Timeless Love [Back to the Future Fanfic]

Ch. 1 - The Preface

Hill Valley High School buzzed with the usual energy of a Friday afternoon. Students were eager for the weekend, with laughter and chatter filling the hallways. Among them was Isabelle Carter, a beautiful young teen with long, wavy brown hair cascading over her shoulders and sapphire blue eyes that seemed to hold a world of untold stories. Her fair skin contrasted sharply with the dark thoughts that sometimes clouded her mind.

Isabelle walked towards her locker, her steps light and purposeful. She wore a simple outfit—jeans and a fitted t-shirt—that, despite its simplicity, highlighted her natural beauty. Yet, Isabelle didn't see herself that way. The words of her foster parents echoed in her mind, a cruel reminder of their disdain. "You're ugly, Isabelle. That's why your parents left you." Those words had been her constant companion, a shadow that followed her everywhere.

Opening her locker, she glanced at the heart-shaped necklace around her neck. It was a gift from her biological mother, the only tangible connection she had to a past she barely remembered. Her mother's parting words played in her head, "Open this only when you truly need it, Isabelle." She had never dared to open it, fearing what it might reveal or the memories it might unlock.

"Hey, Isabelle!" A familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts. She turned to see her best friend, Marty McFly, approaching with his usual infectious grin.

"Hey, Marty," she replied, smiling back. Marty had been her rock, the one person who made her feel like she belonged. They had been friends since kindergarten, and their bond grew stronger over the years.

"How was your day?" Marty asked, leaning against the lockers.

"Same old, same old," Isabelle said with a shrug. "Just trying to survive high school. You?"

"Mrs. Kowalski gave us another surprise quiz in history. I'm pretty sure I flunked it," Marty said, rolling his eyes.

Isabelle laughed. "You'll be fine."

Their conversation was interrupted by the school bell ringing, signaling the end of the day. Students poured out of classrooms, eager to start their weekend.

As they left the school building, Isabelle couldn't help but reflect on her life. Growing up in the foster care system had been tough. She had moved from one foster home to another, never quite finding a place where she felt truly accepted. Marty and the heart-shaped necklace around her neck were the only constant in her life.

As Isabelle and Marty headed to Marty's place, they stopped by a worn, mysterious manor. Many teenagers in town believed the manor was haunted. Marty found it creepy. However, Isabelle felt a strange connection but kept it to herself.

When they arrived at the McFly residence, Marty's mother, Lorraine, greeted them and said dinner was ready.

Isabelle warmly greeted Lorraine. She had always liked Lorraine since the older woman treated her like a second daughter.

Marty's siblings, Dave and Linda, greeted Isabelle warmly, setting up the dining table.

Isabelle had always loved the McFly family. But she knew they weren't perfect.

Lorraine and George married on December 7, 1958, and moved into Lyon Estates, where they had three kids: Dave in 1963, Linda in 1966, and Marty in 1968. By 1985, Lorraine was depressed at how her husband could not stand up for her or himself in front of people like their childhood bully, Buford 'Biff' Tannen.

Yet, despite everything, Isabelle had hope. Hope that one day she would understand the secrets of her past, hope that she would find her place in the world, and hope that, maybe, just maybe, she was more beautiful and worthy than she had ever been led to believe.