Bittersweet (Isabela x Reader)

Chapter 9

When she saw you close the door, she turned on her heels and went into her room, not caring if people saw how upset she was. Tears threatened to flood out of her eyes. That expression on your face. When you looked down at the pavement with heartsick eyes, as if you couldn't love her, Isabela was devastated.

She couldn't blame anyone but herself for the grief that you both had. If she hadn't shoved you away so rudely before, then none of this wouldn't have happened. Those words she spoke cut you deep.

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She said too many things so that you'd hopefully lose interest. You were all that she had to keep her heart intact but Abuela had told her to stay away from someone as 'troublemaking' as you.

What trouble? You hardly brought problems into this house. If anything, your cavity-inducing sweetness could be bringing unwanted attention. Isa looked fondly at the leather bracelet. It was in perfect condition despite being old. Isa put it back in the jewelry box. She didn't feel worthy to wear something that you worked hard in making. Not after hurting you.

When you approached her and she didn't have anywhere to escape to, she had to choose between fight or flight. She blanked over the unpleasant words she spat.

"Ugh! Take a hint! No me interesa! You messed everything up! Now leave me alone."

So when Isa chose to lash out at you, she didn't expect you to look so devastated. You had to understand, right? You were her best friend for years. You knew how much Abuela expected out of her. How much the town expected out of her.

That kiss only messed up her feelings.

After a few months, Isabela brushed everything over. It was for the best. But her world seemed dimmer. She couldn't find you in town. You weren't even near the window whenever she came by. Whenever she asked Luisa if you were at the farm, she couldn't find you. Dolores couldn't help her either.

"They are still in town. But they don't say anything to anyone."

She didn't see you for months until she heard Luisa had to help you with some supplies. Something about the horses being sick and the donkeys being too weak to pull it down the road. Isa wasted no time in sneaking around town to watch you.

When she finally saw you after months, she felt her world stop. She couldn't help but smile when you pointed for Luisa to drop off the crate. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. When her sister left, she approached you. As she drew closer, she noticed that something was different. You slouched a bit more. Your eyes didn't have that usual glittery shine. Your expression was unreadable and blank. It was as if you were alive but not living. Surviving for the sake of your physical being. She waited for you to go back inside before announcing herself.

"Hola, stranger. Long time no see."

You turned around to the voice. Confused at first but then you frowned. Isabela's grin fell, surprised to see how apathetic you were.

You scoffed and slid off your inspection glasses. Your loupe was still screwed off and it sat at your desk. You were just about to inspect a handful of jewels before little miss perfect barged in.

"Excuse me. Do you have a package to pick up?" you hissed. "If you aren't, then please leave."

"I can't just pay you a visit?" she asked with a roll of her eyes. "I don't ever see you in town anymore."

She hid her cracked heart behind her usual perfect facade, but deep down, she knew that she was at fault for your bitterness.

"Hilarious. You told me to leave you alone."