"Also the purpose of life isn't death, it's paying taxes...you're a living profit for the government."
He broke into quiet laughter. "You're so random."
I shrugged and folded in my arms. "It helps keep me distracted though," I murmured. He leaned o...
After a couple days of being with Izzy, I came back to LA. He stayed, needing a little more time to recover. I honestly don't blame him. If I was that happy at home...I'd never wanna come visit this shit hole.
"Wait, his birthday's tomorrow right?" Charlie asked. We were all anticipating the call from his mom, to let us know if he would be coming home tonight or tomorrow. "Yeah...damn. I was so excited, I completely forgot."
The phone rang, Megan yelped and Charlie froze. "Not everyone at once," I mumbled, getting small laughs out of them.
"Hello?"
"Ah, Danielle! He just started packing. He got the earliest flight this evening."
Well...this calls for a small late notice party.
~~~
I meant party lightly. Izzy hasn't really ever been a big fan of crowds, they always made me nervous as hell too.
"Seriously, just cake and people?" Megan complained. "You know you're talking to a recovering addict...and throwing a party for another recovering addict, right?"
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She shrugged, an apparent pout upon her face. Charlie nudged her, handing her a few decorations which brightened a smile to Meg's face.
Keys jingled and a few seconds later, Lauren walked in with rustling bags on both arms. "I said a couple soda choices," I teased. "Well I'm sorry, but this is what you get when you ask a big shopper to buy unspecified objects."
"Shopping is like any other addiction!" Meg stated loudly, with a mocking head nod. I poked at Lauren repeatedly as she laid everything out. I kind of did it just to annoy her a bit, but it also was a good way of acting on my anxious feelings. She gave me a knowing look, "A bit anxious for prince charming to come home?"
I smiled uncontrollably, nodding my head. "I'm gonna get my own place with him, we're gonna trying working things out. Everything is getting better," I whispered to Lauren. Her eyes widened and she slowly turned to me. "Y'all's own place?"
I shrugged sheepishly, "We weren't gonna tell anyone until it happened but you know... I kinda live with you now."
She tilted her head and sighed, "You guys are actually gonna make it."
I threw her a confused look. Charlie smiled shyly, Megan sort of hid behind Charlie. "What?" I questioned. Lauren laughed nervously, "We may have...betted on who would last. Megan betted on you and Izzy."
I turned my head to Charlie, "No faith, Char?"
"Kinda but I'm still rooting for Lauren and Axl."
"Damn, that hurt."
~~~
"No, hands off!"
Lauren walked up behind and past me, giving me a confused look. "Since he showed up, he's has been trying to eat those damn cookies," I huffed. Slash pouted teasingly, "It's your homemade recipe."
"Look, just give it a few more minutes. Duff and Charlie went to pick Iz up."
IZZY'S POV
"Ah, Izzy!" A familiar petite blonde girl came greeting me as I started to head towards luggage.
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"Charlotte!" I exclaimed, giving her a hug. "Dude, we missed you."
Duff stood there awkwardly, judging me silently. He looked a little better, but something told me he was relying more on alcohol as he gave up drugs. He looked guilty of something too, so that didn't really reassure me much.
"Hey, Duff."
"Hey, Iz."
Charlie noticed the tension, her smile faltering just a bit. Her eyes brightened when she noticed my suitcase, grabbing it and my arm. "Let's get out of here, huh?"
~~~
As soon as we got in the car, I noticed something different. "Is this...a new car?"
Charlie turned to me and gave me a weird look, "Dani didn't tell you about her new grand prize?"
I shook my head. To be honest, Dani and I talked over the phone for about fifteen minutes each night. She always seemed exhausted or busy, and my mom didn't like me having long phone calls. It didn't really bother me that she hadn't told me about a new car, she more than likely worked her ass to earn it.
"Did she tell you we're getting an place together?" I asked, with a growing smirk on my face. Duff hit the breaks hard as we came to a red light. Charlie covered her mouth, keeping herself from laughing. Duff looked so shocked, his jaw dropped and eyes wide. "What the hell? You guys spend this much time apart, and it's like nothing ever happened."
~~~
"Surprise!"
Axl and Lauren jumped from the couch, Meg and Steven from the bar stools. Danielle was nowhere to be seen, until she came running from the hallway. "Sorry, things weren't working," she mumbled, jumping up to hug me.
There were small decorations, a cake and cupcakes on counter. Everyone seemed to be enjoying it.
Danielle was full of nerves, running around cleaning and helping everybody get their food, and such. "So how was home?" Axl asked me. "Great, I didn't realize how much I missed it."
"Is that where you and Dani are settling down?" He poked. Duff hid his eyes with a hand, shaking his head. Everyone froze, including Danielle. I shrugged, "Don't know. If it's an option, it's an option."
I stood up from where I was sitting, going towards Dani and Beau. "I'm sorry, I didn't know he would..."
Beau sat down, taking another cookie. Danielle just stood there awkwardly and slightly giggled, "I already told Lauren. I think it's okay."
She bit her lip and tilted her head, "Well...happy early birthday, babe."
"Next time, let's not invite Mr. Diva," I whispered. She nodded, "Already noted."
