“Well I’m about to get going. I’ve got a lot to get done,” Sharon insisted.
Ella followed her out of Isabelle’s room and to the front door to see her off. Ella loved Sharon and nothing hurt her more than to see her daughter strung out and unable to care for her own daughter.
“I love you Sharon, and I’m always praying for you,” Ella assured her as she held her old screen door open and let a stream of sunlight shine into her home.
“You know what, you almost sound convincing,” Sharon smirked.
“I don’t know why you refuse to let me love you and be there for you,” Ella exclaimed.
“Well, you weren’t there for me then, so don’t try to be here for me now.” Sharon smacked her lips and sashayed over to an old Pontiac with a doughnut tire that was slightly flattened and driven by a man Ella didn’t recognize, so she knew what Sharon was off to do.
“Lord, please watch after my child,” she pleaded before heading back into the house to check on Isabelle.
“I’m so glad that you’re here. This is the happiest that I’ve been in a long time!” Ella grinned with joy.
“Thanks for loving me, grandma,” Isabelle said softly.
“You will never have to worry about my love changing for you, child,” Ella assured her.
“Let’s go make some chocolate-chip cookies,” Ella insisted as she walked out of the small bedroom.
“Really!!” Isabelle exclaimed with excitement.
“Of course. We have to do something to celebrate you moving in with me,” Ella smiled warmly.
This was the first time that Isabelle had ever truly felt loved and it was a feeling that she would become addicted to.
CHAPTER 14
“Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.”
Isabelle was so thankful to Professor Craven for giving her a chance. She’d never failed a class, so this meant a lot to her. Isabelle was always the type of student that didn’t have to put much effort into a class in order to pass it, but with this class she wasn’t putting any effort into it at all.
“I care about you learning the material. I’m not here to see you fail.”
Professor Craven appeared to be a very stern woman in class and she was, but one-on-one she was softer. Isabelle could tell that she kept up that front so that the students wouldn’t detect weakness in her.
“Alright, Isabelle where do you think you are struggling the most and we can start there.”
“I’m not really sure. I feel like I understand the material, but I just don’t have time to do the assignments.”
“There’s a start. If the assignments aren’t a struggle for you then you should be setting aside time to work on them. You have to prioritize, Isabelle, and boys or parties shouldn’t top classwork. I know you’re a bright student and I just hate to see you throw away your potential.”
Professor Craven expressed deep concern for Isabelle’s education and she appreciated it. Her grandmother never went to college so she didn’t know much about it, however she did support her, but not in ways a professor could.
“I know, I know and it seems like you and Demi are working together because I’m hearing the same thing from her about guys being the wrong top priority.”
Isabelle felt tense because she was so tired of everyone attacking her relationship with Noah. She straightened up in her small desk seat to brace herself for Professor Craven’s response. Class had just ended so the two were in the empty classroom discussing Isabelle’s college decisions, even though it was initially a tutoring session.
“Of course guys shouldn’t top your list of priorities. You’re here to get an education not throw it away on some dude that could easily be with another young lady tomorrow.”
“I understand all of that, but this guy is older and more mature than these college boys. We are really in love and I know what we have is real. I’ve been working to create a schedule that will include school, him, and friends though. I’m still getting used to this college life and the big transition from my grandmother’s house.”
Isabelle’s tension lessened some as she started to explain why she wasn’t doing as well as she knew she could. Isabelle was honestly holding on to what she felt comfortable with and that was Noah. She was in a new city with new people and she needed someone who she felt comfortable with.
“Look, I was 20 at one time myself and I’ve been in undergrad as well, so I know how you feel. Relationships are a part of life and we can’t help our emotions, but you have to love yourself more than you love some guy. Don’t fail your classes behind dating. Shouldn’t a relationship better you and make you a stronger person than you would be if you were single? It should bring out the best in you and not the worst. Have you told your significant other that you’re failing?”
“I mentioned it to him briefly, but I didn’t really want to discuss it with him.”
“Well I suggest that you do. You will be able to see if he truly cares about you outside of the time you spend together and if your well-being is important to him. Let him know that school is important to you and that you love him, but you have to dedicate some of your time to your studies. If he really loves you then he will understand. I’m married, so I understand the struggle. It’s hard to balance love and relationships with work, but it has to be done.”
“You’re right. I have to love myself and embrace what college is going to do for my future. He loves me, so I know he’ll understand and even help me catch up.”
“I’m glad we’re getting somewhere. I just don’t want you to throw away your education on something that isn’t promised. No one can ever take your education away from you, but a man can easily be taken away from you in the blink of an eye.”
“How long have you and your husband been married?”
“It’s been about seven years. We have our ups and downs, but we make it work and we make time for our jobs. Take pride in everything that you do, Isabelle. You’re beautiful and you’re smart so use it to your advantage.”
Professor Craven was about the same age as Isabelle’s mother, but she nurtured her more in one day than her own mother had in her entire life. Isabelle felt a closeness to Professor Craven that as undeniable. She wasn’t sure if it was because her own mother was absent from her life or if it was just Professor Craven’s kindness.
“Thank you. That’s nice of you to say and I’m glad we were able to talk. All of this means a lot coming from you. I value your opinion and your advice.”
Professor Craven was extremely pleased with the progress she’d made in such a short amount of time with Isabelle. She knew it wouldn’t take a lot to convince Isabelle that her education was more important than whatever it was holding her back in class.
“Anytime, Isabelle, whenever I can help a student in any way it is my greatest pleasure. I love what I do and I love my students, so if you have any questions or ever just need someone to talk to then you can always contact me. You have my personal number on the syllabus so don’t hesitate to use it!”
With every moment that they talked, Isabelle felt closer to Professor Craven. She had a profound interest in Isabelle’s life and that was something she had always lacked. Professor Craven was able to draw Isabelle in with her caring demeanor and genuine interest. Isabelle was almost certain that she would be contacting her in the near future.
“You know what? It’s a shame that you’ve been more caring in this one conversation than my mother has been in all of my life. You’re not at all how I expected and I deeply appreciate your kindness.”
Professor Craven leaned over until she was nearly an inch from Isabelle’s face and whispered, “My mother didn’t give a damn about me either, so I had to just give a damn about myself.”
CHAPTER 15
6 Years Ago
“Love comes and love goes, baby doll. It’s not the end of the world you’ll find true love one day.”
“No I won’t, grandma. Luke is the only guy for me and he wants Kendra.�
��
Isabelle had been experiencing a case of puppy love and it wasn’t treating her too well. She was only 14, but in her heart she knew that it was Luke or nothing at all.
Isabelle plopped down on the plastic covered couch and squirmed around to finally get comfortable, which was difficult on that couch. She’d found out in fourth period that Luke was seeing Kendra behind her back and she felt like her whole world had collapsed beneath her. Puppy love is said to be the strongest and for Isabelle it was true.
Ella stopped her cleaning and walked into the living room to offer comfort to her granddaughter. She may have not been educated or able to help Isabelle with all of her needs, but she knew what a broken heart felt like.
“I’ve been where you are, baby. I was a teenager once and I had my heart broken by Edgar Monroe. He was the smoothest and most handsome man I’d ever laid my eyes on. I mean just the sound of his voice could make any girl fall head over heels in love with him. I was honored when he called on me one day to take me to the annual fall dance. I felt like the luckiest girl in school to be seen with Edgar while all of the other girls would be jealous. The night of the dance I ended up being the loser of the night because as soon as we got to the dance he left me and hit on another girl all night. I thought he honestly wanted to be there with me and only me, but that wasn’t the case. He just wanted a girl to show up with and that was it. I was invisible to him for the whole night and I felt awful. I’d had a crush on him for years and he’d managed to break my entire heart in one night.”
Ella felt for her granddaughter because she knew how it felt to watch the one you love be with someone else, even if it is puppy love.
“I don’t care what they say, but it isn’t better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all because lost love hurts. It hurts, but it heals, baby girl and I can promise you that. I know it feels bad now and you can’t imagine that it will ever feel better, but it will.”
“I hope so because I don’t know if I can take this for too much longer.”
Isabelle was hurt, but she felt better after talking to Ella. She knew the pain would pass, but how long would it take? She felt so betrayed and unable to focus on anything else.
“You’ll be fine just focus on school and being a good girl! If you’d like you can go over to Chelsea’s house and hangout some to take your mind off of that boy.”
“Thanks, grandma!!”
Isabelle ran up to Ella and showered her with kisses. She loved going over to Chelsea’s because she had a computer, CD player, and all of the latest games. Isabelle zoomed out of the door faster than her grandmother could even process.
As she walked down the sidewalk passing all of the small homes that resembled her grandmother’s she couldn’t help but think about Luke. She would stay after school late just to see him and they would talk on the phone at night for hours. She knew she was young, but that didn’t mean that she couldn’t experience real love.
“Excuse me, but you dropped something.”
Isabelle heard a voice from behind her, but she wasn’t sure if they were speaking to her or not so she continued her journey to Chelsea’s.
“Hey! Hey! Wait!”
Isabelle finally turned around to see what this trailing voice wanted.
“Are you talking to me?” she asked with a slight attitude.
The boy ran to where she was standing and was quite out of breathe by the time he got there. He was a little taller than she was with curly blonde hair and a butt chin that she thought was adorable.
“You dropped your key,” he finally said with a winded voice.
“Oh my gosh! I didn’t even realize that it came out of my pocket! Thank you!”
“Oh no problem. I figured it was your house key so I didn’t want you to be locked out,” he smiled.
Isabelle was blinded by his perfect smile. He was very handsome even for a teenager.
“What’s your name by the way?”
“Oh, I’m Brian and you?”
CHAPTER 16
“We need to talk, babe.”
Isabelle had prepared herself to speak with Noah about rearranging her priorities and how it may affect their relationship. She knew what was at stake if she didn’t start taking school more seriously, but the thought of losing time with Noah made her stomach weak. Even though she told herself that she would never do it again, she had. She’d managed to put Noah at the center of her universe and make everything else take the backseat.
She was torn to pieces by how this decision may weaken their love and even more distraught at the thought of him spending their time with someone else.
“How’s it going, bae?”
Noah was nestled beside her in his oversized leather couch watching an episode of Scandal. Isabelle squirmed around in the chair until her bare thighs started to sweat from the leather. She knew he would understand and be supportive, but the last thing she needed was to lose a person in her life that honestly cared for her.
“As you know I’m failing a class that I need to gradua-“
“Wait, you’re failing?”
Noah cut her off in mid sentence because he was surprised at what she’d just said. He knew she’d missed a few assignments, but he didn’t think it would result in a failing grade. At that very moment he felt guilty and responsible for her shortcomings and his entire mood changed.
“Yeah, I’m failing Professor Craven’s class and I really have to buckle down if I want to pass. She’s been working with me and she really believes in me so I feel confident, but it won’t be easy. We’re going to have to limit the time we spend together so that I can focus on my studies more.”
Those may have been the toughest words that she ever had to muster up and she could feel her heart shrivel up with each one.
“I’m a student too, Isabelle, and I understand how important it is to complete your work and focus on your classes, but why do we have to limit us? Why can’t we be like any other couple that’s in college? I can’t live without you and I don’t want to. I want you to do well in school more than myself because I love you and whatever makes you better makes me smile, but I don’t think I can do this,” he pleaded.
“I don’t want to do it either,” Isabelle cried. Tears starting slowing down her cheeks and her words were muffled by her cries.
“Professor Craven suggested that I prioritize myself and she’s right, but it’s hard.”
“She’s right and you should, but I bet Professor Craven never had someone to love her like I love you. I bet she never knew what it felt like to die a little with each moment being spent away from the love of your life. I bet she never even truly loved at all, but with you, Isabelle I have. She doesn’t understand that her suggestion will kill my soul and shatter my heart. I want the best for you and Lord knows I do, but I already miss you.”
The tears flowed non-stop as she listened to Noah plead with her to rethink her decision. She felt the same exact way that he did, if not stronger. She didn’t want to lose him or their connection, but she couldn’t allow herself to fail a class either.
“It’s going to be hard and I’m not denying that, but isn’t our love strong enough to overcome anything? Isn’t our connection indestructible? Aren’t our feelings until the end of time?”
Isabelle had to convince herself of the words she spoke because she was still scared. This was the last thing she wanted to do, but she knew she had to.
“You’re right our love is until the end of time, but it’s just so hard, baby.”
The tears in Noah’s eyes were at the verge of gushing down his face and his spirit had collapsed into the floor.
“I know, but we are stronger than any odds against us and our bon-”
There was a loud knock at the door, but Noah didn’t flinch. He wasn’t concerned with anything other than what Isabelle had to say.
“Go ahead, don’t worry about it,” he assured her.
“No, go get the door, babe. We can finish this later.”
Noah sighed deeply before finally standing to his feet and walking over to the door. Isabelle sat there in a daze with thoughts of how this break from Noah would turn out. Even though her class depended on it, she wasn’t completely convinced that she would go through with it.
Noah looked over at Isabelle’s beautiful silhouette perched upon his couch and he felt proud. He turned to open the door and revealed the last person he thought he’d find standing there.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
Thank you for reading Deceived, book 1 of The Captured Hearts Trilogy. Book 2 will be available on Dec. 1 and book 3 will be available on Dec. 8. To be notified of updates please join my mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/81tPz
Acknowledgements
There are so many people that deserve thanks because they have been a powerful force in my writing and also in my life. It’s a blessing to have people in your corner who are there for you no matter what and even when you have a dream that some may call far-fetched or crazy, they are there to support you.
True friends and a caring family keep me sane and I’m thankful for them all. I couldn’t imagine a day without them and I don’t want to
Mom and dad, I love you and even though you weren’t all in for my writing in the beginning, I’m glad you came around to notice that it’s something that I truly enjoy. You and dad are everything to me. I appreciate everything that you both have done for me because it gives me the opportunity to write and be great!
My dearest cousin, Jamie, whom I talk to on a daily basis and share all of my life stories and situations with, is more like a sister. I think she knows more about me than anyone else and that’s ok with me. She is such huge piece of my support system and I’m so grateful for a cousin/ best friend like her. She has done many great things and she is a great mind! I thank God for sweet souls like her.
Deceived (The Captured Hearts Trilogy #1) Page 5