Breaking the Ice
Michael and Maria were in the middle of yet another of their good-natured arguments. Liz and Max were silent, satisfied just to stare into each other's eyes. Isabel sat across the quad, watching them. She sighed.
"Depressing, isn't it?" a voice from directly behind her asked.
Isabel jumped and twirled around to see who was speaking. It was Kyle Valenti. He sat down beside Isabel.
"What?" Isabel asked.
"It's depressing to watch your love-stuck friends when you have no none, don't you think?" Kyle commented, eyeing the others.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Isabel lied.
"It's especially hard when one of them's your ex," Kyle continued as if Isabel hadn't spoken.
"What?" Isabel exclaimed. "I never went out with any of them."
Kyle gave her a wry smile. "I was referring to myself," he said.
"Oh," Isabel said, blushing slightly.
"I never had a chance, did I?" Kyle asked wistfully, staring at Liz and Max.
Isabel also looked at her brother and his girlfriend. "No, you didn't," she agreed. Then she turned her gaze to the boy beside her. "What do you want, Kyle?"
"Just seeing how you're doing," Kyle said. Isabel raised an eyebrow skeptically and Kyle admitted, "And I was wondering if you had a date for the dance tonight."
Isabel laughed in disbelief. "You're asking me out on a date?"
"Not exactly," Kyle corrected her.
"It sure sounds like it," Isabel told him.
"Well, yeah I'm asking you to the dance, but not on a date."
Isabel stared at him. "You're kidding, right?" she asked.
"You'd think I was asking you to marry me." Kyle said, rolling his eyes. "Look, I don't go to dances by myself and I know you don't either. I also know that all you friends have dates. So I figured we may as well go together than both stay at home and be miserable."
"What makes you think I don't already have a date?" Isabel asked pointedly.
Kyle laughed. "Trust me Isabel, I would've heard about it if you had a date with someone."
"Maybe I don't have a date," Isabel responded, "But what makes you think I would want to go with you?"
Kyle got up. "Look," he said, sounding offended, "I was just trying to be friendly. If you don't want to go, just say so." He started to walk away.
Isabel looked over at Max and Michael, happily talking with the respected girlfriends. "Wait," she said, grabbing his arm.
Kyle stopped. He turned around and looked at her expectantly.
"I'll go," she said, smiling brightly. "But just because, as you said, people like us don't go to these things alone."
"Great," Kyle said. "I'll pick you up at seven."
Isabel nodded and watched him until he disappeared from sight before gathering her books and heading off for class.
"You're what?" Max yelled.
"I'm going to the dance with Kyle," Isabel said calmly. She started rummaging through the bathroom drawers, looking for eye makeup remover. "Honestly, Max, I don't know why you're making such a big deal."
Max looked at her as if she had gone insane. "It is a big deal," he said. "You're going out with Kyle Valenti. The sheriff's son."
"God, Max, you're acting like we were getting married or something," she complained, unconsciously echoing Kyle's words from earlier.
Max glared at her. "Please don't you that analogy," he begged. Isabel just rolled her eyes.
"I mean, we'll probably spend the entire night with our friends. I doubt we'll see more than twenty minutes of each other."
"Then why are you going with him? Why can't you go alone?" Max wanted to know.
"Because, Max, I don't go to dances alone," Isabel replied. She finished removing her makeup and went into her room. Max followed her.
"Then why couldn't you go with someone else? Alex would've gone if you asked."
For a brief second Isabel looked hurt. Then she answered her brother. "I can't go with Alex. He'll think it's more than it really is."
"Would that be such a bad thing?" Max asked. "Alex is nice."
"I just don't like him like that," Isabel said.
"You haven't given him a chance," said Max.
"I'm not about to ruin my friendship with Alex to have a short-lived romance that's bound to be a disaster."
"You don't know it will be a disaster," Max argued.
"Yes, I do," Isabel said firmly. She reached into her closet and pulled out some outfits. "What do you think I should wear?"
Max groaned and fled the room before he could become her fashion consultant.
Isabel shook her head and started to get ready for the dance.
Isabel, honey, your date's here," Mrs. Evans called out.
"Coming, mom," Isabel yelled. She changed her lipstick colour one last time, then left her room. Her mom had invited Kyle in and he was now standing in the front hall. He looked nervous. It probably didn't help that Max was standing at the side, glaring at him.
Isabel groaned internally. Her brother needed to lighten up sometimes. She smiled tightly, "Hi Kyle," she said.
Isabel grabbed her coat from the closet and used the opportunity to scowl at her brother so that no one else could see.
"Let's go," she told Kyle.
"Okay," he nodded. He held the door open for her, but Isabel didn't really notice. As soon as they got to Kyle's car, Isabel turned to him.
"I'm sorry about Max," she apologized. "He was being rude."
"It's okay," Kyle said, getting into his car. "I'm used to it. It's just usually the fathers, not the brothers that are so overprotective."
Isabel rolled her eyes and sat down beside him. "Tell me about it," she commented, fastening her seatbelt.
Kyle buckled his own seatbelt and started the car. "Oh," he said awkwardly before pulling away. "You look very nice tonight."
Isabel smiled crookedly. "You can skip the formalities," she said. "We agreed this wasn't a real date."
It could have been the lighting, but it looked like Kyle's cheeks were a tad bit more red than normal. "I mean it," he mumbled.
"Whatever," Isabel said indifferently.
Neither of the spoke another word the entire drive.
There weren't many people at the dance yet when Kyle and Isabel arrived. The gym had been transformed into a gym with crepe paper. Isabel wasn't in the least bit impressed by the decorations.
"Isabel," Kate exclaimed. She ran over to Isabel, dragging Paulie, her date, alongside her. She took one look at Kyle, her mouth formed a "o" and she pulled Isabel to the side. "You didn't tell me you were coming with Kyle Valenti," she whispered furiously.
Isabel shrugged. "It was kinda a last minute thing," she said.
"What do you mean?" Kate demanded.
"He only asked me at lunch."
"Yeah, because neither you nor Kyle had dates," Kate said sarcastically. "Yeah, I believe that."
"You don't believe me," Isabel said. It was half a question, half a statement.
"Look at yourself. Look at Kyle. Who in their right minds would believe that neither of you had a date? I can't believe you didn't tell me!" Kate exclaimed again.
Isabel sighed. "I told you, there was nothing to tell you about. This isn't even a real date."
"Fine." Kate threw her hands up into the air in disgust and stalked back over to Paulie. "Let's dance," she ordered.
Kyle walked over to Isabel, bemused. "What was that about?" he asked.
"Nothing," Isabel said shortly.
"Okay, then," Kyle said.
"We going to dance then?" Isabel asked.
"Uh, sure," Kyle said, looking and sounding anything but sure. But he let Isabel pull him onto the dance floor.
It was two hours before Isabel ran into Michael. She had been trying to avoid him and Max all night and until then, been successful.
A slow dance was beginning when Michael appeared in front of her. "Can I cut in?" he asked Kyle coldly. Then, before waiting for an answer, he took Isabel and led her away.
"What is it, Michael," Isabel asked, resigned.
"It's all over the gym. Isabel Evans is going out with Kyle Valenti. I wouldn't believe it, but then I see the two of you together and Max tells me Kyle brought you hear."
"So?" Isabel asked.
"What the hell are you thinking, Isabel?" Michael demanded angrily.
"I was thinking," Isabel answered through clenched teeth, "That I would like to have a little fun, for once. Go out like a nice, normal girl."
"Why would you go out with Kyle Valenti?"
"God, Michael, you sound like my brother. There's nothing going on between Kyle and I. And even if there was, it's none of your business."
"It'll be my business if you blow our cover to the sheriff's son," Michael hissed.
Isabel glared at him. "I'm not going to tell him. I'm not an idiot."
"Could've fooled me," Michael said. "You could let something slip easily. It's just too dangerous."
"I wouldn't let something slip," Isabel said darkly. "I do have some self control, unlike some guys I know."
Without another word she pulled away from Michael and hurried back over to Kyle and his friends.
"Is anything wrong?" Kyle asked when she got back, obviously seeing she was upset.
"No," Isabel said.
"What did Michael want?"
"Nothing."
Kyle wasn't fazed by Isabel's lack of answers. "He didn't seem very happy," he observed.
"No, he wasn't," Isabel agreed.
"He and Max don't like me very much."
Isabel gave a short, dry laugh. "Understatement." Then she changed her mind. "They don't actually dislike you as much as they hate you out on a date with me."
"Why does that bother them so much?" Kyle wanted to know.
Isabel shrugged. Telling him the real reason, that they were afraid Kyle would find out they were aliens and tell his father, was out of the question. "Because they're jerks," she said, annoyed. "Now can we change the subject?"
"Sure," Kyle said. A beat later he added, "To what?"
Isabel laughed. Kyle could be so cute at times. "Let's dance," she said, smiling. She was determined to forget all about Michael and Max. She pulled Kyle out onto the dance floor just as another slow song began.
As they swayed back and forth to the music, Isabel rested her head on Kyle's shoulder.
The dance was over. A lot of people had already left. Isabel spotted Liz and went over to her.
"Isabel," Liz said in surprise. "I haven't seen you at all tonight. Are you really here with Kyle?"
"Yeah," Isabel said, distracted. "Listen, can you tell Max that I'm going to Julie's party and to tell mom I won't be back till late?"
"Yeah, but why don't you tell him yourself?" Liz asked suspiciously.
"I have to get going," Isabel said, avoiding the question. "Thanks." She ran off before Liz could protest.
Although Kyle gave Isabel a ride, they split up as soon as they arrived at Julie's house.
Isabel wandered into the kitchen and found Julie in the middle of a make out session with Tommy.
They broke apart when they noticed Isabel.
"Hey, 'bel," Julie said cheerfully. "Glad you could make it."
Isabel hid a grimace. She hated to be called 'bel. "Hey Julie, Tommy," she replied.
Tommie obviously had had enough of the conversation because he began to kiss Julie's neck again. Julie giggled.
"Excuse me," Isabel muttered. She started to leave.
"No, wait," Julie said. She pushed Tommy away from her, ignoring his protests, and hopped off the counter.
"So I hear you and Kyle are a thing now. Why didn't you tell me?" I'm your best friend," Julie pouted.
"For the last time," Isabel growled. "Kyle and I aren't a couple. We only went to the dance. Nothing more. Not even a real date."
"Really?" Tommy asked, surprised. "Does Kyle know it's not serious?"
"Yes, Kyle knows that," Isabel said, annoyed. Then she grew suspicious. "Why?"
Tommy shrugged. "'cuz Kyle's gaga over you."
"What?" Isabel asked. She was shocked.
Tommy, who had started to kiss Julie's neck again, looked up. "Didn't you know? He had the chance to ask out a thousand girls, but didn't because he heard no one was going with you. I mean, Sarah Mellings was flirting with him big time, hinting that she wanted to go to the dance. Sarah Mellings!" Tommy shook his head in disbelief.
Isabel stared at him. Then she turned around and fled the room.
Isabel's eyes flew back and forth as she stalked through the house, looking for Kyle. She finally saw him standing in the corner with some of the other players on the basketball team, drinking beer.
"We need to talk," Isabel said angrily. She pulled him away, ignoring the lewd comments and laughter coming from Kyle's buddies.
Isabel found an unoccupied bedroom. She and Kyle went inside and Isabel looked the door. She didn't want to be disturbed.
Kyle watched her do this and gulped. "What is it?" he stammered.
"I thought this was just a casual thing," Isabel said angrily.
Kyle blinked in surprise. That was obviously not the direction he had expected their talk to go. It took him a moment to reply. "It is," he insisted. "You made it perfectly clear that's all you want it to be."
"Then why does everyone think we're a couple?" Isabel asked.
Kyle shrugged. "How should I know?"
"So you didn't tell your friends we have a thing."
"Of course not," Kyle exclaimed, looking outraged. "Why would you think that?"
"I was just talking to Tommy," Isabel began.
Kyle cut her off. He looked angry. "What did Tommy say/ Because I swear, I haven't been telling him or anyone else anything about us."
Isabel believed him. He looked too sincere to be lying. Besides, Tommy hadn't said Kyle had actually said anything, just that he liked her.
"He basically said the only reason you didn't have a date tonight was because you refused to ask anyone out. That Sarah Mellings was flirting and hinting that she wanted to go, but you blew her off because you heard I didn't have a date."
To Isabel's surprised, Kyle looked a little sheepish.
"So it's true," Isabel stated flatly.
Kyle picked up on the anger in her voice. "What?" he asked defensively.
"You said this was only going to be a casual thing," Isabel exclaimed.
"I don't know what the big deal is."
"The big deal is that you said this was only going to be a casual thing. One date. Not even a date, a dance. Now I find out you want it to be more."
"So what if I do?" Kyle asked, waving his hands about. "I know you don't and I accept that."
"I can't do this, Kyle, I can't get involved," Isabel yelled.
"Why not?" Kyle wanted to know.
"I just can't," Isabel told him.
Kyle frowned. "Most girls I know would be delighted to go out with a guy who wanted a serious relationship."
"Then why don't you go out with one of those girls?"
"I don't want to go out with one of those girls," Kyle exploded. "I want to go out with you."
"Why?" Isabel asked. "Why me? Why not someone else?"
Kyle looked at her as if she was insane. "Well, besides the fact you are certifiably gorgeous, you're intelligent, out spoken, sweet, kind . . . "
Isabel snorted. "What alternate universe are you living in?" she asked.
Kyle glared at her. Isabel glared back. "I'm not sweet or kind," she said.
"Sure you are," Kyle replied. "You just hide it most of the time. But you're not fooling me. You're not fooling anyone who takes the time to get to know you."
"You don't know me," Isabel said coldly.
"I know you aren't really the uncaring, insensitive person you pretend to be. I know you hide behind a mask. But it's obvious that's not really what you're like."
Isabel was uncomfortable and a little frightened. She wasn't used to people other than Max and Michael being able to tread her so well. She didn't like it. She got up to leave.
Kyle didn't let her. When he saw her stand up, he hurried to the door. He reached it before her and blocked it.
"Move out of the way," Isabel commanded.
Kyle didn't budge. "Why are you so scared to let people see the real you?" he asked.
"Move out of the way," Isabel repeated, more firmly.
"No," Kyle said. "I'm not going to move out of the way. Not until you give me a chance."
"Why should I?" Isabel asked.
"Why shouldn't you?" Kyle countered.
"That's not a reason."
"You're right," Kyle agreed, nodding.
"Move," Isabel growled in a low and dangerous voice.
Kyle surrendered. "Fine," he said, holding his hands up in defeat. "But just remember when you're old and gray and all along that it was your own fault."
"What are you talking about?" Isabel demanded, forgetting that she was supposed to be leaving.
"You're never going to find love if you don't give anyone a chance."
"Is it really so inconceivable to your ego that a girl wouldn't want to go out with you? Because I don't want to go out with you it has to be my fault? I must have a problem? There must be something wrong with me?"
"It's not just me," Kyle said angrily. "It's every guy you've ever been on a date with. The second it looks like things might get serious you drop him faster than the blink of an eye."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Isabel lied.
Kyle rolled his eyes. "That's what you said at lunch. Well, Isabel, I have news for you. You're not fooling anyone. You're jealous of Max and Michael and what they're found."
"I don't have to listen to this," Isabel said. She opened the door.
"Fine," Kyle called after her. "Run away. It's what you do best."
Isabel turned around. "I thought that since you were so convinced I don't do anything else, I wouldn't disappoint you." She slammed the door in his face.
Isabel ignored everyone else. Luckily they all seemed too involved in their own little worlds to see how upset she was. She left immediately, walking because Kyle had been her ride.
When she got home, her parents and Max were still up.
"Hi, honey," Mrs. Evans said cheerfully. Then she looked at Isabel and became concerned. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," Isabel said. She fled to her room, locking the door behind her, before they could ask anymore questions.
Isabel didn't bother to turn on the light or to change her clothes. She just lay on her bed in the dark.
The expected knock came less than a minute after Isabel had closed the door. She ignored it. It sounded again.
Isabel ignored it again. After a minute of so the lock clicked and Max came in.
"Go away, Max," Isabel said clearly.
"What happened?" Max asked.
"The door was locked for a reason," Isabel said.
"What happened, Isabel?" Max sounded very concerned.
"I said go away," Isabel said, becoming angry. She wrenched her pillow out from under her and hurled it at Max's direction.
Max got the message. He gave up, locking the door behind him as he left. Once he was gone, Isabel lay on her stomach, hugging her other pillow tightly.
A few tears slipped down her cheek.
Isabel woke up the next morning a dull headache, the type that commonly accompanied crying before falling asleep. She heard voices out in the hallway. One was Max's and the other, Isabel discovered, was Kyle's. They seemed to be arguing.
Isabel quickly got up. She hadn't gotten undressed before falling asleep. Now she took off her clothes from the night before and pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt. Going over to the mirror, she grabbed a brush and quickly brushed her hair. Deciding she was presentable, if only just barely, she went out into the hall to confront Kyle and her brother.
The both broke off when Isabel came out of her room. They turned to look at the blond alien.
"What's going on here?" she demanded, coolly appraising the two teenage boys in front of her.
Max answered first. "Nothing. Kyle was just leaving."
Kyle glared at him briefly, then turned back to Isabel. Ignoring Max he said, "We need to talk."
"You don't need to talk to her," Max said.
Kyle turned on him. "This has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it."
"It has to do with my sister," Max retorted. "I'm not going to stand back and do nothing."
"You're not her manager," Kyle yelled. "It's none of your business."
Isabel had had enough. She grabbed her jacket and slipped her shoes on. "C'mon," she said stonily to Kyle. She walked out of the front door without waiting to see either of their reactions.
Kyle followed her out to his car. "Where are we going?" he asked.
"For a drive," Isabel answered shortly.
"Where?"
Isabel shrugged. She didn't car in the least bit. She just didn't want Max to be anywhere nearby for this conversation. Kyle shrugged too. He started to drive.
He took Isabel out of Roswell. After about ten minutes he pulled onto a side road. It led to a reservoir.
The reservoir was a really nice spot, Isabel decided as she got out of the car and looked around.
"So . . . "Kyle said, coming up behind her. "Do you like it?"
Without turning around Isabel asked, "Did you get in a fight with my brother because you wanted to ask me what I think of the scenery?"
Isabel could tell Kyle was blushing even without looking. "uh, no," he said a bit sheepishly. "I need to talk with you."
"So talk."
"About last night . . . " Kyle began. He moved forward, so he was now standing beside her.
"What about it?" Isabel asked.
Kyle bit his lips as if biting back his nasty comments. It looked like he was trying to keep this conversation from becoming a screaming match. "I should probably apologize."
"Yes, you should," Isabel said icily.
At that, Kyle lost his temper, despite his best efforts. "I'm not the only one who should be apologizing."
"So you brought me out here so I could say sorry to you," Isabel stated rather than asked.
"Yes. No. I mean," Kyle sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm doing this all wrong. I'm sorry I made you that upset. But it wasn't just my fault."
Isabel became angry. "You're blaming me?" she asked incredulously.
"Why do you always do that?" Kyle demanded, irritated.
"Do what?" Isabel asked, frowning. She had no idea what he was talking about.
"Deliberately twist my words. You know very well I'm not trying to blame you. All I said was that it wasn't completely my fault."
"Maybe you should stop saying stupid things if you don't want to be misunderstood."
Kyle didn't get angry with her like she had assumed he would. Instead he studied her. "Why do you always push people away?" he asked, confused.
"I don't push people away."
"Yes," Kyle argued. "You do."
"Okay," Isabel admitted. "Maybe I am pushing you away. But it's not like I asked for, or even encouraged you in the least way."
Kyle shook his head. "It's not just me you do it to. You do it to the other guys you date. And it's not just the guys, either. It's everyone. Everyone except Max and Michael. And now Liz, Maria and Alex sometimes."
Isabel shifted uncomfortably, his words hitting a little too close to home. "When did you become a psychologist?" she asked, hoping to deter him.
She had no such luck. Kyle grinned. "I'm taking a psych class at school. Maybe I have started to over analyze people. But that doesn't mean I wasn't right."
Isabel tried a different approach. "I don't see where you get off judging me."
"You're right," Kyle said amicably. "I have no right to judge you. I don't know you."
Isabel started to talk, but Kyle cut her off, continuing, "But you have no right to judge me either. You know me as well as I know you."
Isabel was silent for a moment, knowing any answer she could give would be hypocritical. Finally she demanded, "What's the point of this."
"The point, Isabel," Kyle explained, "is that you should give me a change."
"That again?" Isabel asked. "We've already established that I push people away, run away at the first sign of intimacy. You know I can be incredibly cruel and a heartless bitch at times. So tell me, why do you still want to go out with me? Why are you still insisting I give you a chance?"
Kyle hesitated before answering. "Because I think you should learn it's okay to open up to people sometimes. You don't have to hide your true self from your friends."
If Isabel wasn't convinced Kyle was lying, she would have been worried that he suspected something. But as it was, she didn't believe a word. "Sure," she said.
"Okay," Kyle admitted. "Despite your flaws, there's something about you. Something that I'm attracted to. I don't know what."
"Thanks, Kyle," Isabel said sarcastically. "You sure know how to make a girl feel special."
Kyle winced when he realized what his words had sounded like. "That's not what I meant," he quickly said. "I mean, we already said that you have flaws. I have slaws too. It's part of human nature. No one can be perfect."
Isabel smiled inwardly at Kyle's mention of human nature. But she was careful to make sure he didn't see it. It would he hard to give him a good explanation about why she found that funny.
Kyle went on, unaware of how he had amused Isabel. "And I meant I don't know what it is about you that makes me like you so much. Your courage, your intelligence, the fact that not only do you have a mind, but you speak it. You don't follow the crowd like a stupid sheep. You don't pretend to be dumb just to please others. You're beautiful, smart, funny . . . "
Isabel was becoming embarrassed with Kyle's praise. She finally cut him off, blushing furiously. "Fine, I'll go out with you just as long as you stop that. I can't stand flattery."
"It wasn't flattery," Kyle said softly. "it was the truth."
"Whatever," Isabel said, dismissing the subject.
"So you'll go out with me?"
"I'll give you the chance you were asking for. One date." Isabel was quite firm about that. If she went out on one date with him, he couldn't accuse her of not giving him a chance. Maybe then he'd stop bothering her.
Kyle didn't argue; he seemed happy enough with just the chance. "One date," he agreed. "Then you can tell me to stop bugging you after that if you still want me to."
"I will," Isabel promised.
Kyle frowned. "You said you'd give me a chance. That means you can't go on into our date with a negative attitude. No making up your mind until after the date."
"I don't have to go out with you at all," Isabel exploded.
"No, you don't," Kyle agreed. He didn't seem disturbed by her sudden outburst. "So is next Friday fine with you?"
Isabel laughed. He never gave up. "Yeah, next Friday's fine."
"So, what do you want to do?" Kyle asked.
Isabel shrugged. "Considering this is your chance to dazzle me, you decide. I don't want you thinking anything's unfair, after all."
Kyle nodded. "Be prepared to be dazzled," he said with a grin.
Isabel only rolled her eyes, but she had to fight to keep a smile from appearing on her own face.
"So is that it?" Isabel asked. She felt she needed to be sarcastic to keep herself from openly enjoying herself. "Now that I've agreed to go on a date, can I go home? Or is there something else you have to say to me?"
Kyle shook his head wearily. "C'mon," he said, motioning to his car. "I'll drive you home."
Kyle dropped Isabel off without coming inside. Isabel thought that it was probably for the best, because Max was waiting for her when she got home.
As soon as she stepped inside, he pounced on her. "What did he want?"
Isabel rolled her eyes. "You're taking this over-protective brother routine way too seriously."
Max ignored this and waiting patiently for Isabel to answer his question.
"He wanted to talk," Isabel finally said, resigned to the fact that Max was going to drop the subject until he knew all the details. He probably wouldn't even drop it then.
"About what?"
Isabel wasn't going to make it easy for him. "Stuff," she said.
"Stuff?" Max asked, eyebrows raised.
"Stuff," Isabel confirmed.
"What kind of stuff?"
"You know," Isabel shrugged. "Stuff."
Max glared at her and she gave in. "Fine. He asked me out on a date."
"And you said no, of course," Max prompted.
Isabel didn't answer, which was an answer in itself.
"Isabel," Max complained. There was a definite whining quality in his voice.
"What?" Isabel asked defensively. "I agreed to go out on one date."
"You were only going to go to the dance!" Max exclaimed.
Isabel shrugged. "Yeah, well we're going to go out next Friday now. No biggie."
"It is a big deal," Max began, but Isabel cut him off before he could continue.
"Max, we already had this conversation. It ended up with me still going to the dance with Kyle. We could have this conversation again, but it will still end up with me going out with Kyle. So let's just drop it." She went to her own room before Max could argue.
Apparently Max decided that Isabel was right, because he didn't follow her or try to argue anymore. Isabel heard him grumbling, but soon he left, taking the jeep with him. Probably off to see Liz, Isabel thought.
With Max gone and nothing else to do, Isabel started to wonder what Kyle was planning on doing next Friday.
One thing she knew for sure was that no matter what happened, it was going to be an interesting experience.
The End