There’s a Thin Line Between Love and Hate
Izzie and Julian were best friends–before Julian made a huge mistake. After that, the two avoided each other like the plague. Now, in their senior year, the two are forced together in every way possible. They start to warm up to each other again, slowly but surely. Izzie’s best friend, Jason, is trying to ward her away from the now heartbreaking gang-banger, while trying to get her to see such a great guy right in front of her–him. Will Izzie chose the hard guy with a soft center or the one that continually wears his heart on his sleeve?
Here’s an excerpt:
Chapter 3: Isabella
We finally arrive atWashingtonHigh School. I find a good parking spot near the front. Jonathan leaves once he sees his friends. He shoots me an apologetic look, still thinking I’m mad. He is so sweet.
I’m not alone for long. Jason, my best and only friend, comes up to me.
His first expression is his jaw dropping. Literally. Then he composed himself. “So, Ms. Alfieri, are you excited for your senior year?” he asks, holding an invisible microphone, acting goofy as always.
Playing along, I reply, “Yes. I plan to run for president. If you vote for me, there will be shorter school days and better lunches.” Once I finish, we both burst out laughing.
“So, truly, Izzy, how are you?”
“I’m fine. Sarah, J. J., and Mom were the only ones downstairs today. I didn’t trip, and I was only embarrassed once this morning-“Not mentioning my flip out on my way here “-when my mom used my full name.”
“Why did she do that?”
“She was complimenting my ensemble,” I said, blushing.
“What did she say?”
I started acting like those peppy cheerleaders and how they would probably start asking for information. “Like OMG! What was she wearing? What was Jonathan doing?!”
“Sorry! I was just curious!”
“It’s okay. But she said I was beautiful.” I grimaced.
“Why do you either get mad, embarrassed, or depressed if someone calls you beautiful?” He sounded so sincere and concerned, but I wouldn’t tell him. Just because we are friends does not mean he knows everything about me.
“It feels like a lie,” I replied half-truthfully.
He stopped and turned toward me. His green-gray eyes were serious, and something else I couldn’t figure out. “Why do you think that? That is totally a lie!”
“Well, for starters, no one here wants me. I look like the Loch Ness Monster compared to my brothers and sisters. Must I go on?” THAT felt truthful, unlike my mom’s comment.
“I can counter every one of those reasons,” he said softly, probably thinking I wouldn’t hear. I’m not deaf.
“How can you counter those, Jason?” I asked.
“You heard that?” he sounded very surprised, like everyone is deaf but him.
“Yes, I heard you. I am not deaf.”
“Umm…wow.”
“Those counterexamples?” I reminded him.
“Oh, yea-” The bell cut him off “-I’ll see you later, okay?”
“Certo!”
“I never know what you mean by that, but yeah, bye!” He grinned, and with that he ran off.
I started walking to the front door. Once I got there, I noticed someone was standing in my way.
“Excuse me,” I said politely.
“Hi,” the guy sexily said.
Then he turned around.
***
Chapter 4: Jullian
Once I got to school I found Paco and Lucky. They were talking about how great Friday’s party would be. Paco’s mom is gone for two weeks. She decided that she would vacation with her new boyfriend. I’m surprised that Paco can keep up this façade that he cares less than shit about his mom, but I can tell. We are best friends. I know everything about him and he knows everything about me. Only one other person knows everything about me…
“I need some money for the beer,” said Lucky. Lucky always needed money. He wasn’t any poorer than the rest of us; he just decided to spend most of it on liquor and drugs, and not the cheap stuff either.
“Why don’t you do something that will require some math and thinking? It’s called saving money,” I told him, making him sound like the dumbest person ever, but, in usual Lucky fashion, he doesn’t catch on.
“Yeah! I heard of it, but, like you said, it requires thinking. And that just straight up hurts like shit,” responded my stupid friend.
“Excuse me,” I hear a sweet, almost sexy voice say behind me. I’ve heard this voice before, but I can’t pinpoint where I heard the voice.
So, to keep my cocky façade, I say sexily, “Hi” to her. But then I turn around to see the one person I never would have expected to see, or at least, speak to me.
Isabella.
My old childhood friend, Isabella Michelangela Orabella Mirella Alfieri, is there in front of me, looking shocked as ever. I haven’t spoken or even been this close to her since sixth grade. Now that I notice there is this strange electricity between us.
Her mysterious lagoon eyes are big and wide. Her mouth is slightly open. I notice her attire. It’s a black Blue October t-shirt and black skirt accompanied with black leggings. Her hair is put into a high ponytail, but it still flows past her waist. It’s her dream outfit. I look closer and notice that she has makeup on. Wow. Izzy hates makeup. Well, at least when I knew her. But, even last year, she didn’t wear makeup.
But then her expression changes-so drastically-to anger. “Move,” she says abruptly, and I…just stood there…stunned!
Since I apparently wasn’t moving, she pushed me out of the way. What the hell?! What happened to the sweet Izzy I used to know? The girl that gave me hopes?
People change, so why am I so surprised?
The bell rang again signaling that we had one minute to get to class. I walked to the front wall and found my name. Mrs. Walker’s homeroom. Shit! That lady could make Shakespeare become tried of drama!
Oh well! I thought as I walked to her classroom. I guess this how senior year will be. ! Dios!