odes to the isolated [on hold]

vii

Reid sat atop the kitchen counter while Isla made coffee for the both of them. Isla handed him a ceramic mug full of coffee. Reid had stayed at Isla's apartment for two nights after the accident. She didn't mind, though. He was there for her when she needed it and now it was her turn to be there for him. It wasn't a matter of her feeling like she needed to. She wanted to help him. He could trust her to be there for him and she wanted to show him that.

"I have some cupcake mix and frosting in the pantry. Do you want to make cupcakes?" Isla suggested, standing in front of Reid who was still sat on the counter. There were chairs in the kitchen but they never wanted to use them. Maybe it was the miniscule sense of rebellion they felt because their parent would never allow them to sit on the counters back home. Either way, it didn't really matter. "Sure," Reid said, a small smile creeped onto his face. He hopped down from the counter and Isla grabbed the mix and frosting.

About an hour later, the oven beeped. Isla sped into the kitchen, probably a little too excited for cupcakes. tray on the counter, nearly burning her hand through the oven mitt. Warm air let out of the open oven. Isla set the tray of cupcakes on the counter, nearly burning her hand through the oven mitt. "Let's decorate," she said, full of excitement. Reid let out a chuckle. Not even fifteen minutes later, the kitchen counter was covered in frosting and rainbow sprinkles. The two could barely stop giggling like little kids. "Hey, you got something on your nose," Reid managed to choke out. "What? Where?" Isla asked. He took some leftover frosting on his finger and spread it on her nose. She let out a loud squeal.

"You're not funny!" she took a little of frosting and chased Reid into the living room. Reid quickly turned around and picked Isla up, keeping her a few inches off the ground. "Put me down!" she squealed. She looked him in the eyes. She never really got a good look at them. But, in that one short second, she swore, she could see the whole universe in his eyes. She pressed her lips to his. That was all it took. Everything seemed perfect. She pulled away and looked that Reid with the widest, most genuine smile. Reid put her down gently and smiled back, just as genuine.

"I don't understand how, but somehow, you always make things better for me," a week had passed and Reid was laying on the couch, Isla spilling her thoughts out as they came. "What do you mean?" Reid asked, looking down at Isla, who was sat on the floor. "I don't know, when I'm around you, I just feel like everything will be alright," she answered with a blank expression.   Reid was trying his hardest not to smile, "Hmm." He sat up, "I think I know what you mean." Isla glanced up at him, "You do?" "Yeah, I do," he kept his eyes on hers, smiling wide. Isla giggled to herself. "You look like a dork when you smile like that," she couldn't help but laugh. "Whatever," Reid laughed along.

this chapter took me WAY longer than it should've honestly and i should've posted it like two days ago but anyway,,, now i already have chapter 8 done and i started 9 woo

jamie x