Shot in the Dark

Pizza and Carrot Cake

James POV

I stayed there for a while looking down at Isabelle's face. She was undoubtedly beautiful. I had known about her for a while. When I was in her High School before I graduated, she had not once noticed me, and I hated her for it. She was so caught up in her own life that she didn't notice anything going on around her, let alone me. I have been Alec's best friend for nearly ten years, and even at her sixteenth birthday party she didn't recognise me at all. I had been around Alec constantly for the six years since their parents got married. I decided she needed payback, payback for her ignorance. I thought by taking away everyone around her she would finally notice me. She did, and for all the wrong reasons. I got so caught up that I started hating her with no real reason why.

I still remember the day she left, I was so scared. I knew I had upset her about her Dad, so when I saw the note saying she wouldn't return until Sunday I flipped. She even went to the extent of leaving her phone in her room, tormenting me, as if she knew that I had no way of finding her. Images rushed through my mind of her alone on the streets. I searched day and night trying to find her. That Wednesday I had just woken up after staying up nearly all night looking for her. I was so angry that she just up and left that when she hugged me I was shocked. Her small frame pressed against my chest with her head just reaching my shoulder. I remember puling her close and resting my chin on her head. All my anger dissipated out of me as I heard her steady heartbeat. My princess was safe. Looking next to her sleeping form next to me I realised that I may have just lost her again, and this time I wasn't too sure if I would ever be able to get her back.

Isabelle POV

I could feel my body crushed into a hard chest with my legs being carried. Slowly opening my eyes, I could see James carrying me bridal style up the steps. As if he sensed me waking up he looked down at me with his forehead slightly creasing. "I'm so sorry Isabelle, I didn't mean what I said. I didn't mean any of it. I got mad at you because of my parents left me, and I shouldn't have. You were there for me and I left you. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I just wanted you to know how sorry I am."

I hadn't realised that James had stopped walking until I looked up and we were outside my front door. Surprising myself I replied without thinking, "Why didn't they turn up?"

He sighed as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders, "They don't want me any more princess." I could see how truly upset he was, and I haven't forgiven him for what he did to me but I moved my arms till they were wrapped around his neck, hiding my face in his neck. "I'm so sorry" I whispered.

I knew what it felt to be unwanted, my Dad had made it very clear that he was done with me years ago but I was lucky to have Mum. Seeing James go through this with both his parents, I couldn't imagine the pain he was going through. I was hurt, and I don't think I could ever get the words he said to me out of my head. However, I still understood what he was going through, so for tonight I put James first. Even after everything he put me through.

We stayed like this for a while until I moved my head to look at James, "Can we go in please? I'm cold." James probably realising that I'm still drenched from his previous abandonment, opened the door quickly. Carrying me upstairs to my room, he opened the door and placed me on my bed. He left the room after getting a towel from my cupboard, "Knock for me when you're done."

After James left I got in the shower, feeling the heat on my body was the best feeling ever. I put on my fluffiest pjs, making sure I stayed warm. I was definitely going to get ill from this, what a great Birthday present! Leaving my room, I knocked on James' door, but there was no answer. I knocked a few more times till I heard James shout from downstairs, "Down here princess."

James was in the kitchen with two pizza boxes and carrot cake in front of him. "I know I've ruined you're Birthday already, but peace offering?" I grabbed a slice of pizza whilst jumping on top of the breakfast bar high chair. "How did you know these were my favourite?" I asked whilst pointing to the food. "How could I not?" He cheekily countered. We ate in comfortable silence before all the food was gone. Yes, we ate a whole cake.

"You're not worthless" James blurted out as I picked up my plate. I turned around to look at him, waiting for him to continue. "None of what I said was true, your Dad would be lucky to have you in his life. It's his loss not yours. For the record, I am really sorry for what I did to your friends as well, okay maybe just Susan. I don't really think the others matter. I'll speak to her if you want me to? I'll honestly tell her."

"She should have believed me anyway, she knew what you and Amber did but she still fell into your trap. If she was a true friend she would have heard me out. What's done is done now James. You can't take back what you did, you just have to face the consequences of your actions. You've hurt me more than you will ever know, and that's something I will never forget." Placing my plate on the side I made my way into the couch to find a bunch of presents with a note from Mum and Will saying, 'Happy Birthday'.

I scoffed at the note, muttering out loud "What a birthday it has been." I didn't feel like opening any presents so I led on the sofa, not even bothering to turn the TV on. James followed me in here, lifted my legs up so he could sit on the other side of the sofa and placed my legs on top of his lap.

"I never said thank you for taking me to the airport after, so thank you. I did get you a birthday present." He handed me a small key and a box. The box contained the most beautiful fairy lights I have ever seen, they were flowers all made of delicate little lights that suited my room perfectly. "The key is for the lock I installed in your room, I promise I won't break this one." A smile broke out across my face as I thanked James.