Running into you

I Normalcy

The year was 2012, the location was a small town in California.

Our main character is Isabella. Isabella is 16 years old and attending Smallville High School (the only high school in her small town). Isabella is 5 ft. 3 in. and she has long light brown wavy hair. She's a happy Latina, thin and curvy.

Isabella is very friendly, in fact, at school she talks to everyone. She, however doesn't have a boyfriend.

She volunteers at a kitchen feeding the homeless in the next town over and she also is the president of two clubs at school, as well as the Track team and swim.

Not to mention, Isabella is taking a couple AP classes because she wants to get into a good college and get a good career to help her mother out.

Her step brother Alex is her best friend, he is a year older than her and is one of the jocks, but he always makes sure to take care of his sister. He often tries to make time to give her rides or lets her barrow his car. You can say that she feels completely at home in school and she loves school, her friends, her brother and mostly her mother.

Her step father, however, she cannot stand the man. She always feels like he's checking her out, and she hates that he mooches off her mother who works almost always 7 days a week. Her step-dad is a drunk, he owns a car shop, but rarely ever goes in.

He likes to spend almost every afternoon drinking and playing poker with his friends in the garage.

To her dismay, her mother fell in love with him and doesn't see how much of a low life he is. The only good thing that has come of this man is her step brother Alex.

This particular day was Friday, Isabella was waiting for Alex after practice. She's leaning on his hunter green 2006 Honda Civic, just waiting and reading ahead on her English homework.

When she hears the laughter of a group of boys. She looks up to see Alex with his Football buddies messing around and walking towards her.

She and Alex make eye contact and smile at each other. The boys approach her, they all hug her one by one as Alex unlocks the passenger door and opens it for his sister. The guys say their good-byes and walk to their cars.

"Iz, what should we grab to eat on the way home... In N Out? "He asks

She smiles at him and nods, she stares at her brother and loves how much he knows her.

"Sweet , lets go! I hella wanted to get something now because I don't want to eat right before the game, I'll throw up everywhere ...Again" That last word they say in unison and burst out laughing remembering.

He drives them to the fast-food spot, they eat there, and sit with a bunch of friends that happened to be there after school. It's definitely the spot to go to.

They are all talking about going to the game together, suddenly Alex turns to Isabella.

"Ah, Iz I completely forgot to tell you! Brandon is swinging by to take me to head over together, we have to be there a little earlier, Coach has an announcement."

"That's fine, I wanted to go for a long run today since I didn't have practice! Al, can I take your car to the game?"

"Ya sis, that works! Don't be late, you've got to watch the MVP!" He says pointing at himself.

All their friends laugh because he's the 2nd string QB and doesn't get much playtime.

They finish eating, say their goodbyes' and head home.

Once they arrive they see that their 'dad' is in the garage with the door open, playing poker with his friends.

They wave at the guests and their 'father' as they head into the house.

Isabella gets a chill down her back as they enter the house but she shrugs it off.

They both head upstairs to their separate rooms.

Al is going to take a nap before he has to head out in a couple of hours.

Isabella goes to their shared bathroom, washes her makeup off, and changes into her running clothes.

She sits on the edge of the tub, tying her shoes.

She gets up, and walks towards the stairs "Al, I'm heading out see you later!"

She heads out the door, and exits the left of the house, to avoid the older men that give her the creeps in the garage with the door open on the right side (Including Alex's dad).

She puts her headphones in, and starts running. Her mind is running wild, she misses her mom. She hates that she works so much!

She runs a little faster.

She is so uncomfortable in her own house! Her stepfather and his friends give her creeps..

She runs a little harder, feeling her body struggling to keep pace.

But at least the pain in her body at this moment is numbing the pain in her heart.

She misses her dad..She wonders how he is..She wishes her mother would've waited for her father to come back.

She feels herself reaching her wall, the one before the runners' high.

But at least she got her best friend out of this marriage, her brother Alex. They're two halves of a whole and they love each other so much.

She's there, everything is completely numb.

Her mind is at peace, and her heart is completely numb.

She finishes her run and heads home, she enters through the left side avoiding the garage where she can see smoke coming out.

Gross.

She heads upstairs grabs her clothes, and heads to the bathroom to shower.

She feels her body relax and she feels exhausted, she's definitely going to need a nap after this.

As she's showering, she hears the knob of the bathroom jiggling.

Her heart stops and she holds her breathe, Who could it be?

*Knock, Knock*

"Iz, I need deodorant! Open up!" Alex yells "My ride Is here, I've got to go NOW!"

She quickly releases her breathe, relieved. She turns off the water.

"Give me a sec, Al!"

She wraps the towel around her, grabs the deodorant, opens the door and gives him the deorderant, he gives her a quick kiss on the forehead, followed by "See ya at the game Iz!" as he runs out towards the front door.

Isabella looks at the time, 2 and a half hours until the game. She puts on shorts, and a tank top and heads to her room.

She decides to just take a quick nap before getting ready, she sets the alarm on her phone and drifts away into a peaceful sleep.