Fourth Floor Common Room, after classes

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Finishing dinner preparations had allowed Isabel a little time to process everything she'd learned during the day. Hopefully with the information she and Parker had given Professor Phale to be played out in a bit, he'd be able to stop Lana, Phoebe and Marie before they messed with anyone else's head.

But for now Isabel focused on dinner with friends and that meant cooking rice and setting out toppings to go with the huge pot of chili on the stove.

Comments

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Occasionally I really hate this school," Sam muttered.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'm not going to argue with you." Isabel glanced at Jack, remembering what he'd told her earlier. "There's something else."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Another sigh. "What now?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Jack had another run in with Lana this morning," she said quietly. "Whatever happened? Now he believe that you and Cedric set him up on Sunday."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"That explains it," Sam said, eyes closed, "That's what I couldn't put my finger on."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"He knows that it's not true. He really does," Isabel assured her, realing that this must be what their quiet discussion in class had been about. "But whatever she did to him, it still feels real."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I don't doubt that." She just couldn't imagine anything to do to Jack that would have been worse than first removing his will, and then his fragile and hard-earned trust.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I really, really hate that woman right now," Isabel muttered, glancing worriedly from Jack to Cedric. "This was supposed to be a fun dinner."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"We'll try it again sometime," Sam patted Isabel on the shoulder, "and hopefully this is only temporary."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Oh it'll be over soon. I'll break into her room and get the book myself if I have to," she said, frustration evident.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Do you need help picking the lock?" She offered.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I've got that covered," Isabel said, holding up her hand. "I'm giving Professor Phale till tomorrow afternoon. But after that, if you want to watch my back, I won't object."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"I'm all over it, and you know where to find me," Sam nodded sharply.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'll let you know," she promised.