Chapter 7

    “There’s one advantage to being 102. There’s no peer pressure.” – Dennis Wolfberg.

They say that someone's house reflects their personality. And Isa’s house clearly proves this theory. It's clear that an artist lives here, and I know that, not because of the many recognition letters framed and proudly sat on top of the fireplace. No, I know an artist lives here due to the theme of the living room, which is themless. It’s free. There are a bunch of colors which are beautifully contrasting like the white sofa with green cushions, the red carpet, the brown leather recliner accompanied by black cushions, and the table is made up of wood that is rough at the edges. I instantly fell in love with the interior. Even though it's a one story building like my house across the street and every other house in this neighborhood, Isa’s home is different from any other houses I have seen so far. While my house is clean with a blue and white theme, Isa’s house is artistic with a bunch of colors to go around. I don't know why I'm surprised though. Miss Paula Nunias, Isa’s mom, is a well known fashion designer who sacrificed a lot to reach where she is now.

“Hi Sam,” I said and gave her a kiss on the cheeks. She just smiled at me and continued to do whatever she was doing on her phone, probably making music and putting her headphones back. “Your house is so nice.” I told Isa who was in the kitchen, and I continued to admire the place. In one of the shelves, I found a picture of me and Isa when we were like 7 years old. We both were grinning so wide displaying our missing front tooth and had our hands around each other which made our cheeks press together.

“I remember that day,” came Isa’s voice from behind me, touching the image with her fingers .When I cranked my neck to see her, she had a sad smile on her face. “Your aunt took us to the park.” 

“You were crying so hard, and she bought us Ice cream to make you stop, knowing my mom would kill her if she found out.” I finished her sentence.

“Yes I was crying so hard. I thought I would die,” she stopped mid sentence. Talking about her father and childhood is difficult for Isa. She just shrugged, to stop what made her cry that day from dampening her mood it seems, and took the frame from my hands to put it in it’s original place. Isa gave me a smile which was clearly forced then we heard the doorbell ring. 

“I will get it, it's probably Penny.” With that Isa dashed to get the door. 

“Hi Isa. I hope you don't mind I brought my brother. I couldn't leave him alone.” I heard Penny say. “I am sorry I didn't tell you,” when I went to the hall, there stood Penny and Henry, Penny’s 8 years old little brother.

“It's ok babe, I won't mind." Said Isa and crouched to the little boy. “What's your name handsome?” Isa asked, in which little Henry replied by taking his sister's leg as a refuge. 

“He is shy." Was what Penny said, ruffling his blond hair. “He needs time to get used to you,” then she spotted me. “Henry look who is here,” she said pointing at me. As soon as Henry saw me, he came running and gave me a hug. I crouched in front of him, holding him tight. Penny's mom died while giving birth to Henry, so Penny took care of him as a mother, and me and Sam as aunts. We basically raised this kid being as involved as we can. 

“I missed you buddy.” I said in his hair. After he let go of me, he ran towards Sam and gave her a small kiss on the cheeks, he knows she hates hugs, he sat himself in her lap and started to touch her tablet.

“So the whole gang's here, what should we drink?” Asked Isa.

“Juice for me and Hen.” Replied Penny. She was beside me on the big white sofa.

“Stop calling me Hen!” Grumbled Henry without taking his eyes off Sam’s tablet.

“But you are my Hen.” Cood Penny. Henry just gave her a glare for a split second. When he saw Isa, he blushed and went back to what he was doing. I had to stifle my laugh with my hands

“Juice will be good for me too.” I replied and started to make small talk with Penny. She has a weird habit of holding the hand of someone she was talking to. She told me her dad had to work late, and she didn't trust a nanny to take care of Hen. He is her responsibility she doesn't take lightly. When Isa returned, there was no sign of the juice we all asked for, rather she was holding a bottle of wine and 4 wine glasses. After she put all of it on the table, she returned to the kitchen without uttering a word. Even I know the maths as to whom these glasses were served for. I saw Penny and she is as confused as I am. Isa returned with a glass of Orange juice and cookie that were given to Hen, in which he received eagerly and blushing furiously. 

“Who are the glasses for?” I asked even though I knew the answer really well. Isa chose to ignore me and opened the wine bottle while pouring generous amount to each glass. She replied,

“For us, obviously. For the HorseMen!” She giggled and gave each of us a glass.

“We don't drink." I told her and pinched Penny when she put the rim of the glass to her lips. Isa must know we don't drink. I warned Penny with my eyes and turned my attention to Isa “We are not alcoholic.” I added for good measure.

“I know. I'm not an alcoholic either.” Isa sipped the wine and continued, “But we are home and alone. It’s ok even if we get wasted.” She argued. When all of us kept quiet, she gulped a huge amount of wine. “Don't tell me you guys have never drank alcohol before.” She asked sarcastically. Again no replay. “Your kidding!” She said, holding her mouth in disbelief. “Not even a sip when your parents aren't home?” I was told not to drink so, I never drunk.

I am not even curious and there is the right time for everything and getting drunk at 17 is not part of my plan.

“I heard it tastes bad,” said Penny, still clutching the glass in her hands.

“Once you get used to it, it won't be too bad.” Isa said. “And you won't know unless you try,” she added, drinking her own glass, which is almost empty. Penny gave into the temptation because I heard a sip coming from her. Sam was also drinking from the glass. Penny spit the entire thing back to the glass, her face was flushed and the drink didn't even get past her throat. 

“It's sour,” she crocked. I am not sad for her; I told her not to do it. She did it anyway she is paying the price.

“And you Cassie, won't you try it out?” Asked Isa, filling her glass with more poison, as I saw it. But I refuse to give in to this peer pressure, and seeing how badly Penny reacted to it gave me more reason as to why not I shouldn't do it.

“Its ok, I will drink water.” I said and got up to help myself. After I returned with my bottle everyone was silent. The only thing that is heard was Isa’s and Sam’s, who continued to drink the wine, sip and Henry mummicing his cookie.

“So, will we keep ignoring the elephant in the room.” Asked Isa curling her leg in the recliner chair.

“What elephant?” Replied Penny.

“What I told you at lunch.” There was a ‘duh’ tone in Isa’s voice. I have been pushing the information to the back of my mind. That's why when Isa mentioned it, I got really pissed off.

“We talked about this.” I said. 

“Here me out.” Said Isa, putting her glass down and fully facing me. Before I interrupted her, she shushed me with her hands. “I have this brilliant idea,” she grinned and saw all of us to see if all the attention was on her. She does that alot, I noticed. Sam gave Hen full reign over her tablet and started to watch us, putting her earphones down her neck. “What if we make you what he described?!”.

Yep, she is drunk. That's the alcohol talking. Isa was still grinning and waiting for some sort of reply, which never came. I will not say anything about this ridiculousness. “Justin clearly stated what he wants, you just have to be her.” Isa continued. 

“How can I be someone I'm not?” I asked. I just can't understand how Isa’s brain works!

“You are pretty. All you have to do is act less smarter than him, and say what he wants you to say.” Isa smiled.

“I don’t think that's right,” said Penny from besides me, turing my face to her. “Justin will have to love You!” She poked my chest. “You! It won't work if you are not honest. Just  be yourself.”

“I am not saying Cassie should be someone else, but what can I say?” Isa looked for the best word. “Upgrade yourself.” What was that supposed to mean? I frowned at her. “Sorry to break it to you sweety, but Justin will not be with you if you continue like this," she gestured to my outfit.

“But this is what she is!” Argued Penny. “If Justin was ever to be with her, it's because it's ‘Her’, which includes the way she dresses.”

“But what if she changes or upgrades her style, and Justin notices her. After he falls in love, she can show him her real self.” Came Isa replay. She was drinking her third glass now, may be she is drunk but what she is saying makes sense. "At least before you say no, let me show you what you can look like if you dress up properly,” she said, getting up from her chair and making her way to where I was seated. She gave me her hand. “Please say yes, for at least once.” She begged. Penny clearly disapproves of the idea, she mouthed me ‘No’. Sam had a neutral look on her face. She was waiting for what I would do. I will just see what I would look like if I dressed up expensive. How bad can that be?