When All Else Fails

Chapter One

I glanced back in time to watch his expression fall. "Why?"

"I'm not even supposed to be here," I replied, looking straight ahead.

"Then where are you supposed to be?" he asked.

"New York," I mumbled under my breath. "Hey, why are you still here? And why did you decide to talk to me?"

He shrugged. "I was sitting in my car and saw you walk out. You seemed like you needed cheered up." He hesitated, glancing around awkwardly as I kept my pace. "I can get you to New York."

I stopped, my back still facing him. I spun around on my heels, my eyebrows raised. "You can?"

He nodded with a smirk. "Well, yeah."

I stood there for a second, pondering everything. "Are you just saying that to get me in your car?"

He rolled his eyes, grabbing my wrist. "C'mon, do I look like the kind of guy who'd do that?"

I glanced at him up and down. "No..." I replied slowly.

"Thank you. Now come on."

I was expecting him to turn us right back into the airport to buy tickets, but of course it was the complete opposite.

He led me to his tiny car, taking my bags and shoving them in the compressed back seat. "Climb in," he instructed, opening my door and motioning me to sit.

I cautiously sat, adjusting my top as he slammed the door behind me. I jumped, shaking my head as he circled around the back of the car. "Such a gentleman," I muttered under my breath.

He started the car and pulled out of the parking lot in seconds. We were driving down the road when he finally talked to me again. "How old are you anyway?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Fifteen," I replied softly. I honestly wasn't comfortable with this whole situation.

He nodded, smiling. His dark hair swept into his eyes slightly, and he flicked his neck to brush it away. "Cool." There was a slight pause. "I'm sixteen."

I nodded, trying to make myself seem into the conversation. "Where are we going anyway?" I asked after another few moments of silence.

"I figured I'd show you around a little," he said, coming to a stop at a light. "I mean, this IS Paris. What better city to be stranded in?"

I let his words sink in. I was so busy worrying about catching the wrong flight that I had totally forgotten where I actually was. "Okay," I replied, a smile slowly creeping onto my face.

* * *

"Isabelle?"

My face was lit by the million of strands surrounding me. Gold, purple, red, blue. There were so many colors. I closed my eyes, letting them indulge me.

"Isabelle."

I jumped, spinning around and looking into his eyes. "Oh, sorry," I said softly.

He smiled, his green eyes sparking as all of the colors reflected off of them. "It's fine. Enjoying the view?"

I nodded, smiling slightly. "What is this place?"

He shrugged, leaning against the door frame.

Lights were hung from walls, the ceiling. There were drapes drawn back to reveal the window facing the Eiffel Tower. I turned back to him and stepped forward.

"My dad," he started, "owns a business. This was one of his old locations. Not enough customers." He shrugged. "He let me use it as a little hang out for my friends and me."

"This place is awesome," I said, brushing my fingers against the beaded strings on the walls. "I wish I had something like this."

He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked after me. "You can always come here and visit," he said softly.

"I wish. I have to get back to New York."

He sighed, plopping himself on one of the huge bean bags. "Why were you even going to New York anyway?"

I sat on the lime green colored chair next to him, running my fingers through my hair. "To get away from everything," I replied simply. "My mother only focuses on my little sister. I'm just there to take up space, you know?"

"So you just left?"

"I mean, not exactly. I got permission. Though now that I think about it she wouldn't have cared either way."

"Isabelle, don't say that. She gave birth to you; she wouldn't give you up for anything. She loves you."

I smirked, shaking my head. "You don't know my mother," I retorted. I paused. "And call me Bella."