The 10

32

Kate and Frankie pulled an all-nighter. The pair had no choice. After the blows to Frankie's head, she couldn't have slept without possibly never waking up. Kate checked her phone as Frankie went to the bathroom. Several missed calls from Isabella.

"Hey, finally, Jesus." Isabella laughs.
Kate's tone is lifeless and bland. "Hey."
Isabella's voice drops. "Are you okay? I see you're not here today. Did something happen?"
"Yeah, I guess you could say that."
"Do I need to skip and come over?"
"No. Something happened. Just not to me."
"What?"
Kate interrupts her. "I can't talk about it." Frankie emerges from the bathroom and returns to Kate's bed. "I have to go."

                                                                                              ❥

Isabella stands at her locker, a slight scoff escaping her lips after Kate brushes her off unexpectedly. Ever since Kate and that Frankie chick has been hanging out, she's become a whole new person. The sound of her locker shutting blocks isabella's thoughts. Jumping slightly, she adjusts her bag on her shoulder and looks up.
"Hey," A cute, unfamiliar face smirks. "You're Isabella, right?"
"Yeah," she eyes him up and down. "And you are?"
"Michael Welch." he sticks his hand out. "Just transferred here from Maine High."
"Oh, wow. Quite a transfer." she laughs, shaking his hand.
"Tell me about it." he huffs. "Anyways, the attendance lady told me to find you. You're supposed to show me around, I guess?"
"Really? I've never had to do that before."
"Well, there's always a first time for everything." he winks.
    Isabella blushes slightly as Michael hands her his schedule. Ironically, they have the same classes. Maybe that's why he was assigned to me? She and Michael spend the day connecting instantly.
"So," Isabella asks as they sit for lunch. "Tell me about yourself, like your family and all that."
Michael laughs. "Well, as I said, I came from Maine High. I was a wrestler there, almost went to State, actually."
"So, are you thinking of joining our wrestling team?"
"Nah," he waves his hand. "I decided to give it up."
"Why? That kind of shit looks great on college applications."
"Yeah, that's not really part of my plan at the moment," he mumbles as he takes a bite into his sandwich.
"What? Why?"
"I mean, I plan to go, I do. But, just not right now, you know?"
Isabella shrugs. "I mean, to each his own, right?"
Michael smirks. "Exactly. So what about you? Let me guess, cheerleader?"
Isabella laughs. "God, no. My turn. What's your family like?"
"My mom passed away a few years ago." he looks down. "Drunk driver. But uh," he clears his throat. "Anyways, my dad is a Private I."
Isabella's eyes widen. "Really? That must be exciting."
"Yeah, it's okay sometimes. You know, nine times out of ten, he'll be gone for days at a time because he's so involved in a case."
"This transfer must be worse on his end then. You know, for like his usual clients?"
"Nah, he tied up all loose ends before we left. Suggested other PI's for his usual clients."
"Oh, that's good, I guess."
"This school doesn't seem to be exciting." he looks around, eyeing the nonchalant students.
"Yeah, not much happens here."
"Not true, Isabella. Now you're lying to me." he winks.
"What do you mean?"
"I heard an escaped convict is running around in this town."
"Why's that matter to you?" she leans closer. "Is your dad on the case to find him?"
Michael laughs. "Shit, probably."
She smiles. "Yeah, my friend got to know him during this assignment we did a while back, and I guess he became obsessed with her and broke out to find her."
"Shit, that's fucked up."
"Definitely the most exciting to happen around here in a long time." she stabs her plastic fork into her salad.
"So is he still out and about?"
"Last time I heard, yeah."
    Michael drops the conversation afterward. The pair spend the rest of the day chatting about this, that, and the other. Once the final bell rings, Isabella walks to her car as Michael trails behind. Turning the key, she unlocks her car. Opening the driver's door slightly, she leans her elbow on the glass of the window.
"Did you drive here or?"
"Nah, my dad and I only have one car."
"Get in." she laughs.
    For the rest of the afternoon, Isabella and Michael drive through the small town. She shows him which diners are good and which to avoid, where the local drive-in can be found, and even discount clothing stores. A little after six in the evening, Isabella stops at a gas station. She opens her door, touches one foot to the concrete before turning to Michael.
"I'm getting gas, and then I'm bringing you home."
"Cool." he winks.
    A few blocks down the road and Isabella pulls up in front of a decent-sized, blue home with a black front door. Isabella leans forward slightly, taking it all in. Her eyes search everywhere. There's so much to take in. She has no idea what she previously looked at before the next eyesore caught her attention.
"Dad's not home," Michael speaks. "You wanna come in for a bit?" he jabs his thumb behind him, pointing to the house.
"Well, it's uh," she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's late, and I have to be home for dinner, and then I need time to do my homework. So, another time?"
"Yeah, no problem." he smiles and gets out.
Closing the door behind him, he leans down to peer through the slightly opened window. "Well, you have my address, so drop by whenever. Drive safe." he winks.
"Wait," Isabella calls after him. "Here," She hands him her phone. "Put your number in and text yourself. That way, if you, you know, need a ride to school or whatever."
"Cool." Smirking, he enters his number and hands the phone to her. "Drive safe," he repeats before retreating into his house.
    Isabella smiled her entire ride home.