Okay! Here's 7 as promised! I'll be returning to my regularly schedule of updates every Tuesday! Enjoy!

Notifications never stopped. Her phone hadn't been silent in days. It wasn't all bad. There were girls who thought she was adorable and that she and JJ made a cute couple. So many were happy for the two. You two look so happy together! Aw, yay! JJ is so happy! Those were nice. She had gained so many followers and her PMs were blowing up with positive messages that made her smile. But the negative…it was heart wrenching.

Isabella stared at the phone, buzzing and lighting up on as it scooted across her dresser. She didn't want to look at it. She didn't want to see people critiquing every single flaw in her appearance. It was all jealousy. She kept telling herself that. Maybe if she kept on, she'd start believing it. She wished she could just turn off notifications and still get the ones she wanted. Dealing with it at school was bad enough, but to have people from all over the world attacking her…it was so much to deal with.

The phone kept buzzing and buzzing. The sound was deafening in the air. Isabella weighed the options. She could abandon the phone, turn it off and watch something on her laptop. She could go downstairs and talk to her parents for once in a blue moon. She could go outside and enjoy the weather before it got too terribly cold. She laid back on her bed and stared at the ceiling.

It could be JJ. And she loved talked to him. There was never a dull moment. The way he went through topics. He'd bounce from one to the next. She'd started finally getting used to the bouncing around in conversation and seeing the logic between seemingly unrelated topics. It had taken a while to get used to, but now she was getting it. His mind was such a beautiful thing. She loved how his face lit up when he was talking about something he loved. He could talk about ice skating all day if she let him. It was heartwarming to see that he really enjoyed what he did. It was more of a passion than anything.

She pulled herself up off her bed and picked up her phone. Her eyes wanted to read the hurtful messages, but she fought the urge as she scrolled down the screen of Twitter notifications. She allowed herself to read the nice ones to help her feel just a bit better. JJ had updated his twitter, tweeting about his Skate Canada program. His Instagram had been updated too talking about the program. There was selfie of him with his parents at the rink. She couldn't help but smile. His cheeks were a rosy red from the mixture of the cold air and the practice she knew he had just done. She zoomed in to look at his parents. His father had his hands on his shoulders, his eyes fixed on JJ rather than the camera. It melted her heart how proud the man looked. She could only dream of the day one her parents looked at her like that. She didn't let them get close enough these days. She couldn't. She tried. It was just so…embarrassing. His mother was also looking at him rather than the camera. Her face was so soft. Isabella could feel the love. It made her feel almost jealous. His family was so close and hers was so…distant.

JJ had always had the best report with his fans. Ever since he first debuted, he was always so humble, so thankful. There were plenty of times that he'd meet fans after competitions. There were a million stories of JJ stopping to talk to fans who wanted to speak to him. If they were little kids, it was even better. He'd set up fundraisers for different causes. He would always encourage fans to come do different volunteer work with him and his family around Canada. She had never heard anyone say a single bad thing about the guy. He was just…so good?

She couldn't wrap her head around the fact that this boy who has done so much for so many people in need, with a heart made of gold, didn't have friends. Why? Her mind kept playing over the moment when he'd told her that he'd had so much trouble making and keeping friends because of his ADHD and other issues. He blamed the fact that he didn't really have a filter as the cause, but to her the cause of it was not him. It was other people. Maybe she was biased. She had cared so much for him for so long maybe it clouded her perception of him when those things happened. JJ was just…perfect. She couldn't think of another word to describe him.

The television was on downstairs. Her parents were watching a movie together. They'd asked her if she wanted to join and she'd made up an excuse about having to do homework. It was hard that they believed her without ever checking. Maybe she should go downstairs and talk to them. JJ talked to his parents. He said they were his best friends. It was such a strange relationship to Isabella. None of her friends even liked to talk to their parents. It was always so annoying being around adults, especially parents. Perhaps that's how JJ felt about her relationship with her parents. He was so family centered.

Isabella sat down and scrolled through his Instagram. There were pictures of his brother and sister in skating poses. Picture of them together in their outfits. Of all the things Isabella knew about JJ and his parents, she knew very little about his siblings. They were quite a bit younger, but they looked so close. She smiled at one picture in particular where they're piled on top of him and all three were laughing. It made her wish she had siblings, but she liked being an only child even though at times it got lonely. It would be nice to have someone to hang out with or talk to. She remembered when she was younger that she and her cousins spent a lot of time together, but after high school started, they went to different schools and got more into their respective friends. They had started working pretty regularly at the restaurant their parents owned, so they'd drifted apart.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, pulling her from her thoughts. She jumped at the suddenness of it all. With her having the apps open, the notifications had quieted just a bit. JJ's face popped up on the screen, smiling that winning smile that made her heart flutter. She smiled and hit the button to answer.

"Hey there!" She smiled.

"Hi! Oh my gosh, Isabella, I have to tell you this thing that I found out. I'm so nervous. Okay, so we were looking at who's going to be at Skate Canada and I'm going against Viktor. Oh my god…" He let out a shaking breath. "I mean…he was there last year at the Grand Prix Final, but this is so early on! I'm not prepared. I…I don't know. My parents are telling me it's going to be okay, but I'm not as experienced at all. I'm only sixteen! I don't…Isabella, what do I do?"

Isabella was shocked. He was calling her with this? She was honored, but couldn't help but feel just a little taken aback. She had never thought of JJ as someone who go nervous about these kind of things. He always just had this air of confidence about him. Despite their relationship, she hadn't realized he trusted her so much with this sort of thing. And here he was.

"I…He's really good." It was all she could think to say. She heard JJ groan in response. "But so are you." She added.

"I want to do well this season. But how I am going to do that?"

"You won't get there if you don't think you can. I mean…JJ you're only sixteen and you've never had any major injuries. You do things to push yourself constantly. So what if Viktor has been so great in the past? I mean…he could mess up. He might just be off. You can't help what he does, JJ. You can only help what you do and how you do. I believe in you. Your parents believe in you. All your fans and all the JJ Girls believe in you and know you can do well." Isabella reassured him. She hoped it was enough. He sounded so worried.

"Okay…I guess you're right. My parents told me to just…envision myself with the gold and the rest will fall into place. That's what they always say, but, like…" He trailed off as he looked for the words. "You know how I told you I have anxiety? Well it gets to me. I've never had a problem during a competition, but I've had them in plenty of bathrooms before and after. So what's stopping it from this? I don't know I just…why do I have to compete against him in the first round?" JJ groaned again.

"JJ?"

"Yeah?"

"Your parents have done this before. They've gotten gold so many times. They were the best of their day. They have faith in you. They're coaching you. You work so hard. I know you'll do your best. That's all you can do. And just…instead of focusing so much on the others, focus on yourself. Try the mindset of you're the only competition you have. Beat your personal best every time and you'll be on top eventually. Just…believe in yourself, JJ."

Isabella played with the blankets on her bed as she waited for a response. All she could hear now was him groaning and breathing. As much as she knew about figure skating in general and about certain skaters like JJ, she hadn't ever thought a lot about the others. She had her favorite for reasons beyond just skill. They were all skilled and were all so talented and hardworking and beautiful. She hadn't seen a single skater that she watched and was bored with. She had always just imagined them as friends who cheered each other on. She'd watched so many of them get so excited about beating their personal best. She'd just…assumed. But here JJ was, anxious about who he was going up against. It shook that very assumption.

"I don't want to let anyone down," JJ said finally. "My parents believe in me so much. My brother and sister hold me to this pedestal. My fans look to me to do well. And honestly it feels like Canada wants me to follow in my parents' footsteps to the Olympics. What if I let them down, Isabella? What if I let myself down?"

She could hear the pain and anxiety in his voice. Memories played through her head of all of his competitions. Never once had anyone been disappointed in him…not that she knew of anyway. She knew that so many skaters looked up to Viktor, wanted to skate like him, to be like him, but in all honesty, Isabella could say without any uncertainty that each one of them were perfect.

"You won't let anyone down. JJ style doesn't disappoint, and it doesn't copy anyone else either. I remember in this one interview you had you said that you were really focused on making your programs seamless. Your footwork was just important as the jumps. The passion needed to go from beginning to end. You wanted the music to flow through your veins and the jumps to be perfectly intertwined with everything. I've watched you over the years get better and better at it. You work in the dancing that your parents were so good at and have no doubt influenced how you do. You'll be amazing." She smiled wishing he was there so she could give him a hug.

JJ sighed into the phone before going silent. Isabella could practically see him now in his room, bouncy and anxious. She wondered why he wasn't with his parents. He'd aid they were his best friends. Were they not the people he went to when he was feeling this way? He had said his dad could be a little intense when it came to coaching. Maybe that's why he was feeling the way he was? Were they pushing him too hard? Was it too much? Should she ask?

"I really want to thank you, Isabella. You know the right thing to say. I do feel a little better. Tell me about your day!"

Isabella could hear the smile in his voice. They talked for a while about things. He had started to feel better about the Skate Canada assignments and was on to happier things. Isabella talked to him about her day, carefully editing the bullying at school. He told her about his. He had finally gotten caught up in school. It was weird that you could get behind in school at home. Just one day had pushed him back so far. It had taken almost a week for him to catch up. But then again….maybe it did make sense? JJ had never said specifically that he struggled in school, but one could assume given the fact that he'd told her about his issues. They said good night and

Isabella sat on her bed, staring the carpet in her room. It felt so surreal. A month and a half ago, she'd be sitting here with Sophia and Cloe about her birthday. Turning sixteen was a big deal. Cloe had turned sixteen before the school year had started and they had gone all out. She had her party at Lefontaine Skating Rink. Her parents had rented out a private room for them to have the food and cake, and had reserved the rink for three hours. Her entire family was there, as well as all the girls from Villa Maria in the class had been invited. Isabella remembered watching Cloe show off her skills on ice for the rest of the girls. Most of the girls had joined in skating and having fun. Cloe tried to convince Isabella to try it, but she'd been so scared. She'd stood to the side and watched them with a smile on her face as she watched the girls laugh and have fun. A few girls had also been a bit wary of skating and stood with Isabella. It had been a lot of fun.

She laid back and wracked her brain with what she wanted to do. Nobody from school would come. She was sure of that. Sophia and Cloe and the rest of the JJ Girls at school would not be nice to anyone who was kind to her. She knew that much. They had done this to girls before in grade five. Isabella had tried to stand up for them, but at the time she'd been too scared to do much. Perhaps this was karma. The other girl had ended up switching schools. Part of her really wanted to switch school. Maybe she could find a school with a better literature concentration and use academics as the excuse. Her parents might not ask too many questions about that, but she had talked to them so much about going to Villa Maria that she was sure they'd get suspicious. She had always loved the school and how glad she was she could go there.

Just two years and she could start fresh. Even less than two years. It was already early October and though she knew it was still early on in the year, she was going to count it. She'd finish grade eleven and then it was off to CEGEP. She wouldn't have to deal with Sophia or Cloe after that. She would die if they ended up at the same program, but she knew they all had very different hopes of the future. Especially now that they were clearly not friends. Then she'd get to Concordia as a journalist student. She couldn't wait.

She imagined what it would be like to be away at university. Of course she'd still be in Montreal, but she'd begged her parents to let her stay in the dorms. They were still reluctant, but she knew they'd come around. She wanted to be on her own and experience the world. She'd be so free. She'd be able to do what she wanted when she wanted, no curfew, no being bothered with a million and five questions every time she wanted to do something. To not have to ask before doing something without the fear of being caught and grounded was going to be the most liberating thing in the world.

Isabella pulled herself from the bed, deciding to try to talk with her parents. It was so much better than laying here thinking about everything that was going on. She was going to beg them to let her go to Skate Canada this year. She needed to be there to support JJ, not as a fan, but as his friend and girlfriend. If she could be there to personally give him a hug and pep talk, she was going to be there. Sure, she could call him or face time, but it wasn't the same.

Her parents were sitting on the couch with all the lights off. Isabella watched them for a moment as the light of the television flickered over their faces. Her father had his arm her mother as she leaned against his chest. It had been a while since she really looked at them. Their faces were so much more tired and worn than she had remembered. There were lines around her mother's eyes now. Her father had bags under his eyes as well as the lines to match her mother's. How old were they now? Fifies? She felt ashamed she didn't know. She wanted to hug them suddenly. It was almost overpowering. She wanted to hug them and cry and tell them what was going on with all the girls being so mean to her. She wanted to.

Instead she walked into the room and sat down on the couch silently. She pulled the sleeves of her baggy hoodie to cover her and curled up against the arm rest. Her parents looked at her, surprised looks on their faces. A pang of guilt shot through her. They were surprised to see her willingly spending time with them. What kind of daughter was she? She kept telling herself it was normal to not want to be around them these days, but JJ loved his parents so much that he always wanted to be with them. Her cousins even spent time with their parents, even if a lot of the time was spent working and was therefore forced interaction. Was something wrong with her? She wanted to talk to them like when she was little, but she couldn't.

At what point had she let them start to embarrass her? Was it the time Cloe laughed at her father's name? Or when Sophia said they didn't have "real" names? At what point had she so violently denied so much of herself? Tears pulled in her eyes at the realization. Cloe and Sophia had made her push so much of herself away, brush her beautiful culture under a rug. And for what? She was glad to be rid of them. Good fucking riddance. She needed to reconnect.

"Mama? Baba?" She broke the silence.

"Yes?" Her mother looked concerned, exchanging a glance with her father.

"I love you." She reached over, hugging them both, and kissed them each on the cheek.

"We love you too, sweetheart." Her father smiled pulling her close. He planted a kiss to the top of her head.

She didn't say anything else. She didn't attempt to pull from his embrace even though so much of her was telling her to stop. She wasn't a child. This wasn't what teenagers did. Isabella pushed those thoughts away and let herself just feel close to them for the first time in years. She brushed away the tears quickly, not wanting them to see or notice. For once, she was thankful for the dark.

JJ fidgeted in his car as he waited for his brother and sister to be released from school. He'd promised Olivier and Madeline that he'd pick them up today for their weekly ice cream outing. Every Monday for the past few years, JJ would take his brother and sister for ice cream even in the dead of winter. It had started during the summer. Oli and Maddie both were begging for ice cream. Their parents had both been so busy. JJ had been thirteen at the time and the twins were seven. He'd volunteered to take them. It had been the first time their parents had let JJ go out unaccompanied. He'd felt so grown up, so responsible, so proud. It had just become a tradition. But this was first time since he'd been allowed to drive that he had picked them up from school. Usually he waited until they got home and they'd walk down the street. Today was going to be special.

He watched carefully as a steady stream of elementary students flooded out of the school, his eyes peeled for his two favorite grade fours. The uniforms were so frustrating in these situations. He didn't understand why they had to wear a uniform. He could remember how it felt to wear one. He'd been five and the shirt had been uncomfortable, the sweater unbearably scratchy against his skin. The pants had felt so stiff. And the shoes…god the shoes had been the worst. He remembered getting in trouble for trying to take them off or taking off the sweater vest. It was amazing to him that these kids seemed so happy in them. The fact that Oli and Maddie didn't tear off their uniforms first thing after getting home was mindboggling.

He spotted the twins as they walked out the door. Maddie was hugging her books to her chest as she listened to Oli talk about something, his hands flying in the air. JJ smiled. He got out of the car, waving to them so they could see. He let out a laugh as a group of their friends gasped.

"It's JJ!" He heard one of the kids exclaim. He waved to them.

He watched as Oli and Maddie beamed. He liked how proud they were of him. He loved how they were always constantly bragging to their friends about how cool he was or how awesome he was. It was one of the best feelings in the world. It was indescribable. All he wanted to do was live up to those expectations. His biggest fear was them growing up and deciding he wasn't as cool as they had thought when they were little.

He walked around the car to greet them with a hug. Sweet, little Maddie waited as Oli jumped on JJ with the most emphatic hug. It knocked the wind out of him. He let out a small laugh as he hugged his brother tight before giving his little sister a long hug. He opened the doors for them and waited as they got in and secured before getting in himself. Olivier was already talking his ear off about Skate Canada as Maddie sat quietly, a smile on her face. JJ took it all in. He really needed a day with them, just them, to push away those doubts in his mind. But there was always that anxiety he felt that they'd finally realize he wasn't what they thought.

"JJ?" Maddie asked aske Oli paused for a breath.

"Hm?"

"Maman and Papa said you had a girlfriend. Can I meet her?" Maddie grinned at him.

"Sure! Let me call her!" JJ smiled.

He watched Maddie and Oli give each other excited looks in the mirror. He smiled to himself, feeling the excitement wash over him. He honestly couldn't wait to introduce everyone to Isabella. Starting with his siblings would be perfect. He knew he didn't have to worry about them. They were honestly the biggest supporters of anything he did. He once picked out a jacket at the store for winter and the twins had talked about it being so cool for the duration of the season.

"Hi, JJ!" Isabella answered.

"Hi! So…I'm taking my little brother and sister for ice cream. Do you want to join us?" JJ glanced at Maddie who was holding her fists to her chin in anticipation.

"Ice cream? It's so cold." Isabella let out a small laugh.

"I'll buy you hot chocolate. It's a tradition. Mondays we get ice cream. They really want to meet you." JJ pressed. He was eager to see her and excited for his siblings to meet the best girl he knew.

"Okay. I'm waiting for the bus at school if you want to pick me up?" Isabella said after a minute.

JJ agreed and letting her know he'd be there soon before hanging up and getting ready to go. He drove quietly, thanking about how nice the day would be. Maddie was reading a book and Oli was drawing in his sketch pad. He thought about how interesting it was that he never had to explain himself to his siblings. He never remembered a minute that he or his parents ever had to explain why they needed to interact a certain way with him or why JJ did certain things. That had been a conversation he had gotten so used to having with his extended family, with psychologists, coaches. He hated that conversation. He felt so exposed, so…so awkward. But his brother and sister never had to have it explained.

To them there were certain things that went without saying. JJ was never still, not even in his sleep. He talked a lot. He could get loud without even realizing it. Sometimes he didn't shut up for hours. When things got overwhelming, he couldn't cope and would crumble. When he was supposed to be concentrating on something, you didn't talk. Television, movies, music, those sort of thing needed to be turned off when you wanted his full attention. Make eye contact, make physical contact. These were just things that were. It was comforting that he never had to explain it.

JJ pulled up into the Villa Maria's parking lot. Groups of girls were standing around, talking as they waited for their rides. He spotted Isabella standing to the side, leaning against the wall of the school. She had ear buds in as she looked at her phone. He smiled and pulled up in front of her. Her eyes didn't leave the phone for a moment. JJ considered calling her. Maybe he could roll the window down and call her? No, she wouldn't hear him. He didn't want to honk and scare her.

He told Oli and Maddie he'd be right back before getting out of the car and walking over to her. She still didn't look up as he stood next to her. He laughed softly to himself before reaching over and tapping her on the opposite shoulder from the side he was standing on. She jumped, her head whipping to her left. He couldn't help but fall into his hysterics. She turned to him and joined him in laughter.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you! You scared me!" Isabella held her hand to her chest.

"I'm sorry!" JJ gasped out. "It was too easy."

He pulled her to him in a hug. She smelled so good as usual. He closed his eyes, breathing her in. He didn't want to get go. She fit so perfectly in his arms. She started to pull away from the hug. He stopped her and kissed her gently, a smile plastered on his face. He frowned as Isabella stepped away from him quickly. Isabella looked around her, pushing her hair back with a strange look on her face. JJ looked over to a group of girls who were staring at them.

"Let's go." Isabella muttered walking quickly to the car.

JJ followed her to the car. She was so cute. Oli and Maddie were grinning like crazy when they got into the car. Isabella fastened her seat belt. She gripped her phone tight and smiled at the two kids in the back seat.

"Hello!" She said.

"Hi!" The twins said in unison.

"Isabella, this is Olivier, Oli, and Madeline, Maddie. They're twins and both ten. Guys, this is Isabella, my beautiful girlfriend." JJ beamed, kissing Isabella's cheek.

They exchanged pleasantries as JJ started driving. He wanted to get to the place soon so he could hold Isabella's hand and hug her and talk to her. He couldn't do it sitting in the car, not really anyway. And ice cream was going to be amazing. His favorite was strawberry. He could already taste it. He had a need.

They pulled into the parking space and piled out of the car. Maddie immediately took. Isabella's hand and smiling up at her. JJ smiled taking Isabella's other hand as Olivier led the way. The boy opened the door for a few people and held it for his the rest of their party to go in. JJ ordered his triple scoop strawberry ice cream cone. Oli got a double scoop chocolate cone. Maddie ordered a banana split with extra sprinkles. And as promised, JJ got Isabella a cup of hot chocolate. The ice cream shop had the best hot chocolate in JJ's opinion.

They found a table in the corner. Maddie insisted on sitting next to Isabella. JJ loved the fact that his little sister seemed to be so taken with Isabella. Oli seemed pretty excited about her too, but he was more interested in his ice cream.

"You're really pretty." Maddie observed with a smile. "I like your hair a lot. It's really black and I love it. And your eyeliner is so good. Do you like red lipstick or are those your lips? I really love it." Maddie gushed. Isabella let out a small chuckle.

"Thank you! You're really pretty too! I love your hair. It's really cute." Isabella said, reaching over to play with it. "I do really love red lipstick!"

"Do you think you can teach me how to do make up like yours? I get to do the Novice competitions this year and my mom said that she could do it, but I want you to because you're so pretty!" Maddie grinned.

Maddie's dark auburn hair that matched their mothers was falling out of the little pigtails she'd insisted their mother do that morning. From the looks of it JJ was sure she'd had a good time in gym class and recess that day. Her grin was missing a couple teeth. JJ knew she'd been a little self-conscious about performing before the adult teeth had come in despite everyone reassuring her that she was only ten and nobody was going to think negatively since she was still so young. But now with Isabella talking to her and complementing her, JJ could see his sister gaining more confidence. His heart swelled just a bit more in his love for his sister.

JJ watched his girlfriend and sister talk, and laugh for a bit as he ate his ice cream. He couldn't wait for his parents to meet Isabella and see how much Maddie liked her. Maddie had been begging for a sister for five years now and even though Isabella was just JJ's girlfriend, he really hoped that they could have that relationship. Maddie deserved it. He couldn't help but wonder how Isabella felt about being an only child.

"Are you JJ's favorite girlfriend?" Oli said through the last bite of his ice cream.

"What?" Isabella looked from Oli to JJ, who couldn't help but laugh.

"My big brother is really cool and has like a million girlfriends. So are you his favorite?" Oli repeated, folding his arms on the table.

"Um…yeah, I am." Isabella narrowed her eyes at JJ.

"JJ Girls," was all he said. Isabella nodded. JJ hoped she understood.

"Yeah, JJ Girls are his girlfriends. They're like really in love with him and wanna kiss him. Blech!" Oli made a face. "Kissing is so gross."

"Wait until you're older," Isabella giggled, her eye sparkling as she looked at JJ. "I really like it."

"Me too," JJ agreed. He wanted to kiss her so badly. Her lips were so soft. His eyes drifted to them. The bright red lip stick making them pop against her skin. She was perfect.

Isabella shifted to make herself a bit more comfortable as she and JJ kissed in his car outside her house. Something had changed in their relationship since their ice cream outing with his siblings. JJ seemed much more interested in her than before. He'd dropped them off at home before taking her home. And things had just….happened. It had just supposed to have been a good night kiss, but it'd turned into more.

Isabella pulled away, slightly out of breath from it all. JJ's eyes opened, his lids fluttering open as he looked at her with that sleepy drunk look on his face. His hands were still rubbing up and down her sides. She smiled at him, planting one more kiss on his lips. She stayed there, her arms around his neck, watching him. They didn't say a word. The silence was everything. Their feelings hung in the air. There was more attraction than ever. She rested her forehead against his. She'd never made out with anyone before. She'd never felt the rush of it all. They were so close, so much closer than she'd ever felt to anyone. She didn't want to move.

"I love you," JJ whispered.

Isabella pulled back, sitting properly in her seat. JJ was holding her hand, rubbing circles on the back as he smiled at her. He loved her? How long had it been? A few weeks? But he loved her. He said so. And she loved him, but her mouth wouldn't form the words. She licked her lips and pulled her jacket around her.

"It's okay. You don't have to say it back," JJ smiled. "I just wanted you to know. And I'm sorry if it's too soon. My parents say I move too fast, but it's hard you know because I just…I feel everything so strongly. It's like…" He sat up in his seat and watched her. "It's like my emotions go from zero to sixty and I either don't care or am all in." He shrugged. "But I do mean it, I love you."

"Thank you," Isabella smiled. "I…I….I lo….I really, really, really like you," She smiled, pressing a kiss to his knuckles.

"Thanks," JJ laughed softly.

"Maybe I should go inside…" Isabella started. She glanced at the house. She didn't want to go back in. She wanted to stay here, with JJ.

"Oh okay. I'm sorry. Did I make you uncomfortable?" JJ's eyebrows knit in concern.

"No, no, you're perfect." Isabella smiled. "I just don't want my parents to get suspicious or think we're…ya know."

"Oh…" JJ's eyebrows shot up. "Well no, we don't want that." She shifted.

"Yeah."

"Yeah."

"So…" Isabella picked up the backpack from the floor. "I guess I'll see you later?"

"Maybe one more kiss?" JJ asked.

"Of course. One more couldn't hurt." Isabella giggled.

"I love you." JJ whispered before they kissed once more.

Isabella didn't care that it was sloppy or awkward. She loved it. She wanted more. But she knew she couldn't. She needed to go inside. Whatever had happened that made them closer, she didn't know. She wanted to ask, but part of her didn't care. This was all she wanted. JJ. She and her friends used to practice kissing like this at sleepovers using those teen magazines and their hands, waiting for the day they could finally do it. But it wasn't what she'd thought it would be. It was JJ who pulled away first this time.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"For what?" Isabella asked.

"For being you. For putting up with me. For fitting so well with my siblings. I was worried, but you and Maddie…you're like best friends now. She was so excited that you both had similar uniforms. And Oli thinks everything you know about figure skating is so cool. And you're just…really good with them. I just…I appreciate it." JJ smiled. "Is that…is that weird?"

"No, no, it's not weird. You love your siblings. You're really close to your family." Isabella smiled.

"Yeah." JJ smiled. "Oh! I'm so sorry I completely forgot, my parents agreed to coach your friend, the one that wants to do ice skating. They said that it's too late for this season, but if she wants to come by during the season they'll let her practice with us."

"Oh…"

Isabella's heart sank. She'd forgotten she mentioned that to him. Why had she done that? Cloe didn't deserve it. She and Sophia had been so awful the last month and a half. Why did she get to be coached by her idols? Honestly the idea of her being around JJ was sickening itself. Cloe was prettier than she was. She had long blonde curls and big doe eyes. She was so slender and fit and tall. She was honestly built like a model. She and JJ both loved skating. What if they bonded too much and she lost one of the best people she'd ever known? It didn't make sense for him not to be into Cloe. Wasn't she perfect?

Isabella said good night quickly, pecking JJ on the lips once more before getting out and rushing to the house. She didn't want him to see her upset. She could feel the tears pooling in her eyes. Cloe and Sophia had tried to get her to bleach her hair back in grade eight. She wanted to. She begged her parents to let her get blonde hair and to get it curled and they had refused. They had taught her how to do her eyeliner to make her eyes look different. They'd tried to get her to change everything. But she never could. What if JJ saw that? Isabella felt sick.

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