The Owner's Box

Chapter 14

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Isabella Saint POV

It's been three weeks since Harlow and I spent the night together. My head still spins thinking about it. I woke up the next morning warm from the covers but no body heat next to me. The smell of Harlow filled the room, but she wasn't there.

She apparently left in the middle of the night while I was asleep. Initially, I felt a bit salty because why leave me by myself in her bed? But I guess that's the life she lives, always on the go. Rai ended up bringing Peyton and I back to my house the next morning.

It's been different, though, since she left. She's been sending me good morning and good night texts. I got ballsy last week and sent her a thirst pic when I got out the shower and ever since she's been harassing me to send her another one. But nah cuz I gotta keep it cute. For now. She isn't my girl.

I've been busy lately packing for Peyton and me to move closer to Miami in a few days. Also, I've been occupied with graduation preparations. Harlow has been busy with her own stuff and hasn't been able to come see me.

She's been sending me gifts every few days. I guess because she isn't here physically, she's just been sending shit. Which I'm not complaining but I'm not used to this. She is legit courting me and I've never had that before, from a fem or anyone I've ever talked too. But I love it here. Got me feeling sassy.

It's a strange feeling though. I don't want her to think I'm using her. Or that I care about this materialistic shit because I really don't.

Graduation is tomorrow, and Peyton and I are currently having dinner with her family, who are like my own family even though we're not blood related. They've always been there for me. I don't know my birth family; I was left as a baby at a fire department at 6 months old, and I was never adopted out of the system.

One year I needed to pay five thousand dollars to stay in school and Peyton's family held fish fries and fundraisers to help me pay off my school debt so I wouldn't have to drop out. That's love. That's my family.

I'm looking around the table full of family and friends and I couldn't be happier. The only person missing is Harlow.

She knows graduation is tomorrow; I mentioned it to her in a facetime we had last week, but she isn't here. She didn't ask if she could come. I also didn't invite her to my graduation festivities either.

"So, you all packed up and ready for the big move?" Mama Patty asks looking between Peyton and me.

"Yea. We are ret-ta-go." Peyton responds in between bites of her food.

"Eating like a caveman is crazy." I mumble to Peyton, and she elbows me. I snicker.

"Well, I just want to say that I am happy for the both of you. You'll both always be my girls. And Isabella, I'll always be Mama Patty, even when you move hundreds of miles away. You better come visit." Mama Patty tells me, her eyes welling up with tears.

"You know I will mama." I tell her. Tears coming to my eyes as well.

"I love you baby. Always know you're my child and we will always be here for you." Mama Patty says and everyone around the table nods and agrees with her. "I love you too ma." I tell her grabbing her hand.

"Oh my gosh. Y'all so sappy. We're only moving a few hours away not across the country." Peyton tells us but she's also got tears in her eyes.

"Oh hush. That's why Isabella is the favorite now." Parker, Peyton's younger sister, says chuckling.