The Demise of Izzy Stark (#1 in Deadly Series)

chapter ten: this is gonna suck

Logan Lerman as Baine Thompson

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Sometimes Izzy really just wanted to punch Krystal in the face. It hadn't been five hours after her heart to heart with her dad when Krystal told everyone (everyone meaning her and dad, Miranda, Freddy, Nathan and Izzy) would be going for dinner at the Williams house. Apparently she and Mrs. Williams were BFFs in high school and college. 

"I can't." Izzy said through gritted teeth. "I have to go talk with-"

"With that man?" Krystal gave her a no nonsense look. "The one that's years older than you? You're only seventeen, Isabelle." 

"Yeah, so what." Izzy said in annoyance. She'd been through enough tonight; she didn't need to deal with that bastard Dan. 

"Isn't Rodney and Melanie Taylor coming to?" Her dad cut it, hoping to stop a fight before it began. "And their son, Boothe?" Miranda's eyes lit up. 

"Great." Izzy grumbled. Another person that hates me, she thought bitterly. 

"Me, Melanie and Emma were all friends." Krystal replied happily. 

"Emma, Melanie and I." Izzy corrected automatically. At the narrowed gaze Krystal gave her, she sighed loudly. "It's correct grammar, Krystal." She said tiredly. 

"Fine, and no," Krystal sniffed, "-you can't skip this. We're a family now and we're going to act like it, understand, Isabelle?"

"Whatever." Izzy said, crossing her arms above her chest. 

"Good." Krystal said loosely. "Now I want everyone in nice clothes before..." She checked the clock. It said 5:12. "5:30. The dinner is at 6:10. Go." 

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"Are you sure?" Miranda asked nervously. Izzy's phone beeped: another message from Jacen apologizing for what he'd said. Izzy ignored the beep and stared blankly at Miranda who was fingering the expensive pearl earrings Izzy had decided to give her. "These look expensive."

"They were." Izzy replied. Evan her voice sounded blank. "Don't break them." 

"Yeah." Miranda set the earrings down and stared worriedly at Izzy. Both were dressed, Izzy in a flowy black dress that was cut off at mid thigh and Miranda in a cute pink dress that cut off a few inches above the knees. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Izzy shrugged even though she felt like crap. "Now put on the damn earrings so we can go. Your mom's gonna blow a gasket and that can't be good for the baby."

It was as if time stilled to a stop. "Baby?" Miranda asked, confused. "What baby?" 

"Oh, fuck." Izzy said loudly. "You don't know?"

"Girls?" Krystal was beaming as she poked her head in. "Ready to go? Good." She said without waiting for an answer. "Let's go then. Tony has the car running." 

"What, no limo?" Izzy said sarcastically, avoiding Miranda's stare. 

"No limo. Too flashy." Izzy rolled her eyes and followed Krystal out the door, very conscious of Miranda's gaze on her back. 

"Izzy." She heard Miranda say softly but she just ignored Miranda and hurried down the stairs. Her father sent her a strange look as she hurriedly slipped into the backseat. 

"You okay, kiddo?" He asked cheerfully. Izzy just stared at him. She might not belong here but he does. Her father looked more happy than he'd been in a long time. He was grinning, his eyes were brighter and he just seemed happy. His smile disappeared. "What's wrong, kid?"

"Okay, I've got everyone." Krystal sang. Izzy quickly yanked on Nathan's white button up and pushed him into the seat next to her, forcing Freddy and Miranda to sit in the way backseat. "Let's go."

"Alright," Her dad smiled at Krystal and began to back up. "I excited to meet your friends." 

"You should be." The car slowed to a stop and her dad and Krystal quickly kissed each other on the lips before pulling into traffic. 

"You guys are gross." Freddy made a face. 

Izzy found herself staring at her father, laughing and holding hands with Krystal. Izzy might not belong there but he did. 

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"KRYSTAL! MELANIE!" -

"MELANIE! EMMA!" 

"EMMA! KRYSTAL!" 

"Oh my god, this is gonna suck." Was all Izzy whispered as she was ushered inside the giant mansion before her.