66.2
Christine is on me immediately, nonstop talking as she takes my arm before we even leave Isabel's room. But I don't hear a word she says.
The only thing I care about right now is Isabel.
When I glance behind me at her as I walk away, she pauses for a moment in the doorway, and her eyes meet mine.
I try to shake off the sinking feeling that I get as she closes the door.
She’s closing the door on us.
Isabel
"I've done a lot of crazy shit," Summer says, "But this is way up there in terms of nuts, Isabel. We didn't see any reporters, though, so that's good."
"Let's just get out of here." I exhale heavily, looking behind me at the summer house on the hill. The guard posted at the exit from the secret passageway saw me when I left, a weekend bag slung over my shoulder containing everything I'd need, at least for now. I half-expected him to stop me, to drag me back up to the house like a prisoner. But he didn't.
It was just like any other time I'd left the palace grounds.
Except that this isn’t any other time. This time, I’m sneaking out, unaccompanied by a bodyguard or a driver.
This time, Summer and Phoenix were waiting just across the street in a banged-up little car they'd bought to drive around Europe, duffel bags strapped to the top with bungee cords.
This time isn’t like the other times I’ve left to volunteer at the hospital. This time, I’m not going back.
“I can’t believe you got out of there without anyone knowing,” Phoenix says. “You’d think they would have better security.”
“I learned from the best,” I say, thinking of Kev. For a moment, I want to go back. I want to tell him that I don’t care what anyone thinks. “Besides, I’m not a prisoner there.”
"Are you sure you want to leave?" Summer asks. She sits in the back seat with me, Phoenix in the driver’s seat.
Am I sure?
I’m as far from sure as I can be.
“Yes.”
Summer reaches for my hand. "I'm sure they have a plan to deal with the media, you know. It doesn't have to be a huge deal. You could hide out in the palace or whatever."
"No," I say, my voice flat. "I just…it's too much attention. I can't think right now."
Summer squeezes my hand. "What about Prince Kevin?" she asks.
"I don't want to talk about him."
I think I might be in love with him.
The thought terrifies me.
“Are you sure, Isabel?” Summer asks. “Are you certain you want to run away from this? From him?”
No.
I could go back. Right now, I could turn around and walk back inside the house and tell Kev I don't care about any of it.
I could do the brave thing. I could tell everyone to fuck off.
I could tell Kev I want to be with him.
But I’m just not that brave.
"Just drive," I say.
