KENNEDY

Being laid up in bed with the flu isn't how I wanted to spend my Sunday. I should be at work serving ice cream with Isaiah and Cove while listening to Archer make terrible dad jokes as Oscar whips us something delicious for lunch. Instead I'm lying in bed with a stuffed nose, fever of 104, non ending shivers and constant dizzy spells. I've been sick ever since I got home from work on Friday and I don't seem to be getting any better.

I hate hospitals so Glynn had our family physician do a house call. All he prescribed was rest and lots of fluids which is why the furthest I've gone is my bathroom to pee. Glynn is keeping me hydrated with one drink or another thus the constant bathroom visits.

My parents are aware that I'm sick but they are in Italy for a fashion event and won't be back till next week. I'll probably be all better by then, or dead. Either way they won't be here for it. I haven't told Astrid that I'm sick because she'll want to come see me and I don't want her to be sick. Glynn is under strict instructions to keep her in the dark. I don't want to be the reason she misses work. Nobody deserves to feel as I feel, let alone the person I love most in the world.

A soft knock on my door stirs me from my groggy state and I slightly push my covers away to expose my face. I rasp out a muffled invite thinking that it's Glynn with more soup or worse water. If I have to drink one more sip of water it's going to end up on him and I know how much he likes his suits.

The door opens to reveal the last person I expected to see.

"Iz what are you doing here?" I ask him struggling to sit up.

He waves and smiles but then it drops once he sees the state that I am in. Yes I know I look horrible. My face is all red and blotched, my hair frizzy and there's dirty tissues all over my bed.

"Glynn let me in. I wanted to check up on you after you were a no-show today. Plus I brought someone to cheer you up." He replies.

God please don't let it be the rest of our friends. I know he wouldn't betray me and bring them here when I haven't told them who I am yet but still there's a lingering fear.

"Who?"

He opens the door wider and a second later Ruby dashes into the room and straight into bed with me licking up my face. For the first time in three days I manage a laugh. I am happy to see her and Isaiah but I don't want them to get sick and I tell him as much.

"Don't worry, I got my flu shot and dogs cannot get human diseases. We'll be okay." He assures me.

"That's a relief. Thank you so much for coming." I reply rubbing the back of Ruby's ears.

She proceeds to lick my face wagging her tail happily. My parents would be so mad if they caught her in our house so it's a good thing that they are not here. One of the many times when their absence is a blessing.

"Please come in." I invite when I notice that Isaiah is still standing by the door smiling at us.

He enters and closes the door behind him walking further into the room.

"What are you carrying there?" I ask noticing the bag in his hand.

"Oh this is everyone's way of telling you to get better fast. Popsicles to help with the fever from Archer, soup from Oscar and a hug from Cove." He replies taking them out of the bag and laying them on the tray on my bedside table.

"I'll have the popsicle now, save the hug and soup for later." I say holding out my hand.

He smiles and unwraps a popsicle for me. It's mint flavored, not my favourite since it has the least amount of sugar which is probably why Archer sent me it to me.

"You guys are the best, thank you. I feel bad that you're missing work because of me." I express to Isaiah knowing how much of a workaholic he is.

"You're worth it, I was too worried to be productive anyway." He answers making me blush.

He notices this and winks but he doesn't say anything else and proceeds to look around for a place to sit.

The sofa is too far, desk too uncomfortable and my bed is littered with tissues. I'm about to sit up and start cleaning up so he can have a place to sit when he picks up a fresh tissue from the box. He uses it to pick up the dirty tissues and toss them into the trash can next to my desk.

"You don't have to clean up after me." I say but he's already half way done.

"I don't mind." He responds kindly and proceeds.

Soon enough my bed is tissue and trash free and he finally sits down by my side with Ruby nestled between us.

"You're such a gentleman. I would love to meet your mom so I can thank her for raising you so well." I comment.

I must have said something wrong because he tenses up. I know he had a rough upbringing because of his dad but I'm sure that he has a great relationship with his mom.

"I'm sorry, did I overstep?" I inquire.

He shakes his head and smiles. "No and of course you can meet my mom. One day maybe but first you need to get better."

It feels like he has brushed it off but I decide to let it go and not push the issue further.

"I'm already starting to feel better. You and Ruby are exactly what I needed." I reply.

"Good, I'm glad. So besides sleeping what's fun to do around here?" He asks.

"Well my free time is spent painting so that's fun for me but I'm too shaky to hold up a paint brush or a pencil." I answer.

He doesn't answer but looks lost for a moment before his eyes light up as if he's come up with the best idea.

"I know. I'll draw you instead." He decrees and I can't help but laugh.

"What?! You don't think I can't do it?" He challenges looking at me feigning offense.

"No! You're a multi-talented guy but you do not have a single artistic bone in your body." I retort.

"Says you! And just for that statement I am going to prove you wrong." He says and gets up from the bed.

"Where are you going?"

"To gather supplies." He yells back as he disappears into my balcony.

"Your dad has gone mad." I whisper to Ruby.

"I heard that." Isaiah shouts from outside.

I refrain from saying anything else and wait patiently. He comes back a few minutes later with one of my AO size drawing books and two pencils stuck in his hair. He proceeds to drag a chair from my desk and places it next to the bed.

"Ready to be a model for once?" He asks.

"It's not like I'm going anywhere." I shrug.

At Oakland I had one of my art classmates make a drawing of me but only because we were partners and needed to make portraits of each other. Other than that I've never had anyone draw a picture of me. I'm always the one who draws people not the other way around. I know Isaiah is going to be terrible at it but he's doing it to cheer me up and that's all that matters.

"Try not to move." He instructs. "You too Ruby."

"Yes sir!"

"Mock me all you want but this is going to be great." He hypes himself up.

"Please begin." I request him.

He folds his legs and holds the drawing look on his lap. He removes one of the pencils from his hair, copying me because I always have pencils stuck in my hair. He gives me one long look while biting onto the tip of the pencil and then begins to draw. We don't talk which is fine for me. The fact that they are here, in my room keeping me company is more than enough for me.

Half an hour later he's still at it, has broken both pencils and had to go get more.

"Are you done yet? I need to go pee." I ask him feeling the popsicle has already made its way through me.

"Actually yes. Are you ready to see?" He asks looking giddy.

It's so cute to see him so excited about something.

"Show me."

"Be gentle, it's my first time trying something like this since kindergarten but I think I've done a pretty good job." He requests me.

"Just show me already." I demand sitting up.

He takes a deep breath and turns the drawing book around for me to see. At first I have no idea what I am look at and then I start to see the shapes and outlines which make for a very... how do I put this kindly? Interesting piece of art work.

"So what do you think?" He prompts after a minute of silence.

"That is uh..." I trail off unable to come up with the right words that won't break his heart.

He looks so proud of himself that I don't want to hurt his feelings.

"Gorgeous, unreal, the best work you've ever seen, besides yours of course?" He asks grinning at me.

I chuckle nervously because what he holds up looks nothing like me. It's not even a person. It's more of lines drawn on paper joined to make one big blob.

"Sure let's go with that." I agree for the sake of keeping the peace,

I try to get out of bed but he stops me. "Please be honest, what do you think?"

He doesn't want to let it go and I don't want to hurt his feelings so I have no idea how to proceed.

"You do not want my honest opinion, trust me." I say trying to get up again but he stops me.

"But I do, I promise, my feelings are secure." He declares but I seriously doubt him.

"You sure?"

"Yes. Lay it on me straight."

I take a deep breath, look at the drawing once more before meeting his eyes. "Okay but remember... You asked for it."

"Go on... "

"It's absolutely wonderful. You might as well be Picasso reincarnated. You're right, I've never seen such perfect art work before. The way you capture the essence in my eyes and my hair.. It's all too great for words." I praise with the biggest encouraging smile I can muster.

His grins only gets wider. "Really?"

I chuckle and my smile drops just as fast as it came on. "No Isaiah, that's terrible. I don't look like that, my eyes like look like they are on opposite sides of my face and I'm pretty sure my forehead is not that big. And why does Ruby only have two legs?" I ask him.

His smile fades and I feel bad but then again he asked for it.

"They are hidden underneath your giant forehead." He retorts dishing back for my criticism.

"Ha! Very funny."

I smile, he smiles back and then we both burst out laughing. It takes us a few minutes to calm down.

"You're the talented one, not me. I just wanted to make you smile." Isaiah expresses once we stop wheezing.

More me than him because of my flu.

"And you have, even though its the most atrocious piece of work I've ever seen."

"Atrocious?"

"Yes it means frightful or monstrous." I explain.

"I know what atrocious means. I did my best you know." He mumbles back to his fake sad self.

"You didn't let me finish. Even though its so bad Ruby looks like she's about to attack it, I love it." I declare and his face is back to lighting up like a Christmas tree.

"You do?"

"Yes. So please set it aside and I'll frame it." I request him.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Okay." He grins and gets up from his chair and begins looking around for the best place for his 'masterpiece'.

He finally let's me use the bathroom where I do my business and wash my face and hands after. When I check my reflection in the mirror, I look better than I did when I last came in here about an hour and a half ago. It's definitely the company, they do after all say that laughter is the best medicine.

I leave the bathroom to find Isaiah seated back on my bed and the drawing propped up on my writing desk. Before I can crawl back into bed he stops me.

"Want to go for a walk? It's nice out and I feel like the sun will be good for you. Get some fresh air in those lungs." He suggests.

He's right it is nice but I'm not really up for it.

"Before you say no. Ruby has something to show you." He adds quickly.

"What is it?"

"Ruby come out." He calls out.

She comes out from under my bed with a yellow ball in her mouth her tail wagging happily. She drops it at my feet and rolls it till its trapped in between my legs. I look at Isaiah who is grinning sheepishly at me.

"You're using her to get me outside?" I accuse.

He shrugs at me."She wants to play fetch. What can I say?"

I roll my eyes at him at look back down at Ruby who is sitting on her legs and wagging her tail at me. She tilts her head to the side in the cutest way possible and it breaks my resolve.

"Okay fine, let's go but you're carrying me downstairs." I demand.

"No problem." He replies and before I can say anything else, he sweeps me into his arms making me squeal out loud.

I hold onto his shoulders feeling dizzy for a second."Please don't drop me." I plead with him.

"I would never, trust me." He assures me, meeting my eyes.

Of course I trust him, otherwise he wouldn't be standing in my bedroom.

"Ruby let's go. Bring your ball." He says to her.

She obediently picks it back up with her mouth and follows us out of my bedroom.

He is so careful and gentle with me walking slowly because he knows fast movements make me dizzy.

I catch a glimpse of Glynn smiling at us from the kitchen door and all I can do is blush and bury my face in Isaiah's neck. We finally get to our vast backyard and he carefully sets me down.

"Thank you." I smile gratefully straightening my clothes.

He's not even out of breath but then again I've seen how much the boys work out and I'm not that heavy.

Ruby joins us with the ball and the game of fetch begins. I try to toss the ball as far as I can but my strength isn't what it always is so I can't throw far. I get tired pretty quickly so I just sit on the steps with Isaiah next to me. He tosses the ball for Ruby to fetch since he can throw further while we sit and enjoy each others company.

"This was a good idea. Thank you." I express when I feel the warmth of the sun on my skin helping with my chill and the fresh air opening up my lungs.

"My pleasure." He smiles.

I lay my head on his shoulder and close my eyes feeling happy and peaceful even though my health is trash and I was fighting for my life mere hours ago.

Isaiah has no idea what he has done for me. It might seem like a simple visit to him but for me it's everything. I've never had a friend like him before who always shows up for me no matter what and likes me for me. It makes it really hard for me not to like him even more.

It makes me question if I'm doing the right thing by refusing to give him a chance. I feel like we'd make a great couple. We are compatible, I really like him, he likes me, we have fun together, I can be myself around him and bonus point, he has a really cute dog.

"Berry..." He whispers and I turn my head slightly up to face him.

I find that he is already looking at me with a very familiar expression on his face. He is giving me the same look he gave me just before he asked me out on labor day weekend. It's like he has read my mind. So many things have changed since then that I know if he asks me the same question he did then, my answer will be completely different.

"Iz..."

"I want to ask you something." He starts.

He seems nervous which means I know exactly where this is going and this time I am ready.

"Ask away." I reply hoping he can see it in my eyes that this time the situation is completely different.

He smiles at me and links our hands between us, tucking a stray strand of my hair behind my ear. I blush when his hand doesn't leave my face not that I want to and lingers there in a soft caress. My gaze lowers to his lips and I wonder what it would feel like to kiss him. Amazing, definitely out of this world but back to the present and away from my imagination. The kissing will come later.

"I know we talked about this before but I was wondering if ... "

"Mh?"

"You would like to go ... "

"Jane Kennedy Foster!" My mother's screeching voice cuts through the air scaring the birds and insects away forcing Isaiah and I to jump apart.

We scramble to get to our feet and Isaiah has to steady me when I get up too fast and get dizzy. I look up to find my parents gazing at us with horror on their faces. Mother's eyes zero in on Isaiah's hands on my shoulders and he quickly lets go.

"Mother, father, what are you doing here?" I ask them surprised that I can talk.

Oh fuck! This is so messed up. Why are they here? And why did they have to choose this exact time to come back? They just ruined everything.

"Last I checked we live here." Mother replies.

"Of course but you're supposed to be in Milan." I answer feeling as nervous as I look.

I have no idea how to act in this situation. I've never brought a boy home before so this is a first for me. Isaiah looks nervous as well and I completely understand why.

"Your mother and I ended our trip early when Glynn called us concerned about your health but you seem to be doing much better." Father scowls his gaze still locked in on Isaiah.

Ruby picks that exact moment to come dashing out of the flower beds with the ball in her mouth. Mother jumps back in fright at the sight of her and my dad holds her steady.

"Jane what is that?" Mother asks pointing at Ruby like she's vermin.

She's allergic so I understand her apprehension at the sight of a dog in her house but in my defense I didn't know they were coming home.

"This is Ruby, I'm sorry about her. She likes playing fetch." Isaiah answers picking her up into his arms.

Mother looks even more mortified by this but then her eyes widen and she points at Isaiah. "I know you!"

"Him?" Father asks squinting at Isaiah trying to see what mother is seeing.

"Yes, he seems oddly familiar. Have we met before?" She asks him.

Isaiah smiles and shakes his head.

"No ma'am, we've never had the pleasure of meeting before. I'm Isaiah Carter." He introduces.

She sticks her nose up at him which is very expected of her. "Pleasure. But I still can't get over the fact that I've seen you before."

Isaiah and I exchange a knowing look because we know exactly where she saw him. It doesn't take long for her to figure it out.

"Oh wait that's it! I remember! You were the young man talking to Jane at The Mayfair. You were our valet." She declares.

He looks at me and I nod. I will not have him hide who he is or lie to my parents.

"Yes ma'am." He confirms.

"I knew you looked familiar. Is that how you two met?" She inquires further.

"No ma'am." He says and before he can say anything else I take the chance to speak.

"Isaiah and I go to school together at Pine View. He is a senior like me and captain of the basketball team." I explain.

"Oh..." Mother chokes out her eyes wide and its nice to see her out of words for once.

I feel like I'm standing on a landmine waiting for it to explode with the current situation we are in.

"It's nice to meet you young man but I'm going to kindly ask you to leave. Our daughter isn't feeling well and needs her rest." Father says.

My eyes widen and I immediately go into defensive mode.

"You can't throw him out, he's my friend." I defend.

"It's getting late dear, I think it's best if he gets going." Mother adds.

I know exactly what is going on here. They've learnt of where I met him and where he works and now they are turning their noses up at him.

"Don't do this, please." I plead.

"Jane we are your parents and you will do as we say." Mother asserts.

I am about to argue more when I feel a hand on my shoulder.

"It's okay Berry. Your mom is right, it's getting late and I need to get Ruby back home." Isaiah expresses.

I know he's just saying this to be nice. It's not even dark yet and we always work late. I know for a fact that he's going back to work after this. He was about to ask me out again and I would have said yes but now that my parents have ruined everything I have no idea how many steps back we've taken. He might never want to see me again after this.

I can tell that he's uncomfortable and I can't force him to stay so I nod. He will be better away from them anwyay.

"Okay, I'll see you out." I reply.

"It was nice meeting you Mr and Mrs Foster." He says to them.

They don't even bother with a reply. So rude. I can't bear to look at them as I lead Isaiah through the house and to the front door. I cannot go far because of my weak state otherwise I would have escorted him to the bus stop like I did last time.

"I'm sorry about them. There's no excuse for their behavior except that they are old, rich and entitled." I apologize to him.

"It's okay Berry, I had a great time today. Ruby and I both did." He smiles.

Isaiah being Isaiah is still graceful as always even though my parents have literally kicked him out of our house for nothing.

"I'm sorry they've ruined it. I had a great time as well. Thank you for coming." I express.

I know it's not the right time to bring up the conversation that my parents interrupted so I hold it in.

"Goodnight Berry, see you soon and take care of yourself. Get better quick, we have a conversation to finish." He says with a knowing look.

I nod with a smile relieved that my parents haven't messed everything up.

"We will." I assure him.

I hug him goodbye, get a wet kiss from Ruby and they are off. I stand there until they walk out of the gate before waddling back in to face Lucifer and his demon wife.

"Is that boy gone?" Mother asks as soon as they see me.

I resist the urge to lash out like I really want to. "Yes Isaiah and Ruby just left."

There is a moment of silence and I consider leaving until I'm stopped by my father's words.

"Your mother and I would like to talk to you about that young man." He starts.

I know exactly where this is going. I've seen this a million times on TV.

"Okay..."

They look at each other as if seeking moral support from each other and mother speaks first.

"We do not want his kind coming into our home." She decrees.

"What do you mean his kind?" I ask even though I know exactly what she means.

They looked as if they are pained to say it out loud but if they are going to be this way then I will make them spell it out.

"Your mother and I don't feel comfortable having such a person in our home. We live here and he has a dog." Father expounds eluding the elephant in the room.

"He knows that and he brought her for me because I told him you wouldn't be here." I defend.

Isaiah did nothing wrong. He knows of my parents aversion to animals and would not have brought Ruby if he had known they would be here.

"Has be been here before?" Mother inquires.

Glynn didn't tell them about his last visit because he is loyal to me and he was my guest. I'm almost tempted to deny it but why spare their feelings when they didn't spare mine.

"Yes."

"How many times?"

"Why does it matter? He's my friend. I live here too and will have anyone I want over." I decree.

"Jane Kennedy this is not up for debate. You will stop having that boy over immediately and cut of all contact with him." Mother declares.

I scoff unable to hold back anymore. "You guys are already horrible enough, you really want to add racist to the pile."

Their eyes widen as if I've accused them of treason.

"We are not racist! How dare you?" Mother defends.

"How dare I? How dare you? You're only acting this way because he's black. If it was a white boy from Oakland you wouldn't have a problem." I retort.

They are stunned to silence for a moment proving me right. My parents are racist and I'm not even surprised.

"He's not from Oakland is he?" Father says mockingly.

"Isaiah is the kindest most perfect human being I know. I am honored to he his friend. He and his friend group took me in when I had a hard time fitting in at Pine View. Without them I wouldn't have survived a week so I will not cut him off or the rest of them to please you. After all you're the ones who sent me there in the first place." I defend.

This is a grave of their own digging. My friends are the one good thing that came from my transfer to Pine View and I am not going to give them up.

"To learn your lesson not get chummy with the hood rats." Mother screeches.

How dare she?!

"I can't with you two! Hood rats? You don't know any of them because if you did you wouldn't even be saying any of that. They are better human beings than you'll ever be. I am ashamed to be your daughter." I reply feeling tears well in my eyes.

I didn't know that my parents would stoop this low and I'd have to defend my friends to them because they are black.

"Go to your room young lady, you're grounded." Mother announces looking like she wants to beat me up.

"What's new? It's not like you'll be here to enforce it." I reply dashing my tears away with the sleeves of my hoodie.

"That's enough from you. Go to your room now!" Father bellows.

"Like I always say, life is better when you're not around. I'm sorry I'm not the daughter that you wanted but I won't be your problem for much longer." I say and with that I turn to walk away.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Mother asks.

"You'll find out soon enough. Goodnight father, mother. Have a safe flight to wherever you're going next. Make sure to call next time so I can get rid of the hood rats, I wouldn't want you getting racist.. I mean rabies from them." I say and with that I run up to my room.

The sight of the popsicle stick on my night stand has me breaking down in tears as I slide into bed. Just when I think my life is getting better my parents come in and ruin it all. It's like their specialty but just like I've told them; they will not have to deal with me for much longer. The day I leave for college I am never looking back.

I find my phone and send an apology message to Isaiah again for my parents rude and racist behavior. He doesn't read it or reply but I know it's because he's working not because he's ignoring me. I bury myself in my covers and cry myself to sleep wishing I were anywhere else but here.

I didn't even get to cash in my Cove hug.