Forever & Always

2. Always

Isla POV

I hadn't expected to feel the way I did when I saw him in the gym giving the students on the wrestling team a pep talk. We had kept in touch sporadically over the years since he left but it had been so long since I had actually seen him that I didn't know how I would feel, but this took me by surprise.

Just seeing his face brought back so many memories, it had become so overwhelming that I had to leave the school and that's how I found myself here staring up and the tree house that we had spent so much time in together right up until he left.

The tree house was my sanctuary, somewhere to run to when my parents were fighting, to get away from the shouting and screaming that constantly broke my heart. I love both my parents but I couldn't stand to see or hear them fight.
Joe lived close by and everytime he saw me leave the house he would follow me here, we would sit up there for hours him listening to me talk about my parents latest fight and holding me while I cried.

It seems like a lifetime away now but he was everything to me, I was devastated when he told me he was leaving but at the same time I wanted him to chase his dreams and I couldn't be prouder of everything he has achieved.

"I can't believe this place is still standing" a familiar voice says from behind me and a feeling of complete calm washes over me

"Somethings are made to last" I say giving him a soft smile as I turn to face him

"Somethings are stronger then they look" he smiles "how are you doing butterfly?" he asks wrapping me up in a hug

"I'm doing good superstar how are you?" I ask hugging him back

"I'm doing good" he says "it's great to see you, it's been too long"

"It definitely has" I say "so what brings you out here"

"I saw you leave and I figured this was where you were going" he smiles "so you think it can take the weight of our adult bodies?" He asks nodding towards the tree house

"Well it takes mine, but you are quite the man mountain these days" I chuckle "but if it falls you'll catch me right?"

"Always" he says placing a hand on my lower back as we walk towards the rope ladder we made together.

I climb up first taking a seat in one of the small chairs we had put up here, after he left I had added a makeshift bed for the nights I needed to get away from home.
Joe joins me and although the house creaks a little it takes our combined weight just fine.

He lowers himself into the other chair only for it to give under his weight and his ass go straight through it causing us both to laugh out loud as he struggles to get himself out of the chair frame.

"I never had a problem with these chairs before" he chuckles

"Like I said you're a man mountain these days" I say getting out of my chair and sitting with him on the floor

"Bed's new though" he says "want to tell me about it?"

"After you left the fighting got worse" I sigh "so I'd come up here and stay all night, they divorced eventually"

"I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you" he says taking my hand in his and lacing our fingers together "I mean I saw how much it hurt you but it must have been hard"

"It wasn't that hard because I always had you" I say looking at him and he gives my hand a squeeze with a soft smile "you made it easier, you were always there for me when I needed you"

"I'm still here for you Isla" he says "that never changed, you need me I'll be here"

"Don't make promises you can't keep Joe" I say "you're a busy man, you can't always be here"

"Isla I have never let you down and I'm not about to start" he says "and your eyes are telling me there's something going on so talk to me butterfly"

Even now that nickname had the ability to make me smile instantly, he gave me that nickname becuase he said while I seemed delicate I was stronger than I looked, and I called him superstar becuase I always knew that's what he would be.

"My dad's sick" I sigh "I'm not sure how much longer he has and I hate that I can't help him. I'm losing him Joe and it's killing me"

Reaching out he wraps an arm around my shoulders pulling me closer into his side and I rest my head on his soulder just like I used to all those years ago.

"I'll be here as long as you need me butterfly" he says kissing the top of my head

"You mean until you have to leave" I sigh and he looks down at me

"Do you need me Isla?" He asks and I nod "then I'm staying right here, I'd drop everything for you, always"

I've never doubted that I could always count on Joe but there's a part of me that has always wondered why he cared about me so much, why he always made sure he was there for me. I guess you could say he was just a really good friend, the best friend a girl could ask for.