Re: Near the elevator
It took her a long while to calm down, to breathe at a pace that wasn't halted and sniffling. She felt so stupid for everything that happened. It had been obvious from the very start that Trenton wasn't anything she could handle, at least not in the long run. And with her, there weren't very many long runs. Isobel didn't get attached, she played, she had fun, and then she left. But not this time, no no. She had stuck around and now her heart felt like it was splitting in two.
The razor sharp edge of words was something she had never thought to guard herself against.
And then the look on Archer's face as he asked a question that she couldn't answer, not without an overwhelming feeling of guilt. Was it true? Of course it was true. She had spread her legs like a lady of the night and had never imagined it coming back to bite her. The world was cruel and she wanted nothing to do with it.
But then there were those warm arms that held her as she sniffled and snotted, and there was a feeling of guilt that tugged and pulled at her, and she couldn't let herself enjoy even this little moment. "It's fine. It's fine," Isobel said as she pulled away from him, never meeting his gaze. Fingers pulled at the hat he had placed on her head and she held it out to him, just as the elevator dinged and arrived in the lobby.
"You don't want to be near me. Trust me," she said hastily, waiting until the hat was out of her grasp before darting into the elevator. She didn't bother to push the button to close the doors, instead dropping down in a crouch, arms around her knees, hugging them to her chest. Mama had been right in keeping her safe and sound in their little Louisiana home. Nothing could hurt you if you didn't let the world in.