This is a short update but I know you guys have been really wanting one. I listened to a couple songs while writing this that really inspired the mood lol:
1. The Killers - Mr Brightside
2. Kings of Leon - Use Somebody
3. Coldplay - Fix You
4. Coldplay - A Sky Full Of Stars
Enjoy!
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Chapter 14 – Settling
Before Giselle decided on saying a word, she rubbed at her eyes, possibly removing any crust that had been resting there during her sleep. She wondered how long she had been out cold. An hour? Maybe two?
She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but shut it quickly. Her eyes fixated on the glowing candle across the room. It reminded her of the eerie scene she had just witnessed a minute ago. Could she call it a dream?
"How are you feeling?" Isaac questioned. His deep voice broke through the air almost bouncing off the walls.
Giselle bit at her bottom lip before responding. "I'm...I'm okay, how long have I been asleep?"
"Two days."
"Two days!?" She shrieked.
Isaac smiled. "Relax first year."
"Back with the nick names I see." Giselle smirked.
Isaac made eye contact with her then but didn't respond.
"Did I miss much?"
"Nothing actually." He muttered. "It's kind of surprising how quiet the campus has been. Your father feels dreadful. He was here for almost forty eight hours on absolutely no sleep. The nurse sent him to bed."
Giselle nodded and opened her mouth again. This time she closed it because she had finally noticed the dozen roses beside her bed.
"Those were from him."
Giselle bit at her lip not knowing what to say. She wanted to tell him not to protect her dad but then she realized that she actually would rather not to fight with Isaac. They hadn't spoke since their last fight. She vaguely remembered him being upset because of her involvement with the recent drama on campus.
Isaac broke the silence. "I'd be a fool to deny that I have missed you greatly, Giselle."
She smirked again. "Did you now?"
"I did."
She nodded slowly. "I missed you too."
Isaac stared at her, his blue eyes resting on her green ones. Giselle's face always remained readable to him, and he knew she had more to say.
"I'm sorry for involving myself, Isaac. Not because I feel like I shouldn't have but because I didn't tell you."
He nodded. "That is fair."
"Is it?"
"I can't control your every move Giselle. You will choose to do what you believe is best and, well, one of the many things I love about you is your independence... With that being said, please, do not lie to me again."
She nodded. "I won't."
"And...just... be careful." He hesitated. "I can't always protect you and watch you, but I imagine that you know this."
"Yes I do."
"I gave it some thought and I realized that maybe my anger was a little excessive. You being asleep for forty eight hours gave me a ton of time to think." He sighed. "I cannot imagine losing you."
Giselle smiled but it quickly disappeared when she realized what he had meant. The tension in the room increased a bit and she could see Isaac shift uncomfortably. She knew exactly where this was going but she refused to mention it.
"Cromin was the hardest thing for me... because of you." Isaac muttered. "It was the first moment that I had to accept our lives... Our lives are not normal. We are gifted beings and apart of our identity is protecting our world, but I never imagined that this may be in your destiny... to save everyone but yourself."
Giselle watched him intentely, his eyes glassy but his face composed.
"That day you thought of me before anyone else and I believe that is apart of who you are, you live for the rescueing and maybe that means brushing yourself aside, no matter the risk it might be."
Giselle swallowed hard.
"Maybe that is something your father knows." Isaac muttered. "Maybe that is why he is so afraid of you and I. I wish that night that you wouldn't have risked yourself for me but you did, because that is in who you are. Maybe that is why he wishes for you to be the best at any battle, so that this world cannot lose you... Maybe he is afraid just as I am... Because deep down he knows you may be more of a risk taker than he is."
"Nothing is going to happen to me, Isaac."
"The super hero only never dies in the comic books, Giselle." He said somewhat above a whisper "I can assure you, this isn't a comic book."
Giselle nodded. "Is that why you -"
"Yes, that is why I am hesitant about you involving yourself in any commotion on campus." He said. "But this is who you are."
"And you're okay with that?"
"I don't know." He muttered. "But I will not stand aside and watch you risk it all, the least I can do is join you."
Giselle smiled sadly. "You make it sound so depressing."
Isaac returned her smile. "I will protect you in any way that I can, just promise me one thing."
Giselle hesitated. "What's that?"
"You will also protect yourself."
MEANWHILE
Jonah had been lying in bed for quite some time. He felt the body next to him stir. He didn't want to move, afraid that possibly this was all a dream and that if he did move he would wake up and realize he had imagined the whole thing.
The moon was peaking into the curtains, casting a soft light onto the walls. His chest was bare, and slightly damp from a nervous sweat. He had never been alone with a girl until tonight.
But nothing happened. He convinced himself. Nothing but a steamy make out session after too many drinks at a campus party.
A secret campus party.
For a moment he had wished that the entire crew could have gone. Jasmine and Nathan were missing, probably in their dorm room fooling around and Giselle had still been in the nurses wing. Healing.
Jonah visited her a few times. Only to leave shortly after. He wasn't sure how to feel about his friend being unconscious but he was sure that being around Isaac was something that felt incredibly awkward.
He decided on a few drinks that night. The secretive campus party seemed like the perfect idea. He walked in wearing regular jeans and a brown shirt. For some reason every girl was dressed up, and throwing themselves at him.
He heard at least five times how amazing he was for saving the gifted world with his friends. Jonah did not realize how much his popularity had peaked until that night. Girls were actually noticing him.
And he loved it.
Clea was there. And, as soon as he noticed her, he felt his heart slightly drop. He had been looking for her for quite some time due to their previous encounter but never found her.
That night was perfect timing. He apologized, which to his surprise she had forgiven, and then they drank. And danced. And drank some more.
And now they lie next to each other fast asleep.
Well, Clea was fast asleep but Jonah was wide awake staring at the ceiling and wondering if this all could possibly be real.
But it was. It was very real.
He was too much of a nice guy to take advantage of a drunk Clea. But he had thought about it. She was beautiful. Very beautiful, with her tan skin and curly hair. But one thing was true.
She would never be as beautiful to him as Giselle.
But he liked Clea, and for the time being he felt satisfied with the idea of settling... No matter how much it felt wrong and no matter how much he felt deep down that Giselle was the one he wanted, he knew... that deep down... sometimes your first choice just doesn't accept you... Just like when you apply to college.
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Questions for the fans:
How did you like this chapter? What do you think will happen next? What do you hope to happen? And, How has your summer been so far? Did you do anything exciting?
See you next chapter!
Christina Robles
PS: I will try to update more regularly now that I HAVE GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE WITH A BFA IN CREATIVE WRITING!!!! YAYYYYY CONGRATS TO ME HAHAHA!! LOL!!! Love you guys!