Found (New Earth Saga)

Ch. 30

***RIVER POV***

Issac cradled me to his chest, hugging me close to him. He was so gentle, which was truly impressive for a giant who'd had much more practice tackling other giants on a football field than holding humans. With my body pressed against his firm chest I could hear his heartbeat steady and strong. I took in the scent of his cologne that smells almost like cinnamon. It brought me comfort. Then, my stomach dropped, and for once it wasn't from clocking how high off the ground I was. As my embrace with Issac ended, I turned in his hand so that I could face the giant standing beside us. Jacob.

Jacob looked crestfallen. He wasn't making eye contact with either of us. His dark eyes focused on the ground, but in reality I don't think he was actually focusing on any leaves or plants. His mind appeared to be elsewhere. I wish I knew what he was thinking. I didn't like seeing him sad.

Sad, just like when I saw Parisa earlier.

"Hey, I think Parisa will be wanting a friend," I told Jacob from Issac's hand. At the mention of Parisa's name Jacob's focus snapped to me.

"What happened? - Other than this mess," Jacob asked. His hands waved around, I believe gesturing to the police being called. I can't believe a giant had called the police on the human party. Any human caught drinking underage could get in huge trouble. I could have gotten in huge trouble. I had drank underage without even realizing it. I felt so dumb - and still not completely sober oyyy.

"River? Is Parisa okay?" Jacob asked. Snap! I'd gotten distracted in my own thoughts. Yes- I'm still blaming the jungle juice.

"Her and Eric got in a fight. I don't know what all happened but... yeah..."

"Gods, I can't stand that kid. He better not mess with her," Jacob declared, clenching his fist.

I thought about the interaction I'd seen between Eric and Parisa. She'd said he was hurting her. I saw how he'd grabbed and trapped her in the corner. I should probably mention that- but I also don't want to tell Parisa's business behind her back, and in front of Issac, who doesn't even know her. In fact, I didn't even realize Issac had been talking to Jacob to even know about this whole police getting called mess.

"You guys were at the party together?" I asked as we started walking out from the tree filled forest. We walked in the opposite direction from where I'd come. How had I run so much?!

"Yeah. It was pretty fun -um, until it wasn't. I mean I had fun at first but, then Mangello and I found out that Candace had called the cops on your party from Noah Stross so we tag teamed and took action," Issac explained. Wait- CANDACE called the cops?!

"I called my sister, and I talked River through sharing her location actually," Jacob said in a dry emotionless tone.

"Right. Jake and I have had some bonding time actually. You know, we've been going to school together for years, but we've barely talked. Maybe soon I can convince him to try out for football next season!"

"I'm not into sports, which I thought you'd be able to infer from our earlier conversation. So no, I won't be going anywhere near your tryouts," Jacob practically spat. Jacob was being kind of rude, and really freaking tense. Issac was just being nice. He's like one big ball of friendliness.

"I'm just kidding around. I think it's cool you have your own interest. River likes art and I'm terrible at art, but we can still be friends," Issac replied, once again pulling me closer to him as he declared us friends.

"Whatever," Jacob replied before he focused his attention back on his phone. The three of us walked in silence through what appeared to be a giant park. Finally Jacob spoke again. "Are you taking her home? " Jacob asked.