Before I did } Isaac Lahey x OC

• NAMING •

Set: The first time Marley and Isaac meet.
Age: nine years old

"Marley?" Miss Dunbar called out. She laid in the sun bed that dug into the the front gardens grass. The heatwave sun shone down on her already pink skin, reflecting off her sunglasses. "Marley, have you found the cider yet?"

"I'm getting to big for this net," Liam groaned. He threw the last ball into the small net at the side of the garden before dropping his arms. His oversized lacrosse stick poked the dry ground.

"We'll get you a new one for Christmas. You're only seven, this one will do for now," Miss Dunbar replied, pulling her sunglasses to sit in her hair. "Marley! Where's the cider."

"It's here!" Marley shouted angrily as she carried a tray out of the front door. The orange drink wobbled at the rim of the glass with every step she took. Carefully, she placed the tray down on the foldable table next to her mum. "You're welcome."

Marley sat down by the grey pavement next to her pot off chalks. She picked the blue chalk up and continued to scribble on the floor. Liam was only seven at the time, but he sure knew how to wave a lacrosse stick around. He twisted it in his hands, an attempt to resemble a ninja of some sort. The net brushed Marley's plaited her, knocking her forward.

"Liam! Mum, tell him to watch it," Marley cried, the blue chalk falling out of her hand. She looked down and saw that it had broken in half. "Look what you've done now."

"Stop shouting Marley," her mum said. "Liam didn't mean to."

Marley was about to say something else, then probably start to get angry and lash out, but she was stopped when a big truck drove down the road. It was followed by a cleaned black car. Marley stayed sat down, but her eyes followed as the vehicles parked next door. The van towed into the driveway and the car stopped on the pavement. Miss Dunbar sat up to see who it was.

The first people to step out were the people in the truck. A tall, dark haired man opened the first door, stepping out onto the driveway. He had glasses with big eyebrows. His dark boots thumped against the floor with each step he took towards the back of the truck.

"Camden, come and help me with this," the man said. The other truck door opened but Marley couldn't see from where she was sat. Another tall boy walked around the truck and stopped next to the older man. He looked like a young adult, maybe late high school. Marley assumed they were father and son. They were both very tall with similar face shapes. Only the boys hair was lighter. The dad opened the railings and picked up a box. He fumbled in his pocket with his free hand and held a set of keys. "Go unlock for door for me, would ya'."

"Yep," the boy said, taking the keys and walking over to the front door. The front seat to the black car opened, and a young looking woman stepped out. She wore a flowing yellow dress matched with a denim jacket. Her wedges tapped on the ground as she walked to the boot of the car. The woman had long blonde hair with longs bangs brushing her cheeks. Marley looked behind her to see her mum standing up and brushing the hair from her face. She stepped into her flip flops and moved hurriedly.

"Marley, Liam, get up," she said, a smile plastered on her face. Marley frowned and picked up a different chalk. She had little to no interest in the new neighbours, and didn't give two ticks that her mum wanted to look good in front of them. Miss Dunbar pulled Marley to her feet and guided her and Liam across the lawn. "Hi! Hey there!"

"Oh hi!" The women said, turning around and smiling as she saw Marley's family approach. She closed the car boot and met them in the middle.

"Hello, we're the Dunbars," Marley's mum said enthusiastically, sick jealousy running through her voice. She held out her hand and the woman shook it. "It's great to finally meet you."