When I Escape

Chapter One

Isabel's POV:

"Stella, I don't think this is a good idea." I said to my best friend. She rolled her eyes at me and continued flipping through her magazine. "I don't think I want to go to this party. We won't know anyone there." I put my earrings on. 

Stella hoped off the bed and joined me at the mirror. "Isabel, would you stop being so... that? It'll be fun and I heard that Liam will be there."  She had a playful grin on her face. Stella grabbed my straightener and began working with my naturally curly hair. "I heard he and Nicole broke up." 

I sighed, "Doesn't matter. Liam doesn't even know I exist, remember?" I've been in love with Liam since the eight grade. When we were backstage getting ready for the school play of Cinderella. He was the prince and I was the blonde damsel in distress. Then he leaned in and kissed me. I still remember the feeling of his soft lips that lingered on mine. "Ow! Stella, you just burned me. Be careful." I glared at her reflection. 

I've been best friends with her since the first day of Kindergarten. She was wearing the prettiest pink dress, I've ever seen. But during snack time, I spilled apple juice on it. I was a little jealous of how pretty she looked. Stella wasn't mad though. We both laughed it off afterwards, 

Stella and I have gone through everything together. First crushes, to first pimples through first heartbreaks. I remember the time she got hurt by the biggest jerk ever. I spent a whole week at her house because she refused to come out of her room. I tried so hard to make her feel better. We watched so many movies that week and ate so much ice cream we both gained three pounds. 

"He's a jerk." I told her. "Please don't cry over him, Stella. He's not worth it. If he dumped you, then he clearly doesn't know how amazing and gorgeous you are. He doesn't deserve you."  She wiped her tears and looked at her shirt sleeve. It was black from her mascara. Then she hugged me and cried some more. 

"Beauty hurts, Isabel. Here turn towards me. I'm going to some blush on you." She grabbed the compact and started adding a little color to my pale skin, "You look great. Especially with what your wearing."  I looked down at my outfit. Gray skinny jeans with a blue ruffled tank top. Black high heels. My long brown hair was straight instead of curly but it was very shiny. Not bad. 

"Isabel," My older brother Seth knocked on the door, "I think Devon's here. There's a gray car waiting in the driveway. He opened the door and stepped in. "Where are you guys headed?" He asked. 

I grabbed my phone and bag and walked down the stairs with Stella right behind me. "Where going to a party at this guy's house. Devon knows him." 

Seth pulled me back. "Devon's friend? So you mean a party full of drunk seniors?" 

I rolled my eyes at my brother. He was so annoyingly protective. "I'll be fine." 

"My bofriend's not that bad. Neither are his friends." Stella cut in. Seth ignored her though. 

"I'll be back before, I promise. Love you." I kissed him on the cheek and pulled Stella outside with me. 

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"Stella? Where are you?" I pushed between the people that were making out. I hated this. So many people were drunk. "Get off me." I said to a guy who tried to get me to dance with him. 

"Hey, c'mon here, babe, and dance with me." He slurred his words. His breath reeked of alcohol. I pushed him off of me. He lost his balanced and fell onto this couple that was grinding with each other.  I kept looking for Stella. 

"Stella?" I said stepping into the kitchen. By the looks of it, a few sober people were standing here talking with friends. No signs of her anywhere. I took my phone out and sent her a text. I hoped she responded right away.