."If a rose is supposed to represent love, then why does it wither up and die?".

Chapter 12 - Wave

It was break time, Isabelle and Maria sat on a stair where they usually ate. Maria grabbed a bread stick and started chewing. Isabelle was not in the mood to eat; though she had so many munchies in her bag prepared by her mother. They were talking about the upcoming test on geometry; then they came across with "Regordete" he was a chubby guy in school. Isabelle always admired him, not like the sort of admiration for Miguel, but because he was so cute. Maria and Isabelle talked about his cuteness, chubbiness, how they liked to eat him all up and squeeze his tiny little cheeks. They were laughing and taught what if Regordete passed by the staircase. He was so fat to even last one stair; and even if he did, he might roll over on the second stair. They giggled at the thought. They imagined it very clearly and Maria said, "What if it did happen? What would you say to him?" Isabelle snorted and said, "I'll say goodbye!" with the wave of her hands. Suddenly, Juanito appeared from the bottom staircase. They didn't even notice him climbing up. Juanito saw the hand of Isabelle and quickly looked away. Isabelle flushed and laid her hand back down. That was sorta embarrassing , she thought to herself. Maria just laughed and started to pick - on Isabelle. "I waved at him, Juanito", Isabelle said to herself. She kinda got frustrated too, what is he thinking right now? he doesn't actually think I said goodbye to him? I'm not an obsessed fan nor a stalker Who does he think he is?. Maria gave a big laugh and said "It wasn't that bad, maybe you should have just continued waving, maybe he would've waved back". Isabelle fummed down the staircase and into the classroom and at the same time, the bell rang. Great.

."We are afraid to care to much, for fear that the other person does not care at all."

Chapter 13 - Sense

The sun rose up with a smile on its face, birds were singing happy tunes and the wind was swaying pleasantly. Isabelle got ready for school with her daily routine. She combed her hair and felt different. She had a hunch on her heart. Isabelle tied her hair and got out of the house to wait for the chariot, to wait for Miguel. She was still feeling that weird sensation until the chariot came. She came in and sat on the very first seat her eyes had set upon. Isabelle looked around to find Miguel then her heart froze; Miguel was wearing a black shirt, white shoes and what struck Isabelle the most was his head. He was bald. "What an egg head", Isabelle said to herself. She tried not to laugh, they once maid a mosaic made of egg shells and it reminded her of him. She was feeling insane, for now on, she loved eggs. Isabelle looked up and caught Miguel looking at her. He scratched his blunt head and turned. Isabelle, though seeing it in her own eyes, couldn't believe Miguel was hairless. This time she can see Miguel's features clearly. Isabelle noticed that Miguel was not so handsome, he was plain; but that's what Isa loved about him. He was attractive, a girl could fall in his arms with just a simple smile.

."It takes a couple seconds to say Hello, but forever to say Goodbye.".

Chapter 14 - Jump!

Isabelle sat on the very first step of the staircase, Maria went inside to get something in their classroom. She waited while fixing her things; then suddenly, she smelt a strong scent. Isabelle looked up and saw Juanito wearing a brown fury coat. He went down swiftly and Isabelle admired it. She looked down quickly, Miguel Miguel Miguel,she said to herself. Isabelle wanted only to think about her mystery guy, her now bald guy. He was what she wanted. But Isabelle couldn't help it, she gazed up and saw him again. He was on his way down the second set of staircase, he saw him jump then Isabelle heard a thud! then another. That wasn't right. Usually, when you jump off a step, there would only be one sound; but what Juanito made was two. That would mean he slipped and just regained his balance. Isabelle smiled to herself, this was the second time.

***

It was time to go home. Isabelle grabbed her things and said goodbye. She walked to the gate and saw Juanito near. She bowed down and just acted normal while passing by him. Her chauffeur had not arrived yet, she decided to do some eavesdropping. Isabelle leaned closer to where Juanito was without being noticed. He was talking to his friend. "So how are you guys?", his friend asked. "I don't know we just keep on fighting". "Oh to bad". Then she heard a loud whistle, Isabelle moved quickly and rode the chariot. "We just keep on fighting", this line was stuck with Isabelle. What did that mean? Who was he talking about? Isabelle wanted to know. She wanted to ask; but she knew that could never happen.

."Whats meant to be will always find a way."

Chapter 15 Stare

Isabelle rode the chariot with haste. Her hair was a mess, she didn't get to powder her face and her things were everywhere. She just sat on the first seat that was available. Her eyes wondered around for Miguel. Her heart went wild, Where is he? She looked everywhere; but all she could see were the same faces. Not the face of her beloved Miguel. She then felt her seat mate moving closer to her. Who is this guy? She titled her head and regretted it. Miguel was sitting right next to Isabelle. She gazed upon the opposite direction, no, not this time. She was a complete mess, Isabelle wasn't prepared. Miguel kept going closer to Isabelle; and she retorted with moving to the right. People were starting to stare, she looked down and was getting kinda embarrassed. She then noticed a girl, a 5th grader, eying at her with penetrating eyes, like she was creeping into Isabelle's soul, piercing through her heart, as if she was jealous. Jealous. Of Miguel? No way, Isabelle thought. Was this young child envious of Miguel's closeness with me? Does she like him too? Now, what was her name again?, all these ran through Isabelle's head. She just threw away the thought, Would a 5th grader stand a chance with a high school junior like me? A sabio even. Isabelle looked at Miguel and their eyes met. Their gaze locked for a few seconds. Her heart sped even more like it was about to escape and explode. It all happened for a few minutes but Isabelle felt it happened for hours.

."Don't screw up the best thing that ever happened to you just because you're a little unsure about who you are.."

Chapter 16 - Menace

She descended down the chariot with a smile on her face. She felt as though it was a long ride. Isabelle didn't care if her hair was chaos or if the wind were blowing her skirt. All she thought about was Miguel, that instant. It was like friction, like a magnet. The way their eyes met was magical. The 5th grader was nothing, a speck of dust. She was no problem, not even a menace. Miguel doesn't like her right? . Isabelle wondered what happens in the chariot whenever she's not around. Before and after she rides. Does the 5th grader and Miguel have eye to eye contact too? Are they close? Do they even know each other? Isabelle shivered at the thought, a 5th grader new something about Miguel; but Isabelle doesn't even have a clue what his name was. No, it couldn't possibly be. What Miguel and I have is special. No one can neither replace nor destroy that. We have static between us. Chemistry She silently said goodbye and hoped for the best. That little girl would not interfere. Little. She was young, no idea in life. Miguel was a high school student, like Isabelle. Surely Miguel was mature. But Of course, Isabelle had no idea what year Miguel was in. She crossed her fingers hopping he was a junior too, a straight one at that. She came in the classroom and sat on her seat. This was going to be along day. Isabelle kept on thinking. She planned her next move. A plan to get closer with Miguel and eliminate the competition.

."The only guys worth loving are the ones that will take time just to be with you."

Chapter 17 - Dirt

It was nature week. Students belonging to the Sabio had to have a tree planting activity. They packed their bags and hiked to the mountains. The road was muddy and slippery; it was worth the long journey though. The spot was beautiful. Trees and flowers were everywhere. Birds were chirping, fresh air was breezing and the sweet smell of pine cones. They put down their bags and started to look for a spot to plant. The boys were in charge of digging while the girls lodged the baby plants to the spot. Isabelle looked around, she then spotted Juanito. He was digging like an amateur. Is this his first time to use a shovel? Juanito was taking a long time shoveling and it was like he was really hard - up. Isabelle couldn't help but smile. She finally found a spot near a marvelous flower. Her classmate, Natalia was at her left. Natalia approached her and asked if they wanted to be partners. Sure was all Isabelle could say. She got her shovel and started to dig. Then suddenly, she heard a voice. A man's voice. A tone she would recognize anywhere. Need any help? Juanito was standing next to her; but his back was facing Isabelle. He was talking to Natalia. They were friends. Why does everything have to connect with him? Natalia smiled and pointed to Isabelle. I think she needs it. Isabelle flushed. The soil she dug was only 1cm deep; Natalia's was ready for plotting. Juanito smiled and grabbed Isabelle's shovel from her hand. Her hear sped like crazy. She felt like fainting, if only the floor was not so dirty. She day dreamed while Juanito was sweating from the dig. Suddenly, Miguel's face flashed. She felt ashamed. Who was she really for? Miguel or Juanito? Again, it came to this. She was fooling herself and playing with Miguel. She had to put a stop to this.

."It takes a couple seconds to say Hello, but forever to say Goodbye.".

Chapter 18 - No more games

Another Tuesday Morning, another day of school, another time to see Miguel and Juanito; but this was not going to be those boring games. Isabelle swore to herself that this day would be different. This time, her roller coaster love would end. She would have to make her choice sooner or later, and it had to start now. She had to find out which guy her heart calls out to. This decision would be hard; but Isabelle was tired. Her heart was weary of getting hurt. She was getting dizzy of all the temptations. Just one, it isn't that hard? Right? Choosing between the quiet, mysterious guy in the chariot who looks at her with passion, and the attractive, humorous schoolmate who was younger yet appealing to Isabelle. It was time to pick her Mr. Right. Who was it going to be? This day will be start of her experiment. Day one of the series of test she would perform in order to choose wisely. Not anymore the daily routine. She kept her pen and paper in her pocket, just in case. Isabelle walked out the gate and waited for the chariot. She could hear the strides of the horse as it was approaching. Her heart was racing with it, as the chariot came closer and closer. You can do this. The chariot was right in front of her, she took a deep breath and climbed on the chariot. Isabelle sat next to Miguel purposely and with a flushed face, she opened her mouth and said a mere "Hello"..