Stood Up

Prologue

Isabella's PoV
*unedited*

"How often do you guys really hang out?" Mom asks and I roll my eyes.

My mother is not the typical French woman. We don't even live in France anymore. We live in Maine. We moved here for my dads work and never left even after he died.

Like I was saying my mother doesn't like cooking, she doesn't like shopping or cleaning. And most importantly she hated the slow feeling of everything. That is why we haven't left Maine. It's not like we live in a big city or anything but it's still faster than our little town back in France.

"We might be dating but that doesn't mean I have to spend every waking moment with him. Come on, Mère, you know I'm not clingy," I counter as she pops another chip into her mouth waiting for me to continue, "the only time I was every clingy was when I was in your womb."

There's only two thing that ties her back to France. Her beauty and her accent. I have the accent but not the beauty. But Mom, It's like she's made of the city lights and the stars. People say I'm as gorgeous as her but I don't feel like I am. Mom tells me that I just haven't found the right guy to show me. I don't know why she's so against Matt. He's my everything.

"You're crazy," Mom laughs, "but I'm just saying don't you think that it's a little weird that it's your two year anniversary and he hasn't even called yet?"

I am from a very worry filled family. It started when my dad died a few years ago leaving just my mother and my little brother Rémy. Mom doesn't like the idea of anyone of us getting hurt like that again. I get where she's coming from but she doesn't have to keep me close like there's a venomous snake on the loose in the house.

"Mère," I whine stealing a few of her chips, "we already talked about this. He said we'd meet at the restaurant."

"That's silly," Mom proclaims making me groan, "he should pick you up!"

"I'm getting ready," I state wanting out of this deafening conversation.

"Is Juli coming by to help?" Mom screams from the bottom of the stairs.

"Nope," I scream back from the second stair.

"Why are we screaming?" Rémy screams coming into the room.

"Because it's fun!" Mom answer making him laugh.

"Hey Rém?" I ask in a normal talking voice to get his attention, "do you want to help me with my make up?"

"Yes, please," he lights up dragging me up the stairs leaving Mom laugh at the bottom.

Rémy is four years younger than me and has had the same boyfriend for the last three years. Yes that's right boyfriend. He was out when he was three. Rémy's boyfriend is this macho guy while Rémy is a literal stereotype. He taught me how to do make up. So all in all he does my makeup on every special occasion.

"What are you wearing so I can match?" He asks as we get to my room.

"That dress Mère bought me for Christmas last month," I explain and he smiles.

"I have the perfect idea!" He exclaims pulling me down in front of my makeup.

--

I walk inside having waited already ten minutes in the cold for Matt. It's January in Maine. I was not waiting any longer. The receptionist welcomed me with a warm smile.

"Are you meeting someone?" She asks and I nod.

"He should be here soon," I reply.

"Table for two?" She asks and I nod.

She takes out two menus and directs me to a table in the middle of the room for two. Great. Now I have to wait alone with everyone able to see me. I'm sure he will be here soon. He wouldn't just ditch me.

I sit down and ask for water while I wait. When she leaves I look up from the menu and actually look around. I've never been here before and it's so nice. I can't wait until Matt gets her so he can agree with me. I hate being alone.

--

"Miss," the waitress calls getting my attention off of the menu I've scanned over a million times to hide my awkwardness. She gives me a half heart smile, "it's been a half hour would you like to order?"

"He'll be here," I glare and she bites her tongue and leaves without another word.

I look down at my watch for the time. She was wrong. He's 45 minutes late. I groan hiding my head in the menu again. How could he do this to me?

I've texted him millions of times already. What is he doing? Matt wouldn't just stand me up like this. He'd call ten minutes before I left and cancel but he wouldn't leaving me hanging like this. We're more than that.

--

"Miss," I hear in the same sad tone for the tenth time tonight, "it's been an hour would you like to order?"

I slam my menu down on the table annoyed. She jumps at the loud slam. Right now I don't even care who is watching. I know it's been an hour. I have a fucking watch.

"He. Will. Be. Here," I say through gritted teeth.

"Would you at least like some free breadsticks?" She asks and I sigh knowing I'm being a bitch.

"Yes. I'm sorry," I answer and she gives me a sad smile.

"Coming right up," she says walking away.

I sigh wanting to run my hand through my hair but I don't. What if he shows up and I ruined my hair? That wouldn't be very memorable. I hope he comes.

Just as I think that a boy with raven black hair just like Matt's sits down in front of me, but I don't know him. He has noticeably squishy cheeks and his skin is way too tan for the middle of winter. He's cute I'm not going to lie but what is he doing?

"Hey sorry I'm late. Boss made me stay after," he winks saying it loud enough for the waitress to hear as she brings me the breadsticks and I hide a smile realizing what he's doing.

"Should I give you two time to order?" She asks and the mystery boy looks at me for answers.

"Yes, please," I nod wanting to know what this hero's name is.

"Alright. I'll be back in a minute or two," the waitress leaves and I turn back to the boy in front of me.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"A pretty girl like you shouldn't be stood up like this," he states and I feel my cheeks flush.

Now that I'm not surprised by him I notice his accent. It's cute. Maybe Australian or British? I'm not good with accents.

"So you just leave your own date to help me out?" I ask raising my eyebrows at him.

"I was meeting my friend here. He cancelled last minute so I decided to pop in and get food and leave since I was already here," he explains. "What about you? Who's the douche?"

"He isn't a douche," I defend and he chuckles. "He's my best friend. He probably just fell asleep."

"That or he's a douche," he replies making me frustrated. I know Matt stood me up but he probably has a good reason. "My names Calum by the way. Calum Hood."

"Isabella Roche," I answer.

"Pretty name," I compliments and I don't hide my smile.

"Alright!" Exclaims the waitress, "who's ready to order?"

> thank you for reading my prologue. I hope you liked it and keep reading.
Btw her last name is pronounced "row-sh"<