Eight

Izzie was found by Amanda, John and James. "There you are!" Amanda said in relief. "Everyone is going out of their mind with worry."

"Yeah, you should have heard Riley. 'James she's gone missing. I don't know what to do. Help me!'" he said mimicking Riley excellent. Izzie giggled slightly.

"Great impression James. But not true. Riley might be worried but she's in the minority," Izzie explained. She looked Amanda dead set in the eyes. "I'm not even being given the chance to prove myself," she said miserably. "You were," she added.

Amanda smiled weakly and glanced at James, who didn't notice although John did. He frowned. "Ok, why do I think there's more going on than just proving yourself?" he asked.

Izzie looked at him. She recognised him from the band James played in with. "Because A-troupe are being turned against me by a certain member of the team," Izzie said vaguely. "So I'm being judged on what they think they know."

James looked stunned. "Who's spreading stuff about Internationals? Skylar, Michelle, Richelle, Noah and Riley all know that Ella's deceit wasn't your fault."

Izzie glanced at Amanda, who inclined her head slightly. "It doesn't mean they don't still blame me. Especially Skylar and Richelle as they weren't there. But no, it's not them. It's… It's… James, it's Piper. She heard the storied about the England team from you and has taken it and run with it. Pulling my name with it," she added miserably. James banged his hand down on the table.

He closed his eyes in frustration. "I knew she was too young to be auditioning. If she's going to be this petty over something she doesn't know anything about," James retorted angrily.

"Yeah but James she seems to know an awful lot and the only people she could get that from is you and Riley," Izzie replied quietly.

"Or the boys when they visit or…" he trailed off realising that wasn't helping. "Yeah ok, I suppose you are right. I'll be back alright," he said grabbing his drink and heading out the shop everyone watched him go, confused.

"Ok," John said taking a seat opposite Izzie. Amanda sat down too to wait for James to get back. He watched as Izzie ducked her head again and gently swung her legs, kicking the table leg between them. She missed and kicked him the shin. He winced but glanced at Amanda who nodded encouragingly. "So Amanda told me you… er… you had a chat earlier about keeping feelings hidden and letting it all build up when its ready to overflow, until it kind of bursts… out like a dam," John said. Izzie glanced up from the table and raised an eyebrow at the nervous boy. "Well she also said that although she got her feelings off her chest, you didn't and maybe… well… maybe you'd want to talk to someone who's been through the same as you." Izzie's brow furrowed confused and John just looked at Amanda for help.

Amanda thought for a moment and then responded. "Like you John's had a pretty rubbish time of late. I thought, maybe, if you spoke to someone who's been through something similar it might help. When you got me to tell you what was wrong I wanted to ask you the same but I could tell you were itching to ask me a question, so I let you," Amanda said. "John would understand and I want to help," she said.

Izzie went silent and looked at the table. No-one spoke for a whole minute. "Izzie when my mum died, it was awful. Ask Luke. I became very insecure and quiet and hide. I have a… well a slightly volatile relationship with my dad. I know he cares about me but we clash a lot. It's not easy but I have him still and I have the band and my friends at Lost and Found and… well Michelle and you guys," John said. "I didn't have to pack my whole life up and move thousands of miles across the sea where I didn't know anyone but I did lose a lot of friends."

Izzie was quiet. "It's too complicated. All of it. My whole life has been one big mess ever since…" she stumbled and choked on her words. "Ever since Scarlett."