Sophie's POV
"Have you seen Isabella lately?" Elliot asked me as he leaned back against the soft material of his seat.
Myself and a few friends were all gathered in an American styled diner in town which had very quickly become our usual meeting spot. It did the absolute best and most unhealthy food imaginable and also gave free drink refills. I didn't really think it could get better than that.
"Nope, she's been so MIA. I called her the other day but she was with George." I explained as that concern rushed through me once again. "I'm worried about her."
Isabella seemed to hold a lot more trust in the guy than any of us did and unfortunately that meant there wasn't a whole lot we could do about the situation. If she was happy I didn't want to ruin that but I also didn't want her getting caught up in something incredibly dangerous.
I knew the reputation George held and had heard about the things he had been involved in. If any of that stuff was true then I was certain that Isabella had made the worst choice in allowing him to get to know her.
"It's so unlike her." Juliet, Elliot's younger sister added, finally removing her eyes from the phone in front of her.
"Yeah, what happened to the shy version of Iz who despised the male species." Elliot continued before being immediately interrupted by Jack.
"Apart from me!" He raised his hand as a cocky smile spread across his face.
I couldn't help but laugh at Jack's predictable comment, even more so as it was kind of true. The five of us had all grown up together and Jack and Elliot had really been the only boys I ever knew Isabella to speak to since her brother passed away.
She had truly lost trust for most people and although that was incredibly sad, it was nice to know that she felt somewhat protected in the bubble of our friendship.
"I'm keeping my eyes on the whole thing so if it turns to shit, we better be ready to jump in." I added, already feeling as though something like that was looming. "I can spot a dickhead of a guy from miles away."
As Jack began to laugh, I immediately turned to look at him with a frown across my face. I didn't know what he found so funny but I wasn't so amused at him seeing my comment as a joke.
"What?!"
"Really?"
"Really, what?"
"You've dated the entire population of dickhead guys. I think your radar is a little off."
As my mouth dropped open, both the Lloyd siblings also couldn't help but smile, clearly agreeing with Jack's comment.
"That's so not true!"
"Alec?" Elliot raised his brow at me, as though I was going to out-rightly agree with him. "That on again, off again thing is toxic."
"For your information we are well and truly on. So my dickhead guy radar is doing just fine, thank you!"
Although I knew they were just trying to be good friends in this matter, I couldn't help but argue their judgement. I wasn't sure why my relationship with a very normal and maybe a little arrogant guy, was a huge issue when Isabella was currently hanging out with a gang member.
He killed people! I was sure of it and the worst Alec had probably done was punched a guy in a heated game of football. I really didn't see me as the biggest concern right now.
"Isabella's the one you should be frowning at. That girl went from hiding from life to spending her nights hanging out with some hot guy who carries a gun around on the daily."
"We are, which is why we're making it your job to keep an eye on her." Jack announced, as though this was a plan they had already figured out.
"Don't you think I'm already doing that?"
"Yeah but we mean like getting involved in her life with him." Elliot added, causing me to look at him in disgust.
"I mean, I know three-way relationships are beginning to make the news but that's really not my thing." I remarked causing Elliot to start laughing.
"Not quite what we meant."
"Then what?!"
"Go hang out with them. I'm sure that household he lives in constantly has parties. If she's invited, make sure you are too." Jack said, while I gazed over at the three of them, waiting for them to tell me they were joking.
"You want me to go to some gang party?"
"You love a party, Soph!" Juliet grinned while nudging my side. "You'll have fun."
Sitting back in my chair, I let that thought process in my mind for a moment. As much as I did love a good party, attending one held by gang members with guns wasn't really on my bucket list. However, if it meant I could finally figure out what Isabella was really getting involved in and if she did need rescuing, then I was willing to do it.
"Sure, okay then. I'll get myself an invite but if I get killed then it's all of your faults."
"Cool, it's a deal." Jack replied casually while placing his hand onto the table.
Elliot did the same and placed his on top of Jack's, causing Juliet to follow suit. As all eyes then fell onto me, I finally gave in and placed mine on top of theirs as I promised to commit to the plan.
I hated the idea of Isabella getting caught up in this mess. She was innocent and incredibly impressionable. She didn't deserve her growing confidence to be ripped from her when she realised she had been completely played by a heartless being with a pretty face.
I wanted her to be happy but I wanted her to find that happiness in something a little less criminal and a lot more legal. There were hundreds of guys out there, so I still wasn't quite sure why she had made the most bizarre choice.
"Just don't get distracted, alright? The party is to keep your eyes on Isabella only." Jack warned, making implications based on his unfortunate knowledge of my weakness.
"How dare your, Jack Lawrence!" I gasped, while circling the imaginable shape of a halo over my head. "I am in a very... I mean partially committed relationship with my amazing boyfriend. No other boy could distract me."
As if on cue, my phone began buzzing on the table signalling a text and Alec's name was presented across the screen.
"Speaking of that amazing boyfriend, I have a date to get to."
Waving my phone at them, I grabbed my things before beginning to make my way out of the booth.
"I look forward to the phone call later when you're arguing and you claim it's over again." Elliot mocked and unfortunately, that had happened way too many times for me to accuse him of lying.
"Set your alarm for 2am sharp." I played along with a grin on my face, just about to wave them all goodbye and make my escape before Juliet jumped to her feet.
"Hey Soph, can you give me a lift home?" She practically pleaded and I immediately wondered why a lift home with her brother and Jack wasn't so appealing today.
"What are they up to this time?"
"All I know is that it involves lots of cars as I switched off after that. It'll be torture."
"Then consider me your much more enjoyable taxi ride home." I sang, hooking my arm through hers as we made our way out of the diner.
Juliet was like a little sister to me. Although we did hold very differently personalities, I loved the relationship that had grown between us. Being able to teach and guide her through these teenage years, having made many mistakes myself at her age to save her from the backlash, was incredibly fulfilling. I felt an intense need to protect her from everything, very much like the situation that was currently occurring with Isabella.
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