Wings

Stop Laughing at Me!

The warm water from the shower head cascaded down my body as I rinsed my hair free of soap. I took a deep breath as I thought about what had just happened between Chase and I.

It had been blissful. Everything I had wanted from Chase, and more. As we had caressed each other and moved in sync, memories from Chase had slipped from his tall walls and I was able to see everything about myself through his eyes. To Chase, I was salvation. I was everything he needed; beauty, smarts, cunning, personality, happiness. He showed me a memory of when he had saved me from falling off the building. When he had first kissed me, and how it had seemed to change everything for him. He'd changed his ways because of that first kiss.

I heard a knock on the door and it opened without my consent.

"What?" I demanded.

"Mom and Dad are back early, Isabelle." I heard Emily say in an emotionless voice. I felt confusion sweep through me. Hardly ever did Mom and Dad come home from a trip early. Almost always late.

"O-Okay! I'll be out in a sec!" I called. I heard the door close and I shut the water off. I immediately slipped out of the shower and wrapped myself in a towel. I rapidly dried my skin of water and pulled on my jeans and my Star Wars t-shirt. I towel dried my hair, brushed it and swiftly french braided it out of my face. I tried to compose myself as I tried to think of the reasons that Mom and Dad had returned. The only thing I could think of was trouble. I took a deep breath and opened the bathroom door. I stepped out and walked down the hall, careful to keep my footsteps light. When I entered the living room, I saw Mom and Dad. Mom with her severe blond bun and her sharp blue eyes, and Dad with his black hair and warm green eyes. I smiled at them as Dad stood up and opened his arms wide for a hug. Mom stood up beside him. I carefully hugged Dad and found that he smelled exactly the same as he did before he left. Expensive cologne and his latest cigar. I turned to Mom and saw that she was trying her hardest to smile.

"Hello, darling. It's good to see you again. It's good to be home as well." She told me as she hugged me. I smiled tautly as I pulled away. Fear swept through me as I realized that this was the first time that I could talk to my parents. I cleared my throat.

"You too." I said, and it was like I had flipped a switch. Both of my parents went silent and stared at me, their eyes wide.

"Isabelle, you... This is the first time in three years..." Mom stammered. I tried my best to smile.

"How was your guys' trip?" I asked quickly, cutting her off before she could get too deep into the subject. Dad recovered quickly with a real smile.

"It was wonderful. We were hoping to tell you both all about it tonight at dinner, and we leave within the hour." He explained. Dread seized me. I bit my lip and twisted my hands as I glanced back into the hallway at my bedroom.

"Well, Dad, see... I already have plans to go somewhere, and it's really important to me that I go there, and-" I began. Dad cut me off.

"That's fine. Alright, where is it you're going?" He asked cheerfully. I swallowed.

"I'm going to the carnival with some of my friends." I answered carefully. Dad beamed.

"Well, you sure wouldn't mind if all of us tagged along, would you? We could call the limo guy and take all of us." He suggested. I tried my best to smile.

"Um... I... That would... Um..." I stammered.

"That would be perfect, sir." I heard Chase's voice ring loud and strong through the living room. I turned my head and I saw that he was walking down the hall toward us. I internally cursed. Chase reached my side and he held his hand out to Dad. Dad took his hand firmly and shook.

"Who's this, Isabelle?" Mom asked as she put on her fake lawyer smile and shook Chase's hand. I took a deep breath and swallowed hard.

"Mom, Dad. This is Chase. He's..." I trailed off as I tried to think of what we were.

"I'm currently waiting to ask permission to be your beautiful daughter's boyfriend." Chase filled in. Dad looked surprised as he looked down at Chase. After a moment of stunned silence, Dad chuckled.

"Well, if we're all going to the carnival tonight, I guess I'll decide after that. But if you hurt her, you'll be regretting meeting me." He said lightly, but I could hear the threat in his tone. Chase beamed and nodded.

"Yes sir." He replied.

The limo was waiting at the curb as I stepped outside of the building. I followed Mom and Dad with Chase right behind me. We all climbed into the limo and Chase sat in the seat next to me, but he made sure there was a respectable amount of space between us, but not so much that it seemed as if we didn't like each other much. I sighed as Emily climbed into the limo and took a seat beside Mom. The limo promptly drove away from the curb and started on the road.

The drive was quiet and easy. I stared out the window, waiting until we came into view of the carnival lights to truly start feeling excited. A tall Ferris Wheel had been erected in the middle of a large empty field, and small tents had been cropped up around it. I saw other rides as well, and excitement washed over me. I'd always loved carnivals and all of the joy they brought. The limo stopped at the front gates of the carnival and everybody climbed out. I made sure to be first out, dragging Chase along behind me by the hand. I nearly squealed when I saw that there were games to be played, and food to be eaten, and prizes to be won, and rides to ride, and even a House of Mirrors to explore. I bounced up and down on the balls of my feet as Dad paid for an outrageous amount of tickets for each of us and then we entered. Immediately, people were around me and their conversations swelled loudly. Chase's hand was still in my hand as I hurried forward to look at some of the games that were offered. I turned to look at him and I saw that he was laughing.

"Stop laughing at me!" I told him as I grinned. Chase chuckled.

"Not laughing at you, baby girl. Laughing at your reaction." He teased. I laughed and turned again, soaking in the bright lights. Mom, Dad and Emily caught up with us and I saw that Dad was looking at us with smiling eyes.

"Alright, we can all split up and we'll meet back at the front gate at 11, alright?" He asked. I nodded eagerly and watched as Emily nodded as well. "Okay, go on. I can tell you're excited, Isabelle." Dad teased before I turned and pulled Chase through the crowd. I immediately went to my favorite game, a game where you had a toy fishing pole and you had to grab your prize. I glanced at Chase to see if he was interested in playing.

"Just until we can find the others?" I asked. Chase laughed and nodded.

"Anything you want to do is fine with me." He answered. I grinned as I tore off the tickets I needed to play and waited for my turn. The man handed me a toy fishing pole as I handed him the tickets.

"Aren't you a little old for this, hun?" He asked skeptically. I grinned.

"Yup." I answered as I started fishing.