Learning To Love Him

Ten

Nora's POV

My phone had rang more than twenty times last night, all the calls were from Victoria. She probably found out the real story when Isaac got home. I couldn't bring myself to answer the calls I was too busy pondering what Isaac had said.

On my way to school,  I don't feel well probably because the last time I was there I was almost sexually assaulted! Either way I know I have to go back, failing school isn't an option. I didn't tell Mum what had happened, she would have just freaked out.

I don't park in my usual spot next to Victoria and the twins, I park on the opposite side of the lot. The three of my friends gaze in my direction and I get out of my car. I see the twins start walking in my direction but then abruptly stop. I frown wondering what was up and then I smell it, cologne, a strong smell that I can't even describe.

"This isn't where you usually park." his voice is soft today, not tense like it was yesterday.

"I can't face your sister," I turn to face him, "She's not even open to knowing what you're deal is."

"What deal is that?" He leans on my car next to where I stand.

"Isaac you know what I'm talking about."

"Do I though? I didn't say a heck of a lot yesterday if I'm honest." He says staring distractedly at something on the ground.

"So we're not even going to talk about boundaries?"

"There isn't much to say about it"

"I beg to differ what is so bad that you can't even tell me? If you cared about me enough to save me yesterday then why can't you trust me?"

"Because I don't trust anyone!" He says not yelling but not being quiet either.

"Well then it's going to be a very long and lonely life Mr Eastern." I say and then I walk away without as much as a glance behind me.

I spend most of this morning's classes being annoyed at the world. Why did my Dad have to leave me? Why was Victoria being so childish? Why was Isaac getting in my head? Why was Jayden staying away from me? I feel a pang of guilt wondering if most of this was my fault. When lunch comes around I avoid the cafeteria and head out to my car, I figured I'd go see Dad.

On the drive to the cemetery, I wonder what I'm going to tell him. How do I even begin? This is the first time I've visited him since he left, I was too emotional for a while to come here.

I walk to where he is following Mum's instructions until I find him.

'Thomas Lucas Jones' the headstone reads, 'beloved husband and father'
"Hey Dad." I say out loud.

"I miss you. Lucy misses you too." I don't know what else to say other than the fact that things are really messed up right now.

"You know you shouldn't go to cemeteries alone right?" Isaac's voice comes from behind me. I quickly reach up and wipe away a tear before turning to face him.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"Making sure you're alright and saying sorry about this morning." He says.

"You are the most confusing human being to ever exist."I say.

"I know." He says catching me off guard. I was expecting him to fire a smart ass remark at me but he didn't. "I come to visit your dad sometimes, he seems like the kind of guy that I would have loved to have as my dad. Do you mind?"

"No. Dad would like the company." I answer.

"Nora I want to talk to you about something." He says and I look at him surprised at first, but then I wonder whether I should be surprised.

"Anything." I say, I'm honestly just glad that he wants to talk to me. I feel like he needs someone to talk to about whatever he's hiding under that hard exterior he puts on. I walk toward a bench under a big tree and sit, he follows and sits beside me. He doesn't distance himself, he just sits right beside me so his shoulders are close enough for me to lay my head on.

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Isaac's POV
A cemetery is a weird place to talk about you problems. Let's be honest my problems have nothing on being dead, and that was probably the most insensitive thought I'd ever had.

She's so open and willing to let me lay it all on her, but only she doesn't know exactly what I'm hiding. She trusts me so the least I can do is trust her back.

"Have you ever been out to East L.A?" I ask her my curiosity getting the better of me.

"No. I don't like feeling uncomfortable and apparently East L.A can make you feel that way." She pauses and looks up into my eyes. "Dad used to say there was a few shady characters around there at times."

She has been well protected I note and nod at her answer. "So you know my Dad is an alcoholic, well when he used to stumble home from the bar he'd be angry, he's an angry drunk."

I pause not sure how to continue, I had never told anyone about this and just as I muster the courage to tell her, my phone rings. It's Mum.

I stand and walk away from Nora to answer it.

"Isaac I need you back home now, we have some talking to do." Mum says over the line.

"I'm a little busy right now." I answer politely.

"I said now Isaac!" She yells and I pull the phone away from my ear and it's that loud that it startles Nora.

I hang it up and turn to Nora, that doesn't sound good. Nora looks upset I know she felt special because I was confiding in her.

"I'm sorry I have to go but can I come by later?" I say looking at her.

"Yes of course but I have a feeling I know what's going on." She says, "And I'm not letting you walk into that house with all of them against you."

I want to argue with her but I can't because she is right the second I get there all three of them will be on top of me. I also know that what she is doing is dangerous, she's going in and defending me, siding with me and not Victoria. I know that it was not go down well with Victoria, and she'll accuse me of stealing Nora from her.

I turn back to face Nora and before I can even register what is happening, she kissing me. Not one of those quick pecks on the cheek or lips, not a half hearted type but a genuine kiss. She puts both arms around my neck and then opens her dark eyes to look into my eyes. I feel a warmth in her presence more so now than ever. She's so close I can smell her perfume, it smells like strawberries and in this moment it's like I'm seeing her again for the first time. Like I'm noticing every last perfect feature on her face and it was in this moment that I realised I was the lion and she was the lamb. Two opposites she was so innocent and I had seen so much. The analogy made me feel an overpowering urge to protect her. Never had I felt this way about anyone, it scared me half to death. When you let someone in, they can destroy you, but then again I am already broken. As I feel the relaxed sigh she lets out I know she has me now, more than ever. I am hopelessly, incurably in love with her.