(THIRD PERSON’S POV) *2012* Isabella met Bradley on a warm and Sunny day in the summer of 2012. Isabella and her family had just moved in to the neighborhood two days before and they were still Unfamiliar with their surrounding. Isabella was playing with a ball in the playground her dad set up for her in the backyard when she noticed a woman about the age of her mum coming from the house next door with a bowl in her hand. Piqued with curiosity, She sneaked and hid in the garden watching as the lady walked past the gates and took the front path to their front door. It was as Isabella moved a little that she noticed that the lady was not alone. She held the hand of a little boy who had dark spiky hair and seemed to be around her age wearing a dissatisfied look on his face. “Do i really have to be here?” He asked looking up to the lady. “Yes you do. Now hush!” She warned him and the younger boy scowled in reply as she rang the doorbell. Isabella stifle
(ISABELLA’S POV) *2020* The laughter that erupted from the group of people around the table made Isabella snap out of her thoughts pulling her back to the Johnson’s garden. She gave up and dropped her book on the table seeing as she had no chance of going far with her reading with all the noise going on around the garden. As the smell of barbecued meat filled the garden, Isabella wished she had come a few minutes later because Olivia had not returned from shopping with her aunt and Brad. Now, Isabella was stuck here with Olivia’s parents, Sandra and Chris Johnson, Isabella’s own parents, Victoria and George Martinez and Isabella’s little Jeanie (Who by the way was seated sitting at her own chair and table watching cartoons on an IPad ) “I still can’t believe my baby boy is going to be so far away!” Sandra said and Mum put her hand over her friend’s in comfort. “The boy is not a kid anymore, Sandy. Please let’s not talk about this. Besides New York isn’t that far away.” Chris
*2024* (ISABELLA’S POV) There must be something wrong with my body. I thought as I took off the black shirt and tried a purple one with a higher neck line. I sighed in disappointment as my boobs still somehow popped up showing cleavage. I sat down in my bed unable to think of what to do next and then I settled for a nice leather jacket. It was the last day of summer and thankfully the weather was not too warm for a jacket. I didn’t need a jacket in relation to the weather but it made me feel less shy about my boobs pushing out. They had suddenly grown so much over the holiday and I would have thought it was because I added weight but the rest of my body didn’t explode as much. Well, except my bum and hips which I did not want to think too much about. Knock!knock!knock! “Bella?? Can I come in?!” It was the soft but demanding voice of my little sister, Jeanie. I quickly picked a brush and began brushing my hair as I yelled back ‘Come in!’ I didn’t wa
(ISABELLA’S POV) Standing with his arms folded across his chest, Lean but muscular build standing tall with a physique obviously honed by hours of workout. His chiseled features framed by that same dark spiky hair and the same piercing dark eyes that exuded a mix of confidence and intensity. My throat went dry and my heartbeat drummed loudly in my chest as I felt my palms go dry. His eyes were focused on me and mine solely on him. It felt like I was in some kind of trance and I wanted so bad to pinch myself. “Brad!” Olivia spluttered freeing herself from my support and rushing forward in to her brother’s ready arms as she made me snap out of my thoughts quickly. I stood by nervously and uneasily wishing that I could wake up from this dream at once! Brad Johnson in skin and flesh standing a few feet away from me and looking as though he has been here for the past four years. “I didn’t think you would be here until tomorrow. Why are you here so soon?.”
(ISABELLA’S POV) I wished I could just pinch myself. Four whole years without seeing Brad and here he was standing in front of me exuding his Strong aura. He came even closer than I was already trying to handle and he took my hand gently in his. “It’s been so long. You look so different.” He said taking in my appearance. I withdrew my hand from his like it burned me. I didn’t like that I enjoyed the feel. I’m supposed to be furious with him. “Thank you.” I said. “I’m sorry but I have to get going home now.” I tried to walk away but Brad pulled me back and I staggered backwards in to his waiting arms. His cologne filled my nose and I wanted to stay there with him holding me. I lifted my head up to his and his eyes looked down at mine. “I’ve missed you.” He said to me in a whisper. It felt like I was swaying but I got a hold of myself and quickly stepped out of his embrace. “I um… I have to leave.” I said turning around and walking away. “Bella, wait.” He calle
(BRAD’S POV) “I just can’t believe you’re back.” Henry said to me excitement still sounding in his voice. I had just driven in to school and he had hurried to see me. I didn’t really want people to notice that I was back and so he and I were still seated in the car having some water as we watched everyone meeting and welcoming each other back. It all seemed very rowdy. “You are going to cause a stir! You used to be our golden boy until you left.” Henry said not being able to get off how excited he felt. “Are you going to audition for the football team?” He asked me. That was a question I knew he was going to ask. Everyone knows first round of tryouts happens on the first day of school. “Yes I am.” I answered. “What happened though? Why did you come back?” Henry started to ask me and I was very relieved when the other guys came tapping at my window. “What the hell! So this is actually true. Bradley Johnson!” Mark exclaimed as he came closer. “All in flesh and blood, Mark.” I
(BELLA’S POV) It has been a very nervous first day of school for me. I wouldn’t have minded if my mum had come down from the car and walked me to my own locker and first class. Because the moment I got out of the car, I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. I thought that getting inside would make things better. But it did not. Some guy would not stop following me at first and then Brad appeared out of nowhere and told the weird and persistent guy to leave. Now, the problem will be how to react to that. Seeing Brad in front of me brought so much mixed emotions. He looked like a male model as his great height made him look down at me. His face as usual was an exuberance of perfection and his jet black hair looked like it had been neatly combed for a thousand times. His presence gave me butterflies but it also made me remember what he truly thought of me. “Thanks for helping me out with that guy.” I finally said unable to take the silence as Brad’s eyes were on me. He seemed
(ISABELLA’S POV) “Oh my-“ “Gosh.” Jeanie completed the sentence for Olivia. I turned to stare at my reflection in the mirror, I froze in disbelief as my perfectly made up face stared back at me. My hair was done in a perfect French plait letting a few strands fall in front of my face. I felt mum’s comforting hands rest on my shoulders and looking at her through the mirror, she had a big, proud smile on her face. “You are so beautiful.” Mum said kissing me on my head. “Yes she is!!” Olivia emphasized. She had the cutest and the proudest smile on. “Can you do me next mummy?” Jeanie asked batting her eyelashes at mum. “No. You’re way too young for make up, Jeanie and you know that.” Mum said sternly and Olivia chuckled before being cut off by her ringtone and she hurried off to answer a call. “I’m so excited.” Mum said clapping her hands I narrowed my eyes with a chuckle. “It’s just a party mum.” I told her. “It’s your first party.” Mum said looking me over. I w
(ISABELLA’S POV)It had been a week since the incident. By the incident, I mean the one that signalled the end of the nightmare. The day we had obtained an implicating recording of Hilary and Dave with the help of Tiara.Things were slowly beginning to settle down and get back to normal. My punishments had been reduced a little. I was still grounded but I was allowed to go out for a few hours a day.School which had been my most feared place was better than I had expected and hoped for. Brad and Olivia never left my side. Everyone knew the whole story now and as the days passed, their whispers and glances at us disappeared in to thin air. On this particular day, I felt great. My day at school was almost normal except for the bugging thought of Hilary that occasionally came to my mind.I had not seen her since that incident and I would not see her until the day I do in court. A day, I wasn’t looking forward to but was prepared to.I was at home reading a novel and laid back on my be
(BRAD’S POV)I sighed gathering enough courage and then I knocked on the door briskly. After a short moment, I rang the doorbell also and stepped back patiently.“Good afternoon. How may I help you please?” A maid dressed in black and white uniform was the one who answered the door.“I’m here to see Dave please.” I said.Just as the maid opened her mouth to answer me, someone emerged from the hallway.“What the hell are you doing here?” Dave’s angry voice came before his face came in to view.His hair looked rough and his clothes looked rumpled. He looked like he was going through hell.“I came to see you because I want to talk to you.” I said stepping in to the house.Dave glared at me but I was surprised to see that he didn’t tell me to get out as I took another step forward.“So what is it? What exactly do you want to say to me? You want to laugh at me? Mock me because I’ll be going to Jail soon?” He asked and the anger was evident in his voice.“I did not come to mock you.” I said
(ISABELLA’S POV)I wished that morning time would come as soon as possible but time seemed to be slower than ever. For the longest time it was only eleven thirty pm and I had no idea why sleep was not coming to me. I wanted so much to see Brad and I don’t know how I managed to wait till this time.The sound of a rattle at my window pane made me shake. I jumped to my feet again when I heard the sound at the window again. I had no doubt that it was Brad and when I pushed the curtains aside, his face warmed me up. He was downstairs and beckoning me to come too. I contemplated for a split second and then threw on a robe before heading downstairs.I went out as carefully as I could and dashed to the back where Brad was waiting for me. “Hey.” He said taking my hand in his.My heart felt so warm and I felt so happy. I hugged him immediately and he was stiff with shock at first but then he hugged me back tightly. There was something about his hugs that made me never want to leave. It mad
(OLIVIA’S POV)“Where are you going? Have you forgotten that you are grounded?” Mum asked interrupting me as I whistled and walked majestically to the door.“Oh. I know. I’m just going next door to apologize to Chris, Victoria and Bella.” I said with a hopeful smile.Mum rolled her eyes at me and then carried on with what she was doing which was setting flowers in a vase. I guess that meant I could carry on. Yes, I was grounded with a lot of limitations to phone, Tv and social events. After our hearty reconciliation last night, the punishments were next for Brad and I.Today is also the last day I’m allowed to skip school until I graduate. I guess my parents and Bella’s parents agreed on that since last night had been a whole lot.I was still whistling as I walked down the pathway leading to the Martinez house but then I noticed a black Camry car slowing down close to me.A sense of fear gripped me and I could not help but wonder if it was Hilary or Dave and if they were back to dea
(BRAD’S POV)I watched the closed door weakly. What did Dave mean by the things he had just said?. The look in his eyes seemed so intense, there had to be some meaning in his words.“Hey.” Bella’s soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I turned to see her wearing a weak smile.“Hey.” I replied softly .Seeing her ever beautiful face refreshed me and I felt as relieved as ever to know that we would be able to keep those videos away from the eyes of everyone.Bella was pulling me away with her and I could see that the police officers were making their way to Dave’s front door.I’m sure our parents had explained the situation and why they had to take action.“Hey.” Bella said again and her hand cupped my cheek briefly with affection. “Are you okay?” Her eyes searched mine earnestly.I managed a smile at her.“Yes. I think I’m okay.” I said and then I shook my head. “I know I’m okay. Everyone knows how we feel about each other and we dealt with the dark part of this whole thing.”The
(THIRD PERSON’S POV)Hilary cursed all the way from Tiara’s house as they were driven to Brad’s. Tiara hated that she had to keep her face in an encouraging mood, she hated that she had to join and speak to Hilary by cursing out Dave even more and she was thankful that she was one who spent most of her time tapping at her phone. It helped her to escape some of the conversations.Thankfully, Hilary was not one who noticed the emotions of others and she was so busy thinking of herself that she didn’t notice her friend’s forced attitude.“I’ll show the damned fool! He must be thinking I don’t have anything on him, but I do.” Hilary said storming out of the car the moment it was parked out in front of Dave’s house.She hurried up the front porch with Tiara trailing after her after quickly as she made sure her recording was starting.The door was opened by one of the maids of the house whom Hilary pushed aside rudely and stormed upstairs.She banged on Dave’s door countlessly and she fume
(TIARA’S POV)“T! There’s someone at the door for you!” My older brother Jude yelled from the doorway.It was a good thing I had just finished having dinner because then this person would have been coming at a wrong time.As I walked to the door, I wondered if it was my stupid boyfriend coming over to apologize.Never in my life did I expect to see Olivia Johnson and Isabella Martinez at the door.“Hi Tiara. I’m sorry for showing up unnannounced.” Olivia said with a shaky smile.“Leave Jude.” I said to my brother unable to ignore the way he was ogling at the girls who were waiting for me.Jude groaned disappointedly in reply and then he walked away muttering a curse at me. I folded my arms across my chest and looked challengingly at Olivia.“Bold of you to come here after the rude way you treated me. You shut the door in my face.” I pointed out.Olivia sighed and lost the smile she had been wearing.“You can’t blame me, can you? You were horrible to me.” She said.I shrugged and pushe
(BRAD’S POV)The tension in the room could be cut with a pair of sharp scissors. Everywhere was almost in a pin drop silence except for the voice of Mr George Martinez on the phone with the police officer.His voice echoed throughout the nearly silent room as everyone else avoided eye contact. I stole the thousandth glance at Isabella but she still wasn’t looking up.She had her eyes set on her fingers as she twisted them together in her lap. Olivia was faced sideways with her eyes on the portrait even though her mind was definitely elsewhere.My parents were seated together on the Chaise lounge and even though they were seated side by side, they seemed to be worlds apart.Victoria Martinez was seated on a couch right next to her daughter, Isabella and just like me, she kept stealing glances at Bella.“I’ve handled talking to Officer Tay. He’s very happy for us.” George Martinez said walking back in and making me turn my face away from Bella.He didn’t take a seat on any of the chairs
(THIRD PERSON’S POV)George Martinez was the only one who was pacing about. The other Adults were seated around. They were all in the Johnsons house where they had been since they noticed their daughters empty beds.The early hours of the morning had come and yet there was no news from their children. They were all weakened by scared thoughts that were racing through their minds and each was trying to manage it in their different ways “You may have to calm down George.” Victoria finally her husband weakly.George did not stop pacing but he looked in the direction of his wife as he did so “How can I calm down? My little girl could be anywhere. What if something terrible is happening to her?” He said with panic.He passed the panic throughout the whole room and there was a couple of sighs from the others.“They ran away from home. They weren’t kidnapped. You need to stop saying these things.” Victoria said sternly rubbing her forehead as if trying to soothe her troubled mind.It was n