10. ISABELLE

795 Words
As soon as she slammed the door behind her Isabelle’s breathing hitched again and she battled against herself for control. “Honey?” Her snapped up to meet her dad’s which eyed her warily. “I’m fine,” she responded automatically. Her dad did not look convinced, but let it drop. “Did you have fun?” “Yeah, it was great,” she replied robotically. “Good, I’m so glad, are you looking forward to going out tonight?” Isabelle froze. Damn Maia worked fast. “Maia stop by?” Her dad smiled warmly at her. “Such a lovely family. She explained that it was sort of like a school function and a good way to help you get more comfortable before starting school.” “And you agreed?” Isabelle asked incredulously. Her dad’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t like your tone.” “I just meant that don’t you want help unpacking?” she replied, back pedalling. He gestured around the kitchen which already was half done. “Maia’s mum Claire came over before to introduce herself and saw we needed help and got us all organised, it’s really only your room and bathroom that you can do and that doesn’t need to be done right this minute.” Isabelle nodded and began inching towards the door. “Belle, how are you doing, really?” “Dad, I’m fine.” “I don’t like being lied to.” Isabelle worked hard to keep her face blank, she hated how her dad always saw what others didn’t and was an expert on body language. “I’m not lying,” she replied woodenly. Yep, real convincing. He held up her phone which was vibrating; Tate’s name flashing on the screen. “Why don’t we start with what is going on with you and Tate? Did he do something? Pressure you for something? Help me understand.” It was too much, the probing questions, the insinuation that Tate could ever violate her and the memories of who really did. She was going to break apart if she didn’t leave right now and she couldn’t afford another melt down today, she was far too close to losing herself as it was. Her dad was still staring expectantly at her as Isabelle found some resolve and walked over, snatching the phone out of her dad’s hand. “Everything is fine,” she snapped, before walking away. She made it half way up the stairs before the vibrating began again incessantly, stopping only for brief moments before starting back up again. She tried to pretend that it was just her imagination and her phone was really silent but to be honest; she didn’t have the energy to pretend anymore. By the sixth round of rings Isabelle cracked and finally pressed accept. “What?” she snapped. “Well thank f**k you’re alive!” She held the phone away from her ear and could still hear him perfectly. “What the hell is going on? And if you say nothing I swear to god I will fly down and throttle you myself,” Tate threatened. Isabelle started to shake. It was so good to hear his voice, even though he was furious the familiarity of it had her wanting to crawl into the phone and wrap her arms around him. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice breaking. Immediately he softened. “Iz, what’s happening? What did I do?” “You didn’t do anything,” she whispered. “It’s all my fault.” “What is?” he asked firmly. “Everything,” she confessed. “Bullshit, this is about that dickhead and I want to know what he did to make you freeze me out.” Everything and nothing, she wanted to tell him. He took my soul and I will never get it back, he broke me and I can’t be your best friend anymore because I don’t know how to be a best of anything. Instead she curled in a ball on her bed, the phone cradled in her shoulder. “Isabelle,” Tate said desperately. “Just talk to me please? I’m going out of my mind here.” “I’m sorry Tate,” she said quietly. “I don’t want you to be sorry,” he said in exasperation. “I just want you to trust me like I trust you with anything. You are family ok? And family never turn their backs on each other.” “I love you,” she whispered before hanging up and turning her phone off. She just made it into the shower before she fell apart, sliding down the porcelain walls, the water running over her body that would never, ever feel clean enough.
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