Raz was right. There was nothing to be too worried about with Isha and Illy on the job. So, Isabelle put it out of her mind, choosing instead to focus on bailing her friend out of jail for the umpteenth time.
At the station, Isabelle laid on the charm with Martha. Iz laughed at Raz’s comment ”Oh Please. Forget about tomorrow! Today’s not even over yet. It’s still the beginning of the day!” Martha rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
As Iz addressed her friend, she felt Raz behind her with the camera. She was so used to it that she didn’t even pause. Isabelle shrugged, ”Eh, I don’t mind it much. Sounds like a legit clothing line…Sort of has that ring to it, doesn’t it?” She smirked, ”Plus, I really like saying “the third”. I don’t get to say it very much, you know.”
Andy reached through the bars, commenting about the animals. ”We don’t only gawk! We could feed you right? Aw, but I guess you’d become too dependent on us and die. Animals die, right, if they’ve been in captivity for so long and they’re released into the wild? So, given that, shouldn’t we leave you in here for a little bit? I wouldn’t want you to die. Who would Raz and I have to gawk at?” She paused for a moment before stepping closer to the bars to ask why she wasn’t invited.
”You mean to tell me that our law enforcement has no sense of humor? No! Those pigs” She peeked over at the officer and wiggled her fingers, ”No offense, darling.” She laughed at Raz’s joke, ”Yeah. I’m sure if you go with that advice, it’ll work out next time.” She laughed again, ”But really, a porno? Wait, wait. Where were you exactly? I’m trying to picture how you would shoot the scene. What would it be about? What’s the story?”
Finally, Andy had had enough. ”Raz, I can’t seem to remember…Did I pay or did I just want to stop by on our way to do something fun and exciing without Andy? The drunk gurgled. Iz’s nose scrunched up, ”Of course I did. What kind of friends would we be if we left you in this cell with a drunk as company?” The officer opened the cell and Andy stepped out, ”Let’s go get into some trouble, boys.”
As they walked through the parking lot Andy laughed. With his final comment though, Iz quickly looked at him, studying him carefully. Her eyes narrowed slightly. She knew this look. This was his jealous look. What is he jealous about? She asked herself. She wouldn’t let herself consider it for too long. She might have a while ago but she was too tired of getting hurt. He probably just felt jealous over her friendship with Raz. She rolled her eyes before bumping her shoulder with his, “What’s with the jelly face?” She teased, “Of course we didn’t have plans.” Somehow, she had managed to forget about the meeting. Again. Until Raz brought it up again. She sighed. It didn’t sound fun at all.
Outside of the spill, Iz groaned, ”That has to be some kind of fire code violation!” She exclaimed, ”I mean, what if there’s a fire? I’m not risking my life for the daycare.” She may have been exaggerating but she was already on the fence about even going to the meeting in the first place. When she saw the opportunity to get out of it, she took it. ”Yes. I feel myself definitely wanting to go to the lake instead.” She responded. Raz left the car for the moment, presumeably informing his sister that something had come up.
”You know what would make this even more fun?” Isabelle asked Andy once Raz was gone. She nudged Andy and nodded to the Quick Mart store on the corner, ”Refreshments.” Their eyes met for a brief moment and it was decided without another word. Iz popped open her door and got out, retrieving her wallet from her purse. She walked toward the store, a quick giggle bursting from her lips, ”You grab the booze, I’ll get the chasers?” She suggested.
Inside, Isabelle quickly went to the back coolers, picking out bottles of pineapple juice, orange juice and water (as an afterthought). She placed them on the check out counter before heading back to the snacks aisle. She chose pringled and two other chip bags before coming to a stop at the sweets. ”Chips Ahoy or candy?” She called to her friend. With his answer, she brought the junk food to the counter. The cashier rang her up and with a swipe of her magic plastic card, it was finished.
Once they were back at the car, Iz settled back into the driver’s seat. She and Andy set the two paper bags of fun in the center of the backseat. ”What’s taking him?” She wondered out loud. Not known for her patience, Iz looked toward the cafe. Someone near the entrance caught her eye. His hair color had changed, sure, but she would recognize his appearance anywhere. They had dated six months, after all. Nolan. At first her expression registered shock, then slowly it paled. So, he had returned from college.
Iz could still remember the feeling of being unable to breathe like it was yesterday. Even now, she couldn’t help but touch her neck, as she remembered scratching at his hands, trying to force him to let go. She recalled when he finally did…even breathing hurt for the first day after. She could barely talk. But it didn’t matter, her phone blew up with texts from Nolan anyway. Apologies, excuses…Whatever. She was through. It hadn’t mattered, anyway. Not long after, Nolan left for college.
But here he was again.
Isabelle’s hands tightened on the steering wheel and the knot in her stomach was growing. She looked somewhat sick. She wanted to go. But she couldn’t just leave Raz here. [******** ******** Fu— The backdoor opened, interrupting the blond from her internal melodrama. “I picked up a stray, I hope you don’t mind.” It was Raz. Isabelle turned her head, placing an awkward smile on her face that had nothing to do with Raz and Gray but everything to do with her mixed bag of emotions.
”I don’t mind. Gray, I’m glad Raz was able to get you.” She winked, ”I was just about to text you. Get in.”
Once everyone was in, she started the car. She breathed a short sigh of relief, closing her eyes for a moment. She put the car in drive just as she heard a scream. Her eyes were immediately drawn to a group of several individuals. Everything was happening quickly. Iz saw one girl strike another. Then the first girl fell to the ground. Could that be…”Dev?” She asked. If she weren’t in a hurry to leave she would have wanted to stay and watch. She had wanted to do that to the b***h for years…and yet, there was little Alice doing it in plain sight. ”Andy, don’t you dare get out of the ******** car.” She warned softly, ”If you do, so help me, I will let your a** rot in jail.” The car was silent. She knew she would have to make up for this later but at the moment Isabelle didn’t care. All that mattered was getting as far away as she could. She pulled her car away from the curb.
Only when Iz was off the main street did she speak again, trying to make her voice light. ”I hope you weren’t too set on coffee, Gray.” She willed herself to smile at him through the rearview mirror, although it was strained, ”Andy and I were thinking we needed something with a little more kick when we get to the lake. Check the bags.” She glanced at Raz through the rearview mirror, trying to be playful she added ”We made a quick stop while you were away.” Her heart was finally returning to its normal speed and the knot in her stomach loosened just a little bit. She had a lot of explaining to do.
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