Why we run

The Isabella Jackson, they want to see

The Isabella Jackson, they want to see

The two days pass by in a flash.

Joey kept me company, I haven't seen much of my team.

Joey and I are behind the Easterbrook house. He's swimming and I'm sitting on the dock.

He looks so free in there.

"Joey?" I call him.

"Princess?"

"Can you teach me how to swim?"

He doesn't answer me right away. He studies my face, "you want to get in the lake where I almost killed you?"

"Can you stop saying that! You didn't kill me! Please teach me how to swim!" I raise my voice laughing.

All of a sudden all eleven members of the team surround me.

"Miss Jackson we are not going to let you get into the lake," Oli says.

"Oli what's-"

"It's Oliver Miss Jackson." He looks down.

"Why can't I go in the lake?" I ask.

"Miss Jackson we cannot guarantee your utmost safety," Olu says.

"Then Olu come swimming with us."

"Please Miss Jackson it is Olumide."

I narrow my eyes at every one of them.

They are not doing this... "Kezie?"

"It is Chikezie Miss Jackson."

I feel hurt.

They cannot be serious. She cannot be serious. "Afi ordered you guys to be this way. She threatened your jobs didn't she?"

They all stay silent.

"Bev? Jen? Tom?" My voice cracks.

"Beverly."

"Jennifer."

"Thomas."

I audibly swallow. I walk up to Carlos and he takes a step back.

"Carlos?"

His eyes are dead. His stance is fixed. His light is gone, "I have been stripped of my rank. I am forbidden from getting seven feet near you. Miss Jackson this is my job and I take it seriously. I am not to be in conversation with you unless three team members are present. I am no longer second to Tom in the mission. Darnel will be taking that place. Miss Jackson you get in that lake, you are getting on a plane by the end of the day. My last order, disperse." And he walks away.

Everyone is just shocked. Afi took away his light and pride because I have human decency. Each of them slowly trails away.

I've never kept friends. Every one of my friends work for me.

But I have Joey, hopefully, he doesn't leave so soon.

I look at Joey. He's off to the side and he is dried up. Although his durag is soaked. I don't get why he swims with it on.

"You okay?" He approaches me.

I nod. It's time to get serious.

"What do you say about this Amarion game?" I ask him.

"I would love to race the guy but I don't think the reasons are acceptable. You aren't a prize Izzy."

I take out my phone. It's time to be the Isabella Jackson everyone wants to see.