South Coast ((Isaac Waddington Fanfic))

Chapter Nine

"Wait, do you both know each other?" Finn's voice brings me out of my trance.

I look at Isaac and for a brief moment I feel like telling him everything and just laying it all the table so we can come up with a mature way to sort out the situation but then I realise it's not as simple as that. A period is not something you can just tell a boy about. Especially when one of them witnessed it. Especially when it seems like such a stupid moment or prank or something.

I can't even begin to imagine what I'd have to say to get myself out of that one so maybe it would be better off if I just didn't. I don't want any further awkward tension- I can't deal with it.

"Well, sort o-" Isaac starts.

"No, we don't," I exchange glances with him, "well, I saw him at the auditions but that's about all."

"Not the vibe I'm getting..." Finn says uncomfortably.

I look at him and then force myself to look to Isaac again and I let out a fake laugh. My eyes try to hint for Isaac to laugh too so I don't look like a crazy person, even though that's the impression I'm probably giving out.

Eventually he joins in and Finn eases up and laughs along.

Then there's a knock at the door and I know nothing can make this even more worse than it already is.

Although, it probably could, thinking about it...

I don't know if I can stick around whilst Isaac is here.

Finn walks into the house and leaves us alone momentarily, before giving us a second glance. He's smart, he knows something's going on.

"Fern..." Isaac says in the deep voice that sends shivers down my spine.

I don't even think before I open my mouth.

"What are you even doing here?" I question, even though I already know the answer.

"What do you mean? Finn's like... my brother! What are you doing here?" He responds, leaving me with no valuable answer.

"We were talking and he was being kind..." I murmur.

"Oh, I see that..." He stops himself, "I need to talk to you Fern."

He reaches forward and grips onto my wrist. I glance down and try to pull away.

"Get off me, Isaac, I don't want you to talk! There's nothing to talk about." I say forcefully.

"You've been ignoring my calls and you've been running away from me when you see me, Fern, that's not normal!"

"I don't need to explain anything to you..."

"I know you don't, but you don't need to hide either... I'm not going to tell anyone." He says slower and I can see something like remorse in his eyes, even though I know that isn't it.

I take a deep breath and nod slightly.

"I'm just-"

"Scared, I know... I know you are."

And suddenly I see Isaac. The Isaac I first met at the park, and not the Isaac who was shouting my name as I hid in the tree, but the Isaac who seemed to like me for me. It was as if I had no doubt about him wanting to laugh at me or make fun of me, it was like he only had one thing he would let me be... And that was happy.

Finn walks outside juggling two large packed paper bags and some plates.

Isaac instantly pulls his hand away from my wrist and goes to help Finn with everything. He awkwardly coughs but I can tell Finn noticed his hand moving away from me and he wears a concerned look on his face.

We all sit down with the large mass of food and dish out whatever we want, like a feast or something. Finn reaches forward and grabs about five of the tomato sauce little sachets and dribbles it all over his noodles. I grimace at the amount he puts on and the sloppy sound it makes but he just smiles and Isaac laughs.

"What?..." He too laughs, "I like it."

"But on everything?" I chuckle.

"Yeah man!" He cheers.

"You can't have it on everything, it ruins the food." Isaac says.

"I can, and I will! Plus I like the flavour of it, the colour is a bonus though."

"You what?" I laugh.

"Red. Blood red. My favourite colour, I reckon." He smiles, completely oblivious of what is going through my thoughts.

I stare at Isaac and the laughter and happiness has been drained out of his face, as if he told him. As if he knows what Finn's doing and now feels guilty. I keep eye contact with him and even when he looks away, I continue. I can feel my cheeks darken and my eyes water but I don't blink.

My feet plant themselves in front of me and I stand up.

"You did tell him?" I whisper, attempting to hold back the tears.

"What? No! I told you I wouldn't tell anyone." Isaac gets to his feet.

I just shake my head and run into the house towards the front door but Isaac grabs my arms and pulls me back.

"I swear, I didn't. Fern you have to believe me, I didn't!" He pleads, "Finn's just... weird, I don't know."

"Get off me." I growl.

"No, I'm not letting you run away again. I'm not letting you be scared by all of this again."

"Well too fucking late!" I scream and yank my arm as hard as possible and run as fast as my legs can go, again.

I make it out the front door and run into the forest, where I know where to hide, but I know he's still behind me.