."Love reminds you that nothing else matters".

Chapter 19 Experiment 1

Miguel looked at Isabelle with speculating eyes. He wondered for a moment, Did Isabelle just talk to me? At first, Isabelle and Miguel's eyes were locked; then Miguel flushed and turned away. This could not be happening Miguel thought to himself. Why don't you talk to me?!, Isabelle was complaining in her head. She was determined to make her choice, to accomplish this experiment; but she needed Miguel's cooperation. This was going to be hard. Isabelle didn't know where she got her strength to speak to Miguel. Maybe it was her willpower, her heart. A driven force of love to finally speak to him. Still, it upset Isabelle the fact that Miguel was uninterested. Until now, he is looking at the opposite direction, stable. He wasn't even looking at her. Isabelle then looked at the direction Miguel was facing, and her eyes grew wide. He was looking at that little 5th grader; and she was flirting back. What's happening here?, she thought to herself. Are they really looking at each other? Isabelle gave up all hopes of talking to Miguel when she realized they stopped at The Academy. She walked out with heavy feet and noticed Miguel and the 5th grader's eyes gazing upon her. She smiled with delight; but when the chariot left, she felt a stung in her heart. What's going to happen in the chariot? Is Miguel and the 5th grader talking? So that little brat was a threat after all, she thought. Her spirit was down and started to think about what was next. Experiment no.2 : Operation Juanito.

."Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition.".

Chapter 20 Questions

Well, experiment 1 didn't turn out as Isabelle thought it would be. Was this a sign? She entered their classroom, it was so lonely. No one was around yet, she felt more down. With her pen and paper she wrote,

Experiment 1: Talk to Miguel

Pros: I got to talk to the man of my dreams (something I have been wishing for)
Cons: He just stared and looked at that little 5th grader brat!
Result: a definite FAILURE.

Isabelle sighed and closed her notebook. First part of her test and she's getting bad results. Is it really worth it to leave the other, to disappoint the man who also cares for her? She thought of it for a while; the question is, who was the person who loves her? and whose the person who cares? Miguel's results were devastating. She wondered if he deserved her love. Or was Juanito the right person? She hasn't even taken experiment 2 and yet Isabelle assumed Juanito was going to pass his. How could Miguel look at that 5th grader? Why were they staring at each other? Were they? How bout Juanito? She never knew who was this girl. Did she even had a chance at all to any of this guys? Isabelle was pretty sure she wasn't the one chasing after them, there wasn't any chasing. It was simple romance. A dizzy ride at that. Her mind was full of questions. Questions that needed answers. Questions filled with confusion. Questions that were about to be answered. It was only a matter of time. She was determined. The series of test would now continue. She wiped her last tear and smiled.

."Love is a serious mental disease.".

Chapter 21 - Experiment 2

It was break time, and Isabelle went out on her own. Nobody knew she was doing her experiments. She was being secretive. Maria wanted to know what she was doing, why was she was acting like this; but Isabelle refused. She sat on the stairs and waited. She wasn't sure why was she waiting though. Should she continue this experiment? She had to. Suddenly, Isabelle saw him; wearing another one of his branded jackets. She got up and took a deep breath. This was becoming a habit of hers. With her books in place she climbed the staircase and purposely tripped. Her books scattered on the floor. She flushed and sat to get her books. Her head faced down, hoping Juanito would help her. There was only one book left and still no Juanito. She sighed and given up hope, Isabelle started for that last book; but another person beat her to it. Isabelle looked up and saw Juanito holding her book. She got up and said, "thank you". Juanito smiled and gave it to her. She was astounded. Experiment 2 was a complete success; though it wasn't what she expected. Juanito was suppose to help her get at least all of her books. She was holding 6 books and out of that 6, Juanito got one. Only one. What kind of gentleman was that? She thought. But at least this one cooperated; Miguel didn't even flinch. She grabbed her lunch and got out of the classroom alone.

."For you see, each day I love you more Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow."

Chapter 22 - Disappear

Her decision was becoming more and more clear. Isabelle can almost see her final choice. Their class was at the Constante building for P.E. They were warming up when Isabelle saw someone pass by. She was attracted by his mesmerizing jacket; she looked up and away immediately. It was her former crush, Pescado. Former, Isabelle thought. She didn't have any feelings for Pescado anymore; or does she? Maybe just a little; but she had more love for Miguel and Juanito. Isabelle wondered if her love for Miguel would fade away too. If one morning, she would realize that she didn't like Juanito anymore. Her heart crushed. "No, that would never happen", she thought. Isabelle is mature now, she knows what's real from what's not. Her daydreaming was interrupted by the sound of a whistle. Mr. Pasciano called Isabelle with an irritated voice. All eyes were at Isabelle, she guessed that she was being called for a long time. Her hands were shaking as she grabbed the ball. She was in position to start the game.

***

Isabelle climbed the chariot without haste. This time, she really wanted to talk to Miguel. Once she was at the door, her eyes searched for him. She flushed and her heart rolled down when she Isabelle noticed Miguel wasn't in sight. She sat at the empty seat her eyes set upon. She searched once again, thinking her eyes were just blurred back then; but no bald guy was seating in the chariot. "Where is he?" Isabelle asked herself, "Maybe the coach just went straight to my house, we're gonna pass by him soon". She looked out the window and saw that they were exiting their village. It can't be. Miguel never missed a day. Isabelle looked down and wasn't in the mood for school. Sadly, they had a test coming up so of course she had to be present. She couldn't help but blame herself and the stupid experiment. "Was he so conscious that what I did made him think I'm a flirt?", Isabelle was debating in her head. She felt so stupid. This proves that Miguel is cognizant kind of guy which Isabelle loves. She likes a guy who's secretive and yet gullible. Isabelle wanted him more. The chariot came to a stop and Isabelle climbed down hurriedly, wishing this day would end so she would see Miguel (hopefully) tomorrow.

"I love you, not for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. " - Barbara de Angelis.

Chapter 23 - Butterflies

There was a gathering at the open space. Isabelle grabbed a seat next to Maria. They waited patiently for the program to start. They we're joking and kidding around. Isabelle had a big smile on her face; she had forgotten the absence of Miguel. Her head turned around, still with that sparkling smile, then Juanito passed by. She wasn't sure; but Isabelle saw Juanito wink at her or nod at her direction. She was caught aback. She had butterflies in her stomach. Was Isabelle right? Did Juanito look at her? Did Juanito even know her? She was filled with questions. What was that about? The people around were squealing and poking Isabelle. All of which knew Isabelle's liking for Juanito. She bit her lip and still couldn't speak. Suddenly, the principal announced something on stage. Isabelle didn't hear a word, she was too messed up. So what is Isabelle more concentrated on? Miguel's Absence or Juanito's Identification?

The program started and Isabelle was sort of composed now. Her eyes set on stage. There were performers dancing for the 'annual culminating program'. The crowd went wild. This was a treat. Maybe this would take her mind off her worries. She looked at the side of the stage and saw the section of Juanito lined up. Her heart sped, "He couldn't be", she whispered. Her eyes searched and saw Juanito in-line with paint on his face. He was going to perform. He had a smile on his face and Isabelle looked at his cute dimple for awhile. She saw his section practicing their dance before and she laughed. Now, she can't believe Juanito was going to endure the humiliation.

"Love the heart that hurts you, but never hurt the heart that loves you. "

Chapter 24 - Surprise

Every sabio was on their way toward the Constante building. Time for academics again; but they still couldn't take their mind off the morning activity. You could hear people buzzing and discussing. Isabelle can still remember every step of Juanito, she couldn't stop smiling. At least it took her mind off Miguel's absence. The day went by quickly. Nothing much happened. Isabelle then realized, it was Friday and she wouldn't get to see Miguel for 2 days; she hasn't even seen Juanito other than this morning. Her heart skipped a beat. It was dismissal time, she was hoping to see Juanito, maybe just a little glimpse; but her chariot together with her parents arrived. They were to go to Mazo, the famous sustentivo (mall in spanish). She hurried down with a frown in her face. She rode the chariot and sat with her shoulders slumped.

The chariot stopped at the front entrance of Mazo. Isabelle's father climbed down with poise, followed by her graceful mother then lastly, she with her shoulders unbalanced. She was not in the mood for shopping. The gates opened and the guards greeted them with delight. They entered the first shop and searched for their daily needs. Isabelle together with her mother passed by a lot of stalls; then her heart sped a thousand. Miguel was walking towards her, (or towards the bag of chips), his eyes locked on hers. Isabelle instantly looked down with her fingers crossed. She was walking with her mother; she smelt the warm aroma of Miguel pass by. She let out a sigh and her face was red as a ripe apple. She didn't dare look back, afraid to look straight at Miguel's eyes, especially with her mother around. She might faint.

"When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free."

Chapter 25 - Imagination

Isabelle's hands were shaking and her face was red as a ripe apple. She wanted to run. To get a hold of Miguel. She wanted to hug him and show her affection. If only... If only she could. If only she had the guts. If only her mother was not standing right beside her in that instant. They rode the chariot once again, back to home. Isabelle was hoping that they might see Miguel's own chariot. That maybe she would see him one more time. Her heart won't stop beating recklessly. At least her face wasn't flushing anymore. They entered their village but still no sign of that egg - head. She sighed and slouched on her chair. They were approaching Miguel's home and she couldn't help but stare at the simple cottage. Then suddenly, she caught a glimpse of a red vest which she remembered Miguel wear last Tuesday. Her eyes widened hoping she could know for sure that that was Miguel. But the chariot sped up and she just saw the scenery blur. Disappointed, she looked down and started to day dream. Picturing Miguel and her dancing in the moonlight. The winter breeze swaying her soft brown hair. Her arms entwined against his. They stared at each other and were about to kiss when suddenly someone called her name. "Isabelle! Isabelle!", she turned and saw Juanito hurdling towards them. He bumped into her and knocked her down. Then Isabelle realized she had fallen asleep and bumped her head on the chariot's door. Her mother was smirking. Her mother had heard her dream. Sometimes, Isabelle would blurt out her dreams. Saying the lines she's been saying during her dream. It was humiliating, and usually it would happen if she deeply felt something. "It's ok to have an inspiration", her mother said, "just as long it's nothing serious". Isabelle smiled and nodded. Of course this was nothing serious right? Just a crush, an inspiration.