Fire & Ice

Homecoming?

Monday Issy knew it was going to be a very long day. She was having a bad day with her legs and for a moment thought about just staying home. She wanted to see Warren though so she figured she could set up a half day with her mom.

She had a mad science test first period she would use as an excuse. Knowing her mom would be in to check in her soon she waited.  Sure enough, ten minutes later her mom was knocking on her door. "Honey! Are you ok?" "Can you come in, mom?" She asked weakly.

Hearing her daughters tone Josie quickly came in and took in her daughters appearance. She knew that tight lipped, glossy eyes look. She immediately went to Issy's medicine cabinet and shook out her pain pills and muscle relaxers. Grabbing a glass of tap water she went back to her.

Quickly grabbing the pills and swallowing them with the water she laid her head back down for a moment. "Do you want to stay home today, honey?" Her mom asked, knowing the pain could last quite a while. Issy shook her head, "No, I at least have to go the first half. I have a mad science exam." Her mom gave her a knowing look, "and you want to spend time with Warren."

Issy blushed but didn't disagree. "Alright, as long as you're up to it you can go till lunch and then I'll come pick you up and you can rest until dinner." Issy nodded knowing this was a good deal. "Mom, I'm gonna need your help getting ready today." Her mom simply went to her closet and grabbed some cute but comfortable clothes for her.

Helping her put on a nice pair of sweats and a simple cotton top, Issy didn't bother with makeup. Her mom helped her strap up her leg stabilizers and grabbed her crutches to take them downstairs for her. With slow steps they made it to the stairway chair, her mom matching the speed of the chair they went down stairs.

Luckily, her dad had heard the chair and was waiting at the bottom. Seeing his daughters simple appearance he knew it was one of her badder days. He simply cradled her in his arms and carried her to the breakfast table. Issy loved how independent her parents had allowed her to be, they didn't baby her and she knew she was stronger for it. But being held in her dad's arms would be something she never got tired of, sometimes she just needed her dad.

"Alright honey, you have to at least have toast and juice. You can't have your pills on an empty stomach as you know." Issy did know that, pain made it hard to eat but she managed to get down a piece of toast and half a glass of juice. Her mom seemed pleased with that. She was starting to feel the wonderful effects of her pills, her muscles were slowly unwinding and the pain was almost bearable.

She would never say that she resented her brother,  but when he came skipping down the stairs with a stupid grin on his face she came close. He took so much for granted, Layla included. She heard him talking about how excited he was about home coming and tuned him out. Warren hadn't asked her yet, and she wasn't sure she could go even if he did.

Before letting them leave her mom have her last minute instructions. "Isolde, I want you to take it easy today. When you're done with lunch go to Nurse Spex and I'll lick you up there, All right?" Issy simply nodded. She slowly made her way out the door with a strong grip on her crutches.

When they got to their stop Layla was already waiting for them as they were a bit late with how slow Issy had to walk today. "Layla!" Her brother exclaimed excitedly. "You'll never guess what happened the other night!" Layla stood blank faced and held out a fortune cookie in her hand.

"Oh thanks, I love these." Her clueless brother actually took a bite. Reading the fortune about loyalty and friendship it finally clicked. "Oh! Oh! Oh god! I totally spaced. Ah, I'm sorry. I know you must want to kill me." If only, though Issy. "Actually the exact opposite. I have something to tell you. But you first." She said, oh no here we go, thought Issy. "Ok, well it's about homecoming." Layla looked so happy, damn her brother. "Really me too!" Said Layla.