It's been two and a half months since Sweet Pea and Isabelle had broken up. Two and a half months of not feeling his touch, hearing his voice whisper her name, no smelling his signature scent of Old Spice, no helping him gel his hair and messing it up.
Two and a half months ago Isabelle was in a bad place. She felt isolated from everything and every one, like no one was there for her and no one wanted to be. That included Sweet Pea. He'd felt distant, so far that when they were together, she could reach her hand across the room and still not be anywhere near him.
Since then, she had begun to learn the basics of yoga, study healing crystal stones, focus on keeping her room plants thriving, and even writing her own stories.
Isabelle tried her best to avoid him at school. Even though it was a mutual end-of-relationship, she wasn't comfortable being around him, even in their classes. It wasn't like she was very close with any of the Serpents, but she missed Toni and Fangs. Though the both of them had clarified that she was always welcome to hang out with them.
Eventually, Isabelle was cast upon the crowds of Southside High as a loner. A loner was also the term that described her before Sweet Pea had Swept her off her feet. Eating in the library, detesting partner projects, walking alone in the hallways.
She did her best to avoid conflict between Serpents and Ghoulies alike, but it was almost as if they pitied her, and so they treated her like she was invisible. Isabelle wasn't sure if that satisfied her or not.
It was a Friday morning before summer break, the last day she would have to walk past Sweet Pea in the halls until September. Isabelle pushed herself to get a shower and get dressed, choosing her favourite high waisted black skirt, and tucking in a white t-shirt. She slid on her black ankle boots and tied her long blonde hair up into a pony with a white scunchie. Yes, Isabelle thought to herself, I'll go for my usual black and white aesthetic today.
School dragged on and on and by lunchtime, Isabelle felt the need to follow everyone else, and skip the last two classes. Everyone usually left, it's just the fact that Isabelle didn't know what she'd do if she actually skipped. After the bell that signalled the beginning of lunch rang, she made her way to the library and grabbed a couple of novels to take home for the summer before the librarian could notice.
She sneakily snuck them into her bag and then slyly backed out of the library, and by large mistake, into the back of someone who was standing right near the doorway.
"Watch where you're going, fuckface." came a growl. Isabelle turned to see that it was in fact, Sweet Pea. "Iz, sorry. You're not a fuckface. I expected some prick that was looking to get his teeth smashed."
"No fuckface here, just me, on a stealth mission from the library." she shrugged, a nervous smile on her lips.
"As usual. Did you just steal books to read over summer break?" Sweet Pea asked, raising a brow.
"How did you know?" she asked, pretending to be shocked.
"I just know Isabelle Miller." he gave a shrug.
Isabelle sighed. "And here I was, thinking I had changed so much in the last two and a half months that you wouldn't even recognize me anymore."
"That's impossible, Iz. Hey, a bunch of us are meeting at the Wyrm right now for a few drinks. Want to come get a buzz on? End of school celebrations." The tall boy grinned.
This could go one way, or another. Isabelle could choose to go home, curl up with one of her stolen books and a cup of tea, or she could tag along with the Riverdale misfits for some drinks. Well, it is summer.
"Yeah, sure. I'll meet you there." she decided, immediately regretting it.
"Great, I'll save you a seat at our table." Sweet Pea gave her a wave and took off down the hallway, reconnecting with his group of friends.
After Isabelle was finished kicking herself in the teeth for giving in, she walked down the road to the Whyte Wyrm to meet her ex and his friends. That didn't sound stupid or anything. In order to avoid backing out due to her anxiousness, she focused on the clicking of her heels against the pavement until she reached the Whyte Wyrm, pulling open the heavy door and making her way into the smell of cigarettes, joints and alcohol. The seventies music played in the background, bass thrumming and the crowds voices overpowering the song.
Isabelle spotted Sweet Pea sitting at a round table next to Fangs and Toni. Figuring she would only get carded and turned away for ordering a drink, she decided to just go sit without an alcoholic beverage to hold on to.
Fangs and Toni looked up as Isabelle approached the table from behind Sweet Pea, and they waved. "Hey, stranger!!" Toni called, clearly already on the booze. Sweet Pea automatically jumped up and pulled out a chair for Isabelle.
"Hey." she replied over the music, and then nodded in thanks to Sweet Pea. "Always a gentleman." she smiled.
"Of course." Sweet Pea nodded back.
"Hey, Iz. Have a beer." Fangs grabbed an unopened bottle out of his bag. Isabelle gladly accepted, knowing that the operators at the Wyrm didn't care if you drank, you just couldn't be sold their liquor.
"Thanks, Fangs. Get ready, it's been a while." Isabelle grinned and grabbed the bottle opener from Sweet Pea, flicking off the cap and taking a swig like it was orange juice.
"She's still got it!" Toni applauded, and Isabelle pretended to bow. The pink haired girl scooted her chair closer to Isabelle's. "I've missed you so much." she wrapped her arms around Isabelle.
"Aw, T. I've been lacking some vitamin pink in my life." she responded, causing Toni to burst out laughing.
"Fangs! Take me to the jukebox. I need some Led Zeppelin up in here!" Toni jumped up, as did Fangs and Isabelle watched as the two slightly tipsy Serpents made their way to the large sound system.
"Thanks for coming, Iz." Sweet Pea said over the music, taking a drink of his own beer.
Isabelle shrugged. "It's not like I had anything better to do." she replied, smiling. "I missed it here." There was once a time when the group of four had spent many an evening at the Wyrm, playing pool, dancing, getting very, very drunk.
"I missed you. I mean, we all missed you." Sweet Pea was quick to cover up, running a hand through his hair before falling to his chest, twirling around his dog tags.
Isabelle didn't have a chance to reply, as Toni and Fangs soon came back. The afternoon soon turned to evening, and one beer for Isabelle soon turned to six. The four were all burning out and decided to take off home.
"Thanks for the great time, guys. Need to do it again soon!" Isabelle told the group, while they all clambered out the door from the Wyrm.
"Anytime Iz, you're my favourite and I love you." a drunk Toni kissed her cheek, pulling back and giving her a wink. "Fangs! My noble steed. Whisk me home." after saying goodbye to Sweet Pea and Isabelle, Fangs hauled Toni up over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"I'll walk you home." Sweet Pea smiled down to Isabelle.
"I can walk myself home, thank you very much." Isabelle replied, causing Sweet Pea to chuckle. he could always hold his liquor better than her.
"Not in those heels, Princess." Sweet Pea grabbed the bag she had slung over her shoulder which was weighing her down. He then wrapped an arm around her waist, keeping her steady as they walked up the road. "Hey, what I said earlier about missing you, I actually meant it. I always see you alone at school, alone walking, alone everywhere and I feel like that's my fault. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, Pea. I'm like a living organism that doesn't need to travel in a pack." she shrugged, doting on his words. Isabelle never really thought about this. "I miss you too."
It seemed as though Sweet Pea didn't know how to reply, and the two walked in silence until they reached Isabelle's driveway. "Come around again, will you? We always need a fourth for pool." he returned the bag to her shoulder, leaving goosebumps where he touched her.
"Yeah, of course. Just text me." she smiled up to the boy who first held her heart. He smiled back, and a moment later he wrapped his arms around her, pulling Isabelle against his chest. Her old safe space. She wrapped her own arms around his waist, breathing in the old smell of him. A second later, he pulled back far enough to catch her lips in a kiss, and Isabelle was surprised to find herself kissing back.
Sparks flew as once was a burnt out flame reignited.
A/N: Hi guys! thanks for reading. This is for sure going to be a multichapter fic! enjoy!!