There's a Place For Us (Complete)

Part 5

I. An Exquisitely Tragic Love Affair

(Part 5)

The tutoring continued everyday, and everyday without fail, Adam and Isabella disagreed on something. Adam continued his drinking and cutting class, and Isabella remained guarded from him. Nothing changed.

One day Adam had had enough and he stormed up to Mr. Rosenband's office. "I can't do it!!" he yelled, flying his hands in the air. "You've only been doing it for a month. It's not that bad..." Mr. Rosenband said calmly. "It is," Adam insisted. "She doesn't talk to me; says I won't understand! What, am I stupid?!

Actually, yea I am according to her! Whenever I try to talk to her she gives me an attitude and shuts me down! Be social for God's sake! All she wants to do is study! We never get along! I just- I can't do it! If you insist on me doing tutoring, at least give me a different tutor!" Adam ranted. The priciple smiled at him. "No, you will stay with her. And you won't be getting out of tutoring with her until you've gotten to know her. I'm sure she's a lovely girl."

Adam threw his hands up in the air again, annoyed. "'I'm sure she's a lovely girl'," Adam mimicked the elder man, "you don't even know! She shuts you down too, doesn't she?!?" Mr. Rosenband looked away, obviously showing his answer. "Unbelievable. Well thanks, Mr. Rosenband," Adam said, emphasizing "thanks". "I'll be sure to tell you what she's like as soon as I get to know her. If I were you, I wouldn't be expecting an answer for at least ten years," he continued with his fuming attitude. The principle was silent, and with the lack of response, Adam stormed out.

A few days after that occurrence, Adam sulkily walked into the classroom again for tutoring. Isabella was already there, and when he walked through the door, she offered no attempt at hello. Not even a smile. He sat down and they began yet another session. But that day would be different, not that either of them expected it.

Surprisingly, both Isabella and Adam either weren't in the mood to bicker or they couldn't find a flaw in each other, but either way their two hours together went by peacefully.

It got hot in the tiny classroom and Adam was forced to take his sweatshirt off. Even through that, Adam was hot. "Aren't you hot?" he asked Isabella. She just shrugged her shoulders, not giving a true yes or no. Adam made a face to himself, not letting her see. He still didn't understand her. Although they had had a somewhat normal conversation today, she still was so cold towards him.

Fifteen minutes went by and Isabella rolled her sleeves up. Not too much. Just a little bit passed her wrists. Adam noted this, and again marked it as strange. They continued to study the textbook, but as they went on, Isabella's sleeves got pushed up even more. They went unnoticed by Isabella herself, but by Adam it was all he could focus on.

Bruises and scars ran up and down her arm. Her skin looked almost scorched in places. "Where'd you get those scars?" Adam asked gently. Isabella got that same frantic look she had gotten when they had first seen each other. She glanced down at her arm and her too-raised sleeve. She hastily pulled it down and held it in its place with her fingers.

"Ok, so this is the saying I use to help me remember..." Isabella used as a response, completely ignoring Adam's question. Adam blew it off. It was none of his concern anyway.

After the tutoring session, they walked out together, although that was done in silence. Without saying goodbye, Adam got into his car and threw his backpack into the passenger seat. When he looked up again, he saw Isabella zipping up her big puffy jacket and securing her backpack on her shoulder. Adam rolled down the window. "Hey," he called, and Isabella looked up. "How do you get home from here?" The tip of her nose was already getting pink from the cold. "I walk," she responded curtly. "You walk?!" he replied, stunned. "That's what I said." Adam shook his head unbelievingly. "Well, do you want a ride? It's already dark out." Isabella said, "no." But Adam wouldn't take no for an answer. He got out of his car and headed towards opening the passenger side door. "C'mon," he urged. She shook her head in response. He sighed and started walking towards her. "Stop!" she yelled loudly and forcefully. Adam stopped in his tracks, startled. He looked questioningly at her. "Stop pretending like you care! You don't even like me!" Her comment pressed the issue,

did he like her or not?