i'll carry you with me || asdfiwik || 18+

[Serendipity]

“I need you to come get me Jade, please.”

“Come get you? Where the hell are you? You’re certainly not with me at the movies like you were supposed to be! Did you really ditch me for that douche bag?”

“Jade, please...hate me later, I-I don’t know what to do. He just left me here!” Her friends voice shook on the other end of the phone and any ounce of annoyance she’d held towards the other girl was gone in an instant at the sound of fear behind the words.

“Wait - what? He left you! Where are you Izzy?” She was already walking towards the exit, her free hand digging into the back pocket of her jeans to retrieve her car keys. Once Jade passed through the sliding doors, leaving the cinema complex behind, she jogged down the front steps towards the car park. “WHERE - ARE - YOU - ISABELLE?” She demanded impatiently, and perhaps a little too harshly, when there was no response from her friend.

“I-I dunno where exactly but I know we drove like an hour out of the city. I’ve been drinking Jade, I’m sorry, I didn’t pay attention! Wait...there’s a car coming, maybe I can just get a ride with the-” She was cut off immediately by her best friend. “Do not get in that fucking car Isabelle, are you crazy!” Jade screeched, appalled for a moment that her friend would even consider it, then she remembered she’d said she had been drinking. Jade quickly unlocked her new white Barina, and jammed her keys into the ignition, turning it on as she got into the car. “Izzy?” She asked, there’d been no response again and of course Jade’s mind went straight to the worst possible scenario - Izzy had gotten into that car.

“It’s alright, I’m here. They didn’t even stop anyway.” Isabelle finally answered with a sigh.
“Good! Now stay put, I’ve got that tracker app remember? I’ll find you- just don’t get into anyone’s car but mine, okay?”

--- --- --- ---

“Now who's ditching who?” Isabelle Evans questioned, quirking her brow at her friend for affect. She wasn’t angry though, in fact she had predicted this would happen one day. The level-headed Jade Spelling had fallen in love, although Isabelle suspected that Jade had always been in love with Harrison Tate, they had always had a connection and you’d have to be blind not to see it. She was happy for her friend, really she was, but she couldn’t help feeling a little saddened at the same time. It had always just been the two of them against the world, sure Harrison had been there in the background all through high school, they were all friends, but Isabelle had known Jade a lot longer. The two of them had grown up together, Isabelle had moved in right next door to the Spellings, they had finished their primary school years together and started high school together. They had been inseparable from the moment Jade had waved at her from over the fence the day she had arrived.

“I’m not ditching you, Izzy. I’m just asking if it’s okay if I invite Harry along?” Jade corrected gently. After a moment's pause, Isabelle rolled her eyes, glad the other girl couldn’t see her reactions on the other end of the phone, “Fine. He can come, I suppose we’ll need someone to hold our bags while we try out the Kamikaze.” She said, a slight smirk appearing on her lips. She heard Jade laugh on the other end of the phone and smiled, they both knew that Harrison would hate standing on the sidelines holding bags while the two of them rode his favorite ride. The Brisbane show was on, and they went almost every year, it was the best time and although they had visited theme parks regularly, nothing could beat the sideshow atmosphere of the Brisbane Show.

“Meet me by the the car in half an hour” Jade advised before they hung up and Isabelle turned back to the full length mirror in her room. The denim shorts she wore and bright blue singlet were her pick for the day, it was summer after all and walking around through crowded pavilions and waiting in line with a bunch of other people hustled together was going to add to the heat of the day ahead.

--- --- --- ---

“You never said anything about him coming.” Isabelle grumbled in annoyance, her blue eyes narrowing on the second figure walking beside Jade’s date, Elston Glynn Morgan. She should have known, they were after all best friends but that didn’t make her any less displeased by the added company they would have.

“Oh yes, I forgot, your arch nemesis is coming too.” Jade giggled, knowing just how displeased Isabelle was over this new development. “Call it payback for last weekend.” She added with smirk.

“He poured juice over my head in eighth grade!” Isabelle felt the need to remind her friend coldly. “We see enough at him at school, and since he’s following us to Uni he’ll be there too, why does he have to come?” Isabelle whined a little more as the two males neared the car, but Jade didn’t have time to respond as the back doors opened and they climbed into the backseat.

--- --- --- ---

Three years later.

“I’m so happy for you, Jade. You deserve this more than anyone else I know.” Isabelle smiled, hugging her best friend tightly and trying not to cry. Jade’s arms held her just as tightly, and she sniffled slightly causing Isabelle to draw her back at arm's length. “Don’t you dare cry, your mascara will run…” The blonde requested gently, reaching for a tissue from the box on the dresser next to them so she could softly dab at the corner of Jade’s eyes. Her friend smiled softly in response and nodded, drawing in a deep breath to hold back the onslaught of emotions ready to burst. Isabelle pulled back, giving Jade a little space so she could compose herself. It was hard to keep her own emotions at bay and she knew if Jade cried, she would cry and they’d both be a mess of tears and running mascara.

Jade drew in one last deep breath and straightened her shoulders before turning to look at herself in the full length mirror behind her. Her dark blonde hair was piled up on top of her head, wisps of hair falling down to frame her face, and holding it all in place was the clip of her veil and a lot of hairspray. Her dress was a simple white, sleeveless gown, the bodice made of white silk which hugged her figure in all the right places. Absently she placed her hand against her stomach and marvelled over the little she was showing for almost six months pregnant. Her mother was sure it was a girl because of this, but Jade wasn’t so sure that all the old wives tales her mother was getting her information from were really true. Another four months and they would find out, she wanted it to be a surprise despite Isabelle’s constant hounding that she needed to find out so she could get her god son or daughter the perfect present for their arrival.

“You look beautiful, perfect. Harrison doesn’t know how lucky he is.” Isabelle reassured the bride, not that she felt Jade needed reassuring but it was what the maid of honor was supposed to do right?

The wedding was beautiful, small and intimate with only close friends and family from the bride and groom’s sides. The couple had chosen the perfect place to get married, on a cliff overlooking the crashing waves below as the sun set in the sky providing the perfect backdrop for their photographer to capture their special day. After the ceremony everyone made their way back to Harrison’s parent’s house for the reception, his parents had insisted that they have it there and it had made for a good choice, their beachfront home was only a short walk away from where the ceremony had been held.

The only negative thing that Isabelle could take from the day was being around Harrison’s parents - oh and Elston, they had never liked her, she was what they called a ‘bad influence’. Jade’s parents however, never had a problem with her, they trusted their daughter more than anything and of course had known Isabelle since she was a child, they knew it was Jade who kept her inline. But Isabelle didn’t take too harshly to the fact that Harrison’s parents didn’t like her, it was their problem and she simply kept out of their way. If only the same could be said for Elston, since he was the Harrison’s best man Isabelle had no choice but to walk down the aisle next to him before the bride had made her appearance, and now even at the reception she found herself seated next to him.

“Be nice.” Jade leant over to whisper in her ear, she knew Isabelle disliked Elston and was trying her best to be civil. “Only because it’s your day.” Isabelle promised.

--- --- --- ---

Isabelle felt like she was in a dream, everything else around her had faded to black creating a tunnel, the linoleum of the hospital floors the only thing she could see as she raced down the hallway towards the nightmare that awaited her at the end of this seemingly never ending tunnel. A numbness had set in, and the only thing she could feel was the heavy thud of her own heartbeat. At the end of the corridor was her destination, two large doors coming into view as she neared them. As if they sensed she was coming they opened for her, and if she hadn’t been in such a hurry to get through them she would have thanked the nurses holding them open for her.

She was greeted by a room full of sombre faces, some she knew, some were strangers, all of them looked up as she came into the room, she guessed they were hoping to see a doctor or surgeon bringing them news of their loved ones. Her footsteps falted, the coldness in the room finally breaking through the numbness, and squeezed itself around her heart as her gaze met Jade’s mother. The woman who had been almost like a mother to her over the years, had a tight grip on her husband's hand and as she looked over towards Isabelle, she burst into tears letting go of her husband’s hand only to make her way over to the blonde. Isabelle shook her head, she didn’t want to believe it, although Mary Spelling’s face said it all…she’s gone.

“No...she’s can’t be…” Isabelle whispered, shaking her head again. “No!” She cried, unable to keep the despair at bay any longer, she’d known deep down all the way here that Jade couldn’t have survived that accident but had refused to let herself believe it to be true. Mary’s arms came around her just as her legs threatened to give out, and she was the only thing keeping Isabelle standing. Her whole body shook as the tears flowed freely and she sobbed into the woman’s shoulder. Her best friend was gone…

“Oh my god, Owen!” Isabelle gasped and quickly stepped out of Mary’s embrace as she suddenly remembered Jade and Harrison hadn’t been the only ones in the car. Mary quickly took her hand to steady her, she’d almost fallen over with the crushing realization that Jade and Harrison’s six month old son had been in the car with them when the accident happened. “He’s alive, Izzy.” Mary reassured quickly. “They’re keeping him in for a few days, but apart from a few bruises he’s okay.”

Isabelle slowly nodded in understanding, some of her panic subsiding into relief that the baby was okay. But he would never see his mother again... “Harrison?” She asked in one last desperate hope that little Owen hadn’t lost both of his parents tonight, the look in Mary’s eyes however told her that Owen had also lost his father.

It just wasn’t fair. None of it. One stupid drunk driver and an entire family was torn apart, a baby boy orphaned before his first birthday.

[asdfiwik]

Elston and Harrison. The two were nearly inseparable for years. Harrison was the first friend Elston had when His family moved to Australia. He was nearly nine. Even when he started dating Jade, whom he would marry a few years later He managed to juggle a relationship and their friendship, mostly by , at every chance bringing him along. Which mean, Jade brought one of her friends along- It was always Isabelle Evens. The group always seemed to follow each-other, Harrison and Jade being the glue; Because He and Isabelle hated each-other and it was known fact.

Elston and Harrison had a history. It was long, it was paved with stories of the other, that they would laugh about. There was a chip shop that the two frequented. An alley with stairs around the corner. They were narrow and had one more flight that went right, and were back entrances to the shops then was a dead end. at the dead end lay a lanky body high, just barely able to use his mobile. calling the last number on his mobile, harrison he managed to tell him in the most drawn out story that he was at the chip shop before hanging up, between telling him he was certain he was going to die.

It took an hour of Harrison combing the block, as he was not at the chip shop. then he remembered the alley. A fried Elston lay upside down on the stairs, an utter mess. Though the boys were so close and best friends, this was one of the first real signs that they were starting to go down different paths.

While Harrison was going steady with Jade, Elston had flings, his longest just graced nine months. He was not sure what he wanted in a relationship, by the end of it, she was just someone who was by his side. Someone so he was not alone. She, however wanted something more. The night they broke up was the night he called Harrison from the steps around the corner of the chip shop.

Elston was late, at least fifteen minutes after Isabelle got there. He already knew. He knew from the call, his parents had to make those calls. He almost did not go, but he had nowhere else to go. His feet felt like they were covered in cement as he tried to get out of the car. Everything was such a blur.

Elston Loitered through the halls not wanting to reach his destination. He knew what waited for him was something that was neither pleasant nor exciting. It was going to be painful, and stressful, He did not have his best friend to fall back on.

As he entered, all eyes were on him. It was clear everyone was on the same page. Everyone except Elston who thought Owen was killed as well. In a fog he was standing next to Harrison's teary eyed parents, who hugged him. “He is gone, Elston, he is really gone” Harrisons’ teary eyed mother hugged him. She was in many ways a second mother to him, and Harrison, was like a second son to his own mother. Resting his head on hers, he nodded, just looking at the wall, in shock. “I know he is.” After what seemed like forever standing there in embrace of Harrisons’ mother, still thinking that everyone had perished in the nasty car wreck, he finally said so. to which Layla, Harrisons’ mother stepped back shaking her head, “Elston no, Owen is alive, he is fine” she said brushing his face.

It was a small sliver lining to a horrible accident that could have been avoided. Elston sat down in a small qaud of unoccupied seats, he knew only a small few of the people there, Harrisons’ family, crying again moved back over to Jades family. He saw Isabelle. Watching her, he knew she did not like him, and he did not like her, and they both just lost their best friend. “Isabelle?” he called out. He was not crying, he was red eyed, but he was doing really bad, and when he called her name you could hear the pain.


{adding on}

[Serendipity]

Isabelle and Mary cried on each other’s shoulders until there were no more tears to cry, their eyes red and cheeks flushed, hugging each other tightly as they grieved for the person they loved most. She lost track of what was going on around her, falling back into a numbness that threatened to consume her. She had no idea what to do, what happened next? How could she ever get on as normal again. Did she cancel the lunch date that Jade had arranged for the weekend, a time they had made just for the two of them to catch up while Harrison watched Owen for a while. What did she say when she canceled it? Make up a lie that they couldn’t make it or tell them the truth and risk breaking down over the phone to some stranger on the other end?

The blonde had no idea how long they stood there holding each other and sobbing, but she hadn’t seen Elston arrive and didn’t know he was even in the room until she heard her name spoken. Through the haze of her grief she heard her name and managed to lift her head from Mary’s shoulder that was now soaked with her tears. Her blue eyes met Elston’s across the room, she had almost forgotten that it wasn’t just Harrison’s family who had suffered his loss but of course his best friend had too.

She saw his pain; he was not crying but it was clear he had been at some point, and her heart twisted in her chest. She had never seen him so openly hurt, he looked as helpless as she felt inside. Isabelle hugged Mary one last time before carefully untangling herself from the woman’s arms and passing her on to her husband who stood beside her now.

In any other situation she would not have walked over to him or sat down beside him, but this was not any other situations and they were both hurting. She felt she owed him at least some small form of comfort even if it was just to sit beside him for while. Her hands rested in her lap, she felt a little unsure if she should hug him or not, so chose not to.

“Owen’s okay...thank god….” She said, not knowing if someone had informed him yet or not that little Owen was unharmed, and also it was comforting to say it, to reassure her mind that his precious little life had been spared. “It- it just doesn’t seem real, you know? I just want to wake up from this nightmare.” The blonde whispered, her voice catching slightly as she spoke.

[[sorry it's a little short, I just wasn't sure if I should skip to the funeral straight away or not. which I have written up already lol]]