Surface Pressures {Fingers Crossed Series} [Isabella's Story] |1|

|PART FOUR: PROFILED|

September 4
"I can't believe it's your first day of school." Aunt Penelope beamed as she took out her camera, "It's so overwhelming."

Rolling my eyes, her constant chipper attitude was starting to get on my nerves. Trying my best to stay calm I repeatedly looked at the clock to check the time. There were only a few more minutes left until she had to let us go.

"Alright." She put the camera down, "Grab your bags and get ready. I want you all to double check that you have everything you need." Aunt Penelope walked around grabbing our bags and lunches, "Is there anything else that I'm forgetting to give you?"

"The only thing you're forgetting is that we actually need to leave." Henley responded sarcastically, "Think we can do that now?"

Aunt Penelope nodded her head and sighed, "Of course you and Andrea are free to go. You remember the route to the school, right? Do you want me to map it out for you again?" She questioned, "I could just give you a ride if that would make you feel better."

"Don't worry, Aunt Penny." Andrea smiled her crooked tooth grin, "We'll find our way. You don't have to worry about us. We'll take good care of each other."

With quick hugs the two of them walked out of the apartment and headed to school. Grabbing my bag and lunch money, I waited for her to say something to me about finding my way to the school. Given that there was a three year age gap between Henley and I, we were going to different schools. But instead she just continued staring at me. Feeling really uncomfortable, I took a few steps away from her.

"No big speech for me?" I questioned, "Does that mean you don't care if I get kidnapped? I can really feel the love." I sat down at the kitchen table, "What am I supposed to be waiting for? I know you won't let me walk out of here if I try. So just tell me what we're waiting for so we can get it over with."

"What makes you think we're waiting for anything?" She questioned as she sat across from me, "The high school starts later than the elementary so you have time to spare. And I think we should have a little talk before you go."

There was a hesitation in her voice and that made me both curious but also hesitant on my end as well. The way that she could barely look at me made me even more curious. Looking around I waited for her to continue speaking but she just sat there. Sat there looking around me or through me but never directly at me.

"Are you going to talk or are we just going to sit here?" I questioned her.

She sighed as she put down her cup, "Bella, the entire time you've been here you haven't once gotten your period. In fact, Henley's gotten hers twice but you haven't once. I was thinking that I should schedule a doctor's appointment for you to get looked at. It isn't normal." Aunt Penelope paused for a second, "Unless there's something you haven't told anyone."

My breath got stuck in my throat. What could she be hinting at? Did she think I was pregnant or something? No one knew that anything happened between Travis and I; so her line of questioning was just off. But clearly she was watching for my reaction so I had to keep it very contained. Shrugging my shoulders I slumped back, "I'm not hiding anything if that's what you mean. Maybe I just have an irregular cycle. It isn't anything to get crazy about. And I don't like talking about my period so can we just drop the conversation. When I think there's a problem I'll talk to you about it."

"Unfortunately I don't think you will." She muttered to herself, "But anyways that doesn't matter right now. I want to talk to you about letting your guard down." Aunt Penelope clasped her hand over mine, "You don't need to be the strong one anymore. We'll take care of you. I can take all that weight off your shoulders because you don't need to be dealing with any of that. Just be a kid."