Author: Lauren
Author's Email: PaceysLilMcPhee@aol.com
Author's Note: R/R please! Something a little different in this chapter…about two characters I haven't really written about before. In the same fic anyway. Enjoy.
Chapter 6
After Liz, Kyle, and Isabel had followed him out of Michael's apartment, Max began taking charge again. He had been too shocked earlier but Michael was no longer there and Max was recovering from the shock of the situation.
"Isabel, you and Kyle go find Valenti and let him know what's going on. Maybe he'll have a few ideas. And anyway we should at least let him know what's going on with Maria. Liz and I will meet you in awhile at the library with whatever information Maria can remember and maybe we can find something to help us out. Especially with those stars she's talking about."
"I have a book at home that may help us with that. It shouldn't take too long to find," Isabel said. "Kyle and I can stop by and get it."
Max nodded and answered, "Alright, Liz and I will meet you at the library after you go pick it up. We need all the help we can get."
Once they all agreed to the plan Kyle and Isabel left and climbed into Kyle's car to drive to Kyle's house and then Isabel's place. Max and Liz watched them drive off and then they walked back inside and had a seat on the couch together. They gripped each other's hands tightly and Liz laid her head on Max's shoulder. Both felt they were lucky that after all they had been through as a couple, they had not been the ones to deal with the situation that Michael and Maria would now have to deal with but they also were scared for their friends; who knew what was to come. Max held Liz in his arms, which was a source of comfort for both of them. On the opposite side of the apartment the other couple was also comforting each other, as they seemed to melt together into one person, side by side, both attempting to relax for the first time in awhile.
Kyle and Isabel departed the Valenti's driveway and drove together to the Evans' house. Isabel unlocked the door and led the way up the stairs to the second story of the house to her bedroom. Isabel entered and began to amble to the other side of the room when she turned back around to find Kyle standing in the doorway.
"You can come in, you know," Isabel told him. He entered, pushing the door open just a bit farther as he did. Although Isabel couldn't help from rolling her eyes playfully watching Kyle enter her room awkwardly, she was happy he didn't barge in like other guys, namely her brother Max and Michael, did.
Isabel bent down and sat on her knees on the carpeted floor. Kyle stood behind her and watched as she reached under her bed and slid a shoebox out from under the sheet-draped bed. Kyle took a step back as Isabel stood up and then took a seat on her bed. Kyle took a seat next to her as she lifted the flimsy, but well-preserved, top from the box and handed it to him. He held onto it as she began to sift through the contents of the box. There wasn't much to sift through; there were quite a few items but they were organized as neatly as they could have been for the container they were put in. After removing all the items on top, Isabel finally found what she was looking for laying at the bottom of the box. She also handed this to Kyle as she began the process of putting the other objects back in the cardboard shoebox.
From the items present in the shoebox, Kyle knew exactly what the purpose of the shoebox was. It seemed to hold items that proved of sentimental value to Isabel and their recently departed friend Alex. Kyle didn't know how some of the items related but he did recognize the flower that Alex had given to Isabel at their Junior Prom. Kyle had no idea how the item, a book on stars and constellations, related but he knew there was a lot about Isabel that most people didn't know. And her relationship had always been a puzzle to him until prom…and Alex's death.
Isabel replaced the shoebox back under her bed. Afterwards, Kyle handed her the book back and Isabel looked at it for a second. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts and had forgotten Kyle was even there for awhile. Kyle understood but he wasn't sure what to do or say so he said, "Did Alex give that to you?"
Isabel nodded without looking up at Kyle. "I don't know if you remember that camping trip everyone seemed to go on a couple of years ago but we did some stargazing that day. I told him about how much the stars interest me. I guess I found them interesting because I thought that maybe one of those stars up there is near our home planet. Anyway," Isabel continued, "a few days afterwards he gave me this book. He never knew how much I actually adored this book." Isabel took a deep breath and sighed. Then, still looking at the book in her hands, she opened the cover and on the left hand side there was a handwritten message. She handed the book to Kyle. She had read the message so many times, particularly after Alex's death, that she knew all the words by heart anyway.
Kyle read the note. He didn't want to invade Isabel's privacy but she had prompted him to read it and they had become closer friends after Tess and Alex both, although in different ways, left.
I
Isabel,
Even though you feel as though you can't let anyone into that complicated life of yours I want you to know that I'll be here for you one way or the other. I know that if you let yourself be seen, you could sparkle as beautifully as the stars. I'm here as your friend no matter what.
Alex/I
Kyle handed the book back to Isabel and she gingerly closed it.
"I miss him," she said shakily, obviously trying to control her voice and emotions.
Kyle had always seen Isabel as everyone else had seen her – strong and independent. Rarely did anyone see her vulnerable or emotional. The only time Kyle could remember was the day that Alex died. And he, along with many others, rarely saw her during that time. And when he did she had seemed empty of all emotions.
"We all miss him," Kyle responded after a pause. He put his arm around Isabel's shoulders.
She glanced at him and let a few tears slide down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I know it's been awhile, it's just-"
"It's okay," Kyle interrupted. He pulled her into a hug and they hugged each other for a few moments in silence.
"Don't turn into Max and Michael and make it a habit of interrupting me," Isabel said.
They pulled away from each other and Kyle just smiled at Isabel's comment.
Isabel stood up and wiped her eyes furiously. "We better get going," she said, trying to change the subject and distract themselves from the previous conversation. "We don't want Max lecturing us because we were late," Isabel added. She grabbed the book that she had placed back on the bed while embracing Kyle and trying to get herself under control.
Kyle stood up and followed Isabel back outside to his car. After they climbed in and he was about to turn the key he glanced at Isabel. Isabel glanced back and they exchanged a smile. Both knew that they were both thinking how great it was that they had found someone they could talk to. They both were glad they had found a best friend in each other.
