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She sat at her usual table, parked in her usual position, nose buried in a book. Oblivious to others around her but every now and then glancing up at the popular table. Feeling that pang of envy in her stomach that she couldn't be sitting there. That she couldn't be one of the shiny happy people. Nothing about her would ever be accepted among them. Isabel had to face it. She was an outcast, being socially, physically, and…humanly not like anyone else. It would always be that way. Being called weirdo, freak, and geek princess were just a few of the names she was called to assure her of her status. She was different; everything about her was just different. At least before Max and Michael had gotten their little girlfriends, she had them to turn to. But not anymore. She was alone. She always found herself alone.

As if by some cosmic irony, the popular table irrupted into a chorus of laughter. Isabel lifted her head from her book to see what all the fuss was about. Her breath caught in her throat the way it always did when she saw him.

Alex Whitman, Brad Pitt of the sophomore class. Shampoo commercial hair, soap commercial skin, muscles in all the right places. Despite the fact that he didn't play a single sport, he was the most sought after male on campus. Every girl in school salivated at the mere sight of him, and Isabel was no better. She didn't know how long she had a crush on him, but it had definitely been awhile. Sure he was gorgeous, and funny, and cool. But Isabel had seen things that made her think there was more to Alex. She had witnessed a number of kindhearted things he'd done. Once she saw him help an old lady across the street with her groceries and another time she saw him rescue a kitten out of a tree. All those things she had seen, and none of them ever in the company of the group he ran with. Coincidence? She didn't think so. She watched as he made a joke, then do a little spazz dance to emphasize it. The whole table irrupted into laughter again, and Isabel sighed, still watching as two girls in very form-fitting halter-tops wrapped their arms around Alex and kissed his cheeks. She looked down at her non-flattering Levi overalls and loose white T-shirt. No chance she could ever compete with those girls, she just wasn't in their league. Glancing back up at Alex, she saw him blush and gently push the girls off of him. Isabel thought that was a little odd. What guy would ever push a girl, let alone two girls away when they were blatantly throwing themselves at him? She always thought Alex wasn't with someone because he could have anyone he wanted.

'Who wanted to be tied down when you had that?' she thought.

Sometimes she let herself think he was saving himself for somebody. Her maybe? Ha. But one could dream couldn't they? She would have given up these little fantasies a long time ago, except every once in awhile Alex would catch her looking at him, and he would smile. Not a smug 'look at me I'm getting checked out' smile. A warm genuine smile that made her knee's go weak. A few times she'd tried to build up the courage to talk to him, only back down at the last second when one of his friends would suddenly show up.

The bell rang, ending yet another lunch period wrapped in solitude. 'Stupid Liz Parker,' she thought. 'Stupid Maria DeLuca. Had to go and take my brothers away from me.'

She stole one last look at Alex, who sat at the now vacant table. His head was held in his hands, but she could still see the strange expression etched across his handsome features. It looked as if he was relieved that they were gone. But that couldn't be. He noticed her stare, looked up and smiled. She felt herself lightly smile back before nervously shoving her book into her bag and heading off to class.

***

Alex looked around the quad as he threw his head into his hands and breathed a sigh of relief. They were gone. He wasn't sure how much longer he could put up the charade. Always having to be funny, be cool; give them everything they expected. He didn't know how much longer he could last. Alex Whitman as Mr. Popular? Not really. That wasn't who he was. It wasn't who really existed inside of his head. But no one would want to see that, no one would care. Besides, no one ever saw who everyone really was in this little circle of the socially elite. And why was that? Because they were all as fake as he was. Everyone had their little part to portray in this sick little play that was West Roswell High. You only saw what everyone wanted you to see, and Alex was damn sick of it. Why continue through your existence living a lie? At first it seemed to be worth it, never had he felt so accepted, so wanted. But the value he once placed on his social status diminished with every passing day. Now he wanted something better, something real. Real friends like what he used to have with Liz and Maria. He had been a total jerk to them once he started to climb the social latter, ditching them at the drop of a hat. At the time he had thought nothing of it, but now. Now he was filled with a terrible sense of regret. He had all the friends in the world…and he never felt so alone. He wished for someone, someone who would she the real Alex and still want him. Those girls Sherry and Sarah, who had kissed him earlier, no way he would ever have a chance them if he wasn't cool. Not that he wanted the chance anyway; he could have one of them so easily. But the relationship would have been on the empty side, a nice little pairing for everyone to gawk at and approve of. He needed someone not afraid to be who they really were, someone who didn't care what others thought of them. Someone like that Isabel Evans girl. She was always looking at him, and when she did, he felt…well it felt good. She seemed to see him, not just look, but really see him. He lifted his head, and by some bizarre coincidence she was looking at him now. He felt the smile grow on his face before he even thought about it. He had to admit to himself, despite the fact that she always had her face buried in a book. She was very cute, and the whole shyness thing she had going on made her all the more adorable. Blonde hair, soft brown eyes, a cute little smile.

'Maybe,' he thought to himself as he watched her smile back at him and hurriedly walk away. 'Just maybe.'

***

History, Mr. Green's class, Fifth Period.

Isabel sat in the far right corner of the room, not at all paying any attention to Mr. Green's lecture. Sure history interested her, but nothing could make up for the man's exceedingly monotone voice. It was as if he were Ben Stein's clone or something. She stared out the window, occasionally allowing herself a glance at Alex.

'Okay, now your teetering a little too much towards obsession,' she thought.

Her mind wandered back towards the look on his face at lunch, it was appalling to say the least. Thee Alex Whitman seemingly discontent? Not very likely, but it was there. And his smile, god his smile. Her knees wobbled a little just thinking about it. Rational thought came back into play, as she looked at him for the hundredth time during the class. Alex may have seemed unhappy, but that didn't mean anything. Her dreams would not come to life just cause he was a little unsatisfied with life. It didn't mean he would lower his standards.

Standards she knew she couldn't possibly meet.

"I have a special assignment for you all," Mr. Green said seemingly dragging on every word. "I will pair you into groups for a little history reflection on each other. You will all answer this questionnaire accordingly," he said holding it up for all to see. "The groups are as follows, J. Lenoce, M. Smith, C. Cannon, M. Gonzales, A. Whitman, I. Evans…"

Isabel's head jerked up instantly, looking at the teacher with horrified eyes.

'Is he running low on dramatic irony?' she thought.

She looked over to Alex, who was looking right back at her. He seemed a little surprised as well, but he had that smile on his face, it was mildly reassuring. Mr. Green continued to pair off the rest of the class, but Isabel wasn't listening and could only stare at Alex. She glanced over the copy of the questions the person in front of her handed back. Whoa, these were a little personal. Filling out a survey about your life with him? Getting to know his fears, hopes and dreams, everything she'd ever fantasized knowing about him? It was a bit surreal, but she'd take any opportunity to get to be the tiniest bit closer to him.

***

Alex heard her name called after his. He blinked in confusion at first and it took a second to register. Just an hour ago he'd been having thoughts about her, and now he was going to pair up to her to answer a slew of deeply personal questions? The word bizarre didn't begin to cover it. He looked back at Isabel, always tucked into that little corner of the room, and felt the smile on his face again. He didn't seem to control it, he looked her, and he smiled. It was like a reflex action. It could mean something; maybe fate was giving him his chance. A chance to be himself without the risk of being blackballed. 'Maybe,' he found himself thinking again, 'Maybe.'

***

The bell rang, ending the assault on the vitality of youth. Isabel grabbed her bag and practically ran out the door. She was two steps into the hallway when she felt his arm reach out and grab her shoulder. She tried not to shudder under the contact, but she couldn't deny it. His touch was electric.

"Isabel," he said.

She turned around slowly, and barely looked up at him. It could have been like looking at the sun, you know it would blind you, but sometimes you just didn't care. Her eyes finally managed to meet his and she had to fight sucking in a breath. She didn't think she'd ever been this close before, and the closer she was to Alex, the more her limbs turned to jelly.

"So it looks like we're paired up for this thing huh?" he said looking at her closely, feeling that smile again.

"Um, yeahIguessso," Isabel mumbled brushing a strand of hair from her eyes, and looking down at her shoes.

"I was thinking," he said. "We could meet up at the Crashdown after school, get started on these questions. Get to know each other a little."

"Sure," she said in a bit of awe. He was actually talking to her! She almost felt like she could fly away at the moment.

"Great," he said walking off down the hall. "It's a date."

Date? Did he just say date? There was no way she could possibly keep back the smile that stretched from ear to ear.

The rest of the day seemed drag on like a turtle in a marathon. In just another hour, Isabel Evans and Alex Whitman at the Crashdown, on what he called a 'date.' Her mind was gibbering. Date, date, date, it said. Alex said date.

'It's just a school assignment you know,' rational thought said.

But that didn't matter right now. Right now she didn't feel like Isabel Evans outcast extraordinaire, she didn't feel like that girl always hiding in the corner. She felt like a princess. And she had Alex to thank for it.

"Half-hour to go," she said to herself looking at the clock on the wall.

***

Isabel entered the Crashdown and took a seat in the corner booth. Her stomach rumbled a little, but there was no way she was going to order anything. The butterflies swirling around wouldn't have let her keep something down. She glanced around the café, seeing a couple of people from school already working on the assignment. The floating on cloud nine feeling had faded away, and now her insecurities were coming back to haunt her. What if he didn't show? What it is was all some kind of game? What if it was 'befriend a nerd only to humiliate her so I can laugh and point with my friends' day? What if, what if, what if.

"Isabel?" Liz asked walking up to the table and pulling Isabel from her train of thought. "Hi, what are you doing here?"

"Oh," Isabel said looking up at Liz in surprise. "I'm um, meeting someone."

"You are?" Liz asked with a smile and taking a seat in the booth. "Whose the lucky guy?"

"Alex."

"Alex Manes?" she asked. "That red headed guy in bio?"

"No, no. Not him. Alex Whitman."

"Whitman," Liz repeated silently bowing her head in sadness. "You should be careful with him Isabel. He could hurt you."

"Oh no, it's nothing like that," Isabel replied. "We're just going to work on this history paper. Like he could never be interested in me."

"Yeah, well, still. You should be, you know, cautious."

"Guess I'll see," Isabel said suddenly tensing up. "Here he comes."

***

Alex could only stare at the café from across the street. He was supposed to be taking his first step to changing his life around. He was supposed to be in the café with Isabel working on that history thing, but his feet weren't moving. They were firmly planted on the sidewalk.

'It'll be okay,' Alex thought to himself. She is not like them, she's not going to laugh at your answers to those questions, and she is not going to ask why you would ever pick something like that when what she thought was better. She wasn't like that…she was sweet.

'Get on with it Whitman,' he thought.

He sighed as he ran his hand through his hair and stepped off of the sidewalk.

***

He entered the café smirking as the familiar chimes echoed throughout the place, and saw her sitting in a booth in the corner. 'Does she has some weird thing involving corners?' he thought, as he walked over to her. Liz was sitting in the booth with her, and a twinge of guilt ran down his spine. That always happened when he saw her, or Maria.

"Liz," he said not quite looking at her, he couldn't bring himself too. "Hi."

"Alex," she said flatly. "I'll see you later, Isabel."

Alex followed her feet as she walked back into the kitchen. This didn't go unnoticed by Isabel, and she wondered what the deal was. Alex looked over to Isabel, instantly smiling as he took a seat in the booth.

"So," he said. "Are you hungry? Should we eat something?"

"I'm not hungry," Isabel replied. "But you should get something if you want."

"Nah, not really hungry either. Shall we?" he said pointing and the questions.

"Sure," Isabel said. "Okay question one, What is your middle name?"

"Charles," he replied. "Yours?"

"Anna."

"Isabel Anna," Alex said. "That's a very pretty name."

"Thanks," she said almost blushing and suddenly finding her shoes very interesting.

"Question two," Alex said. "Favorite book?"

"Catcher in the Rye," Isabel said.

"Really? That's my favorite too," Alex said looking at her, his eyes lighting up.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," he said, "Something about it just spoke to me. Seeing that kid wander around not knowing who he was, but still trying to find out."

"I felt the same way," Isabel confessed. "But don't you know who you are?"

"Not really," Alex said. "I know what I appear to be, but that's not who I am."

"Then who are you?" she asked.

"I don't know," he replied. "I can act like a million different people, but not myself."

His eyes started to wander the café; this was definitely more than a little weird. He had never spoken more than ten words to Isabel in his life, and now he just practically confessed his unfulfillment with his own life. But she didn't say anything, just looked at him with those soft brown eyes. He thought he could lose himself in those eyes.

"So um, question three," he said breaking the silence. "Favorite thing to do. Well I like to…"

"What?" she asked. "What do you like to do?"

"Write poems," he mumbled.

"Nothing wrong with that Alex," she said. "Why would you hide something like that?"

"You think those people I hang out with really care what goes inside here?" he said tapping on his forehead.

"Does it really matter what they think?" Isabel asked, then stared shyly at the sugar dispenser surprised at her boldness.

"I guess not," he said. "What about you? What is your favorite thing?"

"To do? Oh that's easy. I like to go stargazing."

"Stargazing?"

"Um yeah…"

'Stupid girl' she thought. 'Telling him you like to do such a nerdy thing.'

"That sounds like fun," was all he said, and he smiled at her.

She grinned her tiny shy little grin back at him. There was this strange electric current flowing through the air between them at that moment. They had both just confessed something deeply personal about each other with relative ease. It could have meant anything, but the point was it definitely meant something. They both questioned each other throughout the afternoon, each learning something new, each finding out they had more and more in common. They both loved Mexican food; they both loved cheesy b-movies. Evil Dead was king. They liked the same music, the same TV shows, almost the same everything. In the midst of the conversation, Isabel slowly began to stop casting her eyes downward in bashful manner; she started to sit up straight and dared to look him in the eye. Alex felt himself relax more, he didn't hold back exactly what he meant to say. He said it and she listened. She didn't laugh, didn't judge, and just listened. They hit the last question, and both could see a little disappointment in each other's eyes. Isabel, because soon she was going to stop feeling like a princess, and Alex because was going to stop feeling like himself.

'But no,' he thought. 'It didn't have to be that way.' He found himself liking this Isabel Evans. She didn't treat him like a king, or a thing merely meant to be gawked at or envied. She talked to him, really talked. She listened too. It was everything that was missing in his life. It was everything he had been wishing for. Now way he was going to let it end as soon as this paper was done. He had just begun to feel like himself, and he liked that feeling.

"How often do you go stargazing?" he asked.

"Every other night just about," she answered. "Why?"

"Would you care if I went with you next time?"

Isabel sat there frozen; the question refused to comply in her brain. Did he just say he wanted to go with you?

"Oh well, if you like to do it alone I understand." He said.

"No!" she shouted. "I mean… it would be okay if you really wanted to…" She couldn't help it. Her eyes were cast toward her shoes yet again as she nervously played with her fingers awaiting his response.

"I'd love to," he said. "When will you go again?"

"Tomorrow I usually go," she said. "We could meet here and…"

"How about I pick you up?" he offered

"Um…sure," she glanced slowly back up at him. Eyes tracing every inch, memory latching onto each second. If this was some kind of dream she never wanted to wake up. This memory she would always cherish, even if there was heartbreak in the end, she could always have this. Alex Whitman offering to come pick her up and do the one thing in the world she loved to do the most.

"Tomorrow then," he said. Taking one last look at her and smiling before grabbing his bag and heading out the door.

"Tomorrow," she said lightly, still in shock.

***

"Isabel Anna Evans and Alex Whitman out on a date?" Isabel said, pacing back and forth across the living room floor. "That's like so miraculous you know? This is the biggest moment in Isabel Anna Evans life. It's just…it's amazing you know? It's too amazing…" She glanced down at her brothers, Max and Michael, each of them trying to hold back their laughter.

"Oh, god! It's a joke isn't it? It's a practical joke. You two are in on it. You bastards."

Both of them broke into the laughing fit they were fighting, as the doorbell rang. Isabel rushed over to it nearly tripping on a bump in the carpet. Michael and Max had seen it and laughed even harder. She ignored them and opened the door, greeted by Alex looking perfect as always. He was carrying a flower, a flower meant for her.

"Did I miss something?" he asked looking over at Max and Michael still laughing on the couch.

"Nope, nothing," she replied grabbing her bag full of her astronomy books and a portable telescope. Stepping outside, she slammed the door behind her.

"You look nice," he said giving her the once over.

She had made the slightest effort to attempt to dress decently for this. It wasn't really her style to be all flashy, but since it was kind of a date environment, an improved look wouldn't be so bad. She wore a subtle pink button up shirt, black jeans, and Vans old school shoes. Her hair was also in a braid, instead of her usual ponytail. Alex on the other hand looked like he just stepped off a page of GQ magazine. Firmly pressed black slacks, semi-tight white T-shirt, hair perfectly gelled, and boots nice and polished.

"This is for you," he said handing her the daisy, giving her that smile.

"Thanks," she said softly, feeling the flush in her cheeks.

He walked a few steps in front her, opening the car door in a very gentlemanly manner, and gesturing for her to get in.

"Where are we headed?" he asked starting up the car and throwing it in gear.

"Coyote Hill," she replied. "It's such a clear night and the view from up the should be spectacular."

"Cool," he said slightly drumming on the steering wheel.

The ride up to the hill was one in silence, but Isabel found it oddly comforting. They didn't have to say anything it felt like, merely enjoying each other's company. Alex guided the car up the windy mountain road, and stopped at a clearing Isabel thought would be perfect. They got out, and Alex looked around at the heavy blanket of the night, while Isabel set up her telescope.

"I don't use this much," she said regarding the telescope. "But as s first timer I figured you might want to see a few things more closely."

Alex felt the smile grow again, and was pleasantly surprised by her consideration. 'She's not like them,' he reminded himself. 'That's what makes her so great.'

Isabel brought out a few of her books, and pointed at constellations, explained the myths behind them. The Big Dipper, the little bear, Orion's belt, and all the signs of the zodiac. Alex seemed genuinely fascinated, letting out a 'wow' every now and then.

"You really like this stuff don't you?" he asked her seriously.

"Of course," she replied. "It always makes me feel a little closer to home." She froze at her own words the second they escaped her lips, how could she say something so foolish? Right here, right in front of Alex. But he didn't seem to her hear her, he was still staring up at the sky, his mouth slightly open as he arched his head back. She smiled to herself, feeling a little bolt of pride that he was liking this so much. She started to wonder why, why had he wanted to come. Why wasn't he out with those other folks that were ten times cooler that she was?

"Alex?" she felt herself ask.

"Yeah?" he responded turning his attention to her.

"Um, why…why did you come out here with me tonight?"

"What?" he said a little baffled that she asked that.

"I mean, you have more friends than I have fingers or toes, why would you want to hang out with me?"

"I wouldn't call those people my friends," he said, the slightest bitterness in his voice. "You know what they would think of this? Me right here, right now. Enjoying myself looking at the stars, with you. You know what they would do? They'd be laughing their asses off right now. I just, I don't want to be around people like that anymore."

"And you chose me? Why?"

"Have you ever woken up and looked the mirror…and completely not recognize the person staring back at you? That the person you did see was so completely fake it make you sick to your stomach?"

"I…no, never. Does that happen a lot?" she asked concerned.

"Every day," Alex said. "Every single day."

Isabel was stuck; did she just sit here and watch him wallow in his misery? Or Should she…could she maybe…comfort him?

He looked over to her, seeing the concern in her eyes. He smiled to himself; she was just so…

"Everyday except today," he said. "After our little project yesterday, I went home feeling fine, at peace. I can't remember the last time I felt like that, well I can, but it was so long ago. Anyway I went to sleep and when I woke up this morning, I looked in the mirror…and I saw me. Me, staring back. Not anything I act like, not anything I project myself as, but me. Me staring back. You don't know how good that made me feel, and I have you to thank you for it."

He looked back up at the sky, a little wistful look appeared on his face.

"I mean the last time I ever had a meaningful conversation was with Liz…" he cut himself off, the wistful look disappearing. He wrapped him arms around his waist and let out a shaky sigh.

"What happened with Liz, Alex?" Isabel asked. "I saw that little exchange yesterday, and I could tell that there was something…did you two used to go out or something?"

Alex looked up, a bit startled she had asked about Liz, his eyes wide and brimming with a few unshed tears.

"I'm sorry," Isabel rushed to say. "I shouldn't have…"

"She was one of my best friends," he said solemnly. "Her and Maria. We grew up together, did everything together. They were like my sisters…"

"What happened?"

"Puberty," he chuckled sadly. "Nothing changed much, except me. I filled out, no longer the skinny little nerd I once was. Voice got lower, you know, all that stuff. Girls started to notice me, so to the guys that meant you were cool. They wanted me to hang out with them, and it was great you know? The cool people wanted me around, so I did it. I hung with them. The distance between Maria and Liz and I grew bigger. I wasn't around them much anymore. But this one-day, Craig and Jimmy and some other jerks see them walking down the hall and decide to rag on them. I told him to stop, that those were good friends and he shouldn't say the things he was saying. But he got all pissed off, started saying some crazy crap like 'it was either stay here with the big boys or go running back to my little playmates.' And I chose the boys."

He kicked the car, disgusted with himself.

"I was happy for awhile, being one of the 'in' crowd seemed to fill the void left by my ditching Liz and Maria. After a few months though, they still acted the same. Like a bunch of brainless apes. It was all crap. None of them were real. They never give a straight answer, only say what they think people would want to hear. It's pointless, all of it's pointless."

"Then why did you stay with them?"

Alex looked at her, the sadness he held in that look was enough to make her forget her insecurities and walk over to him, offering a comforting touch.

"Because by the time I realized it wasn't worth it anymore, I had already hurt them so badly... So I stayed. It was better to feel all alone surround by people, than to be all alone and by yourself."

His head sank toward the ground, that sudden self-conscious feeling of opening himself up after all this time was eating away at his insides. Isabel, not caring what consequences might become of it, wrapped her arms around Alex. To her surprise he sank into her arms and squeezed her back. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it might explode. She had spent so many nights dreaming of this, having him in her embrace. But nothing, NOTHING could be better than the real thing. She looked up at the sky, seeing the V-shaped constellation floating overhead. It was like a dream, a wonderful, amazing, fabulous dream.

"Such a lovely night," she commented still holding him.

Alex couldn't explain it. He didn't know if anything could feel any better than what he was feeling right now. She was so nice, so understanding, so... "It's beautiful," he said lifting his head. But he wasn't looking at the sky; he was looking at her. Only at her.

***

She walked down the hall, knowing her destination, his locker. It was possibly the millionth time she'd walked through this covered hall, but today was different. Today she was no longer walking with her head hunched, eyes fixated on her shoes. Her head was raised, firmly in place between her shoulders, looking straight ahead. She felt good, she never thought she could feel so good. She felt good because of him, because of Alex. She smiled as her fingers tapped lightly on the book, 'An Introduction to Modern Astronomy.' She planned to give it to him, he had seemed so fascinated last night and she thought he might like to have it. She had contemplated giving to him for hours, weighing the pros and cons, ruling in possible laugh factor. She knew he wouldn't laugh at her, but hey, insecurities are what they are. They don't go away after one night of pure bliss, and that's just what it was to her, bliss. He came into view as she rounded the corner, and she stopped. Took a few more steps, stopped again.

'Oh just get on with it,' her mind urged.

"Hi," she said softly.

"Hey," he replied as he turned to face her, lips curving in a sweet smile.

"Um, I have something for you," she said as her cheeks slightly flushed, but she didn't look down.

"Yeah?" he replied. "I get a present?"

"Here," she said handing him the book, and watched his face carefully as he studied the cover and traced his fingers along the spine.

"Wow," he whispered, feeling his heart swell at her thoughtfulness. "This is great, I uh..thanks."

He kissed her cheek softly, and she thought she would melt into a small puddle on the floor right there. They smiled at each other, he was about to ask what she was doing after school… when Craig and Jimmy and all the other jerks he'd come to despise stepped directly in front of Isabel not even acknowledging her presence. As if she didn't register on the same plain of existence as the rest of them. Isabel froze, and looked to Alex. He gave her a small nod, trying to show her that it would be okay.

"Alex, baby," Craig said. "Where were you last night, man? Sherry had a killer party and Jimmy here got so wasted he puked in her pool."

"I was out," Alex replied shooting him a look of disgust. "Do you mind? I was talking to Isabel before you so rudely stepped in front of her."

"Who?" Craig said looking confused.

Alex pointed behind Craig, showing Isabel hugging herself tightly and staring at the floor. Alex didn't want to see her like that; she shouldn't have to feel like this.

"Geek princess?" Craig nearly shouted causing the rest of the boys to burst into laughter. "What the hell are you talking to her for?"

Alex shot a look to Isabel, she looked so small right then, and it hurt him. These guys didn't have the right to make her feel like that, nobody did.

"Yes I was," Alex shot back. "What's your problem?"

"The fact that my grandma is cooler than that broad," Craig said coldly. "Are you in it for a quick bang or what?"

The whole group irrupted into laughter again, as Alex balled his hands into fists. He looked over to her, and she had flinched like Craig just slapped her. A tear trickled down her cheek as she turned on her heels and ran down the hall. He could hear her sobs as she ran.

That did it, Isabel looked so crushed, so hurt. Alex felt himself dying inside; he didn't want his Isabel to be so sad. It was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak. He looked up to Craig, who was watching her run off.

"Well, now that the problem is solved…" he began, as he turned back to face Alex.

The force of Alex's fist striking his jaw cut off the rest of his sentence. He crumpled onto the ground and stared up at Alex in pain and shock, as the rest of the group looked on stunned.

"What the hell was that for?" he had the audacity to ask.

"Don't you ever say anything like that about her!" Alex shouted. "You waste of human space. If I ever hear you say another heartless thing regarding Isabel, I will end you! You hear me?"

"Is that a threat?" Craig asked standing back up and going eye to eye with Alex.

"No," Alex said turning his back on him and rushing down the hall in the direction Isabel ran off to. "It's a good-bye."

***

She stared through tear stained eyes around the room. The music room. It being soundproof was perfect; she didn't want anyone to hear her cry. She wasn't exactly thinking to come to this particular spot, it just happened to be the first door she opened when she figured she was far away enough. Far enough away from them. Those jerks, they didn't know her. Yet it was so easy just to crush someone. To make them feel like a waste. It wasn't fair, just when she was feeling so happy, so right. It had to be snatched away. It wouldn't work with Alex, she thought. They were just too different. He'd made a choice before, and he chose popularity over his two best friends. Why would he ever give it up for her? More tears ran down her face, just when she started to feel like somebody, she was reminded that she was nobody.

***

Alex ran down the hallways of West Roswell High, frantically searching for Isabel. He had to find her; he just couldn't leave her like that.

"Bastards," he thought.

Sure he had hated them long before today, but never this much. They dared hurt his Isabel… His Isabel. He smiled at the thought of that. This thing they had developing between was not going to be thrown away because his former jerk friends thought it was a simple try at a score. It wasn't like that to him; she was so much better than any girl he'd ever been with. She didn't care about his social status; she didn't care about his fashion sense. She cared about HIM, and that was just miraculous. He could be himself with her, without fear, without hesitation. He wanted to feel that so badly right now, if only he could find her… He stopped running and took a more discreet approach, walking around slowly, occasionally glancing into a classroom to see if she was in one of them. After about twenty rooms, he was getting frustrated. He needed to scream. He turned and headed toward the music room, it was soundproof in there.

***

The sound of the door creaking open brought her head out from being buried in her knees. Her eyes were red and puffy from so many tears, but there was no denying what she saw. Alex walked into the room looking very distressed, and he was cradling his right hand. He couldn't see her, she was tucked into the left corner of the room hidden behind a few desks. She watched as he went into a flurry of punches and kicks against the wall, letting out some sort of frustrated growl. After a minute or so he collapsed to his knees onto the floor breathing heavily.

"Where are you?" she heard him whisper.

"Alex?" she called out.

"Isabel?" he said standing and looking around the room. He spotted her and came running over to her hiding spot.

"What are you doing he…" she was cut off by the act of his arms wrapping around her and squeezing tightly.

" I'm so sorry," he said into her shoulder. "I'm so sorry. Those jerks should have never said that about you. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she said shakily.

"Liar," he smiled.

"What are you doing here?" she asked again.

"I couldn't just let you run off," he said kissing her forehead gently. "No one deserves to be treated like that. He took his left hand and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "Especially you."

"Me?" she questioned, her eyes wide.

"God," he whispered softly into her ear. "Can't you see how beautiful you are?"

Her breathing ceased as her face heated to a nice shade of red, he just called her beautiful. Alex Whitman had just called her beautiful. She closed her eyes fighting off another wave of tears. At least these weren't tears of sadness, they were of pure joy. A joy she had never known existed. She re-opened her eyes, brown meeting blue. She saw the concern in his gaze, the warming tender concern she'd thought he always had. He smiled, that loving gentle smile, fingers slowly caressing her tear stained cheeks. His lips were moving closer to hers, and she had to do everything to fight off the urge to pinch herself.

Contact…as his mouth finally pressed against hers. It was soft, as soft as she always hoped it would be. She wrapped her arms around him, she needed to have him closer, a reassurance that this was happening. That yes, the often called 'geek princess' and 'Brad Pitt' of the sophomore class were actually kissing. Fire, she felt like her lips were on fire. The passion he brought towards her was so hot she thought she thought her lips would burn underneath his, but she didn't care. All that mattered at this moment was the he was kissing her, and nothing could take this away. Not those neanderthals Craig and Jimmy, not the matter of social standing, not the fact that she was…different. Nothing could ever take this away. He urged her mouth open with his tongue, as he lovingly ran his fingers up her face. He winced as he right hand began to throb, and Isabel broke contact.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Hand hurts," he said simply.

She lifted his right hand with hers, examining the knuckles that were turning a nice shade of purple.

"What did you do?"

"Let's just say Craig may have a speech impediment for a few days." Alex said.

"You hit him?" she asked.

"Hit, knocked him on his ass… You know, it's all pretty much the same."

"For me?" she asked kissing the knuckles lightly.

"No one hurts my Isabel," he said.

"Your Isabel? She said breathlessly.

"No?"

"Yes," she said eagerly and threw her arms around him again.

"We're in a corner," he said glimpsing behind her. "You're always in corners."

"It helped me feel invisible," she explained. "It's easier to go unnoticed if you're in a corner."

"I noticed you," he said.

"You did?"

"Mhmm," he murmured kissing her cheek. "And you saw me, really saw me. I can't tell you how grateful I am for that."

They kissed again, Isabel still feeling the uncontrollable fire his kisses brought. Alex feeling that empty void in his soul slowly close with each tender movement of their lips.

"Come on," he said standing.

"Where are we going?"

"We're crawling from out of the corner," he said taking her hand in his.

***

The quad was bustling with the usual lunchtime crowd. All was normal. Until Alex Whitman emerged from one of the halls with Isabel Evans on his arm. Heads turned, gasps were heard, a few lunch trays here and there were dropped. The two ignored them all, walking right passed everyone with an unfazed expression. Hundreds of eyes followed the couple as they walked into the center of the quad. Alex looked over to his former table, seeing Craig nursing his sore jaw, but wise enough not to say a word. Alex stopped when they were in the exact center of the patio. Everyone's gaze still following. He turned to Isabel, running a sole finger down his cheek as he kissed her. A riptide of comments sailed through the crowd. Alex with the geek girl. Isabel with the with the most accepted guy in all the school. It was unbelievable. But to Alex and Isabel, every gawker went unnoticed, every comment fell on deaf ears. The only thing that mattered to them was that they were together, and when t! hey were together…Isabel had finally felt like she was someone…and Alex had finally felt like he was himself.

The End.

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