(ISABELLA’S POV) It was almost 4 A.M and there was a boy in my room. Not just any boy, Brad Johnson.I had now changed in to a big shirt and we were both seated on the bed so we didn’t have to speak too loudly in case any one heard us.I never imagined that alcohol would be so strong to me knock me out that way. I only had a glass and since I woke up, I’ve been feeling like I’m in a dream. How else would you explain this? Brad was the one who brought me home, to my own room and then he sat here and watched me while I slept.It was like all the anger i felt was suddenly washed away and I wasn’t angry with him any more. “You wanted a chance to explain yourself.” I had to start speaking because I could so easily get lost in his eyes. “I do.” He said and then after a pause, “Then I guess I have to start from the beginning.”I shrugged. “I don’t mind.” I said and then I realized that I may be too selfish. “If you’re too tired then we don’t have to talk now.”He shook his head immediate
(BRAD’S POV)Bella’s soft lips kissed mine gently and I found myself spiraling in to the past. It was like I was dreaming of the first kiss we had on the rooftop. I shifted back a little and she opened her eyes surprised. Then I could see the embarrassment, the shade of red climbing on to her cheeks. I cupped her face quickly with my hand and leaned in to kiss her back . This time I was more needy and demanding from the kiss. I depended it by biting her lower lips gently and slipping my tongue in to her mouth when she let out a moan.Her tongue found mine and I enjoyed the way she tasted. My hands circled around her waist pulling her closer to me while her own hands traveled down my back and moved in a slow rhythm on my body.I sighed in content feeling satisfaction and ignited want from her touches. As I pulled her closer to my body and on to my lap while her hands were wrapped around me, she moaned in a muffled tone . I was kissing her deeply and with every want in my body but it d
(OLIVIA’S POV)The sound of a ringing phone and the feel of its vibration against the bed woke me up. I groaned tired and upset about my sleep being interrupted and then I heard a male voice right after the phone stopped ringing.“Hello?” That made my eyes to fly open and I sat up in bed with such a jerk. I grabbed the sheets to my naked chest and my heart started racing as I recalled the last thing that I could from last night.Me. Dave. Lots of Drinks. His Place. “Okay. Later.” Dave said as he put his phone away.He turned to me squinting his eyes and then he smiled at me causing my heart to ache at his beautiful face.He put his hand around my waist and pulled me towards him.“Come back to bed.” He urged me but i jerked up immediately and I shook my head at him.“No, No.” i said quickly and I started to look around in search of my own clothes to wear. I started to see them on the ground and so I took to wearing them. Dave slowly sat up in bed looking at me as if he was confused
(BRAD’S POV)“What the fuck?” I cursed as I watched the video for the third time.There Connor lay on the ground beaten and bruised. I didn’t even think I had messed him up so bad because I was angry but now that I was watching the video, it was so easy to see. Then there she was, laid on the bed and though the camera was not solely faced on her, anyone who knew her could tell that she was the one. Passed out and laid on the bed. I could feel the anger rising in my chest. I pressed the phone back in to Olivia’s hand and rushed to my bag to get out my own phone and sure enough I had a lot of notifications from school group chats. The video was all over the place already. “Damn!” I cursed in resignation. “Connor is very popular and so it makes sense that something like this will hit the internet.” Olivia said angrily.“But she isn’t being tagged in the video.” I said feeling a little bit relieved.“No she isn’t but the whole school is talking about it. They know it’s her.” Olivia
(ISABELLA’S POV)I have always gotten picked on when I was way younger. It’s really not a nice thing and it sucks that I kind of got used to it. When I was way younger, kids would pick on my glasses, pull my hair, call me a nerd and laugh at me because I got all the tests right, mock me because I liked oversized clothes.You could really just name it. Maybe that’s why this video was not killing me as much as I expected it would. The only thing that I was struggling with was knowing that he almost took advantage of me. The thought of that haunted me and scared me to death. Connor took down all his social media accounts upon the resurfacing of the video. The video was so popular among our school mates and in Fort Haven High related groups that existed. It was a surprise that no one mentioned my name but they did give acute descriptions that led to me, like long dark hair, Junior year, they even used adjectives like hot.I tried not to think about it all and when Monday came, I gave
(ISABELLA’S POV)The day did not go by as quickly as I expected it to. Olivia was staying behind for her first cheerleading practice and so immediately I heard the bell, I raced home.I stayed in my room until dinner time when Jeanie pounded on my door and let me know that I needed to come down stairs.My mind was a jumble of mess. It was one thing to think about what had happened to me at that party and it was another to have my mind filled with thoughts of Brad.The way he kissed me so carefully and intentionally, even when I could tell that he wanted me badly. The way his hands traveled around my body gently and slowly. But all that came crashing down when I remembered what I had told him;“I think it’s best we just become friends. I really don’t want to upset Olivia.”The words haunted me and I hated to remember it. I was shocked on my way to dinner when I saw Jeanie laughing and talking to Brad and Olivia. They were being so casual and regular like it was something you got to
(ISABELLA’S POV)I was just shocked throughout. Brad was wearing a very humble face and he looked so polite as he asked my mother for permission to take me with him, so that we could see this ‘assignment that he spoke of’Mum was more than ready to let me go out.“She has been cooked up in her room all day.” She said giving me the glance. “Okay my brain box! Out you go now.” Mum said to me and I rolled my eyes.But without a word, I stood up to follow Brad. “Don’t forget, you promised to think about it Brad.” Jeanie said and that was when I noticed her following us all the way to the doorway. “Yeah, I promise.” Brad surprised me by saying. Jeanie smiled up at him.“Thank you then. Good night.” She said and scurried away.I rolled my eyes again as we walked out of the house and I fell in to step with him while we walked next door towards his house.“What? What’s that face for?” He asked me after a few seconds of us walking in silence.“Jeanie has a crush on you.” I stated.“So, ar
(ISABELLA’S POV)The darkness receded, replaced by a soft, warm glow. My eyelids fluttered open, and I blinked a few times feeling a little disoriented. The sight that met my eyes took my breath away. The once ordinary garden that I could remember from years ago was transformed into a magical wonderland. I gasped as I looked at the delicate fairy lights that were twinkling among the trees, casting an ethereal glow on the lush greenery. There was a winding pathway, lined with flickering candles, led to a secluded spot beneath a sprawling oak tree. A small table, adorned with a pristine white tablecloth, held a vase of freshly cut roses and lilies. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of the blooms, and a gentle breeze was blowing. “Oh my….” I couldn’t even bring myself to complete the sentence.I was so speechless and I felt the tears prick my eyes. “There’s something else I want to show you.” Brad’s voice interrupted my thoughts and I turned to him suddenly filled with
(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