No. 1: Friendship

No. 1: Friendship

Isabelle endured the long and dull history class until it seemed she would die from boredom.
Or fall asleep.
Which ever came first.

Something hit the back of her head. It was soft and did little to her thick hair, but when it was repeated, she forced her aching neck to turn.
It was Venn.
Shocker there.
"Sleeping in history?" he whispered. He was only a desk behind her, and she noticed the shredded up paper on top of his history book that was behind several pages.
She sighed and rubbed her eyes.
"I wasn't sleeping. I was just...zoned out."
"You play a dangerous game miss Wood." He warned with a gleam in his eye. She rolled her own eyes at his boy-ish grin on his face that told her he was in an awfully playful mood.
"You talking from personal experience?" She asked.
Venn shrugged.
The bell rang and there was a large, loud stampede of kids.
Isabelle waited patiently as the class filed out before she even got up from her desk. Instead she had her nose buried in her favorite book, Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley. It was always nice to get lost in a fantasy when her own world sucked. And there was always that bond she had with Belle, they both had an unquestionable love for books.
"Hey Izzy." She turned around questionably, not sure who was calling who. She was slightly startled to see Cliff behind her with Venn talking to his girlfriend Christie over at her desk.

Christie was a small petite blond with sparkling blue eyes and a contagious smile. The first time Isabelle had met her the meeting had been a little awkward but she was really sweet and not to mention so kind it should be a crime. All in all, Venn's perfect type of girl.

"Izzy?" She asked, with a slight smile, shoving her text books back in her backpack, she slung it onto her back and snatched up her book.
Cliff shrugged as he stepped back so she could get out into the isle.
"Not working for you?"
Isabelle did her best to try and hide her growing red cheeks.
"I don't mind it. It's just that, that's what my parents use to call me." She glanced at him and his eyes grew wide.
"But actually," She went on, not wanting to make him feel bad or uncomfortable. "it's nice to hear it again."
Cliff shifted uncomfortably and smiled.
"Well I'm glad to hear that?...I think?"
Izzy laughed.
"Come on, school's out for the day, treat me to Starbucks?"
Cliff smiled and nodded.
"Sure." He turned to Venn across the room, before glancing back at Isabelle. She smiled when she understood his underlying question in the look.
"Hey Venn!"
Venn turned around and looked at him with a questioning look.
"Yeah?"
"I'm taking Isabelle to Starbucks, what to come?"
Venn turned to Christie who nodded with a smile shot in Isabelle's direction.
"Sure, but go on ahead we'll be there in a minute."
Cliff nodded and gestured to the door.
"Alright lets go."

.:+++:.

Hanging out with Cliff was the nicest thing Isabelle had done in years. Cliff too, she knew what he was going through. He could tell her what he felt like and she knew just the right things to make him feel better. And if she didn't have the right words, she'd send him to the passage in Scripture that had helped her through it.
And when they were both tired of reliving the past, they talked about school, friends, and what they liked to do in their free time.

"So is all you do in your free time is read books, hang out in the library and drink cinnamon hot chocolate?" Cliff asked, leaning back in his chair, his fingers tapping his steaming cappuccino.
"Well...That's not all I do, but pretty much." Izzy confessed. "But what do you do? Are you good with your hands like your dad?" She asked, eager to get the conversation topic away from her.
Cliff shrugged modestly.
"Nah. It was all my dad. I've got dreams, but nothing I can do about it. And honestly words come out better for me then anything."
He watched as her brow furled from the bottom of his glass cup. Finishing up his drink, he set the cup down and her silver bell laughter filled his ears.
"What?" He asked. He watched as she dug through her backpack for a minute. She brought out a vintage Canon camera and snapped a picture before he could say anything.
"Oh so you're a photographer as well?" Cliff asked. She laughed and handed him a napkin.
"You've got something on your lip." Her gleaming eyes made his jaw drop in horror. He quickly wiped his mouth off.
"And you took my picture?!"
She laughed so hard no sound was coming out anymore, she was running out of air and was holding her side like it hurt. He got really worried when tears started to slip down her cheeks.
"Okay breath Iz. Breath."
She calmed down enough to fill her lungs up again and she took deep breaths.
"Sorry." She wheezed. "I haven't laughed that hard in years." She sighed and ran her sleeve across her eyes.
"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to worry you." He was shocked when he heard the sincerity in her voice.
"It's okay, you're allowed to laugh."
She smiled and sipped her drink again.
"You were about to tell me something you are actually good at in your free time."
"Right! Well, I uh,..." He sighed when he found that this wasn't going well. He turned in his seat and rummaged around in his own backpack.
Izzy leaned over in her seat to try and see what it was he was getting, but it was no use.
Sighing quietly she sipped up her coco from the red straw as she gazed out the window.
It was raining. But that was okay, she loved the rain. It was always a good time to snuggle deep into her covers with a good book, or a popcorn bowl as a movie went on.
The people outside ran with umbrellas, or a sheet of news paper over their heads. She chuckled as she saw a woman curse at the puddle that had gotten her expensive coat soaked. Yeah, that was life for everyone else. They were mad at it, and so caught up in the moment that they didn't have time to stop and smell the roses.

"Here."
Izzy was drawn back into reality when something soft touched the tips of her fingers.
She glanced down and saw an old leather book lying between the two of them. It was definitely old by the looks of the leather, she looked up at Cliff who nodded for her to go ahead.

Isabelle opened it carefully, not wanting to rip the yellowed pages inside. Her eyes darted from line to line as she soaked in what was on pages.
"You're a writer!" She said softly as she flipped through pages.
"Is this all one story?"
Cliff nodded.
"Yeah."
"What's it about?"
He hesitated at that.
"Well it's really complicated, and it'll take a really long time to explain it. So..."
He glanced up when the small bell rang at the front door. Izzy saw Venn and Christie making their way to them.
"You can take it home with you if you want." Cliff finished quietly, leaning over the table slightly. "Just put it in your backpack so Venn doesn't get it."
Izzy got the hint and quickly shoved it into her bag. Zipping it up just as the couple arrived at the table.
"Hey guys!" Christie said cheerfully. Izzy scooted over on the bench and Christie sat down next to her, leaving Venn to sit next to Cliff.
"Hello." Izzy said quietly.
Venn glanced between the two and then down at the camera that was in between Izzy's hands.
"Why is it that all of a sudden, every single girl has become a photographer?" Venn asked.
Isabelle chuckled but didn't answer.
"Well if it's any consolation," Christie piped up. "I can never get a picture to come out right. How long have you been a photographer?" She directed the question to Isabelle.
"Oh um...six or seven years."
Christie's eyebrows rose and she turned to Venn.
"See? She's actually legit."
"Oh so what makes her so?" Venn challenged.
"You have to have more then three years experience to count as an actual photographer. At least in my book."
Izzy laughed along side Christie as Venn threw his hands up in defeat.
"Alright you win."
"Like always." Christie shot Isabelle a wink.
Isabelle liked hanging out with these guys. They didn't treat her like she was invisible. Yes that's always what she usually wanted in a new school, but that's because she had never been great at making friends.
But it seemed that God always knew exactly what she needed, when she needed it.

.:+++:.

"Sarah! I'm home!" Isabelle yelled from the front door. Kicking it close with her foot.
There was a crash from the living room and Isabelle was cautious as she moved down the entry hall.
She poked her head into the ransacked living room and resisted the urge to turn up her nose to the smell.
Her foster mom was lying on the couch in sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt. She grumbled a reply to her announcement as she flipped through the TV channels.
"Is there anything you want me to make for supper?" Isabelle offered.
The lug on the couch just shrugged, but other wise ignored her presence.
Izzy sighed and turned to the kitchen.
Groaning out loud she put her hands on her hips and surveyed the damage. Just about every plate Sarah owned was on the floor, broken into millions of pieces scattered all over the floor, making it dangerous to walk.
"Oh God please give me the strength." She prayed quietly. Turning out of the kitchen she ran up the stairs and into her room.
Quickly tossing her backpack onto her bed, she changed into a cozy pair of black sweats and a fresh t-shirt along with a hoodie.
"Time to clean up." She sighed as she walked back down stairs.

.:+++:.

Venn broke the front door in first, leaving way for Cliff to follow.
"Mom!" He shouted. "We're home!"
Angela was sitting in one of the matching high back chairs in the living room with her cell phone to her ear. When the boys walked into view she smiled at them and waved, but continued on her conversation.
The boys invaded the kitchen, grabbing anything that would make a good snack.
"M-hmm....yeah....okay....yup bye-bye." Angela hung up her phone and smiled at the boys.
"You got home late." She pointed out, glancing at the clock that hung on one of the kitchen walls.
"Yeah sorry about that. Cliff had a date." Venn said as he shoved another Dorito into his mouth. Cliff almost gagged on his Gator Aid, and Angela's interest was heightened as she sat down in one of the bar stools.
"Do tell." She said eagerly.
Cliff groaned and shot a death glare at his best friend.
"It wasn't a date." He argued. "Venn and Christie were there, and besides she was the one who asked me out. It doesn't count."
"Dude! You were there with her for half an hour before we showed up." Venn jumped in.
"So?" Cliff mumbled, knowing that he probably wasn't going to win this round.
Angela chuckled as Venn just rolled his eyes.
"Is she the new girl in town?" Angela asked. Cliff nodded.
"Yup. Her name's Isabelle. She's really nice."
"That's good...But does she get you? Understand you?"
Cliff starred down at his Gator Aid before nodding.
"Yeah. She knows exactly how I feel, and she's really good at making me feel better."
Angela smiled.
"Good. I won't drill you with anymore questions. Just be yourself and behave! I've got a meeting to get to. I put lasagna in the oven so heat it up whenever you're ready, just don't burn it. I'll see you boys around eight."
She kissed Venn's hair, and gave Cliff a hug before heading out. Once they couldn't hear the car anymore Venn turned to Cliff.
"You like her don't you?"
Cliff groaned and shoved past him.
"You're a guy Venn. Stop trying to be a matchmaker!" He hollered from down the hall. He heard Venn laugh as he bounded up the stairs and made a bee-line for his room.

Cliff had been living with the Russo's for a couple months now, yet he still hadn't unpacked. He didn't want to. It would make the whole thing feel permanent.
He grabbed his headphones from his bed and set his iPod on shuffle before sitting in the window seat of the floor-to-ceiling window. He rested his head on the cool glass, watching the rain drops run down. He was glad that Angela had given him a room with a view of the city.
Washington was huge there was no doubt about that. He use to think it would be impossible to feel alone in it. But what would he know? He felt like no one even knew he existed up 'til a few weeks ago when he met Izzy.
"Thanks for sending someone who understands." He spoke aloud. He found that he did that more and more often. Venn had asked him once why he talked to himself so much, but he wasn't talking to himself. God was always listening.

Soon, Cliff's mind was inspired to write a character. He was about to pull his book out of his bag but remembered he had given it to Isabelle. Biting down on his bottom lip he pulled out his school binder and flipped to the back, grabbed a pen and sat back down again.
He paused at the top for a minute, but then it was like a dam broke, and his hand had a hard time keeping up. But he liked it that way.