How We Began

by Sandra Corton

  “I tell you what, Isaac, if you’re still even remotely interested in talking to me in a fortnight, then I’ll consider listening to you.”

  At that, she closed her window and started her car. He watched her drive away, feeling rather perplexed, which resorted to anger soon after. Did she really think that he wouldn’t want to talk to her if she forced him to wait a fortnight? Well, she was about to find out exactly how stubborn he could be. Biding his time to prove his point would be nothing.

  Chapter 5 – The opinion of our fellow man.

  “So, are you going to tell me your name yet?” Isaac asked, as he smoothly sat down in the chair next to Kayla.

  She stared at him blankly for a long moment. Her shock at seeing him anywhere nearby, when she had rejected him yesterday was obvious to the world. She had thought that Isaac would put her demands into the too hard basket and walk away, but he hadn’t.

  She had watched his treatment of other girls over the years, and it had never been pleasant. He was never outright mean to them, but it seemed that once he was done, there was no going back. He never dated the same girl twice. It made her wonder why she had such a crush on him for so long when he could be such a jerk.

  It was the other reason why she sat staring at him, having disbelief warring desperately with hope. He never chased girls, and yet he had been rather persistently following her around, and trying to get her attention for days now. She just wasn’t sure if she could trust him.

  The last thing she wanted was to watch him walking away, when she decided to let her heart form a deeper attachment. It was why she had mentioned the fortnight as a test yesterday. She knew how short his relationships lasted before he seemed to get bored.

  She knew he would get bored with her. She wasn’t anything like the girls he normally dated. She didn’t want to be a showy girl, like the ones that he normally dated, she was happiest when quietly reading. Partying seemed like a waste of her study time, and football was nothing but a deadly sport where players seemed to suffer injuries a lot. They had nothing in common.

  It didn’t once stop her heart from insisting that his attention was wonderful. That to look in those dark blue eyes was something she had always dreamed of, but knew that she could never have. He had her hooked, and she knew it, but as long as he didn’t find out, then she would be just fine.

  “So, are you?” Isaac persistent voice penetrated her daydreaming mind.

  “Sorry, what?” She asked sounding like an imbecile.

  “Are you going to tell me your name?” He asked with an amused tilt to his grin.

  “I’ll tell you in a fortnight.” She answered simply, before deliberately focusing on the teacher.

  “I can be patient you know.” Isaac whispered, as he leaned down to her ear. She shivered, and shifted her chair further away from his.

  “I’ll wait and see.” She whispered back.

  All throughout the class, she felt butterflies fill her chest at every movement he made. When she dropped her pen from her nervous fingers, he leaned down to pick it up for her. With a finger stroke to the back of her hand, he returned it, making those butterflies stir crazily inside of her.

  As usual, the bell rang, and this time Isaac picked up her bag when she had finished packing. She sent him a questioning look that he didn’t answer. He walked her to her next class, before handing back her bag. That darn hope inside of her grew to fill her to the brim.

  “I’ll wait that fortnight, as long as you promise me your name.” Isaac said on parting with his best grin. All she could manage was a nod and a smile of astonishment in return.

  He left her there feeling stunned and elated, at the door to her classroom. She walked in feeling the eyes of everyone upon her. She took her seat and heard the whispers behind her. She decided to ignore them, but there were those that had no wish for her disregard.

  A piece of paper hit her in the back of the head, to the snigger of the class. The teacher sent them a glare, but missed the whole exchange. When he turned around to face the blackboard, Kayla fished the note from the back of the chair where it landed. She dreaded even unfolding it.

  “Isaac’s mine back off.” The words scrawled across the page, but Kayla could feel the menace in them.

  She could only wonder at the possessive words, especially with Isaac dating so many different girls. She didn’t dare look behind her to see who wrote the message. She chose to screw the paper into a ball, and toss it into her bag.

  She headed to lunchbreak feeling uncertain. She decided to spend the time in the library, her sanctuary away from the world. She never made it far, as she found herself cornered by girls that had never cared for her existence before. She recognised one as the girl Isaac had kissed the other day, Marnie and another as his last girlfriend Melissa.

  “Hey, we just thought it was best to warn you of something,” Melissa’s sugary tone clashed with her angry eyes.

  “Uh, yeah what?” Kayla asked hesitantly.

  “We don’t want a shy little thing like you getting caught up in all the bad stuff with Isaac. You know he will only break your heart, right?” Melissa sent her as sincere a look as she seemed to be able to manage.

  “I’m well aware of that,” Kayla told them, and they appeared shocked by her response. “Thanks for telling me.”

  With heart thundering madly, Kayla quickly walked away, hoping to avoid any more confrontations. She had the warning, and Kayla now knew who had sent the earlier message. She went straight to the library, and hid in amongst the soothing world of books, until the dread began to leave her.

  “Where did you disappear too?” Isaac’s warm voice from behind her had her heart fluttering madly again, as she walked into her afternoon class.

  “Um, when?” She asked with a shrug.

  “At lunchtime. I was hoping that you would sit with me.” He pouted at her, and a small smile graced her lips.

  She reminded herself that she couldn’t afford to develop any more of an attachment to him. She was beyond flattered that he wanted to spend lunch with her. The hope kept on expanding, and she was dreading the moment of heartbreak when he had had enough of her.

  “I was busy.” She replied, as she recalled her run in with those nasty girls.

  Melissa's fierce look from the back of the classroom, as she entered, speared the trepidation deeper through her. Kayla quickly took her normal seat, and when Isaac sat down next to her, she felt both flattered and surprised. She constantly found herself startled by the attentiveness that he kept showing to her. She was sure he had never paid any other girl this much attention. She was deeply pleased, but also concerned. He couldn’t really be changing his ways for her, could he?

  “Isaac, this seat is vacant.” Melissa purred from the back of the room, ending the chatter of the other students.

  “Thanks but I’m perfectly happy right here.” Isaac replied with a smile for the girl, before turning back to Kayla.

  She didn’t know what to say to him. She truly felt quite flabbergasted. He was choosing to stay next to her, when a much prettier girl had offered him a seat. She dared to glance at him only to find him smiling at her. As much as she wanted to enjoy his attention, she felt that it was almost too good to be true.

  “Wow, I can’t believe Hat Girl is the one to do it for you, Isaac.” One of his fellow footballers, Steve let out a snarky laugh, before the teacher silenced him by entering the room.

  Isaac sent him a glare, only to notice the expression on his others friends faces. Disbelief and incredulity, along with some sniggers of laughter faced him. He looked away uncomfortably. He knew that liking Hat Girl would cause him some dramas, and now the proof was right in front of him.

  He glanced over to Hat Girl, and knew that he couldn’t move away. It would crush her. She was finally starting to open up to him, so he had to stay. If he went with what his friends wanted, she would never trust him again. He rubbed his forehead wondering which one would be the biggest disaster.

  �
��I don’t care if you want to go and sit with them,” Kayla told him, seeing his mixed feelings.

  “They’re being dicks,” Isaac answered, shooting his friends another glance.

  “Maybe, but at the end of the day they will still be your friends.” Kayla shrugged, and looked away from him.

  “And you will be what?” Isaac whispered, but she never answered him.

  She refused to say anything else for the rest of the day. He pondered her silence with anxiety, which only grew, as his friends kept on badgering him. He decided to have words with his team during practice that afternoon. He wasn’t going to see poor Hat Girl bullied because of his interest and his friend’s stupidity.

  He watched her drive away from the school feeling more determined than ever. He turned back to where his team would be getting ready for practice. Isaac stormed into the change room prepared for a battle, only a fight had already begun. Jay had Steve in a headlock with the rest of the team chanting to encourage the fight.

  “Stop it!” Isaac shouted out, and everyone went still. “Let him up, Jay,”

  “Maybe if he stops being such an arsehole,” Jay tightened his grip, and Steve struggled against him.

  “That just comes to him naturally so let him go.” Isaac insisted, as he grabbed Jay’s arm.

  Jay reluctantly released Steve who let out a cough, and rubbed at his throat. Isaac helped Jay up, sending him a look that demanded answers. Jay simply patted his shoulder sympathetically, making Isaac instantly aware that it was about Hat Girl.

  “Jerk,” Steve uttered, as he wiped at his bleeding mouth.

  “You don’t have to be such an arsehole,” Jay shouted out, his fists rising, as he prepared to attack again.

  “Oh, come on! He’s now interested in the only girl he hasn’t come onto before. He’s scraping the bottom of the barrel.” Steve let out a snide laugh.

  “You’re nothing, but jealous.” Jay snarled back.

  “What the hell do I have to be jealous of?” Steve glared at Isaac.

  “That’s enough now!” Mr Blair, the teams coach stormed into the room, and silence filled the area. “Get yourselves out on the field, and take out your aggression there.”

  Isaac trooped out, not knowing how to cope with what was happening. Steve’s behaviour seemed so odd in comparison to his normal quiet style. He could only wonder how the rest of the afternoon was going to pan out.

  Practice was more brutal than a usual game. Isaac felt that he needed some peace and quiet, before tackling game day tomorrow. He was immensely happy that it was the end of the week, but unfortunately, he couldn’t escape the responsibilities the game would deal out tomorrow. He couldn’t believe how simple minded some of his friends were, and the way they were acting.

  He went home rather than out with his mates, as he usually would on a Friday night. Seeing a silvery car parked in front of his house sure did perk up his mood. Maybe Hat Girl was here with his sister. They didn’t have dance class today, so it was possible that Hayley had organised one of her girl’s nights. Never had Isaac felt so happy to have his home filled with heaps of younger girls that normally drove him crazy,

  He rushed inside smelling the unmistakeable aroma of popcorn. He could hear noise and chattering from upstairs, so he assumed they were watching a movie in Hayley’s room. Feeling overly excited, he had a quick shower to wash off any lingering odours from practice.

  He stood outside Hayley’s door with his hand lifted preparing to knock, when he heard his name mentioned. He went instantly still, especially when they began whispering.

  He was leaning against the door trying to hear anything beyond the television, when Hayley opened the door. He fell into the room with a stumble, only regaining his footing when he grabbed onto the door handle.

  “Well, that was exceedingly graceful,” Hayley said with a laugh.

  “What the hell?” Isaac frowned at his sister.

  “Don’t spy on us.” She gestured into the room, where only elusive Hat Girl sat on the bed.

  “Can I join you?” He asked excitedly.

  “No, what made you think that you’ve been invited.” Hayley scowled at him.

  “Um, I should be getting home any way. Mitchell said he would cook dinner tonight,” Kayla said, as she scurried off the bed.

  “Oh, you poor thing! You had better rush home to make sure the food is actually edible.” Hayley joked, making her friend laugh.

  “Yeah, he is a pretty bad cook.” Kayla replied, even as her voice turned sad.

  “So, who is Mitchell?” Isaac interrupted, but neither girl answered him.

  “Is he going back this weekend?” Hayley asked softly.

  “He said he’d come home when Dad arrives back in a month,” Kayla’s voice became excited, until she recalled Isaac’s presence. “Alright, I had better go.”

  She exited the room quickly shocking Isaac, and he thought he had adjusted to her disappearing act. He had hoped that she would stay longer, and spend some time with him. She barely said any goodbye to even Hayley. Watching her leave was getting to be a far too common occurrence, which he found undeniably frustrating.

  “Who is this Mitchell guy?” He demanded, once they heard Kayla drive off.

  “Why does it matter? You have more important stuff to work out.” Hayley told him sternly.

  “For once, just tell me alright,” he sent her a pleading look, and she let out a grumble.

  “Fine, do you remember the guy that picked her up from dance class that you were so jealous of?” Hayley asked with a cheeky little smile.

  “Yes, and?”

  “That’s Mitchell, her brother. He’s having a break from the course he’s completing at the moment.” She explained to him.

  Isaac found many things clicking into place for him. He was relieved that guy was no competition, and it made sense that he was her brother. He had seemed to care a lot about her.

  “Onto more important matters, you need to have a chat to Melissa and friends.” Hayley told him fiercely, snapping him from the daze that he always seemed to be in nowadays.

  “Uh, what for?” Isaac asked, as he went to go back to his room.

  “This,” Hayley handed him a slip of paper. With a slight frown, he looked at the crumpled paper. He read it, and felt his stomach clench with dread. “Melissa, Marnie, and company decided to have some choice words for K-my friend today.” Hayley cursed her slip up. Her brother grinned, before anger flared at her words.

  “So, the positive is that now I know her name starts with ‘K’. Bad news is Melissa's being a bitch, and trying to claim me again.” Isaac stated, and Hayley slowly nodded.

  “Don’t hurt her, Isaac. If you’re serious about her then that’s fine, you have my blessing. If you’re playing some stupid game, then back away now.” Hayley warned, as she poked her brother hard in the chest.

  “She’s not like the other girls, Hayles. I don’t know what she is to me yet. That kiss between us was… I dunno but it was special.” He replied, feeling like a dopey idiot, as he admitted the truth.

  “Then don’t kiss any other girls.” She ordered, as she shoved him in the back towards his room.

  “I won’t. I didn’t even want to the other day, but she won’t talk to me. I don’t even known her name, Hayley. Nobody will tell me anything, or help me out.” He sent her a pointed look.

  “Okay, first thing I don’t want to talk about this kissing stuff with you, it’s darn gross!” She grimaced, which made him laugh. “If you actually want to give having a girlfriend for more than one day a chance, then the fight will be worth it. Now, go and talk to that bitchy little Melissa, and tell her how it’s going to be.” Hayley directed.

  Isaac let out a harsh breath. Dammit, since when did he start taking advice from his younger sister? He screwed up the piece of paper in his hands, feeling the anger flood him again. What girl had the right to demand that he was hers?

  With fury riding him, he slammed his bedroom door shut. He picked
up his phone from where he had tossed it next to his bag. Scrolling through his contacts, he realised for the first time exactly how many girls’ phone numbers that he had collected over the years.

  He used to be immensely proud of that list, now he felt a sense of shame. No wonder Hat Girl wanted to run from him at every opportunity. He wasn’t exactly proving that he was good relationship material through his steady stream of girls.

  He baulked when he noticed that he had even thought the word ‘relationship’. That was not something he wanted, was it? Instead of contemplating any of it, he took a deep breath, and pushed the call button on his phone.

  “Isaac, I was wondering when you would ring me!” Marnie’s excited voice made dread flood his system, as he realised he had called the wrong number.

  “Hey, Marnie,” he forced his voice into politeness, when he wanted to hang up the phone, and throw it across the room.

  “You are coming to JoJo’s party tonight, aren’t you? I'm going to be there, and so is Melissa. We can't wait to see you,” her voice sounded suggestive.

  “Ah, listen there was something that I wanted to talk to you about.” Isaac tried to say, but she quickly butted in.

  “Whatever it is, we can talk about it tonight at the party, and I’ll see you there.” Marnie chirped out, and then hung up before he could say another word.

  Damn, it looked like he was heading to a party of someone he couldn’t stand. JoJo was one of the girls he had dated over the years. She was the worst offender at expecting more of him than he was ready to give. She would still come simpering up to him, assuming that they would take up where they left off. Going to her party was just going to encourage her, which was the last thing that he wanted.

  Music throbbed, echoing around the neighbourhood. Normally, Isaac would be completely enjoying this moment. The anticipation of the hunt for which girl he would choose tonight. Now, he just felt rather sickened.

  Hat Girl had done such a number on him! One kiss, and he was addicted, it was as if no other girl would ever exist for him again. They all seemed incomparable to her. He wanted to be mad at her for shaking his life up, but he knew that he would rather just know her name.