Intermission - Snooping (Part 1).

Isabelle was still a fuming mess when she stepped down from the bus at the stop close to her house. It was one thing for Ignacio to talk shit about girls who’d allegedly crossed his friend, but it was another to call Alice a ‘lying bitch who doesn’t know what she’s talking about’.

It was that which made things snap for her. It was those words that made her realize this wasn’t worth it. She didn’t like the guy as much as she thought, and he annoyed her more than she enjoyed his company. He complained a lot, would never adapt his schedule to hers, it always had to be the other way around, had no tact for saying things, he talked shit about Alice, and the cherry on top was that he wasn’t even good in bed. She couldn’t believe she let him convince her to take him to her house that night.

It was the last time Isabelle let herself be led by a sudden infatuation. Ignacio was attractive, and charming when he wanted something out of someone, but that was it. They were completely incompatible, and it was good that it took her only two weeks to realize it. Or maybe she was stupid for taking two whole weeks to realize it. The latter was more likely, she admitted with a groan to herself.

She beat herself up all the way to her house. She’d broken up with the guy just 20 minutes ago, and he didn’t even seem to care. She didn’t know if that was a relief or made her even angrier.

When she got home, she found her mother sitting on the couch in the living room, watching an episode of the show she was currently into. Her mom paused the show to turn to Isabelle with a worried frown.

“You’re here earlier than I thought you would be. What happened?”

Isabelle knew her anger was still clear on her face, and she didn’t try to hide it. Her mom was perceptive when she didn’t have her mind busy with work. Instead, she walked to her and hugged her tightly, hiding her face in her chest.

“I’m sorry. I’m an idiot.”

With her mom’s arms around her in a comforting embrace, Isabelle began to feel a little better.

“What happened?” her mom repeated.

“I… I had a boyfriend,” she admitted weakly, afraid. Her voice trembled. “But I rushed into that relationship and it wasn’t working. I just broke up with him.” Her mom sighed with a tone of disappointment that made Isabelle tense up, yet she still rubbed her back for comfort. That let Isabelle continue. “I… I thought I understood more now that I’m older, but I clearly don’t.”

“Why did you feel the need to keep it a secret until now?”

Isabelle bit her lip. “I guess… I had a strong feeling you wouldn’t like him. That should’ve been my first clue.”

Her mom kissed the top of her head. “How are you feeling now?”

“Angry. At myself.” Isabelle groaned. “I feel like I’ve made so many stupid mistakes lately.”

“That’s part of being young, dear,” her mother said. “What’s important is that you learn from it. At least I know you were sufficiently careful.”

Isabelle nodded. “W-We used condoms.” That was an embarrassing thing to admit to her mother, but if Oliver had told her the truth, and of course he had, their mom already knew everything. And so… “I’m sorry for bringing him here while you were away. I really shouldn’t have.”

“It’s okay now, dear.” She kissed the top of her head again. “But for that, you’re not allowed to go out for the next two weekends, you’ll come straight home after school, and your phone bill is coming out of your allowance this month.”

Isabelle flinched. That was nearly all her allowance! And next weekend was…!

…

No. It was fair, she told herself. She deserved it. Maybe she’d even gotten lucky.

A sudden burst of laughter from upstairs made her sit up and stare at the ceiling. Who the…?

Oh, right. Her brother had… friends over.

“Those girls seem nice,” her mom said, smiling.

“Do they?” Isabelle asked with genuine curiosity. Alice vouched for them, and if they left a decent impression on her mom, then Isabelle was more than likely the one in the wrong.

God, the thought wrung her heart. The way she’d yelled at Oliver…

“At least they seemed worried about the first impression they’d make. I wonder if any of them like your brother…” Her mom smiled. “They are all pretty cute.”

Isabelle swallowed.

“Anyway. Would you like me to buy some cheesecake?” her mom offered.

“I love you.”

“I’m going out, then. Stay here and make sure your brother doesn’t do anything inappropriate.” She was joking, Isabelle knew. She didn’t believe Oliver would do anything inappropriate, and two weeks ago, neither would Isabelle, but now, given what she’d heard from him directly…

Their mom checked if there was anything else that they’d need, and after realizing they were out of tea and coffee both, she went to tell Oliver that she was going out. She neglected to tell him Isabelle was home, though.

…

Pushing away the guilt of snooping, Isabelle went up to her room in the utmost silence. She closed the door so gently it didn’t make a sound, and she even sat on the floor to avoid making any noise on her bed.

She pressed her ear against the wall. From where she was, she had her ear next to Oliver’s computer desk. There was the very faint sound of music, which she knew was from a paused game.

…

When was the last time she and Oliver played together, she wondered.

“She said 20 minutes,” Isabelle heard through the wall. That was… Sarah, right? And wasn’t her tone a little too… husky?

Then a sudden moan, muffled yet still plenty loud and… sensual sounding. She could hear well over these thin-ass walls. The sound of the mattress followed. Someone fell on the bed, and two other voices laughed.

W-What?