(BELLA’S POV)The moment I was inside Olivia’s room and I had shut the door behind me, I dropped my big bag of clothes, shoes and make up gently and then lifted my hand to my chest which was drumming so quickly. Coming to the Johnson’s, I knew that I could bump in to Brad, in fact it was all I had been thinking of and I thought that I was prepared. That was until I saw him just under a minute of my entrance in to the house. His dark eyes were fixed on me and I wondered if Olivia noticed that. He had been looking at me like it was only the two of us in the room. Or was that just my own feelings speaking?To top it all, he was shirtless and gleaming in sweat. He looked like he had just finished running a marathon and I struggled to control my reaction to how he looked. It seemed like i was getting heatwaves under his eyes. I had never felt that way before. He looked so calm and so direct. He didn’t break his eyes away from mine until he walked passed and I could suddenly start bre
(BRAD’S POV) I had made up my mind that I was not going to see Isabella when she was leaving for the party. I did not feel like enduring a round of torture. She would look gorgeous and then it would kill me. So I was wearing my headphones and gaming when it was suddenly yanked off me. I jerked up to see my sister holding my headphones with an unimpressed look on her face. “What the hell Brad? I could be screaming for help and you wouldn’t even know! I could die and you won’t even know!” Sha said. I grunted in response. “Stop being so dramatic.” I said. “Hey!” I said as she bounced on my neatly made bed. “So what exactly is the reason why you of all people would miss the first party of the season? Your fans would be so disappointed to know they won’t be seeing you.” She said with a pout. I rolled my eyes. “They’ll live.” “Seriously though, is this about Dad?” She asked. “Nope, I’m good. I don’t care about what he thinks. It’s not his life.” I answered gruffly. “Then
(OLIVIA’S POV)I felt a pang of guilt as I watched Bella walk away but I didn’t even have the time of process my emotions as Hilary and Tiara pulled me away.I became happy once again seeing as they wanted to talk to me about something. Maybe it was because I made the team?“So Livy. You look good as usual.” Hilary said looking me over with a smile.My heart swooned. Did Hilary Lockhart just give me a compliment and check me out???“Yes. Loving that cute skirt by the way.” Tiara said with a kiss at me.“Oh wow! Thanks guys!” I wanted to faint at that moment. I had never received such good compliments from them. It felt so good.“So, what do you want to talk about?” I asked giddily when Hilary took out her compact powder and stared in to the mirror for some time without saying anything else to me. “Talk about?” Hilary repeated and she gave me a quick glance.“Yeah. You said you wanted to talk about something.” I said with a nervous laugh but I could already feel disappointment coming
(HILARY’S POV)“You should go and talk to him now. It’s your chance.” I said to Olivia.She looked at me confused and then she followed my gaze. I turned to watch her reaction. Her eyes lit up briefly and I knew that I was right. Dave was walking away while Bella was left talking to Henry.“Oh, I don’t think so.” She said with a nervous laugh.I rolled my eyes at her. “Don’t be such a bore! You like him, just go and have a conversation with him.” I said encouragingly. “Besides, if your friend really liked him then I don’t think that she would have let him go. Don’t you think so Tiara?”Tiara was seated in a comfy seat behind the bar and her dilated eyes lit up when her name was called.“Yeah sure!” She answered but I knew that she did not even know what she was replying to. She was definitely stoned.“But he likes Bella.” Olivia argued but I could see that she was considering it and she was still uncertain. She just needed a little more push and I was willing to give her that.“He can
(ISABELLA’S POV) “This still doesn’t make some sense to me.” I said after Henry had finished speaking. He sighed tiredly as if he had given up after saying so much to me. “There’s still no specific reason why you had to go on and do that. All you’re saying is that he didn’t put you up to it. So how can it make sense?” I demanded. “Yes, you’re right, it doesn’t make sense but because there are some things that he needs to tell you himself. I just want you to give him a chance to explain, okay?” He said. I didn’t give him an answer. I just eyed him warily. I guess I have always known Henry since I was little. He has always been a friend of Brad’s but before now, we had never spoken. What would we have to talk about? Besides, he is among the popular kids in school because he is clearly a Jock. “I do hope you give him a chance.” He said and he sounded unbelievably calm and meek, different from the noisy and playful person that I walk past in school. I gave him a nod and
(BRAD’S POV)I got down from my car and shut the door pressing the lock button on my key as I headed towards the loud house. Like a regular house party, kids were littered in the front yard, either standing or laying down.It was about that time with more to come. I opened the door and was greeted by a very filled room with everyone busy doing his or her own thing.I closed the door behind me and headed in with my eyes darting everywhere for the sight of Isabella or Olivia. I was walking past the living room when someone appeared from God knows where and threw an arm around me.“It’s Bradley Johnson in the building guys!” The kid announced and the room was enveloped in a lot of cheering.I cursed under my breath and walked away from the loud room. What a way to go unnoticed. As I walked out , guys gave me pats on my back and girls tried to talk to me or simply just bat their eyelashes at me.All I cared for was to find Isabella or Olivia and when I finally saw Olivia outside and seate
(BRAD’S POV)He was barely standing straight on his two feet when I gave him another kick that sent him reeling backwards and he cursed as his back hit the wall bringing down a hung painting with his body.I rushed for him on the ground, anger throbbing in my veins as I grabbed his collar and propped him up on the wall before connecting my fist with the side of his jaw.“It’s a fight in here guys!” Someone called and soon the room became crowded. But I did not care. I wanted to hurt this guy as much as I could. He was on the ground now groaning with blood from his nose and mouth. I raised my fist again but someone pulled me off him.It was Henry and he was holding me very tightly to himself.“Bro! What the hell! Calm down! What’s going on here?! I didn’t even know you were around!” Henry was saying all sorts of things as he struggled to keep me still in place.I was still struggling because I wanted to hurt that guy some more but then I remembered Henry, and I turned to him angrily .
(BRAD’S POV) “Nah! Hell No dude!” Rico, Henry’s cousin said as he shook his head and tried to close the door he had only held open for some seconds. His eyes had initially been wearing a smile when he saw Henry but immediately he saw Bella, his expression changedz “Rico Please.” Henry begged using his foot to hold the door open. “My wife is in there. Why the fuck are you bringing a dead girl over to my house? Are you crazy?” Rico said angrily as he came out and closed the door behind him after pushing Henry backwards. “She’s not dead! She’s only drunk!” I said immediately. Rico stayed unmoving with his eyes just watching Bella as she lay in my arms . “Please Rico, we don’t have anywhere else to go. We would be in so much trouble if we go to anyone else for help.” Henry begged. Bella started muttering to herself and that seemed to make Rico feel better about it. “You owe me big time. You know what that means.” Rico said as he signaled us to follow him. “He wants some ca
(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