There's a Place For Us (Complete)

Part 8

I. An Exquisitely Tragic Love Affair

(Part 8)

"Ugh!" Adam moaned as he walked into the tutoring room. Isabella looked up, but stayed silent. "I just wanna run away!" Adam continued, talking basically to himself. "Don't you ever wanna run away?" he asked Isabella. She looked him in the eyes. "Run away?" she asked. Adam nodded his head. "Run... away..." she repeated.

She got a distant look in her eye. Her breathing turned to an unsteady panting. She felt wind burning her face, freezing her tears. The whistling of strangers. The barking of dogs. She could smell fear and sadness. There was no escaping it.

She tightly closed her eyes and when Adam said "Isabella..." she heard him only in the distance.

"No."

"No I don't want to."

"No, yes I do." She held her face in her hands. "Yes... No, no." She sobbed, not being able to escape.

Adam brushed a piece of hair out of her eyes and whispered, "it's ok. It's ok." Isabella jumped at his touch. He looked into her eyes once again. "You don't have to be afraid. I'm here if you ever need a friend," he whispered softly.

She shook her head, looking like a scared mouse looking into the eyes of its predator. "I don't need a friend," she said, still whispering. "I've got myself and that's all I need." Adam nodded his head. "I know. But even strong people need someone sometimes," he said soothingly. Isabella shook her head, but didn't say word.

"Listen," Adam started, "I'm sorry about the way I acted Saturday. It wasn't right of me. Especially to show up drunk."

Suddenly, she remembered that night again and got angry. Adam watched as once again she built her walls and regarded him coldly. "Don't do it again," she said. "I won't."

After that, they began their session. They worked until 8:15. When they finally finished and ventured outside, they noticed a brisk breeze in the air. Adam dared to ask the question once more.

"Hey. You want a ride?" She stared at him blankly and Adam didn't know what was running through her mind. "You don't have to feel pressured or anything, it's just that it's cold. And I thought maybe..." he trailed off. She took a deep breath, crossed her arms over her chest, and gave him her answer.

Her answer shocked him. "Yes. I'd like a ride please." Adam's eyes got wide, but he quickly regained his composure. "Um, ok. Come with me."

He led Isabella to his car and opened the door for her. She sat down, shivered once, but then Adam got in and turned the heat on. He reached for the radio. "What kind of music do you like?" Isabella looked critically at him. "I'm a normal person. I like the same music as everyone else." Adam nodded his head awkwardly and turned on the most popular station.

They drove in silence. When they reached her house, Adam approached it slowly. He noted how the house was dark and there were no cars in the driveway. "Your parents aren't home yet, I guess."

Isabella looked at him. "I guess not," she said stiffly. "Thanks for the ride."

Adam gave her a small, uncertain smile. He made sure she got in the house safely, and pulled out of the driveway. Little did he know that there was a bystander, who was gawking at this event.

Adam's phone blew up with a text. 'WHAT THE HELL!?!?'

He furrowed his eyebrows. The text had been sent from Drew. Adam tried to think back to what he might have done without Drew knowing about it, but nothing came to him. Adam called him in response.

"YOU DRIVE HER HOME NOW! WHAT HAVE YOU TURNED INTO? HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN SHE'S THE SCHOOL FREAK!"

"Drove who home," Adam asked carefully. How could Drew know about Isabella? "'DROVE WHO HOME,'" Drew mocked. "Don't play me like I'm stupid Adam. Isabella Quartermaine. Who else is given the honorable title of "school freak"?

You better stop. Don't forget who we are, man. We are the best. We rule our school. People bow down to us. But not if they find out about this," Drew finalized in contempt.

Adam stayed quiet and eventually Drew hung up. Adam hung his head. What was happening? What was he doing? Why was he feeling like this?