Chapter 2: Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
In the most boring lesson about the History of South Africa, a certain girl couldn't be less interested in what Shaka the Zulu did, she was more concerned about the empty seat next to her. Where could Justin be? The day carried on with no news or mention of Justin. It was like he had seized attending the school. Could it be that Ian and his group had made his life so miserable he decided to transfer schools again? Her heart clenched at that thought. He said he'd never leave her for something as petty as brother jealousy. So where is he now? So many questions ran through her head and the fact that she had no answer for any of them ate away at her. ~I didn't even get to say goodbye, or that I love him~
One week later...
"Isabelle, you have to eat. You cant keep refusing to sit at the table and eat just because I'm there. I'm your brother. I'm supposed to take care of you. If you're not going to eat at the same time as I am then at least eat when I'm done. Or order take out." she turned away from the wall she was using to hide her tears and faced her brother.
"Do you mean to say that you care about me? Did you just say you're supposed to take care of me?" a dry sarcastic laugh escaped her lips as she lifted her head to glare at him through the dishevelled braids that fell in front of her face when she rose up suddenly "How many times did I tell you to leave Justin alone? How many times did you push him around and step on him in front of the whole school? Would you care to tell how many times he ever said anything back to you? How many times did I beg you to let us be and you wouldn't listen? Now he's gone and it's all your fault!!" she closed her eyes, pushed her braids back from her face and took a deep breath, "I'm tired of seeing your face. Close the door on your way out and make sure your fingerprints don't find that knob again." she turned back towards the wall she was facing and and pulled the covers over her head. Maybe if she cried herself to sleep again, she'd sleep through the night this time.
He watched her outburst with enough shock to give him a heartache. She had never raised her voice at him before, or even used that tone with him before. They had never spoken to each other like that. It was always calm and collected, even when they were angry with each other for breaking each other's toys. Closing the door, he stood in front of it for what could've been an hour. He listened to her quietened sobs until they died down and her breathing became shallow. He remembered how she had looked at him when she was asking her questions. The anger in her scowl, the sadness in her eyes, the tiredness in her eye bags and the way she looked like she had literally stopped caring about her reflection. Was it really his fault? He pushed the boy around because he wanted to make sure that he could stand up for his sister when it reached the time for it. But the darn twerp never once fought back. He needed to have a talk with him. There was no way he was going to let some weakling put his only sister off.
"Where do you think you're going?" Rahm asked his son when he saw him using the back door.
"Out, Dad. I'm going out for a walk and some fresh air. Don't wait up." he closed the door before he could hear his dad's reply because he knew what it was.
Julia watched the exchange between her son and husband from the door. She had a few ideas where he was going. She was the one who sent him to go check on his sister and she had heard everything that took place in the room. It broke her heart to know that her little girl had been heartbroken; but it also broke her heart to know that her son was the reason for it. When did we get to this? They were so happy a few months ago, everything was perfect. Rahm had just been promoted, her business was steadily flourishing, Ian's team had just won the regional tournament and was headed towards nationals with him and some other kid as the MVPs, Isabelle was considering running for junior deputy headgirl. They were the perfect family. How did everything go from pinnacle to valley? She turned around to go when she noticed her husband was going to wait up for his son anyways.
He could feel her behind him, but he knew she was staring at the door too. He didn't know what was happening to his kids. Just a fortnight ago mealtime was his favourite time of the day. Now he dreaded it. It was glum. His daughter stayed cooped up in her room the whole day, and his son was rarely ever home. Today he heard them fighting, which was a sound he had never heard before. They had bickered and quarrelled before but they had never raised their voices at each other. He couldn't make out what Isabelle was saying; but considering how hoarse her voice sounded and the fact that Ian didn't talk back even once, he doubted it was good. Julia was the one supposed to bring them together; that's the job of a mother, right? So why did she just stand there like a dripping sponge and watch them drift apart? He was going to wait for him till 11pm, and then track him down if he wasn't back by then. Where had he gone anyways? What exactly had Isabelle told him?
"Isa, can I come in?" she knocked on her door softly. Hoping to get a response or the door opened for her. She knocked twice more and then opened. There was a little ball of mass inside the blanket on the bed. She assumed that it was Isabelle. The air in the room was damp and stale, as if the windows hadn't been opened for some time. The room was organized properly, as if the only item she ever used was the bed. She walked towards the bed and pulled back the blanket enough to see her sleeping form. There were dry tear cracks and eye-bags under her eyes. She was already thinner than she was last week. "Why cant you tell me what's wrong? I can't help you if you don't tell me." She took a deep breath and walked out of the room. She closed the door softly behind her and went to check on Rahm in the kitchen. He was seated on the kitchen island now, still facing the door. Her watch said it was a little past ten thirty. Where could he have gone?
Knowing him, he was going to sit and watch till he finally decides to go after him. Maybe he was waiting for a time frame he had set to go look for him.
Where did they go wrong?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone