Daniel

Kim, Raymond, Carol, and I head to the bus stop an hour later, feeling stuffed from the burgers, fries, milkshakes, and nachos—courtesy of Isabella. Speaking of her, we don’t get the chance to say goodbye before leaving the diner because she’s too busy having fun with her boyfriend and friends.

Twenty minutes later, I find myself standing alone at the bus stop, my friends’ rides having arrived before mine. I take advantage of the quiet night, leaning against the wall behind me while watching the remaining students leave the diner and drive off.

I sigh and look up at the dark sky, scattered with stars and a full moon. I can’t help thinking about how much my life has changed compared to last year, when I attended Angelwood with Hugo and Lucy. Now I’m here, standing in front of Vista High—one of the most prestigious schools in Pennsylvania and easily the most expensive in Philadelphia. Not to mention that I’m acquainted with Isabella Williams, the most beautiful girl in the world, in my humble opinion.

She’s so close, yet impossibly far away. Knowing I’ll never be allowed to get close to her, to touch her and kiss her, makes me feel like a complete loser. I’ve never been this drawn to someone before. 

In my world, attention comes easily because I’m popular. But in Isabella’s world, she’s a masterpiece displayed behind velvet ropes, meant to be admired from a distance, and people like me aren’t allowed past the barrier. I can look, but I can’t reach out or take her home with me.

“Man, I wish I had a cigarette right now,” I mumble, the urge hitting me out of nowhere.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely register a car stopping in front of the bus stop. I don’t bother looking down, assuming it’s just another rich kid ready to laugh at my situation. I keep my eyes on the sky, doing my best to ignore whoever’s waiting to humiliate me.

“Hey, Daniel.”

A familiar voice cuts through the night, instantly snapping my attention downward. My gaze lands on a black sports car and the breathtaking girl sitting inside it.

“What are you doing here alone?” Isabella asks, smiling.

“I’m waiting for the bus,” I reply quietly.

“Where are Kim, Raymond, and Carol?” She glances around as if expecting them to appear.

“They went home.”

She studies me for a moment before offering, “Do you need a ride home?”

I gape at her, caught completely off guard, as the idea of being alone with her is enough to knock me off balance and make my heart pound against my ribcage and my stomach twist into knots.

“It’s eleven p.m., and I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here by yourself,” she continues. “Come on; I’ll take you home.” She gestures for me to get into her car.

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I reply, “Thank you for offering, but the last bus should be here any minute now.”

“You have two options, Daniel. Either you get in my car right now so I can take you home, or I’ll be forced to stay here and keep you company until your bus arrives,” she states, chuckling.

“But we live on opposite sides of the city,” I retort, surprised by the fact that Isabella actually wants to spend time with me—alone.

“That’s not a problem at all.” She pauses, then gives me a wide smile that steals the air from my lungs. “So, which option will it be?”

I hesitate for a couple of seconds before finally giving in, as I don’t have enough willpower to resist her charm. The next thing I know, I’m sitting in the front passenger seat of her vehicle, wrapped in her sweet scent.

“I’m glad you made the right decision.” Isabella chuckles as she pulls away from the curb.

I stay silent, too overwhelmed by the situation and by my surroundings—the interior of the car is fancy and immaculate, carrying her familiar scent. Soft music plays through the speakers, filling the space between us.

I glance at the stunning girl beside me. She mouths the lyrics while driving, completely at ease, and I hate to admit it, but although she looks like an angel, she’s a terrible driver. I don’t even have a license, yet I’m pretty sure my life is flashing before my eyes right now.

“How is your family?” Isabella asks a moment later.

I’m already nervous being this close to her, and that feeling only intensifies after she nearly clips the sidewalk while taking a turn.

“Daniel?” she insists, glancing at me.

“Jesus, keep your eyes on the road,” I plead silently.

“My mom is inviting you over sometime,” I tell her, gazing at her beautiful profile softly illuminated by moonlight and the dim dashboard glow. “She said something about owing you a cake.”

She smiles. “Your mother is lovely, and I’d love to come. However, I don’t think that would be appropriate.”

“Why wouldn’t it be appropriate?” I frown, confused.

“Your girlfriend wouldn’t be very happy,” she explains, her eyes still on the road. “It’s pretty obvious she doesn’t like me.”

“What girlfriend?” I tilt my head, even more confused.

“Lucy,” she says quietly.

Hugo’s words about Isabella’s suspicions regarding Lucy come rushing back, along with memories of my birthday party, more specifically of Lucy sticking to my side the entire time.

Hugo was right. Isabella really does think Lucy is my girlfriend.

“Lucy isn’t my girlfriend,” I state, turning to stare out the window.

“But you like her, don’t you?”

I swallow my words, as I don’t want to admit that I do—because I do like Lucy a lot. But lately, I’m starting to think I like Isabella even more, which makes no sense at all, as I barely know her, while Lucy and I have known each other forever.

“How is the laptop working for you?” Isabella changes the subject, probably realizing I won’t be answering her previous question anytime soon. Even though her tone is casual, I can still hear a hint of sadness in it.

“I love it. It’s helping me a lot. I’m still figuring out how to use everything, but I can manage my homework and take notes in class.” I smile at her, even though she can’t see it—she’s too busy scowling at the slow-moving car in front of us.

“Come on; I don’t have all night. Where did that driver even learn how to drive? A turtle’s driving school?” she complains, glaring at the compact car crawling along at barely fifteen miles per hour.

I gape at her for a moment, surprised. “Anyway, Rose asks about you every day,” I blurt out, desperate to calm her down.

“Really?” She stops at a red light and turns to me, her face lighting up with a wide smile.

“My whole family really likes you…” I trail off, my ears burning as heat creeps into my face.

“Does that mean you like me too?” she bluntly asks, arching an eyebrow.

“Wha-What?” I stutter, my face growing even hotter.

Isabella chuckles and looks back at the road. “I’m just kidding, Daniel. You don’t need to get all flustered,” she teases.

My gaze betrays me, drifting to her lips, and the image of them pressed against mine sends a shiver down my spine, forcing me to look away—if I don’t, I won’t be able to stop myself from doing something incredibly stupid.

“Thank you for paying for the food at the diner, by the way,” I say, remembering the mountain of food my friends and I ate earlier.

“It was my pleasure. I couldn’t let my friends leave without trying the diner’s famous gourmet burgers because they’re kind of a big deal.”

“You didn’t have to worry about us. I mean, you were clearly busy with your real friends.” The words slip out before I can stop them.

“Real friends?” Isabella frowns, her eyes fixed on the road.

I sigh deeply and decide to keep my mouth shut for the rest of the ride, determined not to say anything else I’ll regret.

She pulls up in front of my house a moment later, and only then does it hit me that she never asked for my address. “How did you know where I live?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“I was here last week, Daniel,” she jokes, “try to keep up.”

“I know that, but I didn’t think you’d remember my address,” I tell her back, narrowing my eyes and matching her playful smile.

“Why wouldn’t I?” 

Because I’m a nobody, and you’re Isabella Williams.

“Thank you for driving me home,” I say instead, unbuckling my seat belt.

“I couldn’t leave you alone.” Her eyes lock onto mine, intense enough to make me swallow hard as I fight the urge to look at her lips again.

“Your boyfriend won’t be happy if he finds out you gave me a ride,” I mumble, forcing myself to hold her gaze.

“Boyfriend?” 

“The guy from the diner—Collin,” I clarify.

To my surprise, Isabella chuckles, shaking her head. “Collin isn’t my boyfriend, Daniel. We’re hanging out, but we’re definitely not dating.”

I don’t know why, but the relief that washes over me is impossible to ignore.

I open the car door and say, “He’ll be mad at you anyway.”

“I don’t care.” She shrugs. “What about Lucy? She’ll be mad too if she finds out about today.”

I grumble, “Lucy isn’t my girlfriend. So she doesn’t have the right to be mad at me for spending time with you.”

“If you say so…”

I hop out of the car, flash her a thankful smile, and close the door. “Thank you again, Isabella.”

She smiles back. “I’ll see you on Monday, Daniel.”

I nod as I watch her wave and drive away, disappearing from view. And if my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me, I’m pretty sure she nearly climbs onto the sidewalk while making the turn.

How am I supposed to forget Isabella if she keeps becoming more and more perfect—her driving skills aside—every single day?

I kick a rock in front of me, frustration bubbling over. “Damn it,” I mutter under my breath, angry at myself for not being able to control these unfamiliar feelings for the school’s princess.

“Dan, is that you?” My mom opens the front door cautiously, peeking outside.

I take a deep breath and walk toward her.

“I heard a car,” she comments as she watches me enter the house and head straight for my bedroom, following me.

“Isabella gave me a ride,” I reply, finally looking at her.

“She’s such a sweetheart,” Mom exclaims, her face lighting up.

I groan in response, her reaction making me scowl in annoyance.

“Why are you so angry? Did you and Isabella have a fight or something?” she pries, clearly confused by my irritation.

“That’s the problem, Mom. We didn’t. Isabella is just… too perfect, and I don’t know what to do,” I confess, kicking off my sneakers.

My mom smiles knowingly, understanding my frustration. “Isabella is a good girl, Dan. You shouldn’t be upset for liking her.” Her voice is soft and gentle.

“I’m going to take a shower and go to sleep,” I say, giving her an apologetic look.

“Then I’m going to bed too. Your father, Rose, and Oliver are already asleep—I was just waiting for you to get home.” She kisses my forehead. “Good night, Dan. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mom. Good night.” 

“Thank you for behaving tonight,” she adds before walking away.

I close the door, flop onto my bed, and bury my face in the pillow, the moment with Isabella replaying in my head, over and over, making me curse and smile at the same time.

“Seriously, Isabella… What are you doing to me?” I grumble, exhausted and overwhelmed.

* * *