“Here By Me”
Chapter 10


A few minutes later Kathryn walks out of the bathroom, Isabella was walking out of the closet as she saw Kathryn she exclaims, “Wow you look better in it then I do.”

Kathryn chuckles as she says, “No way your bigger chested then I am you can fill it out better.”

“Details minor details and just because my boobs are bigger does not make the dress look better on me.” Isabella says chuckling as she pulls Kathryn to the full length mirror in the room Isabella stands behind her as she places her hands on Kathryn’s hips she smoothes down the dress as she says, “Look you’re beautiful.” Kathryn looks in the mirror as she slightly turns looking at herself.

“Only because of the dress.” Kathryn says.

“BS and you know it, it is only a dress, and a dress does not make someone beautiful. It is what we have right here that make us beautiful Kathryn.” Isabella says placing her hand over her heart.

“The things we wear and our looks are only an accessory to help show off that beauty.”

“To bad guys don’t look any farther then the outer layer.”

Kathryn and Isabella turn around to a voice behind them as Isabella sees Zack standing there as she says, “Zack…”

Kathryn becomes worried as she says, “I need to get back to what I was doing I will be out of your way in a few minutes Isabella.”

Isabella reaches out catching Kathryn’s arm as she rushes away from her Isabella says, “Do not worry about it Kathryn, take your time your with friends here not your boss.”

“Yeah but if my boss were to walk in here he would have a fit seeing me in your new dress.” Kathryn says, lifting the dress walking to the bathroom.

“Your boss is my dad and as long as we are in here together doing this he will not have any problems with it.” Isabella says.

“Still I do not want to take the chance of upsetting him on the first day here.” Kathryn says walking into the bathroom closing the door behind her.

Isabella shakes her head smiling as she turns to Zack as he says, “That was quite a dress she had on there and she looked very lovely in it. Is it one of yours Isabella?”

“Yes it is my dress for Homecoming and the crazy thing is, I do not even have a date or for that fact I do not know if I even want to go.” Isabella says.

“Now if you miss Bastian’s Homecoming game he will be really upset.” Zack says.

Isabella walks over to the bed grabbing a few more things walking to the closet as she says, “I did not say I was not going to the game it is the dance I was talking about.”

“You’re telling me you have that hot dress there and you do not want to go to the dance. Is it because you do not have a date…” Zack pauses walking to the closet door standing in front of it watching Isabella hang her things. “Or is there a deeper or darker secret behind why you do not want to go?” Zack says smiling at her.

Isabella turns her head looking at Zack as she says, “I have no secrets Zack and I do not know why I do not want to go. I just don’t…”

“Well then if you had someone ask you would you say yes?” Zack asks her.

Isabella walks up to Zack looking into his eyes as she says, “Why do you know someone that wants to ask this target to the dance?”

“Target… is that how you see yourself is a Target?” Zack asks.

“Well not in the since you are thinking.” Isabella says.

“What other since is there?” Zack asks her.

Isabella looks at Zack as she smiles at him she says, “The Target that seems to draw certain guys to want to kick my dates or my guy friends butt.”

“Ahh you are talking about how you are a Target to draw out the craziness of Bastian or Trist when they see you with another guy?” Zack says.

Isabella nods as she walks past Zack when she hears the bathroom door open Kathryn walks out with the dress draped over her arms as she says, “Thank you Isabella I enjoyed doing that and our little talk I enjoyed as well.”

“Anytime Kathryn I am usually always here if you get board too bad.” Isabella says taking the dress from her.

Kathryn smiles as she says, “Alright I will remember that next time and I will take these and get rid of them for you if you like.”

Isabella nods as Kathryn picks up the empty boxes and bags from the pile Isabella had in the floor she walks toward the door she turns as she says, “Oh the shoes are in on the counter in the bathroom still. Thanks again Isabella.” Isabella nods as she watches Kathryn walk from the room.


“So you never answered my question Isabella?” Zack says stopping her from walking into the closet.

“What… if I would go if I had a date?” Isabella asks him.

“Yeah… would you go then?” Zack says.

Isabella chuckles as she walks around Zack she says, “Well you are the only one that would not get a rise out of Sebastian if I did go with you, but as for Tristan you might have your hands full since he asked me to be his girl last night.” Isabella walks into the closet as Zack follows her in shock by what he just heard.

“Tristan asked you to be his girl? Please tell me you did not give him an answer yet.” Zack exclaims in an over anxious tone.

Isabella turns looking at him as she says laughing, “No I have not given him an answer yet I told him I would tell him Monday what my answer would be.”

“Tell me you are not seriously thinking about this Isabella?” Zack says.

Isabella laughs harder as she says, “You know that is the same thing and the exact same way Sebastian said it.”

“Bastian knows about this and Tristan is still alive?” Zack says.

“Well I do not know if Tristan is still alive or not I have not talked to him since last night.” Isabella says still laughing some. “But I am sure Sebastian did not go after him with the talk we had this morning.”

“About Bastian, what did you mean he would be the only one I would not get a rise from?” Zack asks.

Isabella walks past Zack from the closet as she says, “Well Sebastian told me if I was going to have a boyfriend he would rather see me with you then with Tristan.”

Zack walks quickly up behind Isabella as he grabs her arm gently stopping her she turns looking at him as he stands there in shock as he says, “Bastian said that?”

“Yes he did, he also spoke very highly of you.” Isabella told him.

“Sebastian our Bastian… the one that I have known for 6 years… and you have known all your life?” Zack says still shocked.

“The same one.” Isabella says, “Why so shocked Zack, Sebastian knows a good guy when he sees one.”

Zack releases Isabella’s arm as he raises his hand to the back of his head he says, “Umm… Well… I am not exactly from you’re… Well I am not in… I am not…” Zack hangs his head.

Isabella goes to Zack’s side as she touches his shoulder as she says, “You’re not rich?!”

“Far from it!!” Zack exclaims.

“So do you have to be rich to go out with me?” Isabella asks him.

Zack looks up at her as he smiles he says, “Well…” Isabella tilts her head waiting for his reply as she widens her eyes.

“I guess I do not have to be rich, but I would never be able to give you what you want.” Zack says.

Isabella looks at Zack confused as she says, “Zack what do you think I want?”

Zack looks around her room and then at her as Isabella raises her arms like she was getting ready to announce something as she looks around the room as well saying, “Do you think this is important to me Zack?”

Zack looks at her as he says, “Well isn’t it?”

“NO!!” Isabella exclaims, “What kind of person do you think I am Zack? Some self-absorbed, material object person, do you really think that I care about all this?”

Zack stands there looking at her as she says, “Do you want to know what is important to me?” Isabella says walking across the room to her bookcase. Zack stands there in silence as he watches Isabella pull down three scrapbooks from the shelves.

She sets them on the bed opening the top one it had pictures of her and what looked to be Sebastian, Tristan, and Halyn when they were little she turned the page as he saw birthday cards and more pictures she kept turning page after page of her childhood with her family and friends. Memory after memory, of what her life was, and what made her the person she is today.

Isabella looks at Zack with a tears in her eyes as she says, “These are the most important things in the world to me.”

“Your thoughts and your memories?” Zack asks her.

“Yes Zack this is what is important to me, not what I have that you see, but what I can feel and what I can remember, the memories I once had that were striped away from me when I was young and I am fighting so hard to get them back now. That is all I want I ask for no more then that.”

“But that is something I cannot give you either.” Zack exclaims.

“You can give me them more then you think.” Zack looks at Isabella confused as she says, “It may not be these memories you give to me,” Isabella says touching the scrapbooks, “but you can give me new memories with every passing day I spend with you, be them good or bad it is still a treasured memory to me. This is the only thing that I want from you or anyone I have in my life. I want to remember the first time someone picked on me and made me cry, I want to remember the first time I was scared of the dark, the first time I meet my best friend the first fight we got into and we did not talk for weeks because of it. I want to remember things about my past; other people want to forget about their life. I want to be able to remember my mom and dad and the times they took me to the zoo and all the holidays we spent together as a family. I want to be able to have memories of falling in love for the first time and getting my heart broke.” Isabella sits down on the bed as she cries;

Zack kneels in front of her taking her hands into his he says, “You do not remember anything do you?” Isabella shakes her head as Zack takes her into his arms and pulls her close to him he says, “I am sorry Isabella I did not know you entire memory was erased. I thought you just could not remember the accident.”

“I remember nothing of my life and what I do know it is from others telling me about it. I have had a few memories come back to me since I have been back here but nothing really ground shaking.” Isabella says looking at him.

“Well then I say we get started on some new memories for you and I am not going to take no for an answer.” Zack tells her pulling her to her feet. Isabella looks at him as she dries her tear.

“You’re going to Homecoming with me the dance and the game.” Isabella looks at him as she was about to say something as Zack places his finger over her lips he says, “Nope I do not want to hear it. Your going with me and we are going to have the time of are lives come hell or high water by damn we are going to have a good time.”

Isabella moves his hand as she is chuckling she says, “Alright then, but only if you pass your history that Friday.”

“WHAT!! Oh no that is not the deal girly, girl. You are going with me pass or not passed.” Zack tells her.

Isabella shakes her head as she says, “Nope you have to do this for me if I have to do this for you…” Isabella walks past him as she turns looking at him as he watches her walk past him she says, “It is a fair trade and we will not be doing it for one or the other, we will really be doing it for ourselves.”

Zack smiles as he shakes his head slowly he offers his hand as he says, “Deal…” Isabella reaches out taking his hand as they shake.

“Well then let’s get started on your history work.” Isabella says.

Zack and Isabella go to her desk as she grabs the chair next to it setting it in front of her computer moving her chair over some to fit it in there. They sit down and start working on his history papers. Before they knew it Isabella’s dad was at her door, “Hey dad what’s going on?” she says.

“It is almost dinner time and your mother wanted me to come see if Zack would be joining us.” Jon says.

Isabella looks at Zack and asks him, “Zack would you like to stay for dinner? My mom is an awesome cook and we would really enjoy your company at the dinner table tonight.”

Zack smiles as he says, “How can I say no to you and that invitation?”

Isabella chuckles looking at her father as she says, “Zack is staying for dinner dad.”

“Great I will set another plate at the table then.” Jon says leaving the room, he calls back to them, “You have about 15 minutes, and dinner will be on the table.”

“Thanks dad we will be down in a few then.” Isabella calls back. Isabella looks at the clock as she says, “Wow I cannot believe we have been at this for over 2 hours.”

“Tell me about it, I think this is the longest I have ever cracked a book.” Zack says.

Isabella chuckles as she says, “You’re joking right?”

“No I am not me and studying does not get along to well.” Zack says.

“Zack that is awful. How do you expect to get into a good collage like that?” Isabella asks.

“Collage… Now you are joking. My parents have it hard enough keeping me in this school I am not about to let them put me through collage as well.” Zack says.

“Don’t you think that is their choice if they want to do that or not they only want the best for you?” Isabella says.

“Yeah well they bust their butts enough for me I am not going to let them spend their retirement on my education and not only that my little brother is coming up in age and they want to send him to Rockwell Academy as well. There is no way in hell they can send me to collage and send him to Rockwell to.” Zack says.

“Is that why you work now is to help out at home and be able to get what you need for yourself?” Isabella asks.

“Well of course it is Isabella my mom and dad works their fingers to the bone all their life to make a better life for me and Justin. All I want to do is help out a little.” Zack says.

“That is very sweet of you Zack.” Isabella says. Zack looks at her shocked as she says, “Then you can at least pass Rockwell Academy and graduate with good grades… for them.”

Zack looks at her as his smile grows bigger he says, “Your right they have done so much for me and here I am letting my grades slide to go out and have fun.”

“Well it is only the first of the year if you stick with me I will teach you how to study smarter not harder.” Isabella says.

Zack nods as he looks back at the book he says, “I do have to say studying with you is a lot more enjoyable then doing it alone. I am just surprised I can keep my mind on the work and not you sitting so close to me.” He looks slightly up at Isabella as she pushes him gently in the shoulder. They both laugh as they hear her father call from outside under her balcony telling them dinner was done.

Zack laughs as he says, “Reminds me of home.”

Isabella smiles at him as she says, “We are no different then you and your parents we are people too. Just because we have, money does not mean we are any different. At least some of us.”

Zack smiles as he offers his hand helping Isabella from her chair as he says, “I am learning that from being here.” They both head down to the dinner room to have dinner and a long deserved break.


While they sit there, enjoying dinner, laughing, and talking about their lives and where they were from and what they want to do with theirs lives. Paul walks in to announce they have a visitor.

“Excuse me sir, but you have a Tristan Connor that is asking to see the family.”

Isabella looks at her father and then Zack knowing this is not going to be a good scene, “Yes show him in please Paul.” Jon says.

“Yes sir right away.” Paul says.

Isabella looks at Zack as he chuckles hearing him whisper, “Will he start anything in front of your parents?”

“I do not know Zack, but we will soon find out.” Isabella says.

Just then, Tristan walks into the dinning room. Tristan sees Zack sitting at the table with them as he says, “While the cats away the mice will play.”

“What is that suppose to mean Tristan?” Jon asks him.

Tristan walks over to the table smiling as he sits his hand on Zack’s shoulder he grabs a hand full of Zack’s shirt pulling him from the chair as he says, “Nothing much Mr. Alder… Will you excuse us please I need to talk to Zackary here.”

Tristan continues to pull on Zack’s shirt as Zack comes to a stand he says, “What ever you have to say to me Tristan you can says here in front of them.”

“Are you sure about that Zack I mean there are a few things you may not want out of the bag in front of Isabella and her family?” Tristan says.

“Isabella and her family know everything about me from where I live to were I work I have nothing to hide… like some of us.” Zack says.

Tristan gets a hateful look on his face as he says, “You were never ashamed of where you are from or who you are, were you Zackary?”

“Why should he be…?” Isabella chimes in saying as Jon says,

“He is proud of who he is and where he comes from and that says a lot for a man.”

Tristan looks at both of them then back at Zack as he asks, “What are you doing here Zack?”

“What does it matter why I am here? I do not have to answer to you. Isabella and I are friends and if you cannot accept that then you have a problem Tristan.” Zack says.

Tristan chuckles under his breath as he says, “Yeah that’s what you say now. Then about this time next week you will be bedding down Mr. and Mrs. Alder’s daughter and 9 times out of 10 it will be in her own bed.”

“No… Sorry to say Tristan that’s your game plan at least that is what you told me you were planning on doing with Isabella before she got here.” Zack says.

Joan and Jon sit there not saying a word as they let the boys talk Isabella’s eyes are wide and she is shocked by what they are saying to one another.

Tristan laughs as he says, “Really now Zackary and do you really think Mr. and Mrs. Alder are going to believe that story, they have known me since I was in diapers they have known you…” Tristan pause and with a smart ass tone and says, “Oh that’s right ONE DAY!”

“I do not care if they do believe me or not I know it’s the truth and at least Isabella knows now to be on her toes around you.” Zack says.

“Is it true Tristan was that your plan with me when I got home?” Isabella says.

Tristan looks at Isabella with a sweet innocent look as he smiles saying, “No Izzy that is not it at all, that was Zack’s plan he was talking about the first time he met you after school.” Tristan smiles then gave Zack a dirty look.

Isabella hangs her head as she stands she says, “Leave Tristan and do not come back here again until you can be a friend to me like we use to be. I do not want to see you and if you push your luck with me I will tell Sebastian about what I learned here tonight.”

“Izzy what are you talking about. You are going to kick me out of a home and family I have known for 18 years over the lie Zack told you.” Tristan exclaims.

“No I am kicking you out for YOU lying to me over what Zack told us.” Isabella said.

Tristan looks at Jon and Joan as he was about to say something as Zack says, “You heard her dude out of here until you can grow up.”

Zack sets his hand on Tristan’s shoulder going to show him out as Tristan jerks away from him he looks at Zack as he leaves saying, “This is not over between us Zack your mine… DUDE!!”

Everyone sat there as Isabella’s mother looks over at her saying, “How did you know Tristan was lying to you Izzy?”

“Because Zack and I met before school… not after.” Isabella says sitting back down at the dinner table.



Here By Me Chapter 11