Isabella

2

Princess Isabella has already entered the classroom and is listening to her teacher teach mathematics. Although Princess Isabella is not interested in this subject, she must diligently study it in order to achieve impressive grades and make her father, mother, and grandmother proud of her. That is her determination when it comes to school. Whilst the teacher is teaching maths in the classroom, suddenly the headmaster, who is also Princess Isabella's form tutor, enters with a good-looking chap. He looks very unfamiliar to her and the other students, but Princess Isabella is confident that he is a new pupil in this school.

"Attention, Miss Clarine and all students," said the headmaster to everyone, including Miss Clarine, who was teaching maths. "Today, we have a new student from Avalon named Steven Alistair. I hope all of you will be friends and treat Steven well," said the headmaster.

"Excuse me, headmaster, where is my seat?" Steven asked.

"Isabella!" the headmaster called Princess Isabella's name.

"Yes, sir?" Princess Isabella respectfully replied to the middle-aged teacher.

"The seat next to you is unoccupied, isn't it?" he asked the princess again.

"Yes, it is," Princess Isabella answered.

"Steven, you can sit next to Isabella," the headmaster said to Steven Alistair.

"Alright, thank you, sir," Steven said. Without wasting any time, Steven went to sit next to Princess Isabella.

Unbeknownst to them all, Denise, who was sitting at the back table, was staring at Princess Isabella and Steven Alistair with a sharp gaze, as if she didn't like seeing the princess sitting near that handsome chap.

"Why is Isabella the one sitting next to that handsome chap? She's poor, I should be the one sitting next to him," Denise muttered under her breath, full of disdain towards the beautiful princess.

" Hi, I'm Steven Alistair, your name is Isabella, innit? " Steven asked, introducing himself to Isabella.

" Aye, I am Isabella Guinevere Octavia Clarence, " Princess Isabella replied.

" Blimey, your name is right long, " Steven said again, whilst Mrs. Clarine, who spotted Steven chatting with Princess Isabella, pretended to cough whilst teaching.

" Please pay attention to what I'm teaching up front if you don't want me to call both of you up here, " Mrs. Clarine said to Princess Isabella and Steven. They both promptly focused on their lessons for the day.

When break time arrived, Princess Isabella and her friends left the classroom and were heading towards the canteen. Steven, who saw Princess Isabella leaving, intended to catch up with her but was stopped by Denise.

" Hi, my name is Denise Jennica Newman, are you Steven Alistair? " Denise enquired, introducing herself to Steven while giving him a flirtatious smile, but Steven wasn't interested in getting to know her. He seemed more interested in Princess Isabella.

" Indeed, " Steven replied nonchalantly.

"I know you don't have any mates here, so can I be mates with you?" Denise asked again.

"Sorry, I'm in a rush right now," Steven said, then he left the not-so-pretty girl alone in the classroom with a feeling of irritation settling in her heart.

"You just wait, today you can ignore me, but I'll make sure that someday you won't be able to take your eyes off me," Denise muttered in her heart, then she left the classroom.

Upon arriving at the canteen, Princess Isabella chose to buy macaroni cheese and apple juice for her lunch break, while Laura and Thomas chose to eat fettuccine and iced bubble tea for their lunch. They all sat at the furthest spot near the school field, as they wanted to enjoy the breeze and the view.

"Have you heard that the kids are planning to play hockey next Saturday? Do you two fancy joining?" Thomas asked Princess Isabella and Laura.

"Where?" Laura asked.

"At the hockey pitch," Thomas replied.

"Which kids? Who?" Princess Isabella asked, not understanding who Thomas was referring to.

"It's Eric and his mates. I heard they're planning to play hockey on the pitch, and he invited both of you if you fancy joining," Thomas explained, answering Princess Isabella and Laura's questions. Laura looked at Princess Isabella, who was sitting next to her.

" Do you fancy going? " Laura enquired.

" If you fancy going, go ahead. I'm not certain if I can go yet, I need to check with my parents first, " Princess Isabella responded to Laura's question.

" Hmm, yeah, you're such a spoilt child, " Laura said while chewing her fettuccine.

" It's not about being spoilt or not, it's about permission. I can't just go out freely without my parents' consent. There are strict rules at my house, unlike at your house where you can do whatever you want. I have to follow the rules, " Princess Isabella explained at length.

"Wow, your house sounds like a school with rules," Laura remarked. Meanwhile, Princess Isabella stayed silent, thinking to herself that the place she lived in was not just a house, but a palace. It was only natural that she had to follow rules and couldn't break them as she pleased. Otherwise, she would surely face her father, mother, and grandmother, and they would give her advice and punishment if she broke the palace rules. Being a princess to the ruler of Neverland didn't mean she could do whatever she wanted; she had to be disciplined to maintain her image as a princess.

"Hey, why are you daydreaming? Thinking about your boyfriend?" Thomas asked Princess Isabella.

"Boyfriend? What are you talking about?" Princess Isabella turned to ask Thomas.

"Who knows, maybe you've got a secret boyfriend, is that true Laura," Thomas said, looking at Laura.

"That's spot on!" Laura agreed with Thomas.

"No, I don't have a boyfriend, you're just talking rubbish," said Princess Isabella.

Steven, who had just arrived at the canteen, was buying a ploughman's lunch with an iced coffee being sold there. After finishing his purchase, he looked for a place to sit and eat, but they were all full. He was confused about where to sit, until he noticed an empty seat next to Thomas, which happened to be facing Princess Isabella. Without wasting any time, Steven quickly approached the three of them.

"Hey, look, the new pupil is approaching us," said Laura, visibly excited to see Steven. Thomas and Princess Isabella turned their gaze towards Steven.

"Let him come," said Thomas, who didn't mind the handsome young man approaching them.