward to seeing you tonight."
You put your phone down and head to the kitchen to make some tea. As the water boils, you can't help but think about Charlie and the possibilities that might come with spending more time with her. At the same time, you're still not sure what to do about Bella and her addiction problems.
Just then, Bella emerges from her room and walks into the kitchen. "Hey, you want some tea?" you ask.
She nods and you pour her a cup. You sit down at the table together and sip your tea in silence for a moment.
Finally, you turn to her and say, "Bella, can I ask you something?"
"Sure," she replies.
"How are you feeling? I mean, do you think these past few nights have helped with your addiction?"
Bella takes a sip of her tea and looks at you thoughtfully. "Honestly, I don't know. I mean, it's been nice having you here with me. But at the same time, I know I need to figure things out for myself. I can't rely on you to fix everything for me."
You nod, understanding what she's saying. "I get that. And I'm here for you, no matter what. But I also want to make sure that you're taking care of yourself and getting the help you need."
Bella smiles at you gratefully. "Thanks, Alex. I really appreciate it. And I know I need to start taking better care of myself too. I have a meeting with my therapist tomorrow, so maybe that will help."
You smile back, feeling relieved that Bella is taking steps to get better. "That's great, Bella. I'm really proud of you for taking this seriously."
As you finish your tea, you can't help but think about the upcoming night and the decision you have to make about whether to go out with Charlie or stay with Bella. It's a tough choice, but you know that whatever you decide, you'll be there for Bella when she needs you.