You say that I won't lose you but you can't predict the future
Certain things are out of control
If you ever move on without me
I wanna make sure you know
That you're the only girl I love
Love...

This song danced and swirled in Isla's memory like a mist. Her days of her best friend swam in and out. She'd been to prison and worse, all thanks to paparazzi, not a letter less. He... He... He?
Jail. Court. Trial. Back to jail. When her heart saw him, it cried on his shoulder.

When her feelings touched him, they delved into melancholy unending for nights long, capped off with her jumping awake from dreadful nightmares, her jaw slackened as though awaiting a scream. She found herself eating more creamy chicken and rice casseroles, and developed a weird interest in going to the gym.

Going, since she hardly ever worked out but bribed Winter to take her photos, the ones where she wore her white sports bra over black crazy jeans.

"Are you for real? I never knew you could be this hopeless," Winter commented on one of those days at the gym.

"Chill out girlfriend. Unless you want me to tattle to Hunter."

"Hey, don't even go there." Winter hurriedly commenced to capture different pictures of her best friend forever, applying her favorite filter - black and white.

"Why do you have to look so hot all the time? Boys never look at me when I'm with you."

"Eyes on the prize, my dear. Six more months and we'll be outta this hellhole."

"Isla? Can I ask you something?"

"Whatever. Do you think I should change my body spray? I'm wondering if I should go for the lavender or rose oil."

"Nah, Craig would have a fit. Poor boy, he's been losing his mind over you since sixth grade. Do you remember junior prom?"

Isla smiled, chuckling to herself at the happy memories.
"Yeah, he was such a douchebag to Novah. He asked her out then turned her down at the last minute cause I threatened to cut my hair if he didn't."

"And he did. Are you reading anything into that?"

"I don't have to read anything into it. He's just a sweetheart. I'm sure by the time he has a full beard, he'd have banged three out of every four girls in Baltimore. You inclusive."

Winter put the camera on hold. Her world thundered to an abrupt stop.
"Excuse me?"

"I know you kissed Craig last summer. Novah told me. As at then, I wasn't sure if she wanted to make me jealous of her or sorry for her. But I knew she wasn't lying."

"Oh my g__"

"Come on girlfriend. It's not like we were dating or something." Isla laughed the issue off cheerily.

"He loves you," Winter blurted, unsure of how else to say what had to be said.

"Only a fool would fall in love with someone like me. My best friend is smarter than you think," Isla retorted.

"Nah, he's a damned fool when it comes to your matter. It's as though you're his everything."

"Hey, stop. I don't handle shit_"

"Real love is able to awaken your soul, babe. Don't you feel anything when you're with him? I see the crinkles at the corners of your eyes whenever you laugh at his dumb jokes. Or you've been pretending? "

"No, of course not. Now piss off loser."

"How can you be so heartless!" Winter cried, flinging her hands up in the air.

"Did you know that he's bearing penalty for your crime?"

"Wait, what? Now don't start sounding like he's offering a god-damned sacrifice."

"He said he'd rather spend thirty years in prison than allow the judge sentence you to jail for three months. I was there at their private session. Do you know what it means to waste one-third of your life wearing a stupid orange jumpsuit and fighting off homos in your cell because your dick is eager for only one coochie in the world?"

"Do you even care? I bet my ass you can't feel. If your boyfriend is sealed up behind those wrought iron bars, will you cry at all? He's suffering yet this patient with you? You don't deserve to be this lucky, you stone-hearted daughter of a bitch."

And then silence. Isla said nothing, opening her mouth then foolishly slamming it close. She breathed in the stinging shock of Winter's outburst borne of jealousy and her green-eyed sister envy. Luckily, visitors at the gym had emptied out upon request of the managers when they got wind of Isla's coming. Winter faced her confidante fair and square, scorning to make visible her worry on her blessed skin.

"Fine, why don't you date him then?"

"Because he's not crazy about me, dammit! He doesn't cry by my bedside when I'm down with a fever. He doesn't pet me when I have period cramps. He doesn't deny his mother just to defend my name! Because he doesn't love me!"