Degrees of Desire (gxg, txs)

chapter twenty two

-Isabella

I clutched my jacket together hoping to stay warm. The cold wind had picked up and sent shivers down my spine. I made my way slowly to Diana's house. The alcohol slowly started to take more effect and the adrenaline had completely gone away.

The streets were empty and it was very dark out. I had a feeling if I was sober I'd probably be a lot more scared than I am right now. I just began to walk faster.

I placed my fingers softly over my knuckles to feel how swollen and bloody they had become. I lifted my hand up to my cheek and felt how swollen it was too. The adrenaline had begun wearing off and I could feel the pain begin to build up.

On my walk towards Diana's house, I tried to gather what exactly I was going to say to her. I didn't even know if she'd be awake right now but it was better to just try than to give up.

I walked down her driveway, sort of stumbling every now and then. I felt completely exhausted and my head was pounding. I walked up the few stairs towards her front door. Should I ring the doorbell or knock?

I leaned against the door, trying to keep myself steady as I rung the doorbell. I waited for I don't know how long before I rung it again. If she didn't answered, I'd just have to go home.

I waited another minute before pushing myself off of the door and walking back down the steps. I was slightly disappointed that she didn't answer but I was well aware how late it had been.

"Isabella?" I heard her beautiful British accent. The way my name rolled off her tongue sounded heavenly.

I turned around and found her standing in her doorway in her usual T- shirt and shorts. Her eyes were squinting, she probably just had woken up.

"Hi." I said slowly feeling myself fall over before catching myself. I began feeling tears fill my eyes. "I didn't know where else to go." Tears started to roll down my cheeks.

She rushed down the steps and held onto my arm. "Jesus, What happened?" She asked with wide eyes. She seemed a lot more awake now. "Who did this to you?"

Diana helped me up the stairs with one arm snaked around my waist. We walked through the door and she guided me to sit on the couch. She walked towards the light switch and gasped when she saw me.

"I got into a fight." I smiled nervously.

"Are you serious? With who."

"Yes. I think I got her good." I shrugged.

"Hold on. I'll be right back." She huffs before walking towards the downstairs bathroom.

She comes back a second later with a first aid kit in her hand. She sat next to me in the couch and placed the kit on the coffee table in front of us. When she opened it, she took out some alcohol, cotton, and bandage wraps.

"I need you to tell me exactly what happened." She said sternly as she poured some alcohol onto a cotton ball.

"Some girls were making fun of Iris for being with Elena. I saw how scared Iris had been. She has been so afraid of what people will think of her that she's hid herself for years. Now that she's accepted that part of herself, there are people judging her for it." I sighed.

Diana picked up my hand and wiped the cotton ball over my knuckles. I winced from the pain but she continued to gently disinfect my hand.

"So you decided to hit the girl?" She questioned quietly.

"Yes." I said, now regretting my actions a little.

She began to wrap the bandage around my knuckles, being careful to not hurt me too much.