Secrets | 5SOS

[23]

The final exam datesheet had been announced, and the atmosphere at school turned tense. Students were frantically preparing for their tests, and the pressure to perform well weighed heavily on everyone, especially Isabella.

Isabella was sitting in homeroom when the teacher handed out the final exam datesheets. The room buzzed with murmurs and groans as students looked at their schedules. Isabella felt a knot form in her stomach. She knew Calum would expect her to do well, and the thought of disappointing him added to her stress.

At home that evening, Calum called Isabella into the living room where he, Luke, Michael, and Ashton were sitting. The datesheet was spread out on the coffee table.

"Alright, Bella," Calum began, looking serious. "These finals are important. I want you to focus and do your best. I know you can ace these exams if you put in the effort."

Isabella nodded, feeling the weight of his expectations. "I will, Calum. I'll study hard."

"Good," Calum said, his expression softening a bit. "We’re all here to support you, okay?"

Isabella forced a smile. "Thanks, Calum."

Determined to meet Calum’s expectations, Isabella dove into her studies with an intensity she had never shown before. Her days became a blur of textbooks, notes, and practice exams. She barely slept, often staying up until the early hours of the morning to cram more information into her head. Meals became an afterthought, and she found herself snacking on whatever was within reach while she studied.

Her brothers noticed the change. Ashton, in particular, grew concerned as he watched Isabella’s once-bright demeanor become more withdrawn and exhausted. She rarely joined them for meals, choosing instead to eat alone in her room while she studied.

One afternoon, Jasper noticed Isabella's pale complexion and dark circles under her eyes. He saw her skip lunch again, opting to sit alone in the library with her notes spread out around her. Jasper's concern grew, and he decided to talk to Ashton about it after school.

"Hey, Ashton," Jasper said, finding him in the kitchen. "Can we talk for a second?"

Ashton looked up from his cooking, noticing the serious expression on Jasper's face. "Sure, Jasper. What's up?"

"It's about Bella. She’s not eating properly, barely sleeping, and she looks really worn out. I’m worried about her," Jasper said, his concern evident.

Ashton sighed, wiping his hands on a towel. "Yeah, I’ve noticed too. She's been pushing herself too hard with these exams coming up."

"Can you talk to her? Maybe help her take it easy?" Jasper suggested.

"I’ll keep an eye on her, Jasper. I promise. But sometimes Bella needs to realize things on her own. If I push too hard, it might make things worse," Ashton explained, though he could see the worry in Jasper's eyes.

"Alright, just... please make sure she’s okay," Jasper said, his voice softening.

"I will. Thanks for looking out for her," Ashton replied, patting Jasper on the shoulder.

True to his word, Ashton began to keep a closer eye on Isabella. He noticed the little things: how she stayed up late with her bedroom light on, the untouched meals he found in the kitchen, and the constant frown of concentration on her face.

Instead of confronting her directly, Ashton made subtle changes. He prepared healthier snacks and left them on her desk, hoping she’d eat something nutritious. He encouraged her to take short breaks by inviting her to watch a movie or play a game, though she often declined. He even adjusted the thermostat in her room to make it more comfortable, trying to improve her sleep environment.

One night, Ashton found Isabella passed out at her desk, her head resting on an open textbook. He gently woke her up and guided her to her bed, covering her with a blanket and turning off her lamp.