LOGINIsabelle I blinked slowly, the bright hospital lights stinging my eyes as awareness returned. Monitors beeped steadily around me, wires connected to my arm. I felt weak but alive. Through the glass wall, I saw Tyler and Lucas waiting anxiously in the hallway, both pacing. My father arrived, speaking to a doctor nearby. I tried to call out but the mutism held strong, no sound emerging. The doctor entered with my father. "Isabelle, you are awake, that's very good progress.” I shook my head, attempting words but failing. I pointed to a notepad on the side table. The doctor nodded. "Mutism is common in stress cases like this. Use writing for now, your father is here. He will decide visitors." My father stepped closer. "Isabelle, the hospital called me immediately. You collapsed, three days without food? What were you thinking? I spoke with doctors. They say you need rest and nutrition first. Tyler and Lucas are both outside, I believe Tyler is your boyfriend, he will come." I wrot
Isabelle I stepped inside my room, and the door clicked shut behind me. The evening with Tyler still lingered, but my thoughts refused to settle. I paced around the room before I decided to pick up my phone and called Mia. “What's up girl? I am currently having a very soothing massage right now.” "Mia, the dates are not working the way I hoped. Dinner and the movie should have helped me focus, but my mind keeps circling back to Lucas.” Lily's voice came through clearly. "Isabelle, give it time. These things do not fade overnight.” "Yes, they don't but not when I'm actually having such thoughts about Lucas, and now that confession," I replied, sinking onto the bed. "He said he loved me despite everything. His words echo when I try to sleep. Tyler was perfect tonight, asking about my studies and sharing laughs, but I replay Lucas's intensity instead. How do I stop this? It feels like betrayal to Tyler even thinking about it." "You are not betraying anyone by being honest with yo
Isabelle I settled into the theater seat beside Tyler as the lights dimmed, previews blasting on the massive screen. The place smelled like popcorn and teenage excitement, and for a second it almost felt normal."Tyler, thanks for the tickets," I said, shifting to get comfortable. "This comedy better delivers after the week I've had. I need something that makes me forget my own life exists."Tyler grinned, lifting the giant popcorn bucket between us. "My pleasure. Extra butter, exactly how you like it. Don't hold back, we're going through this whole thing."I grabbed a handful, the butter already coating my fingers. He laughed as the movie started. The first big slapstick scene hit and I actually snorted, covering my mouth. Tyler leaned closer, whispering so we wouldn't annoy the people around us. "Isabelle, if you keep laughing this hard they're going to kick us off this theater, and maybe give us a ten year ban.” We both chuckled silently. The next scene had the main character
Isabelle The next day, I had to prepare for my date with Tyler.Tyler came on time, with a bouquet of flowers. I sat in the passenger seat as Tyler drove us to the restaurant. “Thanks for picking me up, you look nice in that shirt, It suits you," I tried to sound bright.Tyler glanced over with a genuine smile. "Isabelle, you look beautiful tonight. That top really brings out your eyes. I am glad you agreed to this. I have been looking forward to it all week, so uhm…how are you feeling after everything at the hotel?""Oh, you heard, the hotel was intense," I replied. "Lucas showed up like that, confessing everything, it left me confused. But tonight is about us, how was your day? Did practice go well?""Practice was solid," Tyler answered as he pulled into the parking lot. "Let me get your door." He parked, came around, and opened it for me, offering his hand. "Ready for some great food?"We walked inside the quiet Italian restaurant, soft music playing in the background. Tyler pul
Isabelle Rain hammered against the window, while my hotel room felt too quiet. I grabbed my phone, thumbs flying before doubt could stop me. “I can’t sleep, the storm is bad, are you awake?” Lucas’s reply came in seconds. “I was just about to text you, are you alone?” “Yes, please.” I replied back, trying to understand why he had asked that. My heart raced as I waited in nothing but an oversized t-shirt and pale blue panties. When the soft knock finally came, I cracked the door. Lucas slipped inside, drenched from the downpour, dark hair plastered to his forehead. Water dripped from his jacket onto the floor, but his eyes, goodness, those intense, locked on mine with pure need. “I had to see you,” with his usual rough voice. He kicked the door shut and pulled me against him without another word. Our mouths crashed together. His lips were cool from the rain, but his tongue was hot, and demanding. My hands fisted in his wet shirt as he backed me toward the wall, fingers alrea
Isabelle I sat across from Lily in the hotel suite, as we faced each other on the small couch. My hands twisted in my lap, the memory of the heated hallway exchange with Lucas still fresh. "Isabelle, I keep replaying that confrontation in the hallway outside our rooms. The way Lucas showed up demanding to talk, confessing his feelings so openly while I tried to block him. It feels like the whole world is watching and judging every move you both make," she said softly now my voice was shaky at first, realizing her plan wasn't solid proof was the character development she needed. Lily leaned forward with concern etched across her face. "Isabelle, I heard every word. Lucas crossed a line with those declarations. But we cannot let this define us. The rumors about you and him are everywhere, and people are talking. We need to appear normal, stable as a united front. What do you think about getting back out there socially? Showing everyone you are moving forward?" I took a deep breat
ISABELLE The next morning I went to school. Even though I didn't want to be there. Hood up, earphones in with nothing playing, eyes on the floor. I survived four classes without incident if I don't count the two separate moments someone laughed at something on their phone and went quiet when I w
ISABELLEMy hands were shaking.The laughter from the small crowd bleeding into my ears as the guy beside me watched his phone openly. He didn't even try to hide it."Four hundred likes already," the girl behind him said, her voice dripping with amusement. "She literally just stood there staring at
ISABELLEI rolled over my bed, trying to stretch my body but my hand instantly hit something. No, a creature. Or?I jumped out of the bed, fear clouding my face as I tried to know what was beside me.A creature?That was definitely Lucas Graham’s hair. His back, revealing a build up of fresh abs.
Isabelle “Bully?” My father’s words replayed in my head, over and over. *You just don't want me to be happy. You don't want your father to be happy.* He had barked, shocking me to the core.I had never seen my father like that. He was always trying to hear me out, but three days ago at the surpris







