William raised an eyebrow. "Something different?"
"Please?" Bella pouted, her lower lip pushing out. Her brown eyes were wide and pleading.
William studied her for a long moment. His eyes crinkled. His lips twitched.
"Alright," he said slowly. "How about... little turtle?"
Bella's eyes widened.
Her cheeks puffed out. Her lips pressed together. Her whole face scrunched up in exaggerated offense.
"Little turtle?" she repeated, her voice muffled by her puffed cheeks.
William nodded, barely suppressing a grin. "Little turtle. Because you carry your bag on your back, just like a turtle carries its shell."
Bella looked down at her bag, still slung over her shoulder. The strap was digging into her shirt. The bag was bulging with all the things she had carried from home. Then she looked back up at her grandfather.
"I do not," she said, her voice coming out squeaky.
