Broken Promises 2.0

Isabella Windslow stood her elbows leaning against the polished railing of the balcony. Guest swirled in the ballroom below her. Their bright gowns and champagne glasses caught the light making the room feel bright and glamorous. She swayed lightly to the strains of classical music that floated to her ears from her serene perch. From the crisp clearness of the instruments she knew the music was live. Isabella turned to the man beside her. His weathered skin and greying hair did nothing to hide the fact he was young at heart. He was looking at her trying to gauge her reaction to the lavishness before her.

“Oh grandpa you didn’t have to do all of this for me.” She said gesturing with her white glove to the party below.
“Sure I did Bella it’s your homecoming party.” She older man said with a smile.

With a small smile Isabella turned her gaze back to the party. No one had noticed her standing there yet. Isabella relished in the thought. For now she was invisible. Free from the hands of society from it but not part of it. She took a deep breath and let her eyes droop. Through mostly closed eyelids she let her feet wander the marble cool against her bare feet. Her long dress swaying around her Isabella twirled to the music wafting up from below. She felt in that moment alone like everyone else had disappeared. It didn’t bother her being alone. It was when she was alone that she could truly be herself. Coming down from a spin Isabella felt a hand on her arm. Breaking out of her reverie Isabella snapped her eyes open. Her grandfather stood there a content smile on his face.

“If I could leave you to dance all night I would but these people are expecting to see you.” He said lightly. He knew that social engagements and being the life of the party sometimes fell too hard on the shoulders of his eldest granddaughter.

Isabella took a deep breath and nodded her head. She walked to where her shoes were set in the corner. Quickly fastening the clasps she took her grandfather’s arm. A Windslow woman is nothing but courteous and kind, greeting everyone with grace and poise; Isabella recited to herself. It was another one of the adages her grandmother had taught her since she was little. Her grandfather opened the door and Isabella slipped gently through. Hearing the click behind her Isabella retook her grandfather’s arm and stepped lightly down the stairs. Float, float she reminded herself thinking longingly of the days her and her sister would slide down the banister giggling to find their grandmother trying her hardest not to be amused at the bottom.

“You ready?” Her grandfather asked.
Isabella gave a slight smile and a nod of her head. She kept the smile as the footmen gently opened the double doors to the ballroom. As soon as she entered the room Isabella saw heads turning towards her. She exchanged greeting and light conversation with the guests closest to her. Isabella scanned the room. Many of the faces were old family friends. She saw several new faces and figured they were acquaintances that had been made since she had been gone.

“Bella!” The sharp cry echoed over the ballroom.
Isabella turned and barely had time to catch her balance before her sister barreled into her flinging her arms around her. Isabella stood frozen for a second before hugging back.
“I missed you.” Her sister, Alex, stated.
“I’ve only been a couple of hours from here silly.” Isabella teased ruffling her sister’s loose curls. “I saw you like three weeks ago.”
Alex stuck her tongue out and smoothed her hair with her hand. Isabella feigned offense at her sister’s actions.
“Your face is going to freeze like that.” She teased using the phrase her mother used to use on the both of them.

Despite her teasing Isabella was delighted to see her sister again. College had been hard on her. Coming from a family who was close being thrust into the world by herself had been daunting. But the year was finally over and she was home. Isabella basked in being surrounded by her friends and family finally home. She was soon swarmed by her younger siblings. They pulled at her skirt vying for her attention. Isabella gave them all hugs before turning to her mother. She gave her mother a hug lingering in her arms. The familiar smell of her mother’s perfume lingered in Isabella’s nose. Her grandmother stood right behind. Her usual stern gaze was gone replaced by a softer expression. Releasing her mother Isabella gave her grandmother a kiss on both cheeks. Her grandmother gave her a look up and down.

“Did you behave yourself at college young lady?” She teased sternly.
Isabella nodded her head. Her grandmother’s expression told her that she didn’t believe her but let it go.
“Well I expect you to be a good influence on your sister now that you are home got it?”
Isabella smiled at her grandmother.
“Sure thing Nana.” She agreed.

Isabella walked with a slight twirl in her step to the long tables that held refreshments. Large crystal bowls held punch with crystal glasses beside them. Footmen bustled through the party bearing champagne. She plucked a glass from the tray of the nearest footman. She gave the boy a wink as he passed. Niall had come to work for the Windslows the year before Isabella had left for college. His charming smile and friendly attitude had Alex head over heels for him but it was Niall and Isabella that had hit it off becoming fast friends. Isabella’s grandmother wasn’t very fond of their friendship but as long as Isabella also held the company of several leading young members of society she would stand it.

Niall smiled as he passed and Isabella went back to surveying the food. Large platters of aperitifs crowded the tables. Platters artfully decorated of fruit, meat and cheese kept coming from the kitchen below. Isabella smiled Mrs. Payne, the cook, had certainly outdone herself. Isabella grabbed a small china plate and placed several of the tooth picked aperitifs on it. She turned to find her grandmother behind her. Her grandmother grabbed a wedge of cheese from her plate.

“A Windslow must watch her figure.” She chided popping the cheese in her mouth making sure not to mess up her makeup.
“Come dear your grandfather wanted me to introduce you to our new neighbors. They moved in several months after you left. Your grandfather and sister adore them but I can’t see why.”
With a hand positioned on the small of Isabella’s back Mrs. Windslow led her nimbly through the crowd. Isabella gave gracious smiles at those she passed but she really wanted to go back to her bedroom. The party was getting to her. The crowd felt sweltering and the music instead of the pleasant melody or earlier seemed like scraping currents of noise to Isabella’s ears. Her grandmother steered her towards a group of people and Isabella put on her best Windslow face. She was relieved slightly to see several of her friends in the group.

“Bella.” Christina Gaines exclaimed upon seeing her friend.
She rushed to Isabella and threw her arms around the girl’s neck. The pale pink of her dress provided a startling contrast to the black of Isabella’s dress. Christina’s sister, Elizabeth, stood just behind Christina her hands demurely folded. Elizabeth was a picture of grace in pale blue that complemented the iciness of her eyes.

Isabella greeted her friends happy to see them again. Instead of pursuing a higher education the Gaines girls had instead stayed at home to participate in society. Not everyone had supported Isabella’s decision to leave but no one dared say it to her face. Despite not being a fan of crowds Isabella’s fiery and unnerving poise had earned her a reputation. Raising her eyes Isabella spotted her best friend stating at her with a smirk.

Many had expected Hailey Laughlin and Isabella to be rivals but no one expected them to become friends. Instead of resorting to the planned ‘accidents’ and backstabbing that society expected from them Hailey and Isabella defied the social norms and both ruled the top of society’s most eligible list. Their relationship had started defined by the motto keep your friends close and your enemies closer but as they had found common interest the girls had stopped being per se ‘enemies.’
Hailey came and gave Isabella kisses on both cheeks.
“How did college treated the society’s beloved princess?” Hailey asked cockily.
“Fairly well although my roommate was a peasant and all the boys didn’t even qualify as eligible bachelors,” Isabella commented.

It had been a running joke between the two for several years. Everyone had expected the girls to be haughty and spoiled so while in public they acted as such. Although the girls in reality were both down to earth and had a hatred for societal norms in public they acted the part of stuck up socialites.

Hailey gave a melodious laugh.
“I’m so glad your back the people have been driving me crazy and Tucker Hartrow has decided I’m in his league.” Hailey said placing her hand at the small of Isabella’s back. Isabella just rolled her eyes. Hailey had, had a crush on Tucker for years despite the social gap. Isabella knew that inside Hailey was delighted by the boy’s attention.
“Could be worse, it could be Hunter Therman.”
Hailey scoffed.
“Definitely.”

Hunter Therman was considered by some to be an eligible bachelor. He was from a good family and had lots of money. However in person Hunter was awkward and mentally retarded. He could hardly hold a conversation worth anything more than small talk.

“So come meet our new neighbors.” Hailey said and turned Isabella towards the rest of the group.

Three men Isabella had never seen before stood in front of her. The first was obviously Middle Eastern. His tanned skin and dark hair gave away his ethnicity. He offered her a calm smile and Isabella thought they could be friends. The second boy was wearing a pinstriped suit. His long hair was swept from his face but he had neglected to remove his 5 o’clock shadow. He stared at Isabella with a deer in headlights look that confused. The last boy renewed Isabella’s belief in society. His suit was crisply pressed and his hair nicely done. He gave her a slight smile and the twinkle in his eye told Isabella that there was more to him than the typical society bachelor.

“This is Zayn Malik, his family is an oil family he is here to experience our culture.”
Isabella offered her hand lightly to the first boy. He gave her hand a light kiss.

“This is Louis Tomlinson, his father is head of an up and coming technological company.”
The boy still had a shocked expression as he focused his attention on Isabella’s face.
“Hi.” He managed to stutter out.
“Hi.” Isabella said slightly confused and worried that there was something on her face.
Louis shook his head and looked at the ground nervously.
“Sorry you just look like someone I used to know.”
Isabella nodded her head slightly and turned towards the boy who had captivated her attention.
“Harry Styles.” He offered.

Isabella had heard the Styles name in her study of society. They were an old English family. They were nobles if she remembered right. Harry took her hand and raised it slowly to his lips. He placed a feather light kiss on the back of it his eyes never leaving hers. His gaze unnerved Isabella but she couldn’t put her finger on exactly why.

“Enchante.” She said quietly.
The corner of his mouth drew up into a slight smile. The mischievous twinkle had never left his gaze. He seemed to know the effect he was having on her. Isabella did something she rarely did and dropped her gaze. From this slight gesture Harry knew he had won this round. He held his hand to her.

“Well Miss Windslow would you like to dance?” Harry asked with a confident tone.

Isabella took his arm gently with as much poise as she could muster. Slightly flustered she followed Harry to the dance floor and let her feet move to the sweeping sound of the music.

Notes

So.......I didn't intend it to take this long for this chapter but yeah heres the next one. The second chapter is already half-writted so it shouldn't be four weeks before the next update like this one :)
Let me know what you think :)
Do you guys like this one or the old one (of you read it) better?
-Abby