There's a Place For Us (Complete)

Part 7

I. An Exquisitely Tragic Love Affair

(Part 7)

She had the dream. The same dream she had almost every other night. She lived it once again...

The big men bustling in. The false accusation rung in her ears. The smell of cigaret smoke and alcohol filled her nose and the smell of burnt flesh was forever present. She remembered the fear. She remembered the wicked laugh once again...

She woke up suddenly. Goosebumps covered her body, and her face was stiff from dried tears. She got out of bed and washed her face, making it feel fresh again.

It was Saturday; no school. Isabella went outside to soak in the sun, a habit someone had taught her. Slid halfway underneath the front door, was an envelope. She already knew what was inside. It came once a month. "Thanks," she muttered sarcastically. She walked to the bookshelf and grabbed a book she had already read three times. She placed it on the counter and headed towards her bedroom to put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt. She sat on the porch swing and started the book. She was there for hours, reading a biography on Abe Lincoln. She didn't bother with the sappy, ridiculous love stories. She wanted to read facts and actual events, not about things people made up to make their life seem livable.

The mail came at around 1:30. Isabella went to the mailbox and shuffled through the mail. Mostly junk. But one made her clap her hand over her mouth; made her choke down a sob.

Drew had called for Adam to come over Saturday. Once again, his dad wasn't letting him use the car. He started his walk over and prayed that Isabella wouldn't be outside.

The return name was written out to a 'Logan Sullivan' with no actual address. "Logan," Isabella choked, "Logan..."

Adam had fantastic luck, of course. When he turned the corner to Drew's street, guess who was outside? Isabella. She held a letter in her hand and was sobbing uncontrollably, just like the day he had found her. Again he ran up to her and approached her gently. "Hey, Isabella... you ok?" She hurriedly hid the letter behind her back as she heard his voice. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She wore sweatpants today. She looked almost like a normal American teenager. Adam reached up to wipe a flowing tear from her face, but Isabella pushed his hand away. "Yes Adam. I'm fine." They stared at each other. "I'm fine," she finalized brutally, "I don't need your help." He continued to stare for half a second more, then nodded his head and started on his walk again.

She turned her back on him. The tears came naturally down again, stopped only as a defense mechanism. "I'm not fine..." she whispered to herself. "Logan..."

Adam went on his way. He was concerned for her. She was always crying, and as much as she thought he was just some jerk who didn't really care, he actually did. She was sorta, kinda his friend.

Finally he arrived at Drew's house. "Heeeeyyyy, you finally made it!"

They went into the house together and Drew took out a bottle of the strongest alcohol he could get his hands on. He took a huge sip, then handed the bottle to Adam. Adam took it hesitantly. For the first time in his life he was thinking about his actions. Drew raised his eyebrows, knowing something was up. Feeling pressured, Adam took a sip as well. They did their usual routine that night. Smoking, drinking, smoking again, drinking again...

Adam staggered home, since his dad was unwilling to even pick him up. Feeling a new surge of confidence thanks to the alcohol, he knocked on Isabella's door when he reached her house.

"Issaaabellla..." he moaned drunkenly. "I knowww you're in therrrre..." Isabella peeked out the window stealthily. She rolled her eyes when she saw him. All drunk and knocking on her door. She wouldn't answer. She had enough of drinking; it made her sick, and she would not affiliate herself with people who enjoyed it.

After thirty minutes of persistently knocking on the door, he staggered away.

By Monday, Adam was completely sober again. He realized what he had done to Isabella and he intended on apologizing to her. It had been wrong of him, and insensitive. He passed her in the hallway. He tried to smile to her, but she looked the other way. His gaze followed her down the hall, hoping that maybe she'd realize the smile was meant for her.

Drew watched as this all happened. He slapped Adam across the face. "What the hell was that for?!" Adam burst out. "Making sure you're sober man! You were just looking at..." he looked around making sure no one was listening, "Isabella Quartermaine." He whispered her name. "Since when do you even know her?" Drew asked.

Adam hadn't told anyone about the tutoring; it was a secret. "I don't," he said, answering Drew's question. "And I wasn't looking at her. I was looking at someone else..." Drew looked at him, only half believing him. "C'mon," he said, "let's cut!"