Home is Where the Heart Is (Home #1)

by Cheynee Filkov

  He jumped in surprise, rattling his door slightly in the process.

  “Shit!” he swore, knowing his Mum would definitely have heard that.

  The shadow person said nothing - just remained sitting in the dark, watching.

  “Um…hello?” he called praying he wasn’t actually starting to lose his mind.

  “Sneaking out?” a pretty voice asked.

  He moved toward the voice. “Technically I’m sneaking in. What are you doing up at this time?”

  A small hand gestured to the clear sky. “I like to watch the stars when I can’t sleep. It’s a comfort that they never change.”

  He just stared as his mind raced to process what was happening. Had he not sobered up as much as he thought?

  “Are you OK? You look weird.”

  She moved forward so the moonlight illuminated her face slightly.

  Holy shit.

  She was small like a fairy, with long blonde hair and creamy white skin. He couldn’t see what colour her eyes were in the dark, but they had a bright, intelligence in them.

  “Are you real?” he whispered.

  She raised an eyebrow. “How drunk are you?”

  He shook his head to try and clear it. There was a hot as shit girl right in front of him and he was making an idiot of himself.

  “Not very. So any reason you can’t sleep? Or were you instinctually waiting for me to arrive?”

  He shuffled forward to the edge of his balcony, his body yearning to move as close to her as he could.

  She backed away a short distance and turned her face so a curtain of hair shielded her from his view.

  “You’re pretty cocky for this time in the morning.”

  He held his hand up. “I’m self-aware, not cocky.”

  She turned enough so this time he could see her roll her eyes.

  “Ok, that was lame, I’m sorry,” he said ruefully.

  She moved slightly forward again and gestured to his jumper. “You’re going to need to burn that, I can smell you from here and there’s a rip at the back.”

  Jace grinned. “You were watching me.”

  “I was waiting to see if I needed to call the police or not. Seeing someone shimmy up a drain pipe at two in the morning isn’t exactly normal behaviour.”

  Jace smiled and leaned as far as he could on the rail. “So, what’s your decision?”

  A tiny smile played on her full lips. “I guess you’ll find out. If you hear the sirens getting close, I suggest you run, Spider Man.”

  “You’re not going to turn me in,” he responded with conviction.

  “Oh, really? And why is that?”

  He grinned. “Because then you won’t get to have these delightful late night talks with your new friend.”

  “Friend?” she asked jeeringly. “I barely know you.”

  The smile on her face faltered as she realised the truth of her words, and she shifted backwards.

  “I shouldn’t to speak to strangers,” she told him as she turned to head back inside her room.

  “But I’m not a stranger. I’m your friendly neighbour, Jace Scown.”

  He watched as she froze, and wondered if he’d said something wrong.

  She half turned. “As in Jason?”

  Instantly he knew by the way she choked out the word that she’d been hurt by this guy, and not just in a small way. A simple break up wouldn’t cause the kind of horror that darkened all her features.

  “Nope, just Jace, but if you think another name is better suited, I’m up for suggestions.”

  She half smiled. “I’ll think on it.”

  He turned his back to her and took a slow step away.

  “Wait! Where are you going?” she called.

  He turned with a wicked grin. “Oh you see, my Mum told me I should never speak to strangers.”

  “Is that so?”

  “It is. However, if you were to tell me your name, that would fix this problem right up.”

  “Is that what you think?”

  “Yes indeed,” he replied, really enjoying himself for the first time all night.

  She turned back to her room. “Good night, Jace.”

  “That’s it?” he called. “You’re really not going to tell me your name?”

  “Nope,” she called back as she started to shut her doors.

  “Well then, I’ll just have to call you ‘Beautiful’ until you tell me your real name.”

  “You’ll be waiting a long time,” she replied.

  “Beautiful, I got nothing but time.”

  He heard a faint giggle, making his heart pound faster.

  Maybe the holidays weren’t going to be so bad after all. In fact, he just figured out how he could keep himself busy.

  CHAPTER 3

  ISABELLE

  Isabelle lay in bed with a small smile forming on her lips.

  Beautiful. That’s what he had called her - the strange boy from last night. He had thought she was beautiful.

  No one ever thought she was beautiful. She was the nice one or the funny one but never the beautiful girl, especially on first impressions.

  It was pathetic how much their little conversation had pleased her, but she couldn’t help it. For the first time all week she had something to smile about, and the hole that was swallowing her up wasn’t as huge today.

  She’d been outside last night to try and control her anxiety, and really just procrastinating going to sleep so she wouldn’t see his face twisted into an ugly mask of rage. Not one night had gone by that she wasn’t followed in her dreams by his savage beauty and brutality.

  No one was going to be calling her beautiful if she didn’t start to get some decent sleep though. She forced herself onto her feet and turned to the mirror to inspect herself. Immediately, her smile faded and she felt sick to her stomach.

  There were bruises colouring her face and she was still a mess, especially on the inside. Nearly a week had passed since she had run as fast as she could from her life and the people in it and hid herself away with her parents in this strange new coastal town.

  After the incident she had done her best to spin the tale of being in the wrong place at the wrong time to her parents, refusing to let them press charges. Instead she told them yet another lie and said she wanted to spend a couple extra days driving and seeing the sights before they reached their destination and settled in.

  She’d deleted her Facebook and ignored all the texts from Hannah and Sylvia, and now they were coming in less and less which hurt at the same time as it relieved her. Tate was not going to be swayed so easily though, and there were times that she’d had to turn her phone off for a full day just to get a break from the constant vibration alerting her to his calls.

  While her parents were doing their best to give her some space, Isabelle was sure it was for their sake too, since her Dad still couldn’t even look at her without the hint of a tear in his eye. She couldn’t exactly blame him when she couldn’t look at herself without needing to swallow down the bile that came with how disgusted she was after what had happened.

  “Honey?”

  Isabelle jumped as her Mum quickly rushed forward.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to alarm you. Are you OK?”

  She just nodded, not trusting her voice.

  Her Mum gently traced the bruises along her face, her eyes filled with concern. “What’s happened to you, honey?”

  Isabelle bit her lip until she tasted blood as she tried to calm herself down by ignoring all the images flooding her brain before the panic attack struck full force.

  “Mum, I’m fine. It’s just a few bruises, please stop worrying.”

  She was pulled into a firm hug. “That’s a Mother’s job though and I know you’re not fine.”

  Isabelle froze, scrambling for an excuse.

  “I just miss my friends, that’s all,” she said softly.

  “Well, I haven’t seen you touch your phone even once in a week, and your Father says Tate has been trying to c
ontact you.”

  Breathe, she reminded herself as equal parts of shame and guilt slammed into her.

  “Everything’s fine,” she repeated.

  Her Mum eyed her shrewdly and then turned away. “Meet me in the kitchen please, we’ve got some things to sort through.”

  “Can’t wait!”

  Her sarcastic remark resulted in a stern look and then her Mum left her alone again. She needed a better plan to keep her parents off her tail if she was going to survive this.

  As she sank onto her bed and drew her knees up to her chest, her mind was completely blank.

  A single tear fell down her cheek, that she hastily brushed away. She was going to get nowhere being the world’s greatest sook. She would be fine, she just needed to start school and keep distracted from her thoughts. Maybe make some new memories to replace the old ones that haunted her every waking moment.

  “Isabelle!”

  She sighed and threw on some shorts and a tank top. “I’m coming!”

  She trotted down the stairs and headed towards the kitchen to find that her parents standing as a united front, surrounded by boxes. Isabelle’s stride faltered as she took in the expressions on their faces.

  “Isabelle,” her Dad began in his gruff voice. “Your mother and I love you very, very much.”

  Was this…? It was! Her parents were staging a freaking intervention.

  “You guys can’t be serious,” she blurted out.

  With narrowed eyes, her Mum continued like she hadn’t spoken.

  “It hasn’t escaped our notice that you haven’t been yourself lately, and with the attack you refused to let us look into, and your complete isolation from everyone, we’re so worried.”

  Her heart began to pound frantically, and she felt like a caged animal about to be shot. This could not be happening right now. She had barely escaped the interrogation the first time around, she wasn’t going to have enough strength to get through a second one.

  Loud, rhythmic knocking cut into the stare off in the kitchen and took precedence over the shit storm that was about to go down. Her Mum disappeared, returning a minute later with three people in tow.

  “Isabelle, our neighbours from next door came over to deliver some cookies and offer their help. Isn’t that nice?” her Mum asked with a tight smile.

  Isabelle stopped short as she noticed the boy from last night smiling at her warmly next to a girl who could only be his sister, and another tall blonde boy.

  “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve been formerly introduced.”

  He held his hand out with a mischievous grin lighting his face. “Isabelle, is it? I’m Jace, this is my sister, Maia, and my best friend, Matt.”

  Isabelle could only stare at the hand extended to her in complete shock. Was she dreaming? Had her mind broken so completely now that she couldn’t exist in reality without some form of dream present?

  “Isabelle,” her father said sternly.

  Snapping out of it and realising she was being insanely rude, she shook his hand quickly and nodded at all three of them.

  “It’s so nice to have a girl join the neighbourhood,” Maia said brightly.

  Isabelle could only stare at her. Beautiful would be putting it mildly. This girl belonged on the runway with her long, tanned legs, pin thin body and a face that was both filled with angles and softness. She had incredible eyes like Jace except, instead of blue they were a deep, intense brown.

  “It’s mainly just guys in the next couple of neighbourhoods and I am always left out and being picked on,” Maia continued as she pushed her lips out in a pout.

  Judging from the looks on the boys’ faces, Isabelle felt it was pretty likely she had them under her thumb.

  “Are you in year twelve this year?”

  Isabelle turned her attention to the stocky blonde boy who had an interesting face, even if it wasn’t handsome.

  “Yes,” she murmured.

  “Brilliant. Are you going to Xavier College as well?”

  Isabelle could only nod.

  “Yay!” Maia crowed, and then turned to Isabelle’s father. “We were just heading out to the beach and thought we’d introduce ourselves. Would it be OK if Isabelle came with us?”

  While Isabelle wasn’t exactly thrilled to spend the morning with the beauty twins and their friend, she would do just about anything to get away from her parents’ well-meaning, but bound for disaster, intervention.

  “That sounds great,” she blurted out, which had her parents’ gaze snapping onto her with shock.

  She gave them a smile as if to say. See? I’m totally fine. Look at me, making friends and putting myself out there.

  “Would you like us to help you unpack some stuff first?” Maia asked politely, still smiling at Isabelle.

  “Oh…I…”

  “No,” her Dad said slowly, his eyes never leaving Isabelle’s face. “That’s OK, you kids go and have fun. Truth be told, we’ll probably get more work done without Isabelle’s sulking.”

  Matt and Maia’s laughter joined her Mum’s strained giggle.

  “Should I change?” Isabelle asked, looking down at her shorts and low cut tank top and feeling the first strains of insecurity.

  “If you want to help unpack with your mother and I, you can go and visit with your new friends later,” her Dad suggested cheekily.

  Absolutely not a chance in this world.

  “Now’s good,” Isabelle said quickly, slipping into her thongs and hurrying past her parents. “See you later.”

  “You kids have fun!” her Mum called with a cheery smile that didn’t quite touch her eyes.

  Jace, Maia and Matt each called their farewells and led Isabelle outside and down the sunny street.

  “That was weirdly easy,” Matt said as he slung his arm around Maia’s shoulders. “I thought for sure we would all get roped into unpacking for at least an hour before they let you out.”

  “It’s my cookies,” Maia said expertly. “No one can resist.”

  “I know,” Matt said and nuzzled her neck.

  Isabelle squirmed, the huge show of affection making her uncomfortable.

  “Ignore them,” Jace said, touching her shoulder lightly which made her flinch away. “They live to make everyone awkward.”

  Maia stuck her tongue out. “Oh, you’re just jealous.”

  Jace raised his hand. “Before you go and list why I’m jealous, I’m going to stop you there and remind you that I am your brother and there are some things better left unsaid.”

  “Yeah, yeah… Anyway Isabelle, you’re going to love it here. We’ve got the beach and a couple of cute cafés and bars and…and we have a bowling alley.”

  Matt laughed. “Great pitch, babe.”

  She hit his chest. “You’re making me look like an idiot in front of my new friend.”

  Isabelle allowed herself a little smile as the couple began to bicker about how they should be making her feel and how the other was failing to do a good job. It made her feel at ease, how they were just themselves around her; they made it feel effortless for her to blend in with them.

  “It’s really not so bad here,” Jace told her quietly, his hand swaying close enough to hers in a clear invitation should she want to reach out and take hold.

  The thought frightened her, so she crossed her arms around herself. “Well, I do have a friendly Spiderman to keep me safe.”

  His face lit up. “So you didn’t call me in then?”

  “Not yet.”

  He bowed to her gracefully. “Thank you, pretty lady, for your kindness.”

  Isabelle smiled and pushed him away from her slightly. “You’re a bit strange.”

  “I’ve been called worse.”

  Maia gave Matt a final push and then moved back to Isabelle. “Have you eaten yet?”

  “Um…not yet, I only just got up.” She was slightly embarrassed. It was, after all, past eleven.

  Maia grinned. “Perfect, there’s the cutest pancake parlour on the beach
that’s to die for.”

  “Oh, I don’t have any money on me.”

  Maia waved her words away. “You can buy me brunch next time.”

  Isabelle looked over at Jace for help but he put his hands up in defeat. “I wouldn’t even try arguing with her - she never learnt what ‘no’ means.”

  Matt nodded enthusiastically.

  Isabelle sighed. “Well, I guess I sort of have to, don’t I?”

  Maia beamed and linked her arm through Isabelle’s as she led her away. “That’s the spirit!”

  Isabelle turned back to Jace for guidance but he just grinned and gestured her forward. It seemed that whether she wanted to or not, she already had some new friends.

  *

  The café was a beautiful glass building that sat right on the waterfront, with perfect views of the crystal water and clean sand. Families were building sandcastles together as groups of teenage guys and girls frolicked in the water, played volleyball, or tanned on oversized towels.

  It had been an hour since Jace had helped her into her chair like a gentleman, and Maia had begun to speak a mile a minute. So far it hadn’t been nearly as horrible as Isabelle had anticipated.

  It was obvious that the three of them had a lot of history and affection for each other and Isabelle sat quietly, content to listen to their playful insults and teasing.

  So far she’d heard about Maia forcing the guys in the neighbourhood into a fashion show modelling her clothes, Matt and his endless attempts to woo Maia, and story after story about Jace pulling pranks on the both of them all through their youth. There was a tangible pain in her chest as she forced away thoughts of Tate and the shenanigans they had gotten up to while growing up.

  “So, tell me about your life. What’s your story?” Maia asked as she popped a piece of pancake in her mouth.

  Clearly the conversation had moved to her. Shit.

  Isabelle froze as she remembered rough hands grabbing her, a rough mouth on her skin and the blow of a fist. Was this how she was going to always identify herself now? Beaten and broken?

  When she finally came out of her trance, three pairs of eyes stared at her.

  Embarrassment heated her cheeks as she struggled to find something interesting to say to fill the silence.

  “Maia,” Jace chastised. “Isabelle is an enigma. She can’t just tell you her whole story; that would ruin the whole mysterious beauty thing she has going on.”