Opposite Ends

four

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When I got inside, I instantly felt claustrophobic. People's sweaty bodies crowded around me as they danced.

A couple guys I didn't recognize tried grabbing my butt and talking to me but I pushed them away and continued through the crowd, trying to find Halley.

"Looking for someone?" A familiar voice behind me asked. I turned and Isaiah stood before me, staring at me.

"I thought you were outside--" I started.

"I followed you in." Isaiah interrupted me.

"Why?" I asked.

"To make sure you were alright. You looked a bit flustered." He ran a hand through his dark brown spiky hair.

"I'm fine." I lied. I looked around me, still looking for Halley. "Have you seen Halley?" I asked Isaiah.

He shook his head. "No, but do you want a drink or something?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I don't drink." I thought he knew that.

He laughed. "Well, duh! Don't you want a Coke or something?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No, I'm good."

"Come on, Jessa. You look weird with no drinks in your hand, and you look uptight. You need to relax." He said to me.

"Since when do you care?" I asked.

"Since you're my little step sister." He chuckled.

I sighed. "Fine. Whatever. Where are they?"

"In the kitchen. Follow me." He motioned with his hand.

I followed close behind him as he walked through the crowds of people. Many of them stared and I realized it was because I was with the person who bullied me for the past five years.

When we got into the kitchen, he set two glasses on the counter and grabbed two cokes out of the fridge. He opened both of the cokes and began to pour one of them into a glass.

"I can just take the can. It's fine." I said, stopping him.

He glanced at me. "Don't you want ice?"

"It just came out of the fridge. It's cold enough."

He shook his head. "It'll get warm fast."

"I said it's fine." I was more firm this time.

Isaiah rolled his eyes. "Jessa, you're gonna look stupid carrying around a Coke can. Don't you want people to stop harassing you? They definitely won't stop if they know you don't drink."

I only looked at him. I honestly didn't know what to say.

He half-smiled and continued to pour the Cokes into the glasses. "Grab the ice, Jessa."

I did what he said and he put three ice cubes into each glass. Then he picked one glass up and handed it to me. "Here you go."

I took a big sip and realized that I was thirsty. The Coke was nice and cold in my hands but was warm going down my throat which made me feel better and relax more. "Ugh, this is so good." I said sighing.

"It is." He agreed.

I quickly downed the rest of my Coke and set it on the counter next to a bottle of Captain Morgan's.

"Come out to the beach with me?" Isaiah asked.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

He snorted. "Because maybe I want to get to know the person I have to share my father with."

I shrugged. "Okay." We walked to the front door and I accidentally tripped over my foot.

"You okay?" He asked, with an amused look on his face.

"Never been better." I grinned and we continued to walk outside.

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