Isabelle
"It's court day sweetheart," Kaykay said, gently brushing my cheek, "Can you wake up?"
Slowly, I blinked my eyes open and met hers, which were puffy and red. She sniffed and stood, starting to busy herself with her suitcase.
"Did you cry?"
"Sorry,"
"Why?"
"Because... I am fed up of arguing like mum and dad," she said quietly, "I love you, Izz,"
"We aren't... we don't argue like mum and dad,"
"We do. We totally do,"
She turned and smiled, making me break into a small giggle. Waking up without shouting was nice.
As I stood, I staggered a little, noticing a tummy ache that hadn't been there before. It was only dull, but definitely there.
"I've ordered up some fruit salad for us, a lighter breakfast because we will probably eat some crap at the airport for lunch. You have time to shower if you want,"
"I think imma just... imma just get ready,"
"Okie dokie,"
I locked the bathroom door and let out a breath, gently rubbing my stomach. It wasn't my period, I hadn't had it last month, nor had I experienced the symptoms. Something was just wrong with me.
It kept getting worse, honestly. I struggled deal with more and more symptoms.
Now Kaykay had come along and I was scared she would find me out.
"Izz! We have to share the bathroom you know?"
"Yeah,"
"Do you have anything to wear to court?"
"I'm not dressing up,"
"You kind of have to,"
"Fine,"
I left the bathroom and slid on my skirt, then put on a turtle neck and a cardigan to cover my stomach. The fruit salads came and I ate as much as I could, then shut my suitcase and waited to leave.
Eventually she joined me, and we handed in the hotel room key.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine, I guess,"
"You seem kind of mardy,"
"How many times do I have to tell you the situation?"
"Okay, okay, I get it,"
"Good. I am not talking in court,"
"You might have to,"
"Ah, giving me false hope that my opinion matters,"
"It does,"
"Ultimately, it doesn't. I'm 16,"
"I don't get to choose what happens in the legal system, Isabelle,"
We got in the car and she put the radio on for us, heading out of the town. I'd not travelled this far for years, so I had no clue if it had changed or not. It was pretty, though, to go into the main city.
It took quite a while to get to the court, and my stomach ache was still here. Moodily, I got out the car and followed Kaykay into the large building, both of us getting IDs clipped onto us before the lawyer escorted us away.
Her and Kaykay seemed to get along great.
"Today is the big day!"
"It is indeed,"
"And this much be the lucky Isabelle! It's nice to meet you, I am Michelle,"
She shook my hand and I faked a smile, then slumped down on a chair while they spoke about it all. I didn't care to understand the logistics, I just wanted an answer. A destiny, if we felt dramatic.
Kaykay ended up sitting beside me and I rested my head on her shoulder, not bothering who she was at this point. I was fed up.
Gently, she felt my forehead, then kissed it and took my hand, rubbings small circles onto it.
"You've given me more physical love in a day than mum and dad have in about the past week,"
"And this is why you're coming with me,"
"Can't you just help me move out like you did?"
"I was 19. You're 16... it's not the same sweetheart,"
"I know it seems scary," Michelle said, crouching infront of me, "And I am sure that sentence has been repeated way too many times for your liking, but Ashton and Kaykay passed the approval to take custody with full marks. They have a good home, good support systems, good schools. You have a pink bedroom,"
"I hate pink,"
"Okay, well, the faster we get this done, the faster you can paint it. Come on, I believe in you,"
**
"Sign here... and here... and here,"
"I got it," Kaykay said, rapidly signing all the documents, "Do you... do you want to go and say goodbye to mum and dad, Izz?"
I stood and shuffled over to them, mum wiping her eyes with a tissue. Dad gave me a small smile and squeezed my shoulder, then mum threw her arms around me and began to sob.
This wasn't what I expected.
"I'm sorry. I am sorry I let you down, and that we are such bad parents,"
"Mum,"
"Why didn't you wear your pretty dress for court?"
"It doesn't fit,"
"We just can't help you,"
"Or course you can't," I mumbled, rolling my eyes, "Because I am the problem,"
"Yeah,"
"What?" Kaykay said, standing upright, "Mum, get off her,"
"What?"
"Get off her!"
She let go and I just looked at her, my eyes flicking between her and dad. I didn't think she actually believed that about me.
"Isabelle, what I think she meant was,"-
"I don't care, dad,"
Turning on my heels, I walked away. Kaykay tried to take my hand and I pulled it away, storming out of the court room. Out of the hallway. Out of the building.
I found the car and sat down beside it, feeling my breathing get tight and fast.
I was a problem.
No wonder they ignored me.
I buried my head in my knees like a coward and began to cry, my breathing only getting more rapid and intense.
One of the security guards came and stood by me, offering me some water which I declined. The cool air gave me the shivers, and the damp ground was slowly sinking into my clothes, but it was better out here than in there.
"Isabelle,"
"Mum, get away from her,"
"I am allowed to speak to her,"
"Get away!" Kaykay screamed, pushing her back, "Can't you see how much you have hurt her?"
"Kaitlin,"
"Kaykay. We have a flight to catch, please let us leave,"
"Bye Isabelle... we love you. Talk to you later, okay?"
I nodded and bit my lip, standing as Kaykay unlocked the car; eagerly, I climbed in and hung my head so that no one could see me.
"You're not a problem,"
"I must be,"
"I didn't fly across the country and build a huge legal case for a problem,"
I looked up at her with teary eyes and she gave me a soft smile, focusing back on the road.
"You are incredible. I understand that we have not known each other long but you are my sister, so I love you,"
"Empty love,"
"You can think that if you want, but I love you. Today is mine and Ashton's wedding anniversary, but I love you, so I am here with you,"
"You'd rather be there,"
"Izz, I put everything on the line for today. I am not asking you to see me as a hero, but a little bit of respect would be nice,"
"I still don't know how this is allowed,"
"You don't need to understand, you just need to know that it is what happened. Ash and I have the rest of the week off work, we want to spend time with you,"
"He's gonna be so protective,"
"He is, but probably for the better,"
"I don't want him to be like a dad, or you like mum,"
"That's not how we want to be either, I promise,"
"I swear this is like a legal kidnap,"
She laughed and sighed, putting the radio back on for us. Since we were already in the city, we didn't have to drive for too long to get to the airport on the outskirts. I had never been on one before.
We didn't speak for the car journey, but I think we both needed a cool down. It had been an intense session, and I feel like Kaykay almost lost me at some points.
But while I was in there I realised which way I wanted it to go. Deep down, I wanted to go with Kaykay.
And I had no idea why.