Isabella on the Couch
Isabella collapsed to the couch. She had been staring at the wall for several minutes before Kali's insistent meowing forced her to look up. Apparently her lap wasn't in the perfect configuration. With a laugh, Isabella uncrossed her legs and let the Maine Coon jump onto her perch.
“At least your life is still simple, Kali,” Isabella commented, stroking Kali's soft fur. “You don't have a girlfriend with superpowers.” She and Aurora had parted ways only a little why ago, with Aurora claiming exhaustion and Isabella wanting to keep her parents from worrying.
It turned out Isabella had rushed home for nothing. Her parents had left twenty bucks and a “treat yourself” note for dinner. That was code for them being at one of their “friend's parties” for the night. She'd long figured out what swingers were and she didn't really care, but sometimes it seemed like they planned their absence for when she needed support the most.
Not that she could tell them what was going on. Isabella hated keeping secrets from anyone, especially her family, but this was kind of a big deal. A big deal that she would have to keep to herself. The consequences were too significant to even consider otherwise.
God, she hated this. She knew Aurora needed her support. Isabella couldn't even imagine what was going through her head. But what a burden! It was all part of loving, of course. It couldn't be any other way. But some times... it was hard not to resent the strain.
Isabella had been there through the beginnings of the voices, through the resurgence and terror, through Aurora's fallout with her mom, and now through... whatever the hell this was going to be. Life for Isabella was so simple compared to Aurora's. Just normal high school worries, thinking about college, practicing for her next concert.
Aurora supported her, too, of course. Even with the craziness of her life the last few years, Aurora always made sure to ask Isabella about her own life, make sure things were okay. Maybe just to help keep things normal on some level, but it was appreciated anyway.
Isabella's reverie was broken by Kali growling and leaping from her lap, digging her claws. Moments later, the doorbell rang. Right. Pizza. Hopefully food would be a good distraction.