I stumbled back over to my bed and fell onto it. I wiped my tears on my hand which came away smeared black. How much longer could I possibly feel this miserable?
Chapter Twenty-Two: Life Goes On
November came and went and still there was no sign of Jonathon but I also hadn’t received any notes from Selena since Jonathon left. It was bitter-sweet.
I had to take every day one step at a time. It hadn’t gotten any easier and I didn’t expect it to. I couldn’t help but feel that Jonathon was never coming back; after all December was already half-way over.
The shrill sound of my cell phone ringing snapped me back to reality. I looked down at the caller ID and answered it.
“Hey Isaac.”
“How are you?”
“For the hundredth time Isaac I am fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“I know but you’re my best friend and I can see how upset you are without. . . You know.”
“I’m dealing just fine on my own,” I said rather harshly.
“I know that. But I know you’re hurt and I just want you to be happy.”
“Thanks for caring about me Isaac,” I said trying to make up for being rude.
“Why don’t you come see my band tonight?” He asked.
“I don’t know,” I replied.
“C’mon Kylie you haven’t gone anywhere since he left. He’ll be back soon enough. Although I think it is a very jerky thing to do leaving you here and not keeping in contact.”
I decided to ignore the end of his lecture. “I do go places,” I said rather defensively.
He laughed. “Ky going to school does not count as going places.”
“Fine I’ll go. Where are you playing?”
“How about I pick you up?”
“That’s fine,” I said trying to get him off the phone.
“Great I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“See you then,” I said and hung up the phone.
Ever since Jonathon left Isaac and I had become closer. He was constantly calling me, twice a day, to make sure I was okay.
After Jonathon was gone for two weeks Isaac asked me if he was still visiting family. I told him that I assumed so but I hadn’t heard from Jonathon since he left so I couldn’t be sure. Isaac became like a big brother telling me that Jonathon didn’t deserve me for going off and leaving like that without a phone call. He said all the right things. The things I needed to hear even when the reality of the situation was harsh. I was beginning to think that Jonathon was never coming back.
I ventured downstairs in the hope of finding Diana. After a quick search I found her sitting in the window seat of the sun room. Her knees were pulled up towards her chest with a book propped on them.
“Diana,” I began. Ever since the day I came home from ditching school things between Diana and I had been rather icy.
“Yes,” she said without looking up from her book.
“I’m going to be going out with Isaac tonight. He said he’d pick me up at seven.”
“Okay,” she said still not looking at me.
“Well I wasn’t sure if special arrangements would need to be made because of my mom.”
“You should be fine as long as you stay on the end of the driveway nearest the road. I suggest you arrive at your home around six fifty to six fifty-five if he arrives promptly. Patrick and Joseph will be there all day so you should be safe.”
I didn’t say anything in reply as tears had just sprung into my eyes. Would Diana ever stop acting like this? Everyone was giving me the cold shoulder especially recently, ever since Isaac and had become better friends and it was really hurting me. Going out with him tonight was probably not going to help the situation at all.
I trudged up the steps wiping my eyes as I went. I felt like all I did anymore was feel miserable and cry. I was sick and tired of being like this. I wished I could just suck it up and be strong but had always worn my heart on my sleeve.
Just as I closed my door the tears came pouring. I wiped them away as quickly as I could. I did not want to shed anymore tears over the Pulmer family.
I felt myself becoming extremely angry. I was tempted to shove all my belongings into a suitcase and find somewhere else to stay. Anymore I’ve felt like an unwelcome guest. A pest.
I looked at my watch. I had three hours until I was to meet Isaac. I grabbed my purse and headed to my car.
I drove around until I finally found the store I had fallen in love with when I was shopping with Diana. Aqua stood before me. I got out and went in hoping that I might be able to find a new outfit to where tonight.
I walked out an hour later with a new pair of jeans, a plain white shirt, and a navy band style blazer.
Luckily I found my way home with ease. When I went inside no one was around. I looked at the time and hastened up stairs to take a shower. If I was going to bother going out then I was going to take the time to look nice.
I took my shower as quickly as possible to insure I would have plenty of time to straighten my hair and put on makeup.
I put on my new outfit along with my red pair of pumps. I grabbed my peacock purse and scurried outside to my car. The time was six fifty. I needed to hurry.
I pulled into the drive way and jumped out of my car. I locked it behind me. I stood at the end of the driveway waiting for Isaac.
He showed up at exactly seven o’ clock. Unlike Jonathon Isaac didn’t get out and hold open my door for me. I climbed into his smart car.
“I’m so nervous,” He said as he pulled away from the driveway and started up the hill towards the Pulmer Mansion.
“You’ll be great,” I said trying to sound cheerful but ended up sounding fake.
“But what if something bad happens? What if I lose all my guitar picks or a wire snaps or I drop the microphone or-?”
“Isaac, seriously chill out. I know you’ll do great,” He nodded his head.
“Okay,” he said letting out a deep breath. He tried to smile but he faltered.
I noticed his knuckles turning white from his grip on the steering wheel.
He stopped in front of a brightly lit stone building with music thumping loudly from the walls.
He got out grabbing his guitar case which had been squished between us and heading towards the slender alleyway between the club and next building. I followed closely behind.
He entered the building through a side door.
The room that we entered in was plain with a black leather couch and chair. The rest of Isaac’s band had already arrived along with his sister. Tyson was tuning his guitar, Wayland was playing his bass, and Cullen was taping his drum sticks against the table. Isobel sat in the corner looking irritated as she glared at me.
“Hey guys,” Isaac said as he started pulling his guitar out of its case.
“Hey,” they all mumbled without looking up from what they were doing. Isaac lowered himself onto the floor and leaned against the wall. I slid down next to him. He slowly strummed his guitar and hummed.
It was a slow melody and I found it calming me. For the first time since Jonathon left I felt at peace.
Fifteen minutes later a man entered. He was dressed all in black with a clipboard in hand.
“You guys are on in five minutes. Got that?” He turned and left without receiving a yes or no.
I stood up and looked down at Isaac.
“I guess I’ll go find a place to watch,” I said wiping my hands nervously on my jeans.
“I’ll show you the way,” he said standing up.
We walked out into a hallway that was sectioned off with a black curtain.
“The stage is just beyond that curtain.” Isaac said. I had guessed as much but I didn’t say anything for fear of hurting his feelings so instead I just nodded. He led me down some back stairs into the club area.
“So have you decided on a name for your band yet?” I asked.
He chuckled, “Yeah. We’re calling ourselves The V Hunters.”
�
�Cool name,” I said to him as he turned to leave but I wasn’t sure he heard me over the loud music pulsating through the club.
I shimmied my way towards the front of the stage. It was hard to navigate through the closely packed sweating bodies. I had never liked clubs. The pulsing lights made me nauseated and the loud music gave me a headache. I also didn’t like strange guys coming up and trying to grind on me.
I finally managed to make it near the front of the stage. People kept knocking into me and the room smelled strongly of beer.
I knew that Isaac and the band would be coming on within minutes so I turned my head and focused on the stage. I got shuffled around some and ended up farther from the stage.
Everything was already set up on stage all that was missing was the band. The man with the clipboard parted the curtains and came out to the microphone.
“Our next performance is from a local band. Please welcome The V Hunters!” He said and people clapped, some whistled.
The guys stepped out on stage. Isaac walked straight up to the microphone. All his nerves seemed to be gone now that he was on stage.
“How are you all doing tonight?” He asked. There was screaming and hollering. “One, two, three, four!”
The band was amazing. I even found myself dancing. Isaac sang the entire song with his eyes locked on mine. When they finished I found myself wishing for more.
“Thank you!” Isaac said to all the cheers after they finished.
Isaac then walked to the edge of the stage and the people there backed away. He jumped down to floor level and walked over to me.
“That was amazing! Wow!” I was at a loss for words.
“I’m glad you liked it,” He said his eyes twinkling.
He leaned in towards me. “Isaac?”
Then he kissed me. His lips pressed harshly against mine moving to a rhythm that my lips would not dance to. It was bland nothing at all like kissing Jonathon. I found myself pushing at his chest. He broke away.
I ran out of there as fast as I could which was extremely difficult with all the closely packed bodies. I could hear Isaac calling my name from behind me.
Finally I made it to the door. I stumbled out onto the street. Tears were running down my face and I couldn’t stop them and I didn’t want to.
“Kylie I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that,” Isaac said having finally caught up to me. He had his hand on my wrist.
I fixed him with my iciest stare. “Don’t touch me!” I said through my teeth making it sound like a hiss.
He removed his hand from my wrist and put his hands in the air like he was surrendering, “Okay, okay. I won’t touch you. But talk to me. Please?”
“I can’t talk to you! Or anyone!”
“Why not?” He asked calmly despite my anger.
“Why do you even care?” I countered back.
“Because I like you Ky. Okay! I fancy you! Is that what you want to hear?”
“What! You know I’m with Jonathon.”
“Ky he’s disappeared to who knows where! I don’t know if you’ve figured it out yet but it seems to me like he’s not coming back! And he’s not good for you!”
“You don’t know anything!” I said but I couldn’t help but feel that he was right.
I could see pity in Isaac’s eyes, “I know more than you think I do. You’re better off without him.”
“No I’m not,” I said quietly as the tears continued to come. I felt his hand on me again, “I said don’t touch me!”
He removed his hand and from the look on his face you’d have thought I’d slapped him. “Ky I don’t want to ruin our friendship. I promise not to kiss you again or bring up anything that makes you uncomfortable. I’m happy as long as we can be friends. Now please let me drive you home.”
“Fine,” I said. I didn’t have any other way home; I didn’t have money for a taxi, I didn’t want to call Diana, or any of the others.
I walked over to his car and he let me in.
“I’ll be right back. I have to go pack up my guitar,” He said. I just stared straight ahead and said nothing. I was tempted to walk away but I didn’t think it was smart to get lost on the streets of Rome.
The ride home was awful. Isaac tried talking to me but I didn’t say a word. He dropped me off at the end of the driveway. “I’m sorry Ky,” He said before I closed the door in his face. I didn’t even wait for him to drive out of sight before I got into my car.
I stumbled up into my room and sobbed. I didn’t even make it to my bed. I just collapsed onto the floor. This was the worst I had felt since the night Jonathon had left. Isaac kissing me had made it so much worse. There was only one set of lips I wanted pressed against mine and Isaac’s kiss had me think that maybe I would never kiss Jonathon again.
I don’t know how long I sat there wailing before the door opened behind me. It must have only been minutes but it felt like hours. I glanced behind hopefully thinking maybe by some miracle Jonathon had come back. That maybe my pain had summoned him. Surely it was strong enough for him to feel.When I saw Diana standing there I sobbed even harder. She knelt down on the floor with me and pulled me into her arms. She ran her fingers through my hair.
“Shh. Everything’s going to be okay.” In those five little words all the animosity between Diana and me was erased.
“No, it won’t.”
“You can’t think like that Kylie.”
“But it’s true. Nothing will be okay until Jonathon comes back and that’s not going to happen,” I sobbed.
“You don’t know that. You never know he might show up tomorrow begging for your forgiveness.”
“Only in my dreams,” I mumbled.
I wiped away the last of my tears. Diana’s appearance had managed to stop them. It was nice to have Diana as my friend again. I hadn’t realized just how much I had missed her. She looked me up and down and I knew that I must look awful. But instead she just pulled me into a hug.
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” she said pulling away from the hug and starting towards the bathroom. I followed her as she wet a wash cloth.
She began dabbing at my face.
“Thanks,” I said when she was finished.
“No problem,” she said with a small smile. “What are friends for? You know if you still um . . . consider me a friend. I know I haven’t been a very good one as of late.”
“It’s all forgotten now,” I said with a wave of my hand as if brushing it away.
“Good,” she said pulling me in for another hug.
“Do you really think he’ll come back?” I asked her as we left the bathroom.
“Yes,” she replied simply.
With that little shred of hope I got ready and climbed into bed.
Chapter Twenty-Three: Just Dance
It has been a week since Isaac kissed me. Things between us have been more than awkward. He continued to apologize and I had accepted his apology multiple times but that didn’t mean things were peachy. Isaac’s kiss had only intensified my aching for Jonathon. I felt like my body had been ripped to shreds and then those shreds had been sprinkled across the world in the hopes of one day being pieced back together. I guessed I would need a lot of super glue.
I sat down in my seat next to Isaac for science. He turned in his seat to face me.
“Ky I’m really sorry about kissing you.”
“I’m over it,” I said for what felt like the thousandth time, “As long as you don’t do it again.” I added.
He smiled. “Only if you want me to,” He said with a grin on his face. I glared at him. “Only joking,” He said raising his arms in the air in mock surrender. He scooted around in his seat. “So, I wanted to ask you something,” He said his face getting red.
“What is it?”
“Are you going to the dance?” He asked referring to the Holiday dance this Friday; only three days away.
“I don’t think so.”
“Oh, well I thought maybe we could. . . um. . . go together,�
�� His face was a furious red and he was looking down at his combat boots. He looked up and seeing my reaction he said; “Only as friends. Nothing more.”
“I’ll go,” I said and his face brightened. “But only as friends.”
“That’s all I’m asking,” He said smiling like a fool.
I watched him from the corner of my eye all class and his smile never faltered. I had a feeling that this dance meant something different to me than it did to him. I meant for it to be away to fix our friendship and skim over the kiss but I could tell that Isaac was still hoping for more.
At the end of the school day I climbed into Diana’s Lexus. She insisted on driving me now that we were friends again.
She chatted away while I was stuck in my own little world.
As she pulled onto the main road she glanced at me and said; “Don’t you think so?” I contemplated saying yes but that could be risky since I didn’t know what she had said.
“Think so, what?” I said.
“Kylie, honestly. Sometimes I think there’s some other world in your head the way you get lost in your thoughts. I said I thought it would be good for you to go the Holiday Dance.”
“I am going,” I said hurriedly.
“Oh,” she said shock on her face. “When did you decide this?”
“Today when I got asked to go.”
“Really… Who asked you?” She said and I could see curiosity written all over face.
I scooted around in my seat. “Isaac.”
Anger flashed across her face quickly replaced by false surprise. “Humph. I wouldn’t think he’d ask you after that whole kissing episode.”
“We’re just going as friends. Nothing more,” I said.
“We should go pick out our dresses today. I meant to get mine months ago but didn’t have the time. I was going to have it custom made but I’ve waited much too long for that. I can only hope that we can find something lovely off the hanger.”
Fallen (Fallen Series Book 1) Page 21
