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ISADORA HAD BEEN UNUSUALLY ON EDGE ALL WEEK.

Initially, her irritation stemmed from Billy's sudden avoidance, which had left her feeling rejected and confused. However, the situation had escalated when she discovered her friends were keeping secrets from her. This realisation hurt her more than Billy's silence, leading her friends to distance themselves over the past few days. She felt like an outsider, a feeling that only deepened her frustration.

"Damn it—" Isadora muttered as she slammed her locker shut, the sound echoing through the empty hallway. Hazel jumped at the noise, turning to stare at her best friend. Though she had heard Isadora curse before, the suddenness still caught her off guard, and a sense of dread filled the air.

"Are you okay, Is?" Hazel asked, her voice laced with concern. She stepped closer, attempting to bridge the gap between them.

"Yeah, fine," Isadora snapped, brushing past Hazel as she stormed down the corridor. Her irritation reached a boiling point when she collided with Steve, who was mindlessly walking in the opposite direction. "Seriously, can't you learn to watch where you're going, Harrington?" she barked, not caring to hide her annoyance.

"Hi to you too, Is," Steve replied, raising an eyebrow at her reaction, surprised at her hostility.

"Something's definitely up with her," he muttered to Hazel as Isadora brushed past him.

"She's still in a bad mood," Hazel confirmed, concern deepening in her tone.

"Still? I thought she'd have moved on by now," Steve frowned, trying to keep pace with Hazel as they walked toward their next class.

"Something happened for sure, but Isadora won't spill," Hazel said, her voice a whisper as they entered the classroom, glancing back to see Isadora sitting alone.

"Think it has something to do with Billy?" Steve ventured, trying to connect the dots.

"I'm honestly surprised you have to ask that. I know my best friend, and her mood has everything to do with him, plus, keeping the whole Will and lab situation from her isn't helping," Hazel replied, shaking her head as they settled into their seats.

"Come on, we're doing this for her own good. We're protecting her, besides, the gate is closed again, so there's nothing to worry about," Steve countered, as he took his place at his desk. Isadora and Kendra were already seated, but Billy was noticeably absent.

As Steve walked past Isadora, he caught her scrunching her nose in irritation as she pulled a folder from her bag and slammed it onto her desk. He could hear her angrily mumbling to herself, and he exchanged worried glances with Hazel and Kendra. Hazel sat down beside Isadora, her concern growing.

"Isa—" Hazel started hesitantly, gauging Isadora's mood when she caught her glare. "Is that your project?"

"Yes," Isadora replied curtly, flipping the folder open to review her work. Billy hadn't contributed at all, and she had taken on the entire project herself, determined to make sure she wouldn't fail. A few moments later, the teacher called for project submissions. Isadora stood up, marching to the front of the class with purpose. She handed in her project with a mix of pride and frustration and then stalked back to her seat, sulking as she grumbled, "I should've taken his name off the project."

"Why?" Hazel asked, genuinely puzzled.

"The jerk didn't do any of the work, and I still put his name on it," Isadora snapped, her frustration spilling over.

"Wait a second, he didn't help at all, and you still put his name on it?" Kendra asked, disbelief written all over her face.

"Yep."

"Why would you do that?" Hazel pressed, her brow furrowed.

"Girls, is there something you'd like to share with the class?" the teacher interjected, catching their whispered conversation. The three girls quickly shook their heads, turning their attention to the front.

After class, they headed to the cafeteria, where Isadora slammed her tray down as she joined her friends at their usual table.

"Okay, Isa, I know you're mad, but seriously, please stop slamming everything down," Hazel said, her voice laced with a hint of frustration.

Just then, Eddie joined them, kissing Hazel's temple before turning to Isadora. "Hi, Is."

"Since when do you sit with us?" Isadora shot back, her tone sharper than she intended.

"Since when do you have a problem with Eddie sitting with us, Isadora?" Hazel countered, watching as Isadora picked at her salad, her fork stabbing at the greens with force.

"What's going on with you, Is?" Steve asked again, concern etched on his face.

"Isa had to do all the work on the project, but for some reason, she still put Billy's name down on it, even though he didn't help at all," Kendra explained, trying to shed light on the situation.

"Why would you do that?" Steve asked, frowning.

"I—I honestly don't know. He didn't bother helping, so I did it all myself and still put his name down. Maybe I didn't want him to fail, but he clearly couldn't be bothered to show up to school today—"

"Did something happen between you two?" Steve asked, genuine concern in his voice.

Isadora furrowed her eyebrows, stabbing at a piece of chicken and popping it into her mouth before shaking her head. "Nope."

"Uh-huh. So, the only reason you're angry is that Billy didn't help you with the project?" Steve probed, trying to understand.

"Exactly."

"That doesn't make sense, Is," Steve replied, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Steve's right, Isa. It seems like there's more going on than just a project," Hazel added, concern radiating from her.

"Maybe I'm upset because my best friends have been keeping secrets from me," Isadora snapped, her voice rising as she speared another piece of chicken.

"We get that you're mad at us, and you have every right to be, but I don't think that's the only reason you're upset," Kendra said gently, her tone soothing.

"Fine. Billy kissed me a week ago, and he's been avoiding me ever since, and I have no idea why," Isadora admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She decided to leave out the details about what had happened with his father that day, not wanting to delve deeper into that painful memory.

"See? I told you so," Hazel said, glancing at Steve, who wore a thoughtful expression. Isadora looked over at her friends, her frown deepening before she turned her attention back to her salad, pushing the food around aimlessly.

Throughout the remainder of lunch, Isadora ignored her friends, and at first, they attempted to engage her in conversation. However, their efforts soon waned, and they decided to let her be, respecting her space.

After school, Isadora put away the books she didn't need in her locker and went straight home. The house felt as empty and lonely as it had since last Christmas, a haunting silence that filled the air, but she was used to that feeling by now. Sighing softly, she placed her bag beside the dining room table and headed upstairs for a long, hot shower.

After showering, Isadora sprawled out on the couch, burying herself in a book. The pages blurred as her thoughts wandered, the events of the day weighing heavily on her mind. Just as she began to lose herself in the story, a knock at the door pulled her back to reality. She set the book down and opened the door, raising an eyebrow at the sight of Steve.

"Hi, I brought takeaway. Oh, and Hazel and Kendra are here too. Are you going to let us in, or are we having a picnic on your front porch?" he joked, his easygoing demeanour contrasting with Isadora's mood.

"Yeah, fine, come on in. I was trying to have a quiet night, but I suppose a picnic could be nice," Isadora replied, stepping aside for her friends to enter.

As they walked in, she closed the door behind them, the warmth of their presence filling the space. Steve moved to the kitchen, beginning to serve up the food while Isadora grabbed some plates to help him.

"You know you can't be mad at us forever, right?" Hazel asked, filling her plate with pasta.

"I'm not mad," Isadora shrugged, popping food into her mouth as she tried to mask her true feelings.

Hazel raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "I was kinda mad that you were all keeping secrets from me, but I'm over that now."

"Uh-huh," Hazel replied, her skepticism still evident as they settled onto the living room floor. Gradually, the mood brightened as they dug into their snacks, Steve enthusiastically rambling about something that Isadora paid no attention to. Laughter filled the room, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

As the friends chatted, a car pulled up outside, breaking into their conversation. Steve looked toward Isadora. "Are you expecting anyone?"

"I wasn't even expecting you," Isadora replied, a hint of confusion in her voice. Hazel stood up, walking over to the window.

"Who is it?" Kendra asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I think it's Billy," Hazel replied, peering out. Isadora's heart raced as she hurried over, her nerves spiking.

"Do you want me to get rid of him?" Steve offered, glancing between Isadora and the door.

"No, I'll be fine," Isadora said, not noticing Kendra shaking her head at Steve's suggestion.

"Come on, let's give them some privacy," Kendra said, pulling Steve's hand and guiding him toward the back of the house, leaving Isadora and Hazel at the front.

"Good luck," Hazel said softly. Isadora nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety as she watched her friends leave.

As the door closed behind them, she turned to see Billy making his way up the driveway. Leaning against the doorframe, she crossed her arms, her expression a mix of determination and uncertainty.

"What are you doing here, Billy?" Isadora asked, her voice steady, but her heart raced when she noticed his black eye and blood-stained cheeks. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing, I'm fine, Princess," he replied nonchalantly, attempting to brush off her concern.

"You don't look fine. Come on, why don't you come inside, and let me at least attempt to clean those wounds?" Isadora urged, her voice softening. She stepped aside, allowing him entry.

Billy nodded and followed her into the kitchen. As Isadora rummaged through the cupboards, searching for the first aid kit, he watched her, a small smile creeping onto his face. She was always so determined to help.

"You don't have to do that, Princess," Billy said, trying to downplay the situation.

"Sit your ass down on the bench and stop protesting, Hargrove," Isadora ordered firmly. He nodded and sat on the kitchen bench while Isadora walked over, resting her arms on his knees as she began to clean the blood off his face.

As she dabbed gently, Billy caught her wrist, halting her movements. "You don't have to do this," he said softly, meeting her gaze.

But for the first time, Isadora didn't flinch or tense at his touch. The unexpected comfort in his grip made her heart flutter.

"I'm sorry," Billy said, his voice sincere.

"What for?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

"For everything," he replied, his eyes searching hers for understanding.

"Honestly, I think you'll live, but I have been worried about you," Isadora said, a hint of softness in her voice.

"You don't need to worry about me, Princess. I'm fine," Billy insisted, though she could hear the underlying pain in his voice.

"Well... okay," Isadora said hesitantly, unsure whether to press him further, but she didn't want to upset him, so she let it go.

"Your parents aren't home?" Billy asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

"U-uh, no," Isadora replied, glancing away. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on them. He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze again, his eyes flickering with concern.

"That looks painful," she murmured, brushing her fingers over the bruise forming under his eye.

"It doesn't hurt that bad," he shrugged, trying to dismiss her concern, but a comfortable silence fell between them, the tension shifting in the air.

Just when Isadora thought the moment might pass, Billy caught her off guard by leaning in and kissing her. The spark ignited between them, a rush of warmth that sent tingles down her spine. She found herself kissing him back, standing on her tiptoes, their lips melding together in a dance that felt both exhilarating and inevitable. Each soft brush of his mouth against hers sent waves of longing coursing through her, awakening feelings she had kept hidden for so long.

Without breaking the kiss, Billy jumped down from the bench, effortlessly lifting Isadora into his arms. She instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling a thrill run through her as he pinned her back against the cool surface of the fridge. The contact sent a shiver of anticipation through her, their bodies fitting perfectly together as if they were made for this moment.

As he began to kiss her jawline and neck, Isadora moaned softly, the sound escaping her before she could contain it. "Maybe we should move to the bedroom—ow, shit—" she stammered, her words cut short as Billy's sudden movement sent her tumbling from his arms and crashing onto the floor.

She looked up at him, her brows furrowed in playful frustration. "—or dropping me works too," she quipped, trying to mask the heat rising in her cheeks with humour.

"Shit, are you okay?" he asked, concern flooding his expression as he knelt beside her, his face morphing from desire to worry. The intensity in his gaze made her heart race even faster, and she felt the heat creeping into her cheeks.

"Yeah, fine," Isadora groaned as she stood up and dusted herself off, a playful pout on her lips. "What the hell, Hargrove?"

"You caught me off guard, Is," he admitted, his tone playful, but there was an underlying seriousness in his gaze that sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach. "So, do you want to go to the bedroom with me?"

"Well, now I'm not so sure," Isadora grumbled, crossing her arms and trying to hide her smile, the corners of her lips betraying her. The playful banter was a familiar dance between them, but beneath the surface, a deeper connection pulsed, and she could see the vulnerability in his eyes.

"Come on, I promise I won't drop you again," he said, taking her hand and leading her toward the bedroom. The warmth of his grip sent electric shocks through her, igniting her senses and making her heart race with anticipation.

As they reached the door, Isadora paused, hesitation flickering in her eyes like a fragile flame. The weight of the moment pressed down on her, her heart racing as she considered what lay ahead. Billy, sensing her unease, stopped and turned to face her, concern softening his features.

"We don't have to do this if you're not ready," he said gently, his voice full of care, his brow furrowed as he searched her face for any sign of doubt.

"It's not that," she stammered, her pulse quickening. "I've just... I've never—"

"Slept with anyone before?" Billy finished softly, a look of understanding crossing his face as he stepped closer, closing the space between them with tenderness.

Isadora's cheeks flushed, and she nodded slightly, her vulnerability laid bare. "Yeah," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "And I would understand if you didn't want to—" Her hands twisted nervously, betraying the mix of anxiety and anticipation swirling within her.

Billy's expression softened. "Come here, Princess," he murmured, the warmth in his tone wrapping around her like a blanket. His words sent a shiver through her, stirring a small spark of courage. Isadora hesitated for a beat, but then stepped forward, allowing herself to be enveloped in his embrace. The warmth of his body against hers was comforting, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist.

He leaned in and kissed her, a soft, delicate touch that made her heart flutter. Their lips moved together in a gentle rhythm, and with each kiss, the tension in her melted away. Billy squeezed her hands lightly, offering her silent reassurance. "We'll take it slow, okay?" he whispered against her lips, his breath warm and soothing.

"Okay," she nodded, her initial nerves giving way to a sense of calm. She pulled back slightly, reaching to close the door, the soft click sealing them in the intimacy of the moment.

As she turned back to him, their eyes met, and the last of her apprehension dissolved. She moved toward him, and when their lips met again, the kiss deepened, filled with unspoken emotion. Each kiss was a tender exploration of feelings long held back, and Isadora knew, in this moment, she couldn't deny her affection for Billy any longer.

The kiss grew more passionate, her heart racing in time with his. His touch was gentle yet deliberate, and she felt cherished in the way he held her, as if he was guarding both her heart and her trust.

His lips trailed from hers to her neck, each kiss igniting sparks across her skin. "Isadora," he breathed, his voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how much I've wanted this."

Her heart swelled at the sincerity in his gaze, and she felt warmth bloom in her chest. "I want this too, Billy," she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "You make me feel... alive."

He smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering on her skin. "Then let's take our time, together," he murmured, his eyes holding hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

They kissed again, slower this time, savouring the connection between them. His hands cradled her face as if she were something precious, and Isadora felt herself relax into his touch, letting the moment carry them both.

Their kisses deepened, becoming more urgent as their desire for each other grew. The electricity between them was palpable, a force that seemed to pull them closer with every touch. Billy's hands roamed over her back, his touch sending shivers of pleasure through her. She gasped softly, her body instinctively pressing against his, craving the warmth and closeness he offered.

"Just breathe, Is," he whispered, breaking the kiss to rest his forehead against hers.

With a new sense of confidence, she leaned in, kissing him again with a passion that surprised them both. The kiss deepened, a dance of longing and trust that left them both breathless. Every touch, every caress ignited a deeper connection between them, and Isadora felt herself falling further into him, into this moment that felt like it belonged only to them.

Billy's hands found her waist, pulling her closer as their bodies fit together perfectly. Each kiss, each touch was a revelation, a discovery of the depths of their emotions. Isadora felt alive in a way she hadn't known was possible, the intensity of their connection sending waves of warmth through her.

"You're incredible," Billy breathed against her lips, his voice filled with awe. The sincerity in his words wrapped around her heart, filling her with a sense of belonging she had longed for but never fully understood until now.

As they continued to explore each other, the outside world faded away, leaving only the two of them in this intimate space they had created together. Every kiss, every whisper was a promise, a testament to the trust they were starting to build, and Isadora had a feeling that this was only the beginning.

If only she had known what was going to happen. 

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I made a few changes to this chapter. Also, Is does not flinch or tense up because of Billy. It's because of something from her past but we'll go more into that later.

Enjoy! Xo

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