(BRAD’S POV)I raised my fist to the door knocking as hard as I could. I was just about to raise my hand to the doorbell when I heard the movements in the lock and the door was opened. Victoria Martinez looked very surprised to see me.“Bradley. Hi.” She said looking at me with concern .“Hi ma’am.” I said and I suddenly realized that I must look like a wreck.I had not had my bath in days, I hadn’t eaten, I hadn’t even brushed my teeth nor combed my hair. I was standing looking tougher than a rouge with rumpled clothes and sleep deprived eyes.“I’m sorry to bother you ma’am. It’s just that, I would like to see Bella Please.” I said.I could hear the pleading tone in my own voice and I hoped that she would hear it as well. But the uncomfortable expression on her face made me start feeling discouraged. “I don’t know if she will open up for you, Brad. She didn’t even go to school today.” She told me sadly.My heart squeezed in pain but I did not want to give up just yet.“I could jus
(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
(BRAD’S POV)I raised my fist to the door knocking as hard as I could. I was just about to raise my hand to the doorbell when I heard the movements in the lock and the door was opened. Victoria Martinez looked very surprised to see me.“Bradley. Hi.” She said looking at me with concern .“Hi ma’am.” I said and I suddenly realized that I must look like a wreck.I had not had my bath in days, I hadn’t eaten, I hadn’t even brushed my teeth nor combed my hair. I was standing looking tougher than a rouge with rumpled clothes and sleep deprived eyes.“I’m sorry to bother you ma’am. It’s just that, I would like to see Bella Please.” I said.I could hear the pleading tone in my own voice and I hoped that she would hear it as well. But the uncomfortable expression on her face made me start feeling discouraged. “I don’t know if she will open up for you, Brad. She didn’t even go to school today.” She told me sadly.My heart squeezed in pain but I did not want to give up just yet.“I could jus
(BRAD’S POV)I was laid down with my eyes starring blankly at the ceiling. It would be an understatement for me to say that I was feeling drained and emotionally overwhelmed. I felt so weak with a lot that was going on at the moment.I was bothered with the news my father had given to me yesterday but I would be lying if I said that the thought of Bella was not overpowering every other thought in my head. I could not stop thinking of who exactly had done that video compilation and played it. Who could hate Bella so much to do that? The knock on my door interrupted my thinking and I sighed tiredly. Mum had come to knock on my door earlier asking if I would be going to school and I had ignored her. What exactly was the point of even going to school when they were planning on sending me away next weekend?“Brad, honey you have a visitor.” She called softly.My hopes were lifted initially but then my heart sank in disappointment. There was no way Bella would miss school and so I knew t
(ISABELLA’S POV)Monday morning descended like a plague, an unwelcome and inescapable force after a weekend of turmoil.I stayed in bed unmoving as the events of Saturday evening replayed in my head. The humiliation was almost unbearable. So unbearable that I had refused to turn on my cellular data for fear of what I would see on the internet. I wished that I could turn off my phone completely but something in me was too weak to do that. I was hopeful for a call from Brad.The call never came and it worsened my situation shattering my heart even more. I had no more tears to cry and no more words to lament. I wished there was someone I could talk to but the only people I could talk to had abandoned me. How could I explain that I was only a victim of such cruel acts? My Alarm clock rang loudly for the hundredth time blasting me back in to my reality. I struggled to bring myself to my feet but thinking of going to school weakened me greatly, so I dragged myself downstairs instead.Dad
(HILARY’S POV)I screamed loudly the moment i was seated in the car with the door closed behind me. If the car was not sound proof then anyone from outside would have heard me. I rested myself back against the leather seat feeling exhausted but still my veins were throbbing with anger . How could he turn me down?! No one dared to turn me down! No one! What did that damned Fat Nerd have that I did not??I am Hilary Lockhart!! How the hell could he even think of turning me down?!“Miss Lockhart, is everything okay?” The private chauffeur asked looking at me through the mirror.I was very irritated and so I snapped at him.“Don’t you talk to me, you lowlife!” I exploded.“Sorry Miss.” He said politely.I stayed back trying to balance my unsteady breathing as I thought of what next to do. Rejection is something I was not used to. Rejection is something that I don’t take. “I want you to take me to see someone.” I said to the chauffeur and after giving him the address, I rested back aga
(BRAD’S POV)I would have thought that the day after would make me feel better. But it did nothing, in fact I felt worse than ever.The events of the night before kept on replaying in my head. How could such a beautiful night turn out to be so horrible?Thinking of Isabella tore me to pieces and remembering the horrible fight I had with my sister made me feel worse.It was like my head was throbbing intensely and I could get no sleep. Closing my eyes only made me remember the pictures on the screen. On one hand, I felt betrayed and hurt when I remembered her pictures with Dave and on the other, I still could not help but feel sorry for the public humiliation she had felt. I was aware that videos of last night were circulating the internet. I picked up my phone a number of times with the intention of calling her but I never got through with it. I was worried about her despite the fact that I felt hurt by her actions.So I made a call to someone I knew and paid a lot of money to make
(THIRD PERSON’S POV)“I’m so worried, George. I don’t know what to do.” Victoria Martinez announced as she walked in to the kitchen and dropped the breakfast tray she had arranged for Isabella.George Martinez lowered his newspaper and then when he saw that the tray was untouched, he sighed and dropped the now folded newspaper on the table.It was the next morning and falling asleep last night while knowing fully well that something had happened with Bella was not easy for them both. “She still didn’t open up?” He asked.It was a question but he knew the answer already and his wife confirmed by it by nodding her head at him.“She’s crying. I could hear her. She was also crying last night when I checked on her before going to bed and now I can’t help but wonder if she got any sleep at all or if she stayed crying all night.” Victoria said sadly. She was close to tears herself. “Damn it!” George cursed bringing his fist down at the table angrily.He could not handle the thought of hi
(THIRD PERSON’S POV) Brad had never felt so weighed down in his entire life. It was as though his heart was being shattered. He watched Bella leave and it felt like his soul was leaving as well. He staggered in weakness as he rested his back against the wall. “Brad?” He snapped out of his thoughts and straightened his posture immediately. Hilary cat walked towards him and she placed her perfectly manicured nails on her chest in worry. “Oh honey. I’m so sorry for whatever is going on with you.” She said with the sweetest voice she could come up with. Brad didn’t say a word, instead he sighed and started to walk on but Hilary was quick to follow him. “Brad. Come on, please wait up.” She begged. He stopped tiredly, waiting for her to catch on. “What do you want Hilary?” He asked her feeling the exhaustion weighing him down. All he wanted at this point was to get out of here and to go home straight.“Nothing much.” Hilary said still sounding as sweet as she could to him.“I do
(THIRD PERSON’S POV) “Ladies and gentlemen. Let me tell you a little about your homecoming queen.” There was a pin drop silence in the gym as everyone had eyes set on the large projected screen. Isabella and Brad turned as well both dealing with the same confused emotion. There was a sort of piercing sound from the speakers and then the electronic voice went on talking. “Most of you may think you know who Isabella Martinez is. A Nerd,” just then the projected screen started to reveal pictures of Isabella from when she was little and until she changed her dressing sense. She had her braces on, she played soccer, she wore larger clothes. There were giggles round the crowd as an animated picture of Isabella wearing large glasses and heavy braces came on. “Some people think she’s now changed, pretty, hot but guess what? I bet you didn’t know that she’s also a liar and a slut!” Isabella felt her body grow cold and her stomach drop. Brad was shocked as a video of the intimate tim
(THIRD PERSON’S POV)“Oh my gosh!” Tiara exclaimed holding her glass and swirling its contents unconsciously as her eyes followed the new couple who made their way in to the school’s decorated gymnasium. It was not just Tiara or Hilary and Olivia whose eyes followed Brad and Isabella. It was everyone else in the gym.Isabella could feel the heaviness in their eyes and Brad could feel as her grip tightened in his hand.“Are you okay?” He asked lowering his head so he could bring his face closer to hers.She looked up at him with her eyes sheikh her discomfort and panic.“Everyone is watching us.” She whispered at him.Brad smiled then and he brushed her cheek affectionately. “Everyone is watching you.” Bella smiled shyly at his words.“No, they aren’t.” She said back with a giggle. She was already beginning to feel a little bit more relaxed. “Yes they are.” Brad said and he looked down at her beautiful face wishing he could curse out loud. “My goodness Isabella, you have no idea how