Beth

The tears are flowing heavily by the time I make it to the house. I head straight to the kitchen for a garbage sack, then to my bedroom to open one special box I had brought it to Sophie's for an important purpose. I've been avoiding the task, but it's clear it's long past time to deal with it.

Cutting the box with a boxcutter, I lift up the flaps and dump it out. It's an odd assortment of programs and tickets and pressed flowers. This pile represents moments in my relationship with Isaac.

I hold up the corsage Isaac gave me when we went to prom. One of the brittle petals drifts to the floor. It doesn't escape my notice, the realization that our love is as old and fragile as these pressed flowers.

And dead.

I shove it into the garbage sack, along with tickets and programs and knick knacks from so long ago.

It's humiliating to think I've kept these things all this time, that I've held onto an impossible dream. I just can't do it anymore. I stuff everything into the stupid sack. I get to the last item, and my hand hovers over it. It doesn't seem fair to throw this out. It's not mine, it's Isaac's. He should be the one to decide if he wants it or not. I pick it up, set it back in the box carefully and fold the flaps.

It's painful to do this, but necessary. I need to close my heart off from Isaac for good.

A door slams in the distance.

"Beth?"

I hear Sophie's footsteps moving in my direction. Anxious to not be caught, I tie the bag and shove it under the bed. Wiping my eyes, I flop on the bed seconds before she enters the room.

"There you are!" Sophie says. "We brought all the boxes in. I wanted to stay and watch a movie, but Isaac said he didn't feel like it. I even told him we could keep the sound down so it didn't annoy his grandma, but he still didn't bite. So I guess it's just you and me tonight. What do you want to do?"

"You go ahead," I say. "I just want to sleep."

"You all are a bunch of deadbeats," Sophie laughs. "Listen, Beth. I have this great idea. Isaac's birthday is coming up this Friday and I want to throw him a surprise party! I'm thinking we should make it super fancy with lights strung up all around the pool and roses on the table. I can whip up a batch of my famous coconut cream cupcakes."

"I'm not sure Isaac would want a surprise—"

"Of sure he'd love it," Sophie says.

"And he's allergic to coconut," I add.

"Oh. Well, that sucks. My coconut cupcakes are epic. How allergic is he?"

"Very," I say a little testily. "German chocolate is his favorite."

"Chill, Beth. It's no biggie. I'll just make him chocolate, then. Everyone else will want the coconut cream, I'm sure. Let his grandmother know and I'll take of the rest. Invitations, decorating, everything. Oh, and we all have to pretend like we forgot his birthday. Won't that make the surprise more fun? You have to promise me not to say a word. I want this night to be epic!"

By the time Sophie leaves my room, my head is throbbing. I down a couple of pain pills and pass out.

The rest of the week passes in a blur. Every day is jam packed full of meeting with professionals—graphic designers, coders, and marketers. I am learning so much. Even if I don't pass the next round, the experience itself is worth it. I am particularly grateful for Mike. He and his team have been working around the clock to develop the app. I can't believe how good it is turning out.

The best part is now that I'm creating an app, Cole has eased up on his criticism. One time he almost complimented me. Almost. By the time Friday rolls around, I am a lot more confident I will be prepared for the judges.

Violetta's still upset that Sophie has claimed Isaac's birthday party. It's the first birthday Violetta will celebrate with Isaac in ten years, and she would rather have a small, intimate party. She's also hurt that Sophie would claim the honor of hosting, but since Sophie is now Isaac's girlfriend (I guess?), there isn't much Violetta feels she can do about it. It took me a lot of cajoling to even convince her to come to the party. She agreed as long as she could make Isaac's cake, a triple layer double fudge German Chocolate cake that she claims will put Sophie's coconut cupcakes to shame.

Now as we're nearing Isaac's surprise party, I'm trying to decide what to give him. For some strange reason, the item in the box feels like the right choice. It might be too personal, but since I can't think of a better idea, I guess that's what it will be.

Friday morning, I pull Isaac's gift out of the box, make the needed adjustments to it, then I wrap it in silver wrapping paper. Sophie and I take separate cars into Solaire on purpose. Monday, we are presenting the prototypes. I am both nervous and excited.

Sophie's plan is to have me distract Isaac while she and Violetta put the finishing touches on the party. I tried to talk her out of it, but when Sophie makes up her mind, you can't budge it.

When noon came around, Sophie said she had an upset stomach and left, winking at me on the sly. I noticed Isaac seemed a little annoyed but didn't notice the wink.

At the end of the day after Cole and the others have left, I walk the empty corridors to find Isaac. He is working late with Ling on perfecting her jewelry display. Shortly after I arrive, Ling leaves. I know she is planning to help Sophie get things ready for the party.

As he packs up his things, I stand there awkwardly.

"Do you need something, Beth?" Isaac asks. His voice is cool. I can't believe Sophie talked me into doing this for her, especially after she kissed Isaac. I'm such a pushover.

"I hate to ask, but I was wondering if I could get a ride home. My car wouldn't start," I say. "I tried jumper cables, but I don't think it's the battery. My mechanic is planning on picking it up in an hour, but I don't want to wait."

"I guess," Isaac shrugs.

His lack of enthusiasm is unnerving. I flush.

As we walk out of Solaire together, Isaac is lost in his thoughts. He seems troubled by something. I wonder what's going on his head.

Isaac's new car is so gorgeous, I'm almost nervous to sit in it. As he pulls it out of the company parking lot and onto the road, though, I relax. It's a pleasure to ride in a car this smooth.

I'm tempted to ask him what's bothering him, but after seeing Isaac and Sophie kissing, I think maybe it's best to stay out of his private business. I make a few inane comments about the weather, to which Isaac responds with short, abrupt answers. It couldn't be more awkward.

"Do you mind swinging by the grocery store? I need to pick up a few things," I say.

Isaac seems to perk up a little with this announcement.

"No problem. There's a Trader Joe's not far from here."

By the time we arrive at the grocery store, Isaac seems a little happier. But as I take my time moving from aisle to aisle and deliberate over produce, vitamins and deodorant, he grows restless again. By the time I check out, he is glowering.

Isaac buys a package of gum. When the cashier gets his change wrong, he snaps at her and stalks out to the car. I rush to keep up with him.

We drive in silence for few minutes as I summon the courage to talk to him.

"Are you all right, Isaac? This isn't like you."

"No. No, I'm not," he says, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. "I don't really want to talk about it."

"Okay," I say. This doesn't bode well. I can't bring Isaac to his surprise party in this thunderous state. We drive the rest of the way in silence and pull up in front of Sophie's house. 

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The Fray is kicking off this chapter and the next. The lyrics to these songs are so perfect for the book, so if you get the chance, listen to them.

So predictions about how this surprise birthday party is going to go?

Happy Friday the 13th y'all! To celebrate, I'm posting double chapters today - yay! Read on!

Dedication today goes out to @clueless_space. I've so been enjoying reading your comments. Thanks so much for your support for "Restless Hope." You rock!