Room 406, evening

[izzyalienqueen]

In her thankfully droid baby-free room, Isabel was working on a list. She'd gotten the letter from Cornell. She'd been accepted. Now it was just a matter of making a decision between there and UNLV.

So far UNLV was winning. It was closer to New Mexico and California after all.

The door was open.

Comments

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Ino's voice wobbling made Isabel realize that she wasn't as okay with this as she would probably like to be. "I can respect that reason." Hell, it's pretty much why she broke up with Greg. She didn't want to hurt him anymore then she had when she left the first time. "But Ino, you're both young. It's not like you're getting married or anything. It doesn't have to be serious."

[intraspective]

"Yeah," she said, quietly, "it does. Would be. I'm not... I don't do casual. I can't. Once I start caring for someone then that's it. I don't stop. And it would only wind up hurting both of us worse in the long run." A faint laugh. "My best friend back home loathed me for years and I still rushed in to save her ass when trouble showed up."

"'I love you'," Ino said, hands clenching, "is permanent to me. I wouldn't ever say it if it wasn't going to be. I'm like my Dad. He's only ever said it to Mom and me. No one else. Michael said I was 'his' girl on Sunday. And I can't be. Not like that. He deserves someone who can give him everything and I won't. I care, always will, but..." she trailed off, looking a little lost.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel wanted to be angrier with Ino but in a strange way, she understood what she was saying. "He does. And I want to see him get that. So I'm upset that he's probably upset but doing the stoic thing. But I have to say that if that's how you really feel, then you did the right thing."

[intraspective]

"I never wanted to hurt him," she said honestly, "never. And, and I thought you should know from me what happened. To watch out for him, because he won't want me around for a while."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I know," she nodded. "But sometimes it happens. And you just have to deal with the consequences." Something Isabel knew well. "But I'll look out for him. Whether he wants me to or not."

[intraspective]

"Thank you." It was all Ino could think of to say. "I'll, I'll just go then, I guess."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Are you going to be okay?" Isabel asked.

[intraspective]

"I'll deal," she said, wondering why Isabel would even care, "I'll manage."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel had been there. That's why she understood. "If you're sure."

[intraspective]

"I'm sure," she said, ducking her head a bit, "I'm sorry."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"So am I." Although a tiny part of her brain was relieved. She was still holding out hope for Michael's version of Maria to have a chance.

[intraspective]

"I'll see you around then," Ino said, before letting herself out of the room, not waiting for an answer.