( chapter eight ! )
𝟢𝟢𝟪． 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗂𝗇 𝖿𝗂𝗇𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗉𝗉𝖾𝖽

Life hadn't always been easy for Carmen Howard, she had always felt like an outcast since she was young.

She was always compared to her sisters and how she was never as perfect as they were.

  So when Isaac finally kissed her, it rocked her world. She felt like someone had actually noticed her. She felt seen for the first time in her life.

And Carmen finally felt comfortable living with the Walter's, even if it came with some upside downs.

She was happy.

Carmen woke up feeling better than she had been in a long time. Jackie and her were usually the first ones awake.

She had gotten ready for the day to run the Walter family cider cart with Alex, Jackie and Cole.

Which Carmen knew was going to be one hectic day being stuck in the middle of them three.

   She dressed into a cozy sweater with black flared jeans and her classic black converse.

  Jackie was already in the barn with Alex and Will sorting out the cart and how they were supposed to work it.

  This time it was different, they were going to be working it by themselves and the Howard sisters had joined the Walter's traditions.

  Carmen skipped down the stairs to get some breakfast — she knew that Katherine would have something prepared.

And Carmen was correct. On the counter top sat a small plate of oatmeal cookies Katherine made earlier that morning.

She grabbed one off the plate as her head turned to the window to see Isaac playing football with Parker.

A smile grew on Carmen's face as she watched the boy play with his cousin, but he was probably just annoying her.

  She opened the door and entered the front area, sitting on the steps as she observed the family hanging around one another.

.•° ✿ °•.

  Rory and Carmen walked into school, with Carmen blabbering about her kiss with Isaac.

"Oh ok, wow." Rory sighs as she nods her head trying to comprehend the new information.

  "It just happened all so fast." Carmen says as a smile begins to spread across her lips as she starts to remember.

  "So are you two a thing?" Rory asks Carmen.

"I mean, we've had one kiss but I wouldn't say we're a thing. At least not yet." Carmen replies, giggling to herself. 

  "So you hope to make it a thing?"

  Carmen thought about it and eventually replied, "I'm not sure how he feels about it, but I would like to see where it goes." The two roam the hallways as their day begins.

.•° ✿ °•.

Carmen's day went by so fast and by the time she knew it, it was already time for the charity event.

  She had changed into a more suitable outfit opposed to how she would dress for school.

  She pulled a floral light dress from her make-shift closet and of course put on her black converse.

  Carmen's hand grazed over the necklace on her neck that Lucy had given her, she smiled at the memories of her and her sister. She really missed her and would do anything to have her back.

  The charm on the necklace was a puzzle piece that connected to Lucy's necklace. It felt weird to be wearing it again. It felt weird because Lucy always wore it and never took it off.

  Even during the accident — Lucy wore the necklace. The only time Carmen ever took it off was at the funeral. Something came over her that day.

  Something had changed.

  But it was for the better when Carmen had to move on, she dropped her hand away from the necklace and left the room.

  Hoping to escape the pain and memories — and distract herself by going to the charity event.

  As she left her bedroom, she was stopped by Isaac. "Hey, are you okay?" Isaac asks standing in front of her to stop her.

  Carmen didn't really know what to say because no, she wasn't okay. She was not okay, she was hurting. But she couldn't put that weight on Isaac.

  "I just haven't really you know — seen you since yesterday. After the uh kiss." He chuckled awkwardly trying to phrase the words right.

"Sorry, it's just been a really busy day." Carmen sighed softly with a smile, it wasn't her internet to sound rude but it came out like that.

"Yeah, yeah." He smiled as he ran his hand through his hair. Carmen smiled but knew Isaac was trying to make light of the situation.

The two of them had been awkward with one another since their kiss, feeling an underlying tension each time things got close between them. It was weird.

Almost as if their bodies were still getting used to the situation.

"So you going to the charity event today?" Isaac asked, changing the subject. "Yeah, I'm supposed to meet Jackie and Alex at the event by four." Carmen replied.

"That's good, you know what, I'll walk you there." Isaac then smiled. "Uh it's back in town." Carmen laughed shaking her head.

Was this his way of trying to flirt?

But he wanted to walk her there because he was going to be there. He wanted to show Carmen that he was there for her.

Carmen smiled and followed him. She was nervous, but excited to see Isaac again. She hoped her feelings wouldn't get the better of her at the charity event.