My Best Friend’s Brother

(ISABELLA’S POV) *2020* The laughter that erupted from the group of people around the table made Isabella snap out of her thoughts pulling her back to the Johnson’s garden. She gave up and dropped her book on the table seeing as she had no chance of going far with her reading with all the noise going on around the garden. As the smell of barbecued meat filled the garden, Isabella wished she had come a few minutes later because Olivia had not returned from shopping with her aunt and Brad. Now, Isabella was stuck here with Olivia’s parents, Sandra and Chris Johnson, Isabella’s own parents, Victoria and George Martinez and Isabella’s little Jeanie (Who by the way was seated sitting at her own chair and table watching cartoons on an IPad ) “I still can’t believe my baby boy is going to be so far away!” Sandra said and Mum put her hand over her friend’s in comfort. “The boy is not a kid anymore, Sandy. Please let’s not talk about this. Besides New York isn’t that far away.” Chris

(ISABELLA’S POV) Standing with his arms folded across his chest, Lean but muscular build standing tall with a physique obviously honed by hours of workout. His chiseled features framed by that same dark spiky hair and the same piercing dark eyes that exuded a mix of confidence and intensity. My throat went dry and my heartbeat drummed loudly in my chest as I felt my palms go dry. His eyes were focused on me and mine solely on him. It felt like I was in some kind of trance and I wanted so bad to pinch myself. “Brad!” Olivia spluttered freeing herself from my support and rushing forward in to her brother’s ready arms as she made me snap out of my thoughts quickly. I stood by nervously and uneasily wishing that I could wake up from this dream at once! Brad Johnson in skin and flesh standing a few feet away from me and looking as though he has been here for the past four years. “I didn’t think you would be here until tomorrow. Why are you here so soon?.”

(BRAD’S POV) “I just can’t believe you’re back.” Henry said to me excitement still sounding in his voice. I had just driven in to school and he had hurried to see me. I didn’t really want people to notice that I was back and so he and I were still seated in the car having some water as we watched everyone meeting and welcoming each other back. It all seemed very rowdy. “You are going to cause a stir! You used to be our golden boy until you left.” Henry said not being able to get off how excited he felt. “Are you going to audition for the football team?” He asked me. That was a question I knew he was going to ask. Everyone knows first round of tryouts happens on the first day of school. “Yes I am.” I answered. “What happened though? Why did you come back?” Henry started to ask me and I was very relieved when the other guys came tapping at my window. “What the hell! So this is actually true. Bradley Johnson!” Mark exclaimed as he came closer. “All in flesh and blood, Mark.” I

(ISABELLA’S POV) “Oh my-“ “Gosh.” Jeanie completed the sentence for Olivia. I turned to stare at my reflection in the mirror, I froze in disbelief as my perfectly made up face stared back at me. My hair was done in a perfect French plait letting a few strands fall in front of my face. I felt mum’s comforting hands rest on my shoulders and looking at her through the mirror, she had a big, proud smile on her face. “You are so beautiful.” Mum said kissing me on my head. “Yes she is!!” Olivia emphasized. She had the cutest and the proudest smile on. “Can you do me next mummy?” Jeanie asked batting her eyelashes at mum. “No. You’re way too young for make up, Jeanie and you know that.” Mum said sternly and Olivia chuckled before being cut off by her ringtone and she hurried off to answer a call. “I’m so excited.” Mum said clapping her hands I narrowed my eyes with a chuckle. “It’s just a party mum.” I told her. “It’s your first party.” Mum said looking me over. I w

(BRAD’S POV)“Would you like to come with us, Brad?” Hilary Lockhart placed a hand on me with a gentle tug on my shirt.I looked up from my phone which I had just been scrolling through for distraction. I was pointless and Olivia looked at me like she wanted to give me a punch in the stomach. I gave her the stare too. She was the reason why I had spent more than thirty minutes with these girls! “Come with us to the Jacuzzi, Silly.” Hilary said with a giggle and a shrug.I sighed and stood up from my seat in exhaustion. That’s it! None of this bullshit anymore.“No but you guys have fun. I need to find my friends.” I said.I could see Olivia’s eyes sending me a thousand messages but I did not care.I turned around and walked away grateful that neither of them protested. Those girls are really some work!I hurried back to the front room where I had last seen Bella leaving with that dude but they weren’t there. I cursed under my breath and started combing around in search of them.“Yo