“Here By Me”
Chapter 16


When they get back to Isabella’s house Zack turns off the bike and removes his helmet Isabella removes hers as Zack says to her, “I will be back in an hour to pick you up for the dance.” Isabella nods as she gets off the bike.

She hands the helmet to Zack has he touches her hand pulling her to him he takes her in his arms as he whispers, “I can love you just as much if not more then Bastian, Izzy.”

Isabella pulls from the hug as she touches Zack’s cheek she smiles at him with a saddened smile as she says, “I will see you in an hour Zack.” Isabella turns walking toward the house and going inside closing the door behind her.

Isabella goes straight to her room as her mother walks into the foyer seeing her walking upstairs. She follows her up quietly as she walks to her door seeing Isabella sitting on her bed looking at her dress laying there beside her she picks up the jewel box on her nightstand as she opens it tracing the necklace setting in the box a tear rolls down her cheek and lands in the box as her Mother says,

“Izzy is everything alright, you and Zack did not get into it did you?”

Isabella shocked by her mothers voice wipes away her tears quickly and then looks up at her with a smile as she says, “No Mom everything is fine between us. Why do you ask such a thing?”

Her mother walks into the room over to her moving her dress over so not to sit on it as she smiles she says, "Well if everything is alright… Why all the tears?”

Isabella looks away from her mother as she feels her mother touch her hand and says, “You remember more then what you have told us haven’t you?”

Isabella turns looking at her mother as a tear trickles down her cheek. Her mother wipes it away as she sighs, “Your thinking of Zack and not wanting to hurt him aren’t you?”

Isabella nods not saying a word as her mother says, “Do you remember everything now?” Isabella nods again as her mother wraps her arms around her she says, “Aww sweetie I am so proud that you have remembered and I know you must feel bad for Zack, but he knew this was going to happen one day.”

Isabella looks away from her mother as she says, “But the day after he tells me he loves me?!”

Isabella’s mother turns her to look at her as she says, “Zack told you he loves you?” Isabella nods as her mother says, “And how do you feel about him Izzy?”

“I like Zack very much, but my heart belongs to Sebastian.” Isabella says.

Her mother hugs her saying, “Sweetie I am so sorry you have to go through this. I wish I could help you out some how.”

“The only thing I can do is break Zack’s or Bastian’s heart. One of them is going to be hurt no matter what I do.” Isabella says as another tear rolls down her cheek.

Her mother pulls back from the hug as she wipes another tear away as she says, “Well I know you will do what is best for you all dear. Now dry those tears and cheer up you do not want puffy eyes for the dance tonight. After all, even if you are still between feelings for the guys you have a great group of friends that will be looking forward to you being at the dance tonight. So get up…” Isabella’s mom pulls her to her feet as she continues saying, “and get your butt in your dress and get ready for the dance after all you did promise Zack you would go to the dance with him. Just think of it as two friends going out to have a good time so they will not be alone at the dance. After all Bastian will be there waiting for you as well.”

Isabella smiles as she takes her dress from her mother and walks into the bathroom with it. She can hear her mother out in her room rambling as she says, “You know Izzy your birthday is in 2 more weeks and your father and I was talking about a present for you, but we need you to go with us it to pick it out. That way we know that is what you want and all.”

Isabella walks out of the bathroom with her dress on as her mother heard the door open. She turns around looking at her daughter in the long soft blue and sliver dress, which was V, cut in front, and bared her arms and shoulders; she turns for her mother, as the back was open down to Isabella’s lower back and a slit up the left side that stopped high on Isabella’s thigh. Isabella’s golden long hair and sapphire blue eyes glistened as much as the dress did in the light of the room.

A tear rolls down her mother’s cheek as Isabella says, “What is wrong Mom?”

“My little girl has grown into a woman and I have missed it some how.” Isabella smiles at her as she goes and hugs her mother. They part and finish getting her dressed before Zack’s return.


While Isabella and her mother were putting Isabella’s jewelry on her and the last finishing touches to her outfit. Isabella’s father came knocking at her bedroom door.

Joan calls out, “Come in…”

Jon opens the door as he steps in seeing Isabella standing there he shakes his head as a huge smile comes over his face he says, “When did you grow up?”

“Dad stop it.” Isabella says, “I swear you and mom are so much alike it is unreal.”

“Here are your shoes Izzy.” Her mother tells her handing her the box. Isabella takes one out sliding it on and then the other. She stands as her mother goes to her father sliding her arm around his waist and resting her other hand on his chest. Joan pats Jon’s chest as she says, “She is beautiful…”

Jon looks at Isabella then Joan as he says, “Of course she is, she looks just like her mother.” Joan smiles as she walks toward Isabella messing with her hair and dress.

“Oh your date is here by the way.” Her father tells her.

Isabella starts to looked worried as her mother says, “Now Izzy what did we talk about up here?”

Isabella swallows hard as she says, “Your right I can do this and make it work tonight and then Monday I can take care of business.”

“That’s right Sweetie.” Her mother gives her a hug as she adds, “Now get and have fun tonight no matter what.” Isabella nods as she grabs the jacket to the dress and walks out her bedroom door to the stairs.

When Isabella reaches the top stair she sees Zack standing there waiting for her he looked so sharp in his black suit with his hair pulled back into a ponytail she takes a deep breath and exhales as she steps down on the first step. The click of her heel on the hard wood floor caught Zack’s attention as he looks up at her. Isabella smiles at him as Zack is left speechless from her appearance.

He cannot stop looking at her as she walks down the stairs. He saw Isabella in a long soft blue and sliver dress that V in the front and bared her arms and shoulders hugging every curve of her body. The dress flowed from her hips to the floor, her golden hair pulled back and braided in a herringbone braid, the necklace and earrings completed her dress and made her eyes sparkle as bright as the morning star.

When Isabella stepped down to the landing Zack went to her offering her is hand as he says in a soft tone, "Isabella you’re absolutely beautiful…”

Isabella smiles at him as she says, “Your not bad yourself Zack.”

Zack chuckles as he helps her with her jacket. Isabella’s mom and dad walk down the stairs as Isabella says, “I will see you tomorrow morning.”

“You two have fun tonight.” Jon tells them.

“We will…” Zack say, “I will have her back by midnight sir.” Jon nods as they walk out the door going to the car.

Isabella smiles at Zack as she says, “Zack I want to tell you…”

Zack cuts her off as he lays his finger over her lips he says, “It does not matter any more Isabella… I know what I want and I am not about to give up on it, not without a fight. I know I can change your heart if you will only give me the chance. I remember one time you told me I had a good start, I am hopping that I am still in the running at least.”

Isabella smiles at him as she says, “That’s why I am here with you.”

Zack opens the car door for her and helps her in with a big smile on his face he leans in kissing her cheek; he pulls back from her as he says, “God you’re gorgeous…”

He steps back and closes the door of the car going to the drives side and getting in as he looks at Isabella sitting next to him he starts the car and drives off as he takes Isabella’s hand into his.


A little later on, as Zack pulls up in front of the school Isabella looks at the school and everyone was walking in, in their formal dresses and suites. Zack gives her hand a squeeze as he says, “Are you ready for this…?”

“As ready as I will ever be.” Isabella tells him. Zack smiles giving her hand another squeeze he climbs out of the car going to her side and opening the door for her.

Isabella steps out of the car stepping away from it as Zack closes the door. They start walking toward the school as Isabella and Zack hear, “OH MY GOD IZZY, YOU’RE BEATUFIL!!”

Halyn squeals as she runs toward them. Halyn grabs Isabella as she pulls her away from Zack she turns her around as she says, “That dress looks awesome on you were did you find it?” Halyn asks her.

“In the city Halyn… Gees, you really need to calm down you have always been over active.” Isabella tells her.

“I know…” Halyn says as she loops her arm into Isabella’s walking toward the school, “But you love me just the way I am so why change?” Zack and John, Halyn’s date follow behind them.

Once inside the school’s hall Zack, helps Isabella remove her jacket as he hangs on to it for her. Isabella smiles at him as she says, “I can have that checked Zack so you do not have to pack it around all night.”

Zack smiles at her as he says, “And what if you get cold?”

“Then I will go get it.” Isabella tells him.

“I will be fine with it Isabella.” Zack tells her.

Isabella smiles as she takes his arm and they walk into the festivities of the dance. Everyone seems to turn looking at Isabella and Zack as they walk in together Isabella starts to feel uncomfortable with them watching them.

She pulls herself closer to Zack as he chuckles saying, “Do they bother you?”

“In away… yes they do.” Isabella tells him.

Just then, Isabella and Zack feel themselves being pulled over to the group of people Sebastian and Halyn hang out with. Once over there Isabella scans the group, quick looking for Sebastian as Halyn whispers,

“He will be along soon. Do not worry about that.”

Isabella looks at Halyn as she says, “I am not worried about him I am just looking around.”

Halyn smiles as she says, “Sure… Sure what ever you say Izzy.”

Zack reaches for Isabella as a slow song starts to play as he says, “Would you like to dance?” Isabella nods as Zack leads her to the dance floor taking her in his arms and starts to dance with her.


Just as they walked away, Sebastian and Lisa walk into the hall. Lisa and Sebastian did not look too happy as they walked up to the group. Lisa looked as if she was about to cry as Halyn takes her arm and leads her away as Sebastian stands there talking to the other guys as one of them points out to the dance floor Lisa looks out seeing Isabella and Zack dancing. Lisa starts to cry as she pulls away from Halyn and runs off Halyn going after her.

“How long have they been here?” Sebastian asks Craig who pointed them out.

“Not long… She looks really hot in that dress.” Craig says.

Sebastian looks at Craig as he says, “Don’t get any ideas dude.”

Craig chuckles as he says, “Hey you do not have to worry about me I got my own girl.”

Sebastian chuckles as he says, “I will be back guys.”

“Where are you headed to Bastian?” John asks him.

“To dance… Where else.” Sebastian tells him with a smile.

Craig shakes his head as he says, “This is not going to be good; I can feel it in my bones.”

“The only thing your feeling in your bones right now is that hit you took from 36 tonight Craig.” Craig turns as he sees Tristan behind him he smiles shaking hands with him as he chuckles as Craig says,

“Hey at least we won, that’s all that matters.”

“Yes you guys did and a good game it was if I do say so myself.” Tristan tells him looking out at Zack and Isabella dancing as Sebastian walks up to them Tristan says,

“Now the real fun starts.”

Craig and John look out on the dance floor as Zack is shaking his head Sebastian reaches for Isabella as Zack lightly pushes Sebastian’s hand away from her. Isabella steps back from both of them as she says something to them and then turns walking away not looking very pleased with them.

“Excuse me gentlemen, but Tristan to the rescue.” Tristan replies.

The guys shake their heads as Craig says, “I feel for Izzy here, these guys have no idea what they are doing to her emotional state.”

“Halyn said she heard all of Izzy’s memories came back today.” John tells Craig.

“Then I really feel for her she not only has to put up with these love sick fools she has to relive what happen to her back when she was 14.” Craig says.

John looks at Craig as he says, “You think we should stop Tristan and get him to leave her alone?”

“It may not hurt… Izzy has got enough to deal with right now.” Craig replies. John and Craig walk off going after Tristan as they catch him walking out the door.

“Hey guys what are you doing?” Tristan asks them.

“Leave Izzy alone Tristan she has enough to deal with right now without adding you to the equation.” John tells him.

“Aww come on guys I was just going to talk to her.” Tristan says.

“You mean you were going to stir the pot some more is all you were going to do. We know you are out to get Bastian and Zack for what happen between you and Izzy. So just cut the crap and drop it you do not need to be upsetting Izzy any more then she already is.” Craig says.

Tristan jerks away from them as he says, “You two are no fun any more.”

“Maybe Tristan, but you seem to forget Izzy has been through a lot since she left us and if it is true and her memories have returned to her. She is dealing with more then just her feelings for Bastian and now her newfound feelings for Zack. She has to deal with what happen to her when she was 14 and that alone is enough… I would hate to be in her shoes and have lived through that… seeing all my friends and classmates get killed. My God man think about it… that has to be hard and then buried under the school cold and hurt for 3 days wondering if you will ever be found.” Craig says shaking his head as he lowers his head as he whispers, “Poor Izzy she has got to hate life right about now.”

John, Tristan, and Craig stand there in silence for a few minutes as Sebastian walks up to them and said, “Did you guys see Izzy come through here?”

Tristan pointed out the door as Sebastian walks out looking for Isabella. Once outside Sebastian looks around not seeing Isabella anywhere as he remembers something from their past. Sebastian runs to the gym building as he saw Isabella’s shoes on the ground next to the ladder that lead to the roof.

Sebastian starts to climb as he gets to the top he sees Isabella standing on the North side of the building as she says, “You know if you look hard enough you can see it… I know it is the wrong time of year right now, but he is out there watching.” Sebastian walks over to her as he touches her shoulders looking out at the stars with her he says, “You know I think that is the only thing that kept me going while you were away from me was looking out at the stars knowing you were watching them as well. It was like I could feel you standing next to me and it made things seem simpler for me.”

Isabella looks over her shoulder at Sebastian as she smiled at him she lifts her hand placing it on Sebastian’s as she says, “I missed you so much Bastian I longed for summer every year and it never seemed to get here fast enough for me. I promised you every year I would come back to you and I did... and then…” Isabella broke down and started to cry as she draws her hands to her face, she sobs as she says, “I broke my promise to you Bastian. Not only did I do that I put you through hell worrying about me and wondering if I would ever remember you and if I loved you.”

“Izzy stop this.” Sebastian says turning her to look at him. “Your here now and that is all that matters to me I have you back finally.”

“Do you Bastian?” Isabella replies.

Sebastian pulls her hands from her face as he wipes away her tears he says, “Yes I do… Tell me Izzy tell me what I have been waiting to hear you say since I was 14 years old.”

Isabella looks up at Sebastian as she shakes her head she says, “I cannot Bastian…”

Sebastian gets a look of shock on his face as he asks, “You cannot tell me or you do not love me?”

Sebastian steps back from her, as she looks him in the eyes she says, “Not now Bastian, I cannot tell you now… I still have so much more to work out first.” A single tear rolls down Isabella’s cheek as she says, “My heart is breaking into a thousand pieces and I do not know how to stop it. The pain and fear I feel inside of me there is just too much and now I have Zack to add to all of this. I have been alone for so long now I have had no one I really knew to dry my tears, no one to hold me close. Now I have all these memories that came rushing back to me and I remember…”

Isabella starts to cry again lowering her head as Sebastian steps toward here Isabella pulls away as she exclaims, “I remember everything… Everything…” Isabella clutches her chest looking up at the stars, “and it is ripping me apart inside.”

Just then, Isabella feels someone touch her, as she quickly looks over to them she sees Zack as he takes her into his arms he whispers, “And I promise you I well not let it. Even if I have to hold you in my arms until the ends of the earth to make it all go away.” Isabella sobs into Zack’s chest as he holds her close.

Sebastian sighs as he turns walking toward the ladder to climb down as Zack says, “Stay away from her Bastian. She will come to you when she is ready, but until then stay away from her.” Zack holds Isabella close to him as he caresses her hair while she cries. Sebastian watches them and then starts to climb down from the roof.

After about an hour of being on the rooftop Zack and Isabella finally come down to join the party once again. Isabella was smiling but Sebastian could see she was hiding her true feelings behind it. Zack and Isabella hung out with Zack’s friends the rest of the night to avoid any more drama and upsetting Isabella. They had an enjoyable evening. As some of Isabella’s old friends joined her and Zack in there little group as they talked about old times and the fun they had as kids.

Halyn and John ended up joining them as well as Craig and his girlfriend. Before the night was over Isabella found herself surrounded by all her old friends and the warmth and happiness she felt as a young girl started washing over. Helping her remember that even though her life had been a tough road the last 4 years she had more then just her mother and father pulling for her to come back to them. Isabella finally found what she had been looking for and what had been missing in her life for so long. As the night started to close Isabella was looking around the hall as she saw Sebastian standing alone she started to make her way to him as Zack stops her.

Isabella turns looking at Zack as she says, “I will be fine… I need to do this.”


Here By Me Chapter 17