There's a Place For Us (Complete)

Part 22

I. An Exquisitely Tragic Love Affair

(Part 22)

"Ok! Ok!" Adam said excitedly. "I'm gonna make you laugh for sure this time!" He had been trying all day to make Isabella laugh at one of his jokes, but unfortunately, Isabella hadn't found any of them laugh worthy. Only smirk worthy. "I'm gonna ask you questions and you have to reply 'God is both.' Ok?!" Isabella smirked already and looked at him like he was insane. "Is God a boy or a girl?"

"God is both," Isabella said with mock enthusiasm.

"Is God black or white?" Adam laughed, already laughing at the end result of the joke.

"God is both," Isabella replied on command. Adam cocked his head to one side and pretended to ponder the answers to his questions. "Is God Michael Jackson?" Isabella turned her head away, laughing slightly, although she didn't let the laughter carry on for too long. "Yess!" Adam hissed, punching the air with his fist. "And Adam Green has finally succeeded in making the humorless Isabella Quartermine laugh!" Isabella laughed again at his response, but didn't say a word.

They received more stares than usual that first week back from break. Isabella still kept her guard up strong and high, but Adam was weakening it. He could tell. Just the tiny act of making her laugh was a bigger step than anyone realized. They walked together to class as they usually did before Isabella had found the stuff on his phone. They didn't talk about it. There was no need. The two of them were progressing passed it, and for that, Adam was grateful.

Together, they walked passed the principal's office towards Isabella's history class. They didn't notice Mr. Rosenband in the office, keeping an eye on all the children that flooded the halls of his school, but he noticed them. He rushed out of his door, and he grabbed the nearest student.

"Was that Adam Green and Isabella Quartermine walking together?!" he asked quickly and excitedly. The girl was of an average status. She wasn't extreme pretty so Mr. Rosenband couldn't imagine her being in the popular clique, but she wasn't ugly, so he couldn't assume she was what the kids called "a loser." Even so, she snickered with her friends at the question.

"Yea. That was Adam Green," she said, blushing as she did so.

"With Isabella Quartermine?" he prompted. The girl rolled her eyes. Obviously, she thought that Isabella wasn't good enough for Adam and that she herself was.

"Yea. He was with that girl." Mr. Rosenband, realizing he was still clutching the girl's sleeve, let go. He went back into his office and smiled, but the smile could have been perceived either way. There was no clear indication as to whether it was out of happiness or what. But one thing was for certain. He was about to make or break any relationship Isabella and Adam had going.

Mr. Rosenband walked into the tiny office. It was much smaller than his own, but in a way, it was cozier and more friendly. It was filled with many people; both women and men, and a mix of teachers and other employees. "Be prepared," he said quietly to the man behind the biggest and grandest desk.

"Already?" the man inquired, shocked. The stout principal nodded almost gravely.

"I know she won't like it, but it's for her own good. I'm just hoping we can use him as our weapon."

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it," Adam read aloud from his English novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Isabella nodded her head, although all Adam had done was read yet another section of the book. She thought to herself and considered the quote, wondering if anyone truly believed in that. Then she finally shook her head, ruling that possibility out.