Anger And Agony Are Better Than Misery

Izzy sat nervously on the plane. She'd never flown anywhere before and she wasn't really happy about doing it now. Of course her seat had to be a window seat. She rolled her eyes and tried not to think about it.

"You sure you're going to be ok?" Randy asked for the fifth time in ten minutes.

"Yeah I'm fine." The same answered she'd given the other four times.

The last passengers were loading onto the plane as Izzy pulled out her iPod.

"Well if it isn't Pansy Orton." A voice came from up the aisle. Randy looked up in time to see Cody Rhodes take the seat in the middle section next to him.

"Cunty Rhodes, what are you doing in St. Louis?"

Izzy pulled herself from her calm breathing and focused thoughts when she heard the exchange between her brother and this handsome stranger. She gave Randy a confused look.

"Oh Izz this is my friend Cody." He explained than looked to Cody. "And Cody this is my sister Izzy."

Cody smiled and immediately began laying on the charm. "That must really suck babe."

"Excuse me?" Izzy said with a hint of distain in her voice.

"Being related to this idiot." Cody explained pointing to Randy. "Good thing you're not related to me, wouldn't want to pass up the chance to take you out."

"Damn he was so cute until he opened his mouth." Izzy mumbled to herself.

"What was that dollface?"

"I said in your dreams asshole." Izzy said then placed her headphones in her ears. Cody sat in shock for a moment trying to remember ever being turned down before. Randy tried in vain to hide a quiet laugh.

"What the hell is her problem?" Cody asked Randy as soon as the shock wore off.

"Guess you finally found a girl who's able to resist your charms." Randy said sarcastically.

Izzy had barely made it to the second song on her playlist when she felt the plane begin to rumble beneath her. Instinctively her hand grabbed tightly to the arm rest. Cody noticed her every movement.

"You cool?" Randy asked, also noticing her change in posture.

"What?" Izzy asked taking out her headphones.

"You cool?" He repeated.

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Awww, you afraid of a little plan ride?" Cody laughed.

"How about you go to hell, Cunty." The insult was weak but a weak insult was better than none at all.

"That's all? I'm disappointed. I expected better from you."

Izzy rolled her eyes, put her headphones back in and tried to focus on acting as if neither the plane ride nor Cody were bothering her, she failed miserably at both.

The plane ride lasted about three hours and Izzy spent the whole time either listening to her iPod or the conversation that Cody and her brother were having. Unfortunately for her they didn't talk about anything interesting enough to keep her mind off the flight. Also unfortunate for her the plane kit turbulence midway through the flight. Izzy gave Randy a concerned look to which he mouthed silently to her that it was fine and normal. Randy knew better than to say anything out loud for fear of starting another bickering match between Cody and Izzy. Taking little assurance in Randy's words Izzy tried again to calm down. Mercifully the flight was over a little more than an hour later.

When the flight had finally ended without hesitation everyone began to stand and gather there carryon bags. Randy stepped into the aisle and moved forward enough so Izzy could fall in line behind him, big mistake, now Izzy was standing side by side with Cody.

"You know, I could hold your hand while we get off the plane if you're scared."

"Or you could get hit by a bus."

"Don't be like that babe, you know you like me."

"Call me babe again and you'll be crawling off this plane."

Cody smirked. "Maybe I like it rough," He paused than whispered in her ear, "babe."

With one hit below the belt Cody fell to his knees with a soft whimper. Izzy bent down and whispered in his ear. "I warned you…… babe." Randy, having witnessed the entire scene, tried to get himself and Izzy off the plane before he burst into laughter. Cody may have been one of his best friends but he had to admit Cody absolutely deserved this one.

An hour later Izzy was sitting comfortably in her hotel room reading a book until a knock at her door startled her. Unwillingly she got up and answered. She opened the door thanking god it was Randy and not Cody. She wasn't sure how much longer she'd be able to deal with his shit but she knew at the current moment she couldn't handle anymore.

"You sure it's a good idea you have your own room?" Randy asked stepping into the room.

"Oh my god! Randal Keith Orton I'm going to explain this one last time! I am sixteen not ten! The whole point of me coming on the road with you was so I could travel, not be babysat! I am fine! You're only a couple of floors up. It's not like you're states away."

"Izzy I'd feel better if you'd at least stay on the same floor as me."

"NO!" Izzy snapped.

"Why not?"

"I told you I don't like sleeping above the ground floor."

"But you never told me why"

"It doesn't matter, it's-"

"It matters to me!" Randy said cutting her off.

Izzy was quiet for a long moment. In fact she was so quiet that Randy thought she'd chosen to just not answer him. He'd just decided to turn around and leave when she began to speak.

"There was a fire,"

Randy whirled back around and waiting for her to explain.

"about six months after I moved in with James. I was asleep in our room upstairs; he was downstairs completely strung out. I don't know exactly what happened I just know that I woke up trapped on the second floor. I panicked for a few minutes until the smoke was so bad I almost passed out. Everything after that seemed to happen so fast. I guess my body kicked into survival mode. I picked up the chair that was by the window and threw it through the glass. It shattered most of it and the next thing I knew I had jumped out of the window and landed on my arm on the ground. The fall broke my arm in six places I also had a piece of glass stuck in my thigh but I was alive and that's more than I can say for my best friend Marsha, she never made it out of the house. James made it out without a scratch, I walked away with a broken arm and a scar on my thigh but she didn't even-" Izzy broke down into tears.

Randy didn't attempt any words of encouragement, he just wrapped his arms and her as the sobs racked her body. Occasionally he let a tear or two roll down his cheek.