Isa Martínez , Parker Matthews | 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟲
Wiskayok, New Jersey

Isa adjusted the hem of her top in the mirror, pretending not to be overly concerned about her appearance. She darted a quick glance at Mari, who was focused on curling the last section of her hair. Laura Lee's room buzzed with quiet excitement, the faint scent of vanilla perfume lingering in the air while a pop song hummed from the small speaker on the dresser.

"So," Isa began, attempting to sound as casual as possible, "is Natalie coming tonight?"

Mari paused mid-curl, catching Isa's eyes in the mirror, an amused glint flashing in her own. "Yeah, she's coming. Nat wouldn't miss a party, especially if there's alcohol involved," Mari replied with a teasing smirk, her tone just playful enough to make Isa's cheeks flush.

Isa fought the smile threatening to break free, focusing on fastening her second earring instead. "Cool," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady, but the subtle tug of her lips gave her away.

Mari straightened, letting the last curl fall against her shoulder. She raised an eyebrow, not missing the shift in Isa's expression.

The air felt charged, Isa's heart drumming a little faster at the thought of seeing Natalie.

Laura Lee turned around, a big smile on her face as she clutched her keys and scanned the room for any last-minute items. "Okay, I think we're all set. Let's go before we miss the party," she said with a mix of enthusiasm and determination.

Isa let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and grabbed her bag. Mari tossed a knowing look her way before pushing past her and playfully bumping her shoulder. "Try not to get too giddy when you see her," Mari whispered, earning an eye roll from Isa.

The three girls made their way down the hallway, the familiar creak of the stairs under their feet as they headed out the front door. The cool evening breeze greeted them as they stepped outside, the golden glow of the setting sun casting warm shadows across the driveway.

Laura Lee's blue sedan stood waiting, clean and reliable, a familiar refuge for their spontaneous late-night drives. Mari climbed into the backseat, giving Isa a chance to take the passenger side. Isa slipped in, trying to calm the flutter in her chest as she thought about seeing Natalie.

As Laura Lee pulled out of the driveway, Isa stared out the window, the scenery blurring past as anticipation buzzed under her skin. The drive to Parker's bonfire party was filled with light chatter and bursts of laughter, but beneath it all, Isa's thoughts were elsewhere, focused on the girl she was hoping to see the moment they arrived.

As soon as they pulled up to the party, the glow of the bonfire and the rhythmic thrum of music reached them, setting the tone for the night. The yard was already bustling with people, some gathered around the fire, others chatting in clusters near the house. Isa stepped out of the car and adjusted her jacket, eyes skimming the crowd in search of familiar faces.

Laura Lee locked the car and joined the others, her eyes wide with excitement. "Wow, it's already packed," she said, taking in the scene.

Mari smirked, her eyes flashing mischievously. "I'm going to find Parker. You guys go ahead and grab a spot," she said, nudging Isa and Laura Lee before disappearing into the crowd.

Isa watched her friend disappear into the sea of people and felt a surge of nerves tighten in her stomach. Laura Lee looped her arm through Isa's, pulling her forward with a smile.

Meanwhile, Mari weaved her way through the party, nodding at familiar faces and sidestepping a group playing drinking games. It didn't take long for her to spot Parker standing near the bonfire, laughing with her cheerleader friends. The flames cast a warm glow across Parker's face, her black hair shimmering as she threw her head back in laughter.

Mari's heart did a little flip as she approached, forcing herself to act casual. She waited for a break in their conversation before clearing her throat. "Hey, Parker. Mind if I steal you for a bit?" she said, a hint of playfulness in her voice.

Parker turned, her eyes lighting up when she saw Mari. "Yeah, sure," she said, glancing at her friends, who waved her off. Parker stepped forward, taking Mari's hand briefly before dropping it as they moved away from the fire and behind a large oak tree that shielded them from the crowd.

The moment they were out of sight, Mari grabbed Parker's waist and pulled her close, pressing their lips together in a kiss that tasted faintly of smoke and excitement. Parker melted into it, her hands coming up to cup Mari's face. When they finally pulled apart, Parker's eyes sparkled with joy. "You made it," she said, breathless and smiling.

"Of course I did," Mari replied, a grin spreading across her face. "Why would I miss your party?"

Parker laughed softly and rested her forehead against Mari's, the sounds of the party fading into the background for just a moment.

Parker looked Mari up and down, a fond smile spreading across her face. "You look beautiful," she said softly, her voice carrying a sincerity that made Mari's heart skip a beat.

Mari smirked, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief. "I know," she replied, a teasing tilt in her tone.

Parker playfully rolled her eyes and shook her head, her smile never faltering. "Come on, let's get back to the party," she said, grabbing Mari's hand and giving it a quick squeeze before they stepped out from behind the tree.

They made their way through the crowd, laughter and music enveloping them. Just as they were nearing the bonfire, they bumped into Lottie, who was swaying slightly with a glassy-eyed grin on her face. Taissa stood next to her, one arm wrapped around Lottie's waist to keep her steady. Taissa raised an eyebrow, amused but exasperated. "Where've you two been?"

Lottie's eyes lit up when she saw them, a wide grin spreading across her face. "There you are!" she said, words slurring a bit. "I was just saying that I need competition for beer pong. You two up for it?"

Mari glanced at Parker and raised an eyebrow. Parker's eyes danced with excitement, and she nodded. "You're on," Parker said, her competitive spirit flaring up.

Taissa chuckled, rolling her eyes. "This should be good. Let's go before Lottie topples over."

The four of them made their way to the table set up for beer pong. Red cups were already arranged in a triangle. Lottie straightened up, steadying herself with Taissa's support as Mari and Parker took their positions.

———

Isa stood by the fire, the red plastic cup in her hand as she chatted with Laura Lee. The warm glow of the bonfire bathed her face in golden light, and the rhythmic thumping of music in the background made everything feel alive.

"I'm gonna find something non-alcoholic. I'll be right back, okay?" Laura Lee said, smiling apologetically.

"Yeah, sure," Isa replied, watching Laura Lee weave through the crowd. For a moment, she was alone, the fire crackling in front of her and the laughter of others buzzing around like static.

"Hey," a familiar voice called, pulling Isa's attention. Natalie appeared at her side, a small smirk tugging at her lips. She wore her usual leather jacket over a simple band tee and jeans, but tonight, under the firelight, she seemed almost ethereal.

Isa's heart did a small flip, and she smiled. "Hey. Nice jacket," she said, trying to keep her tone light, but the compliment made Natalie blush slightly, a rare sight.

"Thanks," Natalie said, glancing down at her own clothing as if she were noticing it for the first time. There was a beat of silence between them, but it wasn't awkward—just heavy with the unspoken. "Wanna get out of here?" Natalie asked, her eyes shifting toward the path that led down to the lake.

Isa's pulse quickened. "Yeah, I'd like that," she said, nodding.

Natalie led the way, and soon the noise of the party faded into the distance, replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of crickets. The moon hung high, casting silver light across the glassy surface of the lake. They stood at the edge for a moment, the cool breeze skimming over their skin.

Without warning, Natalie started to shrug off her jacket and toss it onto the grass. She pulled off her shirt next, moving with a confidence that left Isa breathless. "What are you doing?" Isa asked, unable to look away as Natalie unzipped her jeans.

"I'm going for a swim," Natalie said, flashing a grin before diving gracefully into the water. A small splash echoed out, and then silence, except for the soft ripples lapping at the shore.

Isa stood there, rooted in place, eyes tracing the silhouette of Natalie's body as she broke the surface, wet hair clinging to her face. Natalie squinted back at her, raising her eyebrows. "Well? You coming in or not?"

Isa's cheeks flushed as she quickly pulled her shirt over her head, tossing it aside and kicking off her shoes. With a deep breath, she stepped out of her jeans and ran into the cool water, letting it engulf her as she reached Natalie. The lake felt like freedom, and being here, just the two of them, was something Isa never wanted to end.

Isa gasped as she waded further into the water, her body shivering at the icy touch. "God, it's freezing!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around herself.

Natalie's eyes sparkled mischievously under the moonlight. "Oh, come on, don't be a baby!" With a swift movement, she lunged forward and pulled Isa into the deeper water, submerging them both. Isa came up sputtering, the shock of the cold coursing through her veins.

"Nat!" Isa shouted, but a laugh escaped her before she could stay serious. She splashed water back at Natalie, droplets scattering between them like tiny diamonds.

"Ow, water got in my eyes," Natalie said, bringing her hands to her face.

"Are you okay?" Isa's expression softened with concern, and she moved closer to check on her, only to realize too late that it was a ruse. Natalie sprang forward, tackling Isa playfully back into the water. They came up laughing, water streaming down their faces, their hair plastered to their foreheads.

They stood there for a moment, their laughter fading as their eyes met. The space between them was so close. Without thinking, Natalie leaned in, pressing her lips softly to Isa's. Time felt like it splintered apart, there was only the warmth of Natalie's mouth and the erratic beating of Isa's heart.

Isa pulled back abruptly, her eyes wide, confusion etched across her face. "I—this was a mistake," she whispered, voice trembling with panic. Before Natalie could respond, Isa turned and waded to the shore, the cold biting harder now. She threw on her clothes, ignoring the way her hands shook, and ran back up the path toward the bonfire.

The music and laughter were a blur as she grabbed the nearest bottle of tequila. The liquid burned down her throat, but she welcomed the sting, anything to numb the thoughts swirling in her head. Kissing a girl was wrong, she'd been told that, it was drilled into her so many times that she felt disgust roiling in her stomach. But no matter how much she drank, she couldn't stop thinking about the way it felt to kiss Natalie, about how right it had seemed in the moment.

Isa sank down onto a log near the fire, the bottle clutched tightly in her hand, her gaze unfocused as the night stretched on.

Laura Lee found Isa sitting on a fallen log, cradling a tequila bottle in her lap. The firelight flickered across Isa's tear-streaked face, her eyes glassy and unfocused as she stared into the darkness. The soft murmur of party chatter and the distant hum of music seemed miles away.

"Isa?" Laura Lee's voice was gentle, her concern etched in every syllable. She knelt beside her friend, reaching out to steady the bottle before it tipped over. "What's wrong?"

Isa blinked as if trying to clear the fog in her mind, her mouth opening and closing before words finally tumbled out. "I kissed Natalie," she confessed, her voice shaking. "At the lake. And it felt so—I don't know, it felt right and wrong all at once. I can't stop thinking about it, and it's tearing me apart. It's not supposed to be like this."

Laura Lee's eyes softened with understanding as she squeezed Isa's hand. "Isa, it's not wrong to have those feelings towards a girl. Not at all."

Isa's breath hitched as she looked at Laura Lee, searching for reassurance in her expression. "How do you know that?"

A small, wistful smile grew on Laura Lee's lips. "Because I've had a crush on Lottie since sophomore year. I've wrestled with it, fought with myself about it, but it's never felt wrong when I'm near her. It just feels right."

Isa's eyes widened, the weight of her confession mingling with the shock of Laura Lee's. The tequila slipped from her fingers and hit the ground with a dull thud, forgotten as she sat there, a strange warmth spreading through her chest.

Isa staggered as Laura Lee reached out to hug her, but she moved away just in time for the nausea to overwhelm her. She bent over and vomited onto the dirt floor, her body shuddering as she expelled the contents of her stomach. Laura Lee didn't flinch, she stepped forward to steady Isa, holding her arm and murmuring soft reassurances.

"Come on, Isa," Laura Lee said gently, wiping Isa's damp hair from her face. "We need to get you cleaned up." She slipped an arm under Isa's to help her stand. Isa leaned heavily on her, feeling a mix of shame and exhaustion settle in her chest.

They maneuvered their way through the clusters of teenagers. The glow of the bonfire flickered in Isa's peripheral vision, casting shadows across familiar faces. Laura Lee spotted Mari by the beer pong table, a red solo cup in hand as she squinted at the cups on the other side. She was tipsy and losing badly.

"Mari!" Laura Lee called, guiding Isa toward her. Mari turned, her smile faltering when she noticed Isa's disheveled state.

"What's going on?" Mari's eyes flickered with worry, even through her slightly dazed expression.

"I'm taking Isa home," Laura Lee explained, keeping her voice steady. "I'll be back before the party ends to get you."

"Is Isa okay?" Taissa asked, concern knitting her brow.

Laura Lee nodded, shooting Taissa a reassuring look. "Yeah, she'll be fine. She just had too much to drink."

Taissa's eyes lingered on Isa, taking in the flushed cheeks and distant look in her eyes, but she nodded. "Alright. Be safe."

With that, Laura Lee tightened her grip on Isa's arm and started guiding her toward the car, the cool night air brushing against their faces as the distant sounds of the party faded behind them.

Parker, Mari, Taissa, and Lottie exchanged brief glances as Laura Lee led Isa away. After a beat of silence, they all shrugged it off, returning their attention to the beer pong game. The cups were still lined up, half-full with warm beer, and the competitive spirit between them flared back to life.

"Alright, back to it!" Taissa said, picking up the ball with a smirk. Mari and Parker exchanged a playful eye roll, ready for the final round.

Taissa lined up her shot, and with a flick of her wrist, the ball arced perfectly into one of Mari and Parker's cups. Lottie whooped in victory, raising her hands in triumph. "Yes! We win!" she shouted, wobbling on her feet.

Before anyone could react, Lottie lost her balance. She reached for the table to steady herself, but it tipped under her weight, cups and beer splashing everywhere as it crashed to the ground. The sudden chaos sent beer splattering all over Lottie, soaking her shirt and hair. Parker, Mari, and Taissa stared for a split second before bursting into laughter.

Mari cackled, holding her stomach as she bent over. Taissa's chuckles turned into a full laugh, and even Parker couldn't contain her grin as she stepped forward to help Lottie up.

"You okay, queen of beer pong?" Parker joked, her eyes still sparkling with amusement as she extended her hand to Lottie.

Lottie, drenched and laughing, took Parker's hand and let herself be pulled up. "I'm fine, but I don't think the table is," she said, looking at the crumpled mess on the ground.

———

As Laura Lee's blue sedan rolled down the quiet streets, Isa's head rested against the window, eyes red-rimmed and unfocused. The cool spring air swept in through the cracked window, doing little to chase away the haze from her mind.

"Don't take me home," Isa suddenly mumbled, voice cracking with urgency. "My dad will freak out if he sees me like this."

Laura Lee glanced at her, worry knitting her brows. She hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay, I'll take you to my house," she said softly, changing course.

The drive to Laura Lee's house was quiet, except for the hum of the engine and the soft chirping of crickets outside. Isa's breathing steadied, though the shame of the night clung to her like a shadow.

When they pulled into the driveway, the house stood dark and still. Laura Lee whispered a silent prayer of thanks that her parents were already asleep. She got out and carefully helped Isa from the car, guiding her up the steps and into the house.

Once inside, Laura Lee led Isa up to her room, flicking on the soft glow of the bedside lamp. She rummaged through her dresser, pulling out a matching pajama set.

"Here, let's get you cleaned up," Laura Lee said, her voice gentle. Isa nodded weakly, letting Laura Lee help her out of her beer-stained clothes and into the fresh ones. The room was filled with the scent of vanilla and old books, a soothing balm against Isa's turbulent emotions.

Laura Lee helped Isa lie down on the bed, pulling the blanket over her. Isa's eyes were glassy as she looked up at her friend. "I'm so sorry, Laura Lee," she whispered, her voice breaking. "You shouldn't have to miss the party because of me."

Laura Lee sat down on the edge of the bed, brushing a strand of hair away from Isa's face. "Don't ever apologize for that," she said, sincerity shining in her eyes. "You're more important than any party."

Isa's eyes welled up again, her gaze dropping to her lap. "God hates me, you know," she choked out. "I sinned tonight."

Laura Lee's heart clenched, and she leaned in, her voice firm but gentle. "Isa, God doesn't hate you. He loves you, even when you feel lost or afraid. He understands more than you think."

Isa's breathing steadied, but the guilt didn't leave her eyes. "Then why does it hurt so much? Why does it feel like everything I am is wrong?"

"Because you're human, Isa. And being human is hard, but it doesn't mean you're unloved or unforgivable."

Isa felt a lump in her throat, the weight of guilt and gratitude mingling into something bittersweet. For the first time that night, she allowed herself to believe it. With a shuddering breath, she closed her eyes, letting Laura Lee's reassuring presence soothe her to sleep.

——————————————————————————
alex's corner!
this is the longest chapter I've written so far!
I know this chapter didn't have much of Parker's pov but the next one will