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CHAPTER TWO — Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?
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"I must have called you at least six times before you answered this damn phone." The sound of Madison's voice was clearly audible through the speaker as she settled in front of the camera to show herself on FaceTime.
The girl had never clicked the app icon so quickly after reading the various messages sent to her by her best friend.
"I have some fucking great news, call me when you can. xx"
She was a curious person, and she wouldn't give up after just a few rings and calls — like, who cares if Isa was sleeping? Gossip is more important.
Madison was extremely flamboyant, loud and with a sass that seemed to go on forever. She was the complete opposite of Isabella, extrovert and friendly. As they say; they were exactly the Moon and the Sun.
"When I asked you to call me when you could, I didn't mean now—four in the morning" Isabella answered as if it were obvious, her face lit up slightly by the light from the screen, while the rest of the room was dark.
Madison chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully. "Girl, you literally texted me that there was some great news, so you better spill the tea now"
"Oh, right" Isa rubbed her eye, rolling onto her side and resting her cheek on the pillow. She could hardly find a comfortable position when she lay down in bed, she found everything too uncomfortable. "It's about something Pope told me"
Madison cut her off with a low whistle, a satisfied smirk flashing her lips. "Are you going to tell me that pussy finally asked you on a date? I can't believe my ears—"
"What the fuck are you saying?"
Isa frowned, before letting out an overly dramatic huff. "It's about work, Mads, work. There is nothing between me and Pope" She quickly clarified.
Disappointment replaced satisfaction on Madison's face, and she rolled her eyes again. "Boring as hell. But still, tell me what it is"
"I think you heard that your boss is looking for an assistant, right?" Isabella asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yep" Madison popped the P at the end, before raising an eyebrow. "Are you going to interview as his assistant? Oh, you're kidding me." The girl sat up against the headboard, turning on the bedside lamp. If Isabella didn't know any better, she would have thought she was deadly serious, unusual of her.
"Why? Do you think I'm not suitable?" Isa's tone took on a mock hurt edge, placing a hand on her chest for more show.
"Do you have any idea what kind of person my boss is? He's an absolute asshole, fucking piece of shit. Seriously, if I could quit to stop seeing him everyday, I totally would." This made the girl on the other end of the phone raise an eyebrow, looking surprised.
"Woah, is he really that bad?"
"Why do you think his old assistant quit her job?" Madison asked rhetorically, shrugging. "Bad is an understatement. Pope must have really gone nuts in the brain to offer you this job" She paused, before frowning. "And he totally hates him too, so, I think he really wants to help you, girl"
At that point Isa didn't know what to think. This guy probably wasn't that bad either. Plus, people are unlikely to get into Madison's good graces - just contradict her once, and you're fucked up.
"I'll give it a try, it won't be the end of the world"
***
'Hate' was the perfect adjective to describe what Isabelle thought of summer. The exhausting heat made her want to lock herself in her house and never go out again, simply living in the cool embrace of the air conditioner in her room.
Winter was better in every way, and as much as she tried to try to understand who didn't think like her, she couldn't. Of course, the sea, the tan, the break from everything. . . But, still.
The scorching sun hitting her skin as she walked made her huff for what felt like the tenth time as her eyes desperately searched for a spot that the sun's rays didn't hit.
She'd only gone out to walk her dog, but decided to go a long way to Pope's house — just because he loves her dog, no ulterior motives.
The heavenly vision (with much exaggeration) of the boy's apartment door finally entered her field of vision, and she rang the doorbell twice. Doing it 2. times was like their sign that they had decided together, every time they heard the sound repeating a second time it meant that Isa was behind that door, and same for Pope.
The boy opened the door after a minute, looking slightly surprised. "Hey. What are you doing here?"
Isabelle frowned, before shifting her gaze to her dog who was already seeking Pope's attention — who to his delight, bent down to give him pats. "Is it so unusual of me to come here?" she asked rhetorically.
"Well, no—" Pope was interrupted by a second figure behind him, who appeared to be Kiara. Isabelle's frown deepened, if possible, as she looked at the scene before her. Kiara's hair was pulled up in a messy bun, and she seemed to be wearing his sweater. She could recognize that thing everywhere.
"Hey, Isa" Kiara gave her a smile, which was returned by a slightly smaller one.
"If you're busy I'll come back another time, no problem" She cleared her throat after seeing the awkward silence and the tense air that had formed between them, even if there was no reason for that reaction.
She flashed one last smile at the two before turning and walking away, before he could even open his mouth again, and letting the friendly curl of her lips drop immediately upon hearing the door close.
She swore she could feel her stomach twist again, and a lump formed in her throat. It was a different feeling than the ones she had the other day after the interaction with Pope, this one was damn annoying.
And not knowing what it was irritated her to no end. It couldn't be jealousy, absolutely not.
