(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 meet 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 Johnson said to his wife. Isabella shifted anxiously as she registered in to the Adults conversation and the realization hit her again. She had heard the news last night, Olivia had told her while they were riding our bikes back home. Brad was going to be leaving Fort Haven, Los Angeles for New York. He would be starting a high school there that would give him an opportunity to better his football Skills and to gain a better chance at a football scholarship in college. From what could be understood, it was a very big opportunity for him and everyone was happy and proud of him. Well Everyone except Isaballa. Isabella could say that it was very stupid for her to feel sad about Brad leaving especially when there is nothing between them at all. She knew that she and Brad and were more like family relatives and he only saw her as his annoying little sister and nothing more. Plus, Olivia would kill Isabella if she knew that she had a crush on Brad. But Isabella enjoyed being around Brad. She liked to look at him even when he didn’t seem to notice. He was annoying but she enjoyed every part of it. To think that he would be leaving now made her feel really sad. So sad that she didn’t realize her crush for Brad was so big until yesterday after she heard the news . “Hy Isabella!!” Olivia’s excited voice cut in to Isabella’s thoughts. They hugged with Isabella’s eyes searching for Brad without success. “Come on. Let’s leave these oldies and go to the rooftop. Brad and his friends are there” Olivia whispered to Brad and seeing the reluctance in her friend’s eyes, she quickly added, “We won’t be close to them of course. Come on.” With that she pulled Isabella and they hurried away together. As we they ourselves on to the rooftop, someone blocked them from going further. Brad stood with his Tall, lanky frame and his dark eyes showing disapproval. “What are you both doing here?” He said. “What does that even mean? This is not your house.” Olivia said “Yeah but it’s my day.” He said. “That doesn’t mean your mum will be happy to know one of your friends over there is having a can of root beer.” Isabella said nodding at the group of Brad’s friends that stood some distance away. “And so?” Brad said even though he knew he was screwed. “You’re fourteen not sixteen.” Olivia said with a smirk. Brad groaned and his eyes landed on Isabella. “For someone who uses glasses, you have a pretty good eye sight.” He said to me. Isabella rolled her eyes in reply as Brad let them pass. “Stay away from my friends and I.” He warned them as he walked away. “Gladly.” Olivia said. Then the girls went to a seperate place and got talking. Isabella could not help but steal glances at Brad. And when Olivia was called her to fix something downstairs for her mum. Isabella hurried to steal a moment with. Brad He was at the other end of the rooftop playing with a ball by himself and he seemed to be very deep in thoughts. “Mind if I play with you?” She said coming in to sight. “I’m kind of worried I might knock your glasses off or something.” Brad said. “You should be more worried about getting your ass kicked.” Isabella said striking a challenging pose. Brad chuckled and the sound made Isabella’s insides flutter. “Fine.” Brad agreed and he hurled the ball at her calmly which she caught very easily. She hurled it hard at him and he caught it with a groan. “Okay easy there tiger.” He said. “Too soft for you?” She challenged. Brad laughed and as they went on playing, Isabella observed him carefully. “So, you’re leaving.” She began. “Yup.” Came his answer. “How do you feel about it?” She asked. Brad looked confused. “Its funny that you’re the first person who has asked me that.” He said and then he shrugged. “Everyone else is just excited to have me gone.” “I think they’re more excited because of how big a chance this is for you.” Isabella said in an encouraging tone. “That’s true.” Brad said and his tone dropped. “You don’t sound too happy.” She commented. He chuckled drily as he held the ball and went to sit down with a sigh. “I don’t think I feel too happy.” He replied. Isabella went to go and sit down beside him. “Why?” She asked. “If I tell you, you’re going to think I’m lame.” He said “I always think you’re lame.” Bella said rolling her eyes and they laughed. “I guess I’m scared.” He said with a shrug. “That’s understandable.” She said warmly. “But then I have to say that you don’t need to be scared. You’re Bradley Johnson. Middle school was like your dance floor and people always love you. You’re not going to have a problem with this new school.” “What if I don’t play well enough?” Brad said his insecurities coming up. “The only thing that will not make you play well enough is if you keep feeling scared. Asides that, you are good and that’s why you got this opportunity in the first place.” She encouraged. “Go live your dream.” Her voice was supportive and her tone was warm. Brad turned to her. They were seated side by side. “Everyone is going to fall at your feet. Like always” She said in an encouraging smile. Eveyone except you. He wanted to say but instead he said. “You are really smart.” and then added after a laugh . “I mean, it makes a lot of sense seeing as you’ve read a thousand books.” Bella smiled and her face lit up even more. Her glasses were not enough to shield her piercing sapphire eyes just like the dim lights on the rooftop could not block out how pretty she was. Brad could not help but lean in to plant a kiss on her lips. He was even more surprised when Bella kissed him back gently for a split second sending thunderbolts round his body. But then she pulled back, her pretty eyes wide open in shock. Just then, the sound of the iron rooftop door came squeaking and they both jumped apart from each other. “Brad, your friends are here again! Something about wanting to spend some more time with you.” Olivia started saying as she walked in. She scrunched up her face. “Make sure you boys kiss since you are so inlove with each other.” Hearing the word kiss made Brad and Isabella’s heart skip. Brad said nothing but headed out quickly. “Weird.” Olivia commented before pulling her friend back for a gossip. But Bella’s mind was far away and her heart was racing as she replayed the short kiss in her head over and over again. It made her tingle in excitement. Before leaving, she sneaked off to Brad’s room to knock on the door but she heard her name and stopped. “Don’t be silly, she’s just like my little sister. Besides she is just like a Nerd and Nothing can ever happen between us. She wears glasses for crying out loud!” It was Brad’s voice and it broke Bella’s heart to shreds. She ran home and cried to her pillows that night swearing to hate Brad with everything in her. She never wanted to set her eyes on him ever again!*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 called softly after me bu
(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 said as 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 to snap out o
(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