The first kiss!

(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 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!