18th March 2012

I had been ignoring Isaiah for the past week, which had been very difficult as he seemed to always want to talk to me. He had apologised daily but I acted as if he didn't exist. I knew he was becoming frustrated about not being able to talk to me but I couldn't think of another way to punish him.

Charlie seemed to be fine by the way. He wasn't too hurt, he did have some cuts and bruises on his face but he wasn't that injured. One good thing that came out of that fight was that Charlie hadn't tried anything yet. In fact, he was actually avoiding me. This may also be to the fact that Isaiah wasn't leaving my side unless I was going to bed or going to the bathroom.

I was sitting in the living room by myself watching TV when Kacey sat next to me.

"Hey Kase, you alright darling?" I asked. She nodded and placed her head on my arm. I pulled her in for a hug and let her rest her head on my chest.

"You sure you're okay?" I looked down at her.

"Why aren't you talking to Izzy?" She asked. I didn't think she had noticed. I raised my eyebrow, shocked.

"I am." I lied.

"No you're not. I see you're not talking." She looked up at me.

"Did he do something bad?"

"Yes." I nodded. Her big brown eyes widened.

"But he thought he was protecting me. He didn't know what he was doing was bad." I looked back up at the TV.

"Are you going to leave then? Because he was bad?"

"Well I have to leave anyway. I have to get back to my own family, don't I?"

"But I don't want you to. I like you here." She wrapped her arm around my belly and hugged me tight. I looked down at her and noticed she was crying. A pang of guilt hit my heart.

"Oh Kase. " I pulled her from my side and placed her on my lap.

"I like being here too. But you've got everyone else here as well. Remember? You have Mrs Duboe and Isaiah and Amber and everyone else."

"But I want you. I like you." She sobbed wiping her eyes.

"Kacey, you're going to make me cry." I pulled her in for a big hug.

"Look, I'll come and visit you when I can. And when I come I'll bring you sweets and toys and I'll tell you about my day. And maybe I will bring my sister too. Would you like that?" I waited for her to respond and she nodded.

She hugged me again. "I love you." She said. I felt my eyes getting teary and I hugged her tighter.

"I love you too darling." I pulled away from her.

"Look you've gone and made me cry now." I laughed. She used her little fingers to wipe my eyes and I used my hands to wipe hers. I smiled and gave her a kiss on her forehead.

"You're the best big sister I ever had." She grinned.

"And you're the best little sister I ever had." I mirrored her smile. She climbed off of me and I watched her walk out.

Isaiah stood at the door and watched. He caught my eye and I turned away.

"Are you okay?" He asked. I wiped my eyes.

"Yeah, thanks." I swallowed. I turned off the TV and was walking out when he grabbed my wrist gently.

I looked up at him.

"Look, Riah, I'm really sorry about what I did. I know I blew things all out of proportion and took things way too far. I shouldn't have beat him up like that, I shouldn't have touched him at all. I was just so angry about him hurting you all the time and I didn't want him to think he could do it again. I thought I was helping you and protecting you but I wasn't. And I'm so sorry for choking you, that I especially regret I shouldn't have laid a finger on you at all; there was no reason to. I know I have no reason to, but I really care about you, Riah, and it breaks my heart that he was able to hurt you while I was here and could have protected you. I should have protected you. Sometimes I just get so angry and I was upset about it too, and that's no excuse for what I did at all. I'm sorry I hurt him and more importantly I'm sorry I hurt you." He looked down at me.

I didn't exactly know how to act and I'm especially terrible at acting appropriately in these situations; I never know what to do or say.

"Okay." I nodded.

"Okay?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Yeah, okay."

"What does that mean? Are we cool?" He waited for me to answer. I looked at the floor as I thought for a few seconds. I broke out into a smile as I looked up at him and nodded.

The smile that spread onto his face at that moment was astonishing. I hadn't seen him so happy, it was incredible. It was like he completely changed in that moment and I laughed at his cuteness. He was actually adorable.

He pulled me into a hug unexpectedly and I stood still, not knowing what to do. Eventually I gave in and melted into him. It felt so good to be in his arms.

"I missed you so much." He mumbled.

"I missed you too." I smiled, hugging him tighter. He responded instantly, sighing and wrapping me up in his arms tighter. I giggled.

"It feels so good being close to you." I confessed. He let out a low laugh.

"You have no idea."

We stayed like that for bloody ages, only letting go of each other once a loud "YAAAAYYY" filled the air.

Kacey was on the stairs clapping. I laughed at her and she giggled, running down to hug us.

We went to the kitchen and I made chicken alfredo for everyone. I was in a good mood and I wanted to thank everyone and this was a way for me to show my appreciation.

After we ate, Isaiah asked if I wanted to see his room since I had yet to see it despite how long I had been here. He held my hand and led me up the stairs.

I was smiling my head off at that point, there was something that was attracting me to him and it was safe to to say that I had a huge crush on him.

We stopped outside his door and he looked back at me smirking.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked.

I scoffed and laughed. He made it sound like it was a really challenging thing.

"Yes, of course. Hurry up and open the door." I shook my head.

"Your wish is my command." He laughed. He opened the door slightly before looking back at me again. I prompted him, showing him my impatience.

He opened the door fully allowing us to step in and from the corner of my eye I could see Amber staring at me. I smiled at her but she cut her eyes and stormed into the bedroom slamming the door behind her. I was concerned for a second before I remembered I was with Isaiah and all worry about her faded away.

He turned the light on and closed the door behind me. His room was actually cleaner than I thought it would be and I was impressed.

The room was painted dark blue with a birch wardrobe to one wall, his bed pressed to another wall and a birch desk on the same wall as the door. A TV was on the far wall.

"Well it's not much, but this is my room." He looked around.

"I love it." I smiled.

"Thanks." He lay on his bed and beckoned me over. I raised my brow.

"I won't bite." He laughed. I plopped myself next to him and rest my head on the pillow. I stared at the ceiling.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

I looked at him. He was incredibly handsome with his astonishing chocolate skin. His moustache was light and his eyes were shaped beautifully.

"I'm perfect." I whispered smiling. We spent our time together talking.

The mood changed after I asked him how and when he got here. He had been here with Mrs Duboe and Charlie since he was 11. He lived with his mum and two younger sisters before his mum's death. His dad was never really in the picture, abandoning his mum while she was still pregnant with him.

From what his mother told him, Isaiah's dad was not the best man in the world and as a number of people struck by financial difficulties do, he got involved in drug dealing. He picked up some enemies on the way which she knew he never managed to shake off fully.

When he was 11, two guys came to his home, asking about his father and declaring that his dad owed them money. Obviously, his dad hadn't been around since before he was born but these guys didn't know or listen to his mum when she tried to explain and just went on a rampage. They thought she was lying and threatened to hurt Isaiah and his sisters so when she tried to protect them one of the men just shot her. She died trying to protect them.

"Isaiah I'm so sorry." I didn't know what else to say. What was I supposed to say?

"It's fine. Let's just talk about something else."

I was somewhat happy that Isaiah was able to open up to me so quick about his mum. Had that been my story I wouldn't tell anyone yet. I spoke in an attempt to brighten the mood.

I felt so comfortable around him; it was magical. He was so easy to talk to and I found myself rambling on and on as we talked. I stopped my sentence abruptly.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I'm rambling." I shook my head. He laughed.

"I like it. It makes me feel like you've got a lot to tell me. So go on. Tell me all, beautiful." He smiled. I couldn't stop myself from mirroring his smile, it was infectious. I felt myself beginning to blush.

"You're too sweet." I grinned. I noticed it was really dark outside.

"What time is it?" I asked. He pointed to a clock on the wall that I didn't notice when I first walked in.

"2:05. Oh shit, how did it get to that time?" I exclaimed. I swear I had only been talking to him for like an hour.

"Damn, already? Doesn't feel like we've been talking for 7 hours." He spoke.

"I know!"

"Well they do say time flies when you're having fun."

"True. I did enjoy this."

"I did too."

"I'm glad." I nodded.

He stayed silent and I looked at him. We locked eyes and ladies the way he was looking at me, I swear, he was giving me these panty dropper looks for real. I watched him analyse me, his eyes running down the length of my body, staying at me chest a little longer than they should have. He reached up and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind me ear.

"You're so beautiful." He said quietly.

"As are you." I whispered. I reached out and lay my hand on his soft face, stroking gently.

He smiled slightly and placed his hand on top of mine.

He brought my hand down and stroked the back of it with him thumb. He was still studying my face as I was studying his and I realised what was about to happen. I looked down at his succulent lips and all sorts of thoughts fluttered through my head.

He etched his way closer to me. His hand had moved to my waist and my hand was placed on his upper arm. He was getting closer and he tilted his head so his lips would soon touch mine. His lips were so close to connecting with mine and his eyes were closed and all. I panicked as this would be my first kiss.

"I think I should get going." I whispered. He opened his eyes and slowly backed away. He nodded but I could tell he was disappointed. I gulped as I searched his face. I knew I had hurt his feelings by stopping him and when I did I immediately regretted it. I wanted to kiss him just as much as he wanted to kiss me but I panicked. This was my first encounter with a guy and even though it felt right being him, I just was too scared to let him take my lipginity.

I got up, removed myself from his grip and slipped out of his room without another word.