“Here By Me”
Chapter 6


When Isabella got into the home, she set her things down by the steps as she hears here mother call out to her as she was walking toward the foyer area.

“Isabella is that you?”

Isabella walked toward the sound of her voice as she says, “Yeah mom it is just me.” They met about half way up the hall as her mother turned back walking with Isabella she asks her, “So how was your first day?”

They walked toward the kitchen as Isabella tells her, “It was nice; I think my classes are going to be too simple for me though.”

“Really why do you say that Izzy?” Joan asks her.

Isabella was getting into the refrigerator getting a snack as her mother hears her say, “Well so far everything they covered I have already done in the school in New York. It is like their a year behind up here.”

Isabella closed the refrigerator setting the stuff on the counter as she walks over and gets the bread and a plate as she continues, “I do think my honors History class might give me a challenge though. The teacher seems like the kind of guy that likes to give your mind a workout and then there is my Graphic/Arts class that will be fun it seems to be different then what I have been studying.”

“Well for the other classes you will just have to speak to the teachers about giving you that extra challenge to keep you interested in their class.” Joan tells her.

Isabella looks at her mother as she starts to pick the stuff up and put it back in the refrigerator she says, “I will have to do something because if I lose interest in the class I will drop it and this is my last year. I do not want to be jumping from class to class that just will not look good to the collages I decide to attend.”

Isabella grabs a couple bottles of water from the refrigerator walking back to the counter and to where her mother was sitting.

Her mother asks, “So what about the kids there did you meet any new friends or what about your old friends.”

“Well I met a couple of Tristan’s friends Zachary and Jaden. I got to meet Sebastian’s girlfriend… well I kind of got to meet here.” Isabella says.

“Sebastian has a girlfriend?!” Joan exclaims.

Isabella looked at her mother chuckling as she says, “Well yeah mom come on Sebastian is a great looking guy why would he not have a girlfriend?”

Her mother shrugs her shoulders as she gets a confused look on her face saying, “Well I always thought Sebastian’s heart belonged to you.”

Isabella laughs as she says, “Yeah… well… mom time changes that kind of stuff.”

Her mother raises her eyebrows as she says, “I guess times have changed with you kids now days.”

Isabella chuckles as they hear, “Hello where is everyone?”

They turn looking toward the foyer area as her mother calls out, “Yes Jon we are in the kitchen.”

Her father soon steps around the corner into the kitchen as he walks towards them he gives Joan a kiss and a hug and then hugs and gives Isabella a kiss on top of her head as he says, “So how was the first day?”

“It was good dad.”

“Great that is good to hear.” Jon says.

“Oh mom when you were asking about old friends I met Halyn today.” Isabella tells her.

Her mother giggles as she says, “Good old Halyn, I guess she is still the same?”

“I am guessing from what Tristan was saying and the way he was acting… yes.” Isabella says picking up her plate and drink and starts walking from the kitchen she says, “Well I am going to get started on my homework. I think I have work in every class except Gym and lunch.” Isabella chuckles.

Isabella’s mother chimes in as she says, “Oh by the way there is something I picked up for you today while I was in town.”

“Really what is it?” Isabella asks.

“You will see when you get to your room.” Joan says.

“Cool I cannot wait.” Isabella says with an excited tone. She then turns as she asks, “Oh about dinner?” Isabella stands there looking at her mother.

“Yes dear…” Joan asks her.

“I have a date tonight at 8… Well I guess you could call it a date. Tristan is taking me out.” Isabella says.

“Tristan?!” Jon exclaims.

“Yeah we are going to go hang out and he is going to take me around town and show it off to me.” Isabella says.

“Well that is good I know Tristan will show you a good time tonight.” Jon says.

Isabella chuckles as she says, “Maybe… we will see.”

Isabella starts walking from the kitchen again as she heard her father call out, “Your uniforms are in your room Izzy I was able to pick them up today at lunch.”

“Ok dad Thank you.” Isabella replies as, she walked down the hall she then hears her mother say,

“Oh your grandmother is coming by tomorrow I thought we could go into town and do some shopping.”

“Ok mom…” Isabella calls back.


As she walked down the hall the phone rang as she yells out;

“I got it!” she set her plate down and picked up the phone in the hall as she says, “Hello…”

“Hello, is Isabella there?” The voice says.

“This is her.” Isabella says.

“Oh great I was hoping I had the right number.” The voice says.

“Who is this?” Isabella asks in a questioning tone.

“Oh sorry this is Zackary.” He tells her.

“Zack?!” Isabella exclaims.

“Yeah that’s me.” Zack tells her.

Isabella chuckles as she says, “How did you get this number Zack?”

“Yeah… Well… Let’s just say it took a little sneakiness on my part to get it.” Zack tells her.

Isabella chuckles as she says, “Is that so…”

Zack chuckles as he says, “Sorry if that upsets you Isabella it is just… I really took a liking to you and Tristan is weird when it comes to you. There would be no way he would have given me your number and there is no way I could have asked you for it with him standing there. I have never seen him act this way around a chick before, he is really jealous.” Zack tells her.

“Yeah I have noticed that.” Isabella says.

“So tell me what do you think of the school and everyone so far?” Zack asks her.

“Well I guess it is alright… Hey Zack can you hold on for a sec while I go up to my room?” Isabella asks him.

“Sure not a problem.” Zack tells her. Isabella pushes the hold button on the phone hanging it up she picks up her plate and then walks to the stairs picking up her backpack she heads up to her room to do her work and chat with Zack.

She picks up the phone as she says, “You still there Zack?”

“Yeah I am still here.” Zack replies.

“Cool… so Zack what is on your mind?” Isabella asks him.

She heard Zack laugh as he says, “Are you sure you want to know that?”

Isabella chuckles as she says, “Well let’s cover something else besides that.”

Zack laughs again as he says, “That’s cool… So tell me then how long have you and Trist known one another?”Zack asks her.

“Well from what I was told Tristan, me and Sebastian where all raised together until I was around 7 then we moved and came back every year until I was 13 and then we stopped coming to visit.” Isabella tells him.

“Umm Isabella… I am really confused…” Zack says.

“About what Zack?” Isabella asks him.

“Well you said you were told. Don’t you remember I mean you were 13 the last time you saw them.” Zack replies.

Isabella chuckles as she says, “I am sorry Zack I am so use to everyone knowing I just thought Tristan told you about it already.”

“About what Isabella?” Zack asks her.

Isabella sat at her desk as she copied Sebastian’s notes and told Zack her story without a care in the world.

“Well I do not know if you heard about the school in New York that was held for a ransom and then when their demands where not met they destroyed the school with a bomb? That was my old school and I was injured bad enough with a bump on the head from the explosion that I lost my memory.”

“WOW… I did not know. That really sucks, but I am glad you’re alive and well.” Zack tells her. “You must have recovered great for it not to bother you, you told me about that without any emotion involved at all.”

Isabella stopped typing and got really quite for a few minutes as Zack says, “Isabella… Isabella are you still there… Hello Isabella.”

In a weak tone Isabella says, “Yeah I am still here Zack and I am sorry if that sounded cold hearted when I told you that, but my memories from the attack were lost as well. I do not remember anything about it the only thing I know is what I read and what I was told and believe me my heart goes out to the families that were hurt from this tragic accident that happened, but I feel like I was not there so it is really hard to show emotion over it.” Isabella gets silent again, as she starts to think about what she said, she asks Zack, “Does that make since to you… what I said anyway because I think it still makes me sound really cold hearted and really I am not.”

Isabella’s eyes start to sting from tears as Zack hears her tone changing he says in a really sweet and caring tone, “Isabella I know you are not cold hearted babes and I have only got to know you from just a few hours today and I could see that. I fully understand where you are coming from over this and I hope when your memories do return this does not take a toll on your sweet and caring personality.”

Isabella sniffles as she says, “Thank you Zack I am glad you understand this. I am just so afraid that people think I am cold hearted because I do tell it like it was nothing.”

“Hey the ones that do not understand what you are going through can go fuc…” Zack pauses with what he were about to say as he continues saying, “Well… you know what I mean, that’s exactly what they can do.”

Isabella chuckles as Zack tells her, “I am sorry about what happen to you Isabella and I want you to know if you ever need someone to talk to about this I am only a phone call away for you.”

"Thank you Zack that means a lot to me right now.” Isabella tells him.

“Hey let’s talk about something else.” Zack says.

“Sure sounds good to me.” Isabella tells him.

While they sit there and chat Isabella works away on her notes and homework after about an hour on the phone with Zack he ask her, “So tell me what are you going to do your Graphic/Arts Project on?”

“I am working on it right now as we talk. I am doing the French doors that lead out to my balcony. I thought with the sunset behind it… Which I do not have right now because it is to early still… It would look really awesome.” Isabella tells him.

“So what Graphic program do you use?” Zack asks her.

“Adobe PS CS2.” Isabella tells him.

“AWW man I wish I had that I have been trying to get my money together for the last few months to get it. That program is so awesome and there is so much more you can do on it compared to the first one. This is what I have now.” Zack replies.

“Well you’re welcome to come over and use it if you like.” Isabella tells him.

“Oh I could not do that to you Izzy you have to work on it as well.” Zack tells her.

“I have it on my PC and my lap so there would not be a problem there Zack.” Isabella replies, “We could work together on our project if you like I will be free tomorrow after a day of shopping with my mom and grandmother.”

“Are you sure Izzy I would not want to interfere with anything you got going on?” Zack says.

“No not at all Zack you will be fine.” Isabella tells him.

“Well I do have to work, but I am off after 3 so I could get a shower and then come over if you like. Say about 3:45 or 4.” Zack says.

“Sure I should be home by then. I live at 1759 Rockwell Way.” Isabella replies.

“I know where that is you live over there by Sebastian.” Zack says.

“Sure if you say so Zack.” Isabella says chuckling.

Zack laughs as well as he says, “You’re a goof Izzy. Oh you do not mind if I call you Izzy do you?” Zack asks her.

“Umm well if the truth be known I hate that nickname, but that is what all my old friends call me so I can live with it.” Isabella tells him.

“Well hey if you do not like it you will forever be Isabella to me or at least until I come up with a pet name for you.” Zack tells her, Isabella chuckles as she says, “A pet name?”

“Oh yeah I give all my girls a pet name.” Zack says.

“All your girls?!” Isabella questioned.

Zack kind of stumbles on his next few words as he says, “Hey… Well… You see… I am kind of… Well let’s say I have a lot of…”

“You’re a player… Is that what you are trying to say Zack?” Isabella asks him.

“NO NOT AT ALL!!” Zack exclaims, “I have just had my share of girlfriends.”

Isabella chuckles as she says, “That’s cool Zack I am not going to judge you because you like to have a new girl every week.”

“NO THAT’S NOT IT EITHER!!” Zack exclaims again, “I just have not found the right girl that can keep me happy. They are always going off about my bikes and me and I am sorry my bikes are my life. Hell, that is what I do for a living; I work on bikes in the shop in town. They hate that I spend so much time working on them and everything, they think while I am dating them all my time should be spent with them. I am sorry but I have to work and I have to fix my bike if it needs it.”

“I understand Zack, we women can be so demanding sometimes.” Isabella says chuckling.

Zack chuckles as he says, “I hope you do understand Isabella, because I do not what you to think I am some player that all I want is a little action and then drops the girl cold after I get it, because I am not that way at all.” “Understood Zack and like I said I am not here to judge you for how you live your life. I would not want someone doing that to me so I do not do it to others.” Isabella tells him.

“Well hey I am going to let you go Isabella I have got some school work I need to get going on. So I will see you tomorrow after 3.” Zack tells her.

“Great… I will see you tomorrow and good luck with your homework.” Isabella tells him.

“Thanks I will need it, its history and I suck at history. Not my strong point at all.” Zack says.

Isabella chuckles as she says, “Well if you need any help call me history and I go hand in hand.”

“Cool then you might be hearing from me later.” Zack says. “Well hey take my cell number so if you ever what to chat you can give me a ring.”

Isabella opens her address book on her computer as she says, “Go for it I am ready.”

“687-4563…” Zack tells her.

“Cool I got it… Oh Zack by the way what is your last name?” Isabella asks him.

“Miller… Zackary Miller.” Zack tells her.

“Thanks and we will see you tomorrow... Bye.” Isabella tells him.

“See you tomorrow Isabella… Bye.” Zack says as he hangs up the phone.

Isabella hangs up the phone on the base as she picks up her plate and bottles she heads down stairs.


When she gets down stairs she, stops in the hall just down from the kitchen as she hears her mom and dad talking as her dad says,

“I am not sure about this date with Tristan, Isabella has tonight.”

“Why do you say that Jon? Tristan and Isabella are good friends. I am sure you have nothing to worry about dear.” Her mother says.

“They are not children any longer Joan they are young adults and we both know what they think about and the guys can never stop thinking about it.” Jon says.

Joan laughs as she says, “I think we raised Isabella well enough to know she is adult when it comes to something like that Jon.”

“Still the same… I have heard some stories about Tristan that I did not care to hear about him.” Jon says.

“Like what Jon?” Joan asks him.

“Tristan is a real playboy he jumps from girl to girl without a care in the world. I just do not want to have Isabella in a relationship like that I do not want her to get hurt.” Jon says.

“Well Isabella has to make that choice on her own we cannot protect her all her life and we both know she will have her share of heart break in her life.” Joan says.

“I just do not want Tristan being the first one breaking her heart.” Jon says.

“Well Sebastian is kind of tied up right now.” Joan says laughing.

“What is that suppose to mean I do not want Sebastian breaking her heart either.” Jon exclaims.

“Sebastian has a girlfriend right now.” Joan tells him.

“Sebastian has a girlfriend?!” Jon says.

“Well like Isabella says, of course he does after all he is a great looking guy.” Joan says chuckling.

“Very funny Joan, I am shocked to hear he has a girlfriend after all he loves Isabella so much.” Jon says.

“He probably thought he was never going to see Isabella again so he thought he needed to try and move on with his life.” Joan said.

“It could be I wonder what Sebastian will do now that Isabella is back.” Jon questioned.

“Only time will tell dear.” Joan says.

Just then, Isabella starts walking again as she calls out, “Hey mom I love the Patio set you found me for my balcony and the rug samples are awesome as well.”

Isabella rounds the corner into the kitchen as both parents are looking at her as her mother asks, “Well did you find a rug you liked out of them?”

“Yes I did it will go great with my room.” Isabella says.

“Let me guess it is the one with all the blues and the white off set it has a slight bit of dark red in it.” Joan asks her.

Isabella smiles as she says, “You know me all to well mom.”

“Well I am suppose to after all you are my daughter.” Joan tells her chuckling.

“Well then I guess you two will be picking it up tomorrow while you are out shopping with Grandma?” Jon asks them.

“I thought we might pick it up, they will come and install it and everything so we will not have to worry about it.” Joan says.

“That’s good because I would hate to have to think I would have to move that huge heavy bed all alone to get it down on the floor.” Isabella says she puts her plate in the dishwasher and throws away her bottle.

As her father says, “Oh the new house maid and butler will be here tomorrow. We will have to live with your mothers cooking until next Wednesday though the cook will not be done with his old job till then.”

Joan looks at Jon as she says, “Live with my cooking, if I remember right that is why you married me is because I could cook and you loved my cooking.”

“Of course it is dear, it is just you have gotten a little rusty with others cooking for us but I still love your cooking like always.” Jon says getting up and giving her a hug.

She hugs him back as she says, “You’re a pain in the butt you know that.”

They kiss as Isabella shakes her head she says, “I am going back to my room to shower for tonight and get ready call me when the rusty dinner is done.”

She laughs as she sees her mother pick up a dishtowel and throw it at her Isabella darts out the kitchen door as she is still laughing.


She gets back to her room she goes to her computer saving her work and then goes to the bathroom. When she is finished drying her hair she walks out going to her closet she walks in looking around for something to wear. She grabs her black jeans that sat low on her hips and a blue eyelet shirt that had three buttons between her breasts it was low cut and open at the bottom showing off her belly. The sleeves flared but fit tight on her arms from her elbows up to her shoulders the rest of the shirt hugged her upper chest but was loose on her lower half. She grabs her black boots and her black jean jacket as she walked from the closet laying them on the bed.

She finishes up just in time to hear her mother call out to her from the foot of the stairs, “Isabella dinner is done.”

Isabella looks at the clock as she says, “I have time to eat, brush my teeth again after dinner and then he should be here to get me. Cool… I still got it.”

She chuckles as she runs down to dinner with her mother and father.



Here By Me Chapter 7