Making their way to Haisley’s bedroom, they made a pit stop to grab some trash bags. “Do you want to talk about anything?” Isabelle asked. “Yes. I just don’t know what I want to talk about.” Haisley said opening the drawer that had Caden’s clothes in it. “You know, I thought this was going to be difficult looking at his clothes, but honestly it’s just making me realize there were so many red flags popping up at the end of our relationship.” Hazel said. “Like what?” Isabelle said. “Well, he was slowly trying to get me integrated within his friend group and would want me to hang out with his friend’s girlfriends. I only know one of his friends was getting ready to propose to his girlfriend because he asked me for some advice because I was close with his girlfriend.” Haisley said. “Really?” Isabelle asked. “Yeah. Actually, he texted me last night to make sure everything was okay. He told me that the first time he saw Caden talking with more women when I wasn’t there, he stopped going to any meet-ups they had.” Haisley said. “Can I see a picture of this guy? I just wanna make sure he wasn’t there.” Isabelle said. “Yes. That would make me feel a bit better. Although, I do know he and his fiancée would sometimes come over here on football nights.” Haisley said pulling out her phone and showing Isabelle a photo of herself with the two people she was talking about. “Oh, it’s Jace. Yeah, he wasn’t there. Neither was Nicole.” Isabelle said. “You know them?” Haisley asked. “Yeah. Jace and I were lab partners in chemistry during high school and we became friends from it. And well our liking for working out got us pretty close. I told him how you didn’t really like working out and I needed a spotter one day so he came with me.” Isabelle said. “Wow. I’m surprised Caden didn’t know that.” Haisley said. “Once you and Caden had started dating, we both realized our friend groups were going to cross paths more. We didn’t want anyone to know, so when you brought me over to hang out with Caden and his friends for the first time we just acted as if we had met. Neither of us wanted people to know. The jock and nerdy girl being friends usually never happens. But I did help him out with getting his fiancée when we were in college.” Isabelle said, taking clothes from Haisley and putting the clothes into the bag. “I forget that the two of you went to the same college on different scholarships.” Haisley said. “I’m glad you ended up transferring to the same college too. I thought you were holding yourself back because of Caden.” Isabelle said. “I definitely was. I’m glad I moved back and got a great job.” Haisley said. “And I am glad I got a good job too.” Isabelle said. “You got a great job, not just a ‘good’ job. Who would’ve thought that I would be the best friend of an amazing fashion designer.” Haisley said. Isabelle laughed at her reaction. “I wish you could come out to my home so you could see some designs I’m working on.” Isabelle said. “Now that Caden and I are done, I’ll look into taking a week off to come out and visit. I want to see more of the city.” Haisley said, handing clothing over to Isabelle. Isabelle then put the clothing into the bag. “Well, if you look up things you want to do, just tell me and I’ll make sure I am free to help you around the city.” Isabelle said. “Good.” Haisley said closing the drawer and heading towards her closet to get things of his he had hanging up. “Can you tell him to lose my number? I don’t want him contacting me again.” Haisley said. “Yes. Anything else you want me to tell him?” Isabelle asked. “No. That is it. I’ve already blocked him on all social media platforms so there’s that. I am also going to block his number.” Haisley said. “Very smart.” Isabelle said.

Once they were finished, Isabelle and Haisley waited for Caden to show up. Haisley was in her room waiting for Isabelle to get her once she had given Caden the bags. A knock on Haisley’s front door was heard throughout the apartment. “Wow. She really couldn’t give me my own things. I shouldn’t be surprised that she had you here though.” Caden said to Isabelle. “Here are your things. And the gifts that you gave Haisley. She wants you to never contact her again, so lose her number.” Isabelle said. Caden roughly grabbed the bags from Isabelle. “Tell that bitch, she’ll never hear from me again.” Caden said. Isabelle glared at him. She wasn’t too surprised that he called Haisley a bitch. He was definitely a man that tried so hard to be cool. It annoyed Isabelle. “Well, bye.” Isabelle said, shutting the door in his face. She heard him mumble something under his breath before he walked away. “I’m glad she got rid of that douche. She deserved someone so much better than him.” Isabelle thought to herself walking back to Haisley.

Walking back into Haisley’s bedroom, Isabelle saw Haisley crying in her hands. “Hey, it’s okay.” Isabelle said. “I know. I just, I’ve been with Caden for so long that I thought we would end up together and now it’s blown up in my face.” Haisley said. “I understand why you are upset. You don’t have to reason with me.” Isabelle said. “I hate seeing you like this.” Isabelle thought, sitting down next to Haisley. “There was one thing that Caden texted me and I want the honest truth from you, okay?” Haisley asked causing Isabelle to look at her confused. “Okay.” Isabelle said. “Do you love me as something more than a friend? He said it was obvious that you love me, but you would’ve told me, right?” Haisley asked, looking at Isabelle in her eyes. Isabelle tensed up not knowing how to tell her best friend that she’d been in love with her since high school. “Yes. And I know I should’ve told you sooner, but by the time I realized you were in a relationship with Caden. I couldn’t be the one to break you two up, so I kept it to myself. I’m honestly surprised he could even tell.” Isabelle said, looking down at her hands and then back at Haisley. “When did you realize?” Haisley asked. “Like sophomore year of high school. I just thought it was a crush. And when you got with Caden it broke me and that’s when I realized it wasn’t a crush. It was something else because I always felt some jealousy, but you were happy and that was all that mattered.” Isabelle said. “Is that why you never went out with anyone?” Haisley asked. “Mainly. And I didn’t want anyone to know I liked the same sex. So, the only person who knew was my mother and that’s because she figured it out herself.” Isabelle said. “I wish you would have told me. At least then I would be with someone who loved me. Don’t get me wrong, I think Caden loved me in the beginning but now I don’t know. I just know you wouldn’t have cheated on me.” Haisley said. “He loved you. I could tell, don’t ask me how I just could.” Isabelle said. “Did you leave here to get away from me?” Haisley asked. “I left to get away from my feelings. It just worked out that I got a job away from here.” Isabelle said. “I really wish you would have told me. I would’ve gone anywhere with you and your career.” Haisley said. “So, do you like women and men?” Isabelle asked. “Yes. I found out when Caden and I were looking into a threesome. He didn’t want it to be with another man, but when we did it with another woman, I found out I was enjoying doing things with her rather than Caden. And she made me feel loved more than Caden ever did. Do you think you’d ever want to try a relationship with me?” Haisley asked. “Yes, but not right now. I don’t want you to feel rushed into a relationship. I’ve waited years, I can wait longer. But I want you to be in a good mind space before we start a relationship.” Isabelle said. “Are you worried about losing those feelings?” Haisley asked. “Are you worried I will?” Isabelle asked. “I just don’t want you to think I’m too broken for you. You deserve better than me.” Haisley said. “And why do you think that?” Isabelle asked. “Because you should’ve been able to be in a relationship with someone. Yet you couldn’t and it’s my fault.” Haisley said. “I could have, but I just knew my feelings for you wouldn’t go away. But I have tried to be in a few relationships over the years, they just never lasted. Usually, it was a mutual breakup. But if you want to try a relationship, I would seriously like for you to take a month or two before you decide.” Isabelle said. “That sounds fair.” Haisley said. “Well, you ready to go get some snacks for movie night?” Isabelle asked. “Yes.” Haisley said. The two got up and left the room.

*****A Year And Half Later*****

“Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad.” Haisley called out to her parents who were leaving the apartment she was now living in with Isabelle. Haisley closed the door to the apartment and turned back to Isabelle who was sitting on the couch. Haisley quickly made her way over and cuddled to Isabelle’s side. “I’m so glad I got you to agree to a date.” Haisley said. “I’m glad you gave yourself some time to heal before you asked me out.” Isabelle said. “Let me tell you, I was afraid at first, but you’ve been everything I wished for.” Haisley said. “I’m glad that I could be everything you wished for.” Isabelle said, putting an arm around Haisley’s shoulder. “Are we doing anything this weekend?” Haisley asked. “Well, I wanted to go to the zoo and then have dinner somewhere. I wanted you to pick it out. But since it’s our one year, I wanted to make sure you wanted to do those things.” Isabelle said. “That sounds awesome. I can’t wait to go to the zoo.” Haisley asked. “I’m glad. I was hoping you’d enjoy it. I just am not too sure about food.” Isabelle said. “Why don’t we do something that sells ice cream. Like a Dairy Queen. It’s supposed to be really hot out, so the ice cream at the end of the day sounds good.” Haisley said. “That sounds really nice actually. Also, I can’t remember if I told you or not, but my mother is moving out here next week, so I am flying home and driving back with her. We should be here by next weekend.” Isabelle said. “You told me. I took Monday and Tuesday off after the weekend she should be here. I’ve been talking with her to make sure I had the time off to help her settle in out here.” Haisley said. “You didn’t have to do that. She’s, my mom.” Isabelle said. “And this was your place first and you let my parents stay here and they’re not your problem. Plus, you cleared your schedule to be able to hang out at night with them.” Haisley said. “Well, that’s because they’re your parents. We have the space to let them stay here instead of at a hotel, so why not just let them stay with us.” Isabelle said. “See. It’s the same thing with helping your mother. The place I work at is very understanding and my boss was very chill with me taking those two days off since I really haven’t taken time off before.” Haisley said. “Now I get it.” Isabelle said. “Good.” Haisley said, turning to look at Isabelle. Isabelle looked down at Haisley who smiled at her. But then Haisley went to give Isabelle a quick kiss. “Are we going to go to sleep now?” Haisley asked. “I say we watch one movie before going to bed.” Isabelle said. “I’m going to turn on a random movie, is that okay?” Haisley asked. “Yes.” Isabelle said. The two got comfortable before Haisley pressed on a random movie and the two sat watching it. About halfway through the movie, they both had fallen asleep. Isabelle’s left arm was wrapped around Haisley’s shoulder while Haisley was cuddled into Isabelle with one arm draped over her stomach.

They both hadn’t been happier. Both were terrified about losing the other if things didn’t work out, but everything was going great. Yes, they had arguments, but they were never too bad. They had one rule and that was that by the time they went to bed, their arguments had to be over. And that allowed them to have a happier relationship. One both were thankful for. They couldn’t wait to see where things would go within the relationship.