Everyone started to knock on the door for our dinner together the next evening.
Niklaus ran off to play with Becky's kid twin brothers Zack and Fred. Evangeline was put inside her playpen with Madeline's one year old brother Luke. They all hit it off pretty good. Madeline, Becky, Max, Mike and I were sitting in a circle playing Uno animatedly. At one point we got so loud with the laughing and shouting that we were told to lower it down twice. But we couldn't seem to stay quiet for long. How curious it was that I had to be manhandled to make any friends here in Washington Seattle.
For two years, my mom had moved us around trying to find a perfect place for us to live. The perfect place where my dad wouldn't find us after he gets out of jail. It had been a really hard time for me in the friend department. I couldn't ever seem to connect with anyone really. It took months but I finally had friends. Sure it took about 6 months after moving here and settling down, but I at least finally had them. I already had an emotional attachment to these guys. They were the best.
I wondered why I hadn't really ever seen them around before. Other than the occasional football game when max and mike were playing and the girls were cheering them on. I figured now would be a good time to ask that question. "So why haven't I seen you guys around really before?" I said after the laughter had died down again. Mike smiled. "Well that would be because we're not in all honors classes like you." He said. "And we usually hang out by the old oak tree at lunch and you're usually in the science lab studying or something." Piped in Max. Then a slight blush crept in on his cheeks.
Why did he blush? Then I caught Becky smiling at Madeline as if there was an inside joke that I had no idea about. But what about? Then it clicked in my brain like a lightbulb turning on.
Shouldn't Madeline be annoyed that her boyfriend seemed to know where I spent my lunches at school or that he had a slight crush on me? So I decided to approach the question without really asking it.
"So how long have you guys all been dating?" I asked smiling as I shuffled the cards like my dad had taught me back in the 3rd grade. before he had become so controlling and horrible. The cards were being flipped between my hands so fast that it was making that rustling sound. "Becky and I have been dating for two years and they've been the best two years of my life." Mike said while gently caressing Becky's cheek. "OMG that's so awesome. You guys make such a cute couple you know?" I said genuinely happy for them both. I Looked at Madeline smiling hugely. "What about you guys?" I asked curiously. "Hmmm...?Oh no-no-no-no-no. Max and I aren't dating." She laughed. "We're just friends. What made you think we were dating?" She said amused. I looked between them both confused. "Oh well I guess I just assumed because you guys seem really close.." I trailed off thinking how ridiculously stupid I sounded.
just because they were friends didn't mean they were dating. "OH definitely not. We're just friends." She said
"Sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel awkward or anything I was just curious is all. " I said laughing.
I started distributing the cards out to everyone while they started telling me a funny story about their last lake visit. Max had jumped into the lake only to come running out because of some leeches. apparently he had screamed and then his voice had broken in the middle of it causing it to become all high pitched. he Had run around in circles begging them to take them off. I couldn't help but laugh at that. Max blushed a deep crimson red as they told that story but I found it adorably funny. I thought back to him knowing where I ate and studied during lunch.
He had a crush on me...and to tell the truth I did like him. He was sweet, and funny in his own way. Sure he barely ever talked but I didn't think that was much of a problem. The doorbell rang.
I started to get up and let out a painful gasp. My hand flew to my side as I had moved too fast. Instantly Max's attention was on me. "Are you ok?" He asked. I looked up at him and his brilliant blue eyes were full of concern. "Ya totally. I just moved too fast." I said as I went to get up again more slowly. As I turned and walked towards the door I saw Mike nudge Max and grin wickedly. Max's face and neck went red when he realized that I must have noticed.
I opened the door and the P**za H*t delivery guy was standing there waiting. He had to be about 16. "Hey mamma! Pizza's here!" I yelled. I turned back to the guy and motioned for him to come inside while my mom came to the door. He stared at my face a little longer than was necessary.
I took the food from him. Four boxes of pizza and a huge box for Buffalo wings. My mouth was absolutely salivating.
Max saw me struggling with the boxes and rushed over. "Here you shouldn't be carrying anything heavy right now." He took the load away from me.
"Thank you" I replied relieved.
Everyone crowded into the living room to eat. We ate as if we had been starving all day. Well technically in my defense I had been starving all day, I didn't have breakfast or lunch. We crowded into my small room and sat down on my bed. "Your room is so small bella, but it's also really pretty. OMG ...did you paint the wall...?" Becky asked in awe.
I smiled. "Ya. It took me about three weeks out of the summer." I replied looking over at the mural of Al***ce and wond**and. I love that movie. The rest of them reached out and touched the paint job. "You're really talented bella. You have to do something with this talent. It would be like ...like…. Vincent Van Gho never being discovered." Madeline said. her eyes wide.
I laughed. "Thanks guys that means a lot to me. It really does."
Max was looking at me with a look I didn't quite know how to describe. We talked about books and movies and even whether or not Francis would actually leave me alone. I hoped he would. I honestly had become terrified of the guy but I would never let him know that. I would die before letting my enemies know they had power over me at all.
I was lost in thought for a while.
"Isabella?" Becky called. "Sorry. What?" I asked blinking up at them and coming out of my zone. "We asked if you wanted one of us with you to walk you back and forth from classes just in case Francis tries anything with you." She said looking at me intently. They all were staring at me. "No. really it's ok. I'll be fine." I said but my voice totally faltered and cracked at the end.
Max's face became determined. "No you're not ok. One of us will walk you to wherever you need to go." He said and I knew there was no way I would be able to get him to agree with me. I also knew he meant himself when he said "one of us", he was really stubborn. That new piece of information was good to know.