CHAPTER 28:

I was walking towards the front entrance where the Jonas family was waiting for me. I was determined to tell the guys the truth today. They had to know already. I have to come clean. As soon as Joe saw me coming down the escalator he ran towards me and engulfed me in a hug along with a kiss. He quickly grabbed my bags from out of my reach and handed them to their body guard.

“Rob can you take this for Isabella please” he asked him and Rob nodded.

I walked hand in hand with Joe to greet the rest of the family but surprisingly Kevin wasn’t there and it sort of stung. We arrived at the Jonas household about a half hour later and Kevin was there but he wasn’t alone. There was a pretty girl by his side. She was tan-skinned with long brunette colored hair down to her mid-back and emerald green eyes. She had a beautiful figure and a Colgate smile. She looked very familiar in some way as if I’d seen her somewhere before. I couldn’t help but feel jealous and hurt. She was way prettier than me better yet said she was drop dead gorgeous.

“Hi Is this is my girlfriend Brooke. Babe this is Joe’s girlfriend Isabella” since when did Kevin have a girlfriend. Since you got a boyfriend. My conscience was right. I had a boyfriend and I had to stop freaking out.
“Isabella Miller” I shook her hand. “You can call me Is everyone does nice to meet you”
“Brooke Manny nice to meet you too I’ve heard a lot about you. Joe doesn’t stop talking about you” she laughed.
“Omg that’s why you looked so familiar to me you’re the Brazilian supermodel” I smiled.
“Yeah I get that a lot” she smiled back.
“I’ll show you to your room” Joe said as he walked ahead carrying my bags.
“Are you sure it’s okay that I stay here?” I turned to face Denise. “I don’t want to be a bother or anything I can go to a hotel it’s no problem” I assured.
“Nonsense Is, our home is your home your welcome to stay here anytime it’s not a bother at all” she smiled as she rubbed my arm.
“Thank you very much” I returned the gesture with a hug and then I made my way down the hall after Joe.
“Nice meeting you Brooke” I waved.
“Nice meeting you too” she waved back.

Later that night at dinner Nick brought up Joanna. Brooke was gone already. When Nick mentioned Joanna’s name Kevin’s eyes lit up with a twinkle I had never seen before except in Lucas’ and my parents. He really felt something for this girl. His eyes were filled with so much love. My heart broke. Then suddenly his eyes turned dark and he spoke in deadliest tone.
“What about her? I’m over her already” he said as he continued eating. “She’s not worth any of my tears or my time. I’m sick of it and I’m tired of beating myself up for it. She never existed she’s dead to me. Please don’t mention her name anymore” he said as he closed his eyes to relieve the pain he felt in his heart.
“Kev” Nick said as he tried to place a hand on Kevin’s shoulder.
“What did I ever do to her? All I did was give her the time of my life and she just disappeared without a word or an ‘I’m sorry’ or something. I’ve looked for her for the past four months and she doesn’t give a crap. But it’s fine I understand that she hates me and I have to do same.” He breathed and opened his eyes as the tears slowly escaped. “I’m sorry Is” he turned to apologize to me. “Excuse me” he said as he got up and walked away.
“Poor Kevin” Joe said as Kevin disappeared down the hall.

He hated me, well not me Joanna. But Joanna was me we were the same person even he said so. He felt a connection with me that he felt with her that night. He admitted it to me. We were alike and more alike than he would ever know. I could never tell him the truth now. He was hurting because of me. He would hate me even more if he were to find out that I was the girl behind the mask. Joe would hate me as well because I caused his brother so much pain for so long. The whole family would hate me for causing so much pain to this family. What do I do now? I couldn’t have them hate me but I couldn’t stand to see Kevin hurting so much. Everyone was asleep now it was midnight meaning it was four in the morning back home I couldn’t call Ariel at this time. I couldn’t sleep I kept thinking of Kevin’s face. He felt so much pain. After about an hour of running things back and forth in my head I finally closed my eyes and went to sleep. I woke up at six and looked at the time it was ten back home. I searched for my phone and called Ariel.

“Hello” she said sleepily into her phone.
“Hi El I’m sorry to wake you up” I apologized.
“What time is it?” she asked.
“Six here, ten there” I answered.
“Why are you awake so early?” she asked.
“I couldn’t’ sleep I really need to talk to you”
“About what is everything okay?” she asked as her voice began to clear up and sound more awake.
“No it’s not okay he hates me” I said sadly. “Well he hates Joanna but Joanna is me and he doesn’t know that and I don’t know what to do now I’m so confused if I tell them they’ll hate me even more and if I don’t he’ll continue to suffer about it and I don’t know Ariel I’m so lost, so confused” I blurted really fast.
“Whoa wait hold on slower please who hates you?” she asked.
“Kevin hates me Joanna. He said it last night at dinner he said she was dead to him that she never existed. I swear if it wasn’t that I was sitting by him he probably would’ve broken into tears.” I explained.
“Wow Is” she replied.
“I know you should’ve seen how hurt he was. I felt his pain and seeing his eyes filled with hate, pain, rage and sadness all at once made me want to cry. It’s all my fault he’s hurting this way and now I can’t ever tell him the truth” I said sadly. “He will never know that I was the girl behind the mask that night eventually he’ll forget about me”
“Who knows he might not really hate you? He’s just sad” she said.
“I don’t know I mean what about Joe I can’t tell him that I’m the girl his brother is suffering over that I’m the girl his brother is in love with. And then I can’t tell him that I think I love him too” tears began to flow. “What if I turn two brothers against each other that’s the least that I want. I don’t want to cause anymore trouble to this family that’s why I can’t tell them anything” I added.
“But Is? I’m not sure that’s a good idea” she tried to say.
“I’ve made up my decision El they’ll never know that I’m Joanna” I replied and then I heard a sound that didn’t come from Ariel.

I slowly looked up to see my door open and Nick standing in the doorway. Had he heard everything? Or did he hear just a bit?

“Nick” I whispered.
“I can’t believe this” he sadly shook his head.
“I can explain” I began.
“Save it” he began to turn around.
“I gotta call you back” I clicked before she could even reply. “Nick wait” I called to him but he continued walking. I jumped off my bed and followed him down the hall.
“Nick please I can explain” I said once I was close behind him.
“How could you?” he turned and yelled at me. “How could you hurt him so much?” he asked.
“Nick please I don’t want anyone else to hear can we talk somewhere else please I promise I’ll explain everything.” I begged.
“Okay meet me downstairs in five minutes let me put on some clothes and we’ll take a walk alright” he explained.
“Alright” I said as I turned and headed back to my room to put on a pair of jeans a white v-neck and my pair of black and white converse. As soon as I finished tying my hair into a ponytail I silently headed downstairs and waited for Nick outside on the porch.

CHAPTER 27:

I quickly looked away from Kevin and looked into the pond below us. Why did I feel so guilty? We were sitting around on the grass all talking about things when Nick began to question Kevin about Joanna well me.

"So Kevin, how is your search going with that mystery girl Joanna?" Nick asked and Peyton instantly shot her head up and looked at me.
"No luck" he said simply.
"What happened with that girl who said her name was Joanna?" Nick asked.
"It wasn't really her" Kevin replied.
"Did you ask her about the necklace?"
"What necklace?" Peyton asked.
"On the night of the costume party when Joanna went running up stairs she dropped a gold chain with a locket. I found it and showed it to Kevin. Inside the locket was a picture of her as a child and two adults" Nick explained. Mom and Dad. I lifted my hand and placed it on my chest. That's where my necklace went to.
"No I didn't ask her cause I already knew she wasn't the one" Kevin said sadly. "I'm never going to find her" Peyton stared at him with sad eyes and then she looked at me and I felt guilty.

The rest of the evening was kind of awkward. Kevin constantly avoided looking at me and it hurt me a lot. I felt the pain he felt in his heart. He was hurt, disappointed and sort of guilty. I liked Joe a lot but I also felt as if there was something between Kevin and me as well. Thankfully I had to go to work. I was never so glad to be working. I left the picnic and got to work on time. I tried to ignore the feeling I had inside me by focusing on the proposition Edward spoke to me about earlier. Work was dead and Ariel and Peyton never came around anymore. When I arrived home later that night I threw myself onto my bed and thought about today. Was it right to accept Joe so quickly? I still loved Lucas and no matter who comes into my life I always will. Forever and Always.

The next couple days were a blur. The boys went back home and we kept in touch. Today was the last day I had to make up my mind on whether I was moving out with Edward or not. I had to make a choice.

"You wanted to speak to me?" he asked as he entered my room.
"Yeah come on down" I said to him.
"So did you finally come to a decision?" he asked once he made it to the bottom of the stairs.
"Yeah that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Come, sit" I motioned for him to sit beside me.
"Alright what is it?" he asked.
"What will we do about work?" I asked.
"Don't worry I got that taken care of" he assured me.
"And all my stuff?" I asked as well.
"That too" he said.
"Then I guess I'm moving out" I said with a smile.
"Yes!" he yelled excitedly. "Thank you so much" he hugged me. "I promise you won't regret one minute I swear"
"So when are you closing the deal?"
"I already did" he replied.
"Huh?" I asked confused.
"When you called me and told me to meet you here cause you wanted to talk I knew by the tone of your voice. I was on my way to see the landlord to tell her what I had decided and I told her I was going to take it. I just got back from there so it's a good thing you said yes" he laughed.
"Wow I guess it is" I placed my hand over his. "Just give me about a week to finally move out okay I’m not saying that I’m not going with you cause I already said yes. I just need to take care of a few things alright"
"You can take as long as you need" he assured me and then he kissed my forehead and left the room.

*JOE'S POV*
"Guess what?" I asked Kevin as I walked into his room.
"What Joe?" He replied kind of harshly.
"Isabella is moving out I just got offline with her. She's moving out of her hell hole and she's moving in with Edward. And she's coming down here in a couple days" I explained.
"To California?" he asked.
"Yeah she's coming to check out UCLA after I begged her to come" I explained.
"Well at least she's finally doing something with herself. I've been telling her for a while now" he replied.
"Yea I’m really happy for her"

*ISABELLA'S POV*
IM For: fashionel
rockstar550: Hey El
fashionel: Hi Is
rockstar550: What are you up to?
fashionel: Nothing just working on some sketches and you?
rockstar550: Getting ready to leave
fashionel: Oh yea you have to work
rockstar550: No I’m moving out with Edward
fashionel: Are you serious!
rockstar550: yeah I’m finally moving out
fashionel: finally
rockstar550: yea and I really need your help
fashionel: okay what is it?
rockstar550: do you remember that mystery guy Joe the one I've been IMing for almost two years now?
fashionel: Yeah what about him?
rockstar550: Well you probably wouldn’t believe this but he's Joe Jonas
fashionel: no way
rockstar550: yeah I found out the day Lucas passed away he came down here to find me cause he thought I was in trouble and I found out it was him
fashionel: oh wow
rockstar550: yeah and the other day I was hanging out with them and he kissed me and Kevin saw it and I feel so bad, so confused.
fashionel: do you like him?
rockstar550: which one?
fashionel: idk Kevin? Joe?
rockstar550: I like them both
fashionel: there's the problem um which do you like more?
rockstar550: idk and Kevin is still looking for Joanna
fashionel: damn he really liked you
rockstar550: hold on someone's calling me brb

I stepped away from the computer and walked towards the stairs.

"Isabella!" I heard.
"Yeah" I yelled back. The door opened it was Virginia.
"My moms calling you she needs something" she replied.
"Okay I’m going" I began up the stairs.

*3RD PERSON POV*
As soon as Isabella disappeared into the hallway Virginia made her way downstairs. She walked up to the computer and began scrolling through the messages.

"*gasp* Oh my God" she said to herself. "Isabella is Joanna. This stupid little bitch is my competition. We'll see about that" she said as she flipped open her phone and searched for Joe's number. "And she's trying to take Joe from Juliet"

She heard Isabella coming down the hall so she closed back her phone and put it away. I'll tell him later: she thought to herself. She ran up the stairs and out of the room just before Isabella saw her.

*ISABELLA'S POV*
fashionel: damn he really liked you
rockstar550: hold on someone's calling me brb
fashionel: alright
rockstar550: Okay I’m back so as I was saying I don't know what to do
fashionel: maybe you should tell Kevin and Joe the truth
rockstar550: I can't they'll both hate me for it
fashionel: don't you think its better they find out by you than by someone else
rockstar550: yeah but it’s already too late for that
fashionel: if you wait longer things will get worse
rockstar550: I just can't
fashionel: fine but you'll regret it
rockstar550: I know but anyways what are the sketches for?
fashionel: UCLA
rockstar550: huh?
fashionel: they sent me a paper saying that they loved my work and wanted me to send them in a few designs to show the headmaster. I might go there in the fall
rockstar550: about UCLA I'm leaving tonight to California I want to check it out
fashionel: that's great
rockstar550: Yeah I might as well try to pursue my dream since I’m already moving out
fashionel: that's great I’m truly happy for you
rockstar550: thanks
fashionel: then I guess I might be seeing you there
rockstar550: hopefully I get in
fashionel: you will you're an amazing writer
rockstar550: and you're an amazing designer good luck on your sketches.
fashionel: talk to the boys that's all I’m saying
rockstar550: I’ll think about it

I packed up my clothes and Edward drove me to the airport. Maybe Ariel was right I had to tell the boys sometime and maybe that time was now.