AN: I know, this is way over due! I am so sorry! I have been so crazy busy! Anyway, I hope you like this... Review please. Oh and thanks to those who have been reviewing! :D Enjoy!
(Thirteen years later)
"I do not know how my parents met, and frankly, they don't either. They are in love though, their marriage is one of the happiest I have ever seen. The only other marriage that close to compares to my mother's and father's, is that of my father's employer. My father works for Alex Pane, the main head of the company, Knight's Furniture. My father has worked for him for thirteen years now. Mom said once that he was a doctor, a brilliant surgeon, and he saved Alex Pane's life. Somehow he became Alex Pane's right hand man, always there to help, and always working late. Mom did the best she could, but she spent most of her time swimming, in our pool in the backyard. She loves water. But I do not know how they met; they can never tell me the story, not even for this stupid assignment! So, I regret to inform you Mrs. Vievas I cannot tell you about my family history in three pages or more, because I do not know it. Neither my mother nor my father can remember how they met, and neither is offended. I am not the only one because another fellow classmate's parents do not recall either. I like to imagine their love was fought for throughout centuries, and that they were destined throughout time to meet again. They fell in love at first sight and lived happily ever after, with their one and only child, me. I do not know the real facts though. I could give you a false love story that would make you cry a river of tears, but you said to be honest. So I am. Please do not fail me for having integrity…"
"Isabelle," the teacher's voice rang shrilly across the room, even though she was standing right beside the eighteen year old girl.
Isabelle sighed, "Yes, Mrs. Vievas?"
"I take it that is not all you have written?" Mrs. Vievas scowled over her circular lenses.
"Yes, it is. I have already told you, I do not know my parents history, and they refuse to tell me," I stated.
Mrs. Vievas folded her arms, and spoke crossly, "You have had a whole week to type this paper for me, and to find out your family history."
"But, with all due respect, Mrs. Vievas, I did try and they will not tell me!" Isabelle protested.
"Well, because of your stubbornness I am just going to have to fail you," Mrs. Vievas sighed.
"Please!" Isabelle begged, "Please. I am being honest. Frank will tell you the same thing. Some parents just will not tell us how they met."
Mrs. Vievas shook her head, "If you will not do the assignment I have no choice, but to fail you. Perhaps next time you will do your paper, instead of spin some ridiculous story together."
Isabelle took the paper, with the giant, red, zero scrawled across the top, "But this is not fair…"
"Life is not fair," Mrs. Vievas snapped. "You are dismissed; you don't want to be late to your next class."
Isabelle hung her head, "Yes, Mrs. Vievas."
She walked out of the room muttering to herself, "It just isn't fair. Dad wouldn't tell me and Mom wouldn't either. I was honest and this is the reward I get? Perfect, just perfect!"
"Hey, what's going on?" Frank questioned as he ran to catch up with the fuming Isabelle.
"Mrs. Vievas just gave me a zero on the paper about our family heritage," Isabelle ranted, "I was honest and said that I did not know my heritage! So she failed me."
"Hey, Izzy, it isn't the end of the world. It is a zero. You were honest, your integrity will always be more than just a grade," Frank soothed.
Isabelle groaned, "Ugh! I know, but right now I am so stressed. I have college applications and…"
"Hey, hey," Frank interrupted, "Deep breaths."
"I am being serious!" Isabelle snapped.
"Well, maybe you need to have fun and relax," Frank responded, calmly.
"I just, don't have the time," Isabelle stated, shaking her head.
Frank walked in front of Isabelle and stopped her. She looked away, tears filling her eyes. She looked so stressed and worried. Isabelle was worried sick about college. Grades meant a scholarship, and a scholarship meant everything to her.
"Come on," Frank whispered, "Just an hour. We can go horseback riding, and I can finally beat you in a horse race."
Isabelle laughed, "Fat chance! I have beaten you in every horse race for five years now."
Frank shrugged playfully, "Well I won't blame you if you are afraid, I will beat you this time. Bowing out gracefully; I respect that."
Isabelle folded her arms, "Oh, I can still beat you."
"Prove it," Frank said with a wink, "Meet me this afternoon, at 4:00, at the stables."
Isabelle sighed, but smiled, "Alright, you win this battle, but I will win the race."
Frank smiled, "We will see. Just don't be late, or I will beat you."
"You'll need the head start," Isabelle teased.
Frank smiled again, and Isabelle smiled back.
"I have to go, I'll be late for class," Isabelle pardoned.
She rushed around Frank, trying to get to class on time. She had to keep her perfect attendance because maybe that could help her get a scholarship as well. She heard footsteps behind her and gave a small groan.
A black haired boy, with piercing blue eyes walked up by her side, "Hey Isabelle."
Isabelle mustered a fake smile, "Hi Matthew."
"So are you busy tonight?" Matthew questioned.
Isabelle sighed, "Yes, I happen to be busy."
"With what?" Matthew pressed.
"I have college applications to fill out, studying to do," Isabelle began to list.
Matthew sighed, "Is there any other time this week?"
Isabelle shook her head, "I have barely anytime scheduled to breathe this week, this month even."
"What about on the weekends?" Matthew pushed.
Isabelle looked over at Matthew who was practically sprinting to keep up with her pace, "Matthew, I am just too busy to go on a date with you. I am sorry."
Matthew looked down, "Ok."
Isabelle frowned, "Matthew, I just, you have to understand, I just can't."
Matthew nodded, "I understand. I just needed a date to my mother's formal dinner…"
Isabelle sighed, "When is that?"
Matthew looked up hopefully, "Well, it's the fourth Saturday this month. Would you go, please Isabelle?"
Isabelle rolled her eyes, "You really cannot take no for an answer, can you?"
Matthew shook his head, "Nope, not really. Please, if you go to this, I promise. I will never pester you again."
Isabelle sighed, "Why me, Matthew? There are plenty of other girls in this school. They would love to go to your rich house."
Matthew shrugged, "I just thought you would understand me more. I mean, nobody wants to go out with a nerdy millionaire, unlike the jock billionaire."
Isabelle gave a slight glare towards Matthew, "Frank is a nice boy."
"Oh great, you think he is all that too," Matthew sighed.
Isabelle gave Matthew a slight punch, "Matthew, we have been friends for five years, while Frank and I have been friends for thirteen. I know him, and he is a nice boy. You on the other hand need to just learn how to talk to other girls."
Matthew rolled his eyes, "No one wants to talk to the nerdy, rich guy. Not when there is a jock, uba rich guy."
Isabelle laughed, "You sell yourself too short."
"Please, Isabelle, please. As my friend, will you please go to this dinner date with me?" Matthew begged.
"Oh do not pull the friend card," Isabelle groaned.
"Please, as my friend, Isabelle" Matthew pleaded.
Isabelle sighed in defeat, "What time is the dinner?"
"At seven," Matthew grinned, "On the fourth Saturday. The dress is well, formal, so wear something nice, but make sure it is comfortable still."
Isabelle nodded, "Fine. This is my stop."
"See you on the fourth Saturday," Matthew smiled.
Isabelle gave a fake smile and entered the classroom. She slumped in her seat, as the bell rang. Why couldn't Matthew catch the hint, she wasn't interested in him. He had been dropping hints since the first year of their friendship. Isabelle wanted nothing to do with him, in fact, she considered him almost like a stalker. Yet, she knew, he just wanted friends, so she couldn't refuse him. On the other hand, she just didn't trust Matthew, and a single date, just seemed frightening. However, she had given in and now she couldn't go back on her word. She sighed as she laid her chin on her desk and looked up at the teacher; at least she could go horseback riding that afternoon.
AN: AWWWWW! I am so excited to get this moving. I am so sorry that I got it to you so late. To be honest, my life is crazy. You know how Isabelle was? Well, that is just a reflection of how stressed I have been. I will get the next chapter to you when I can, but man, talk about spreading thin. Anyway I hope you liked it, and please let me know what you think. :)