Isabella

Denali-1996

She followed her parents down the pathway to the entrance of the museum; she could hear loud music and chattering of a thousand people. She didn't want to be here she would rather be home secluded in her room reading a book or if she could she would rather hang with James somewhere people couldn't see. Where they couldn't talk about her and judge and where he could be comfortable with being himself.

No one knew she hung out with James McClain and no can know because they wouldn't understand and her parents would forbid this. The only thing they ever forbade was hanging with the nobodies, the people who didn't exist in their world. Because they weren't attractive or they didn't have money like them. Oh if they only knew she didn't care for their world of splendor and money, she didn't care for people telling her how she should act. What she should wear, who she hangs with and most of all who she should marry.

With money and fame comes consequences and the hate and jealousy, she knew the young girls her age only befriended her because of status and when she wasn't around they talked behind her back. All they cared for was what party they would attend and what they would wear, they lived for gossip and being the center of attention. Isabella hated being the center of attention for many reasons, she saw what it did to egos and the hearts of many, how they changed and became just like them.

Sometimes she wished just for one night that she would be unnoticeable or forgotten, no one could judge her and bother her. She would be free to do what pleased her.

As soon as the swans entered the party people converged upon them wanting their attention, they knew if you were seen with the swans then your status went high. There were other wealthy families but the swans were the wealthiest of them all.

Renee Swan Immediately left with her friends and left Isabella with her father, it was an unspoken agreement that she stay by their side always. Unlike before when she was given some free reign but that was before she slipped out of the party unnoticed and no one could find her for some time. Of course she couldn't tell them where she went, she had to protect her secret and protect him.

"Father you can go drink with your friends I'll be fine" She said hoping he would leave her side.

He gave her a stern look "You Know the rules" he said firmly.

She rolled her eyes "I just want to hang with my friend without you hovering. I can handle myself you know" she huffed.

He sighed "I trust you Isabella; you are not to leave at any time unless I say so"

She smiled "I know thank you father" she said before walking away.

She walked over to a huddle of well-dressed girls all gossiping and she could tell they were talking about her the way they immediately stopped when she came near.

"You Look Lovely!" They exclaimed fawning over her dress.

"Thanks" she said politely.

They begin to talk again but she wasn't listening, she looked over her shoulder to see where her parents were located and saw a group of young boys watching their circle.

"Emmett and his friend are watching us again" she said.

They immediately stopped talking and fluff their hair and fixed their dresses. Isabella rolled her eyes, they loved the attention but she hated it. She knew why they wanted her and it wasn't good reasons, she knew her father was waiting for her to pick a suitor before he picked one for her. She just knew the suitors here held no attraction for her.

"So did Emmett ask to court you?" Kate asked.

"No and I really wish he wouldn't" she answered.

The other girls looked shocked.

"Well why not?" Rose asked sounding offended.

Isabella knew rose harbored a crush on Emmett but he only had eyes for Isabella, it was the reason many of the girls hated her.

She really didn't want to stand here talking about this, she wanted to escape for a few minutes and she needed a distraction.

"Listen" she said urgently.

They moved closer eagerly.

"I'll set you all up with your potential suitors but I need a favor"

Alice narrowed her eyes "how will you achieve that?" she asked.

"Yes and what kind of favor?" Angela asked suspiciously.

"I'll find a way I need you to cover for me"

There was silence for a while and everyone stared before rose spoke up. She could see their indecision but if rose agreed then they would follow.

"For how long?" she asked.

"I'll be back at a quarter to midnight"

She nodded "what shall we say you went?"

"I don't know, make something up"

"Fine"

Isabella watched them walk towards the boys and then she silently left the party, her parents would see them next to the boys and they couldn't tell if she was there or not with the party being so large. She hurried along the familiar path through the woods way out of the town limits to the small house on the outskirts. She could see the lights on and she smiled as she came nearer.

This place was like a home away from home and her secret to keep, when the house was clear she ran the rest of the way too excited to walk. When she got near to the porch the door opened and out rushed a young man, he hurried down the steps and walked towards her.

He was tall, wearing clothes too small for him and his hair looked like it hadn't been combed. He had a scar on his face from long ago and he had dark eyes and bushy eyebrows. He wasn't attractive but he wasn't unattractive and still her heart sped up and a smile stretched across her face.

As butterflies swam around in her stomach she wondered if this was what a crush felt like.

He came near staring at her in amazement "Isabella" He breathed.

"James" she replied.

Did we see that coming?

Sorry for the long wait but the semester is almsot over and hopefully we get back on track

I'll Try to update again tonight