Isabel drove up near the theatre and saw Jason waiting for her with a smile as he leaned up against his red convertible. He walked over to her car and opened her door for her. She smiled as she got out of her car.

"I'm glad you agreed to join me." He removed his mirrored sunglasses and his green eyes met brown ones.

"I'm glad you invited me." He took her arm and put in on his arm led her towards the theatre where a dozen others waited to get their tickets.

Maria drove by, saw Isabel, and then noticed the guy with her. "Um, I wonder who he is." She smiled as she drove past. Now what was he doing with the ice queen?

Inside Jason found seats up front, as Isabel always did. They sat down with the large tub of popcorn and the candy and large drinks. They glanced at the screen showing previews.

Isabel had wanted to see this movie, but she hadn't wanted to go alone. For it was scary. The room darkened and the movie began, Jason glanced at her and then back at the screen. He didn't try to put his arm around her, or her seat. She watched and several times when something horrid happened, or gory she jumped and moved closer to Jason, who then put his arm around her. He just gave her a gentle squeeze but he didn't laugh at her.

Two hours later, they walked out of the theatre, and looked up at the stars overhead. Isabel felt butterflies in her stomach. Jason looked down at her, as Isabel twisted the end of her sweater.

"Would you like to go for a ride? It's a nice night, and I am enjoying this evening with you."

"Let's do that."

"Then let's take my car. I can put the top up if you like."

She smiled up at him. "No, leave it down." He led her over to the car, one hand on her elbow. He opened the door and helped her in. Then went around and got in behind the wheel, and started the car, driving out of town.

Back at the Crashdown Michael was working; he ignored Maria as she kept trying to get a rise out of him. But he had other things on his mind. 'I wonder if Max talked to Isabel. I wish that Jason guy would come in here. Then I could get some answers out of him.'

It was then he caught the conversation between Maria and Liz. Liz was listening to Maria go on.

"I hear his family has money, lots of it. Just the kind of guy for her, he can afford Isabel."

"Why would you think she would only want a rich guy?"

"You need to ask? Look how she lives, how she dresses. A poor man couldn't afford her. She's not like the rest of us, hard working people. Though that guy is a tasty looking guy. Figured she would meet him first."

"You're just jealous. Isabel isn't a bad girl. She's nice too."

"You just say that so Max won't get mad at you for putting down his sister."

Michael turned back to the burnt burger in front of him. He waved his hand over it and it was raw again. Maybe Maria was right. What did he have to offer a girl like Isabel, that is if he was interested, though he wasn't. He was poor, cooked for a living. No prospects for college, he was no model either. No a girl like that deserved the world at her feet.

He flipped the burgers and turned his thoughts to the big game coming on this weekend. A safer subject. After all, he thought of Isabel as a sister, and was only concerned for her. He didn't care what her lips would taste like.

The wind blew her hair as the car drove into the desert. She was enjoying herself; Jason seemed like a nice guy. It was very dark out except for the stars, and the sliver of moon. It was quiet except an occasional coyote howling. Isabel could almost forget her run in with her brother earlier.

When Jason finally pulled over, he turned the motor off and turned to her. "The desert is very pretty at night. We don't have any where I come from."

Isabel smiled she didn't really like it, because with the beautiful of the night desert came the deadly heat of day. "It is beautiful, but not during the day."

"No, I don't really like the heat that much. Back home it has a mild climate, not too hot or too cold."

"Where are you from Jason?"

"California."

"I always wanted to visit there."

"You would love the place I come from." He glanced up at the sky, I like the stars. Have you ever wished you could go, see what's out there?"

Isabel looked up watching the sky. "Once or twice. But that is just a dream. Time our space program can do that we will all be long dead."

"Maybe not. We can wish."

She smiled and turned to him as he turned around facing her. She found herself moving to meet him halfway. Their lips touched.

Max had just returned from talking to Liz and he had found information on Jason and his father. They were wealthy, owned several large companies, and seemed to be what they claimed. But he still had his doubts.

When he entered his room, he found Michael lying on the floor reading a comic book. He looked up when Max walked in. Max shut the door and went to sit down on his bed.

"What brings you here Michael? Didn't you have a date with Maria?"

"No."

"That's not what Liz said." Michael just shrugged his shoulders.

"We have bigger worries. Where is Isabel?"

"Well she wasn't with me. Maybe she is with one of her friends, doing her nails."

"I don't think so. She is with him. Maria saw them going to a movie earlier. I don't know where they are now."

Max frowned. "Well I did some checking, he checks out as far as I can tell. But I still don't trust him. I want to meet him, have a little talk with him."

"Get in line; I get the first several punches in."

"I didn't say I wasn't going to fight him."

"Well he's taking advantage of her because she is lonely. She isn't thinking straight. We have to protect her."

"Michael, you have a thing for my sister don't you?"

Michael got off the floor threw the comic book on Max's bed. Then went over to the window and looked out. "Me? No, whatever gave you that idea?"

"Well you for one." Max watched his friend closely. He thought maybe Liz was right, that Michael did care for his sister. But why would he keep it a secret from his best friend? He would probably beat him up for even thinking of touching his sister.

"Me? Hey, I never said anything like that. I mean I love her she is my best friend. I am her protector."

"Whatever you say. But I don't believe you. Do you believe yourself?"

"Maxwell, you've been watching too many of those girly movies with Liz." They heard the car pull up. Both boys moved over to the window and sneaked a peek from the sides. They saw Jason get out, and go around opening Isabel's door. Then he walked her towards the door, stopping in the walkway. He took her hand and leaned over kissing it. Then he watched her go to the door, then turned and returned to his car.

Both boys moved away from the window and went through to her room. When she opened her door they were there waiting for her again. She stopped and pointed towards the open door.

"Out, both of you."

"Isabel, we wanted to apologize to you."

"Why? You checked him out didn't you Max?"

"Yeah, I did. But I do want to meet him, because I do care about you, sis."

"Well you can, but not threats. He's a nice guy Max."

"Do you like him?"

She glanced at Michael, and found he wouldn't look at her. She turned back to her brother. "Yes I do. He's fun to be with."

"Okay Isabel but he had better not hurt you."

"Isabel." She turned to Michael who was looking at her sadly. "I just want what is best for you. I want you to be happy."

"Thanks Michael." She watched him go to her window and climb out. Max came over to her and gave her a hug, before returning to his room.

She sat down on her bed. It was time to get on with her life; it was obvious that Michael didn't want her. He wasn't jealous; he would never be more than her best friend, except in her heart. Nevertheless, she couldn't wait forever for what might be in the future. Jason was a good guy, he liked being with her. Her parents would approve of him as well. She had invited him over for dinner tomorrow night.

"