Chapter 118

CHAPTER 118

BEACHES AND QUESTIONS

ISABELLA

This morning when Alexander walked into the dining room, looking everybit the greek god that he was—Zeus, if you'd ask me— I tried not to stick my eyes into his body.

I don't know what it was. The messy hair? The droopy eyes? His stressed face? Something about him just called out to me and I was struggling to keep my legs shut under the table.

And of course, trying to avoid his eyes to avoid being beat up by Elise again.

Forget the fact that I had him all to myself the previous night, I just wanted to be in his arms all over again.

Fuck!

Well, that was the last I saw of him today, and by mid-day, I thought: “What is a good way to free my muscles and ease my mind, than swimming in the ocean.”

And of course Camille would be ready to keep me company aytime… anyday.

The water was warm, the sun was high, and for a few minutes, I almost forgot where I was. I almost forgot the wight of my feeling, the bruise Elise has left on my skin and the weight of secrets pressing against my chest.

Camille floated beside me, her hair fanning out in the water as she closed her eyes.

“So,” I started, drawing her attention towards me. She turned her head, her eyes glinting need the sunlight. “You and your dad. Did you guys settle?”

"What?" She asked, her eyebrows dipping. I guess she didn't head me well.

"The weird energy and fight between you and your father. Did you fix it?"

Her eyebrows raised in realization, nodding her head as she gave me a response.

"Yeah," she said. "We're good."

Ease passed through my heart attack her words as I smiled. "Good. Because I can't handle any more drama in that house."

She laughed. But she didn't know the extent to which the meaning of those words went.

Splashing water in my face, she pointed out her index finger. "Okay, your turn."

My eyebrows dipped. "My turn for what?"

"What's up with you and Julien?"

Oh… that.

I wiped my eyes, trying not to look too interested. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb." She hffed, floating closer. "I've noticed the strained air between you two. There's a particular way in which you both look at each other now and it just doesn't make sense anymore." She tilted her head. "Something happened. What?"

I shrugged, flicking my wet hair out of my face. "Nothing. I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't give me that."

"There's nothing to tell, Camille."

She sighed, rolling onto her back. I could tell from her eyes that she was trying to figure out a way to crack me. Then she gave up.

"Fine, but answer me this." She paused. "Do you still love him?"

That question… I didn't really expect. So it took me out for a few seconds as I was lost in my own headspace. I was quiet for a long moment, the water lapping at my shoulders. The sun beat down on my face, but I couldn't feel the heat at that point.

"I don't know," I said finally, the words slipping out of me like a quiet surrender to fate.

Camille held my gaze for a few seconds and I couldn't exactly tell what was written on my face.

Then she groaned. "Ugh. Now I feel bad for inviting him."

"Don't worry about it." I forced a smile. "Who knew I was ever going to feel like this towards Julien?"

"Right?" She shook her head, agreeing immediately. "There was a point where I just wanted to smack you upside your head. You wouldn't leave him, you wouldn't walk out. You just stayed and stayed and stayed, enduring every non chalant bullshit he threw. Until he began to become better."

"I know."

"So what changed?" She looked at me. "Was it because you fell in love with someone else?"

My heart stopped for a second. Literally. "What?"

"Come on, Izzy." She grinned. "I've known you for years, I know when you're hiding something. You're in love with someone else, aren't you?"

I stuttered. "I—that's—no—"

"Someone's a lying potato." She splashed me again. "Tell me. Is it someone online? Someone I know? Someone you met in this city?"

There was something about the excitement in her tone that made me wish I could affirm to one of the guesses she was throwing. But of course, I couldn't.

I tried to swim away and she grabbed my arm.

"Not so fast." She pulled me back. "You're not getting out of this water until you confess."

"Camilleeeeeeee."

"I mean it." She crossed her arms, treading the water and blocking my path. "Spill. Or I'll hold you under."

I stared at her and she daringly held my gaze. Her eyes were bright, excited and completely unaware that she was asking about the one secret that could destroy everything.

So I decided to be a bit honest.

"Fine," I said. "You're right. I'm in love with someone else."

Her mouth dropped open. "I knew it!"

"But you can't tell anyone."

"Obviously. Now spill. Who is it?"

I looked down at the water, biting my lips and trying to conceak more information. "He's... older."

"Older?" Her eyebrows shot up. "How much older?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes! Give me something."

I shook my head. "No Camille, stay out of this one."

I tried to walk away again, but she pulled me back. I groaned, showing my frustration. But she didn't seem to care.

“I told you you're not getting out of this water until you spill.”

I sighed. “Can you just trust me on this one? I promise once I figure thing out with him, you'll be the first to know.”

Lies from the pot of hell..

She studied me for a long moment before nodding her head slowly. "Okay," she said. "But you're going to tell me eventually."

"Eventually."

She pulled me into a hug. "I'm happy for you. Even if you're being mysterious and annoying."

You're digging a deeper pit, Izzy.