By Your Side

“Why don't you just live with me, Isaac?” Zoey asked quietly as her best friend dipped the rag in alcohol before dabbing it onto his right eye. He winced a bit at the sting before pulling away. Zoey smirked softly and took the rag from his hands, gently cleansing the cut below his eyes for him.

Another beating from his dad landed him at Zoey’s door, bruised and bloodied. It wasn’t the first time that this had happened. Nearly three times a week, Isaac would show up at the blonde’s house looking worse for wear, and Zoey would have no other choice but to take him in and clean him up. Not that she minded, of course. They’d been best friends for years. Her parent’s never questioned it, considering they were never home enough to notice.

Zoey's parent's both worked gruelling jobs. Zoey's father was an athletic scout for Berkeley, while her mother worked as a travel agent. After the death of Zoey's older sister, Tara, they completely submerged themselves in their work, leaving Zoey to fend for herself. Granted, the house she lived in was beautiful, and her parents made more than enough money, but it was the loneliness that nagged Zoey every time they left. Isaac would stay for a couple nights and make her feel better, but would always return home, in fear that his dad would notice his absences.

Isaac sighed and glanced at the smaller girl as she cleaned his wound. “You know why, Zoey.” He murmured, his broken voice barely above a whisper. It killed Zoey to see him in this much pain; emotionally and physically. What happened to the old Isaac?

Zoey bit her bottom lip and nodded, knowing exactly why that could never happen. Isaac’s dad wouldn't allow it. “I know.” She said softly and pulled the cloth away, replacing it with antiseptic cream and blowing on it softly before replying. “I just wish there was something we could do. I mean, there has to be something we can do, right?”

Isaac gave her a sad smile. “I’m afraid not, Bumble.” Zoey grinned at the use of her old nickname. That was the Isaac she knew and loved. The blonde couldn't help but wrap her arms around her lanky friend, burying her face in his chest. Isaac returned the hug, his long arms enveloping Zoey’s much smaller frame. “Thank you.” He whispered.

Zoey shrugged and leaned back, glancing up at her tall companion’s blue eyes. “That’s what friends are for.” The two smiled and embraced before Zoey glanced at the clock on the bathroom wall. “It’s nearly midnight. Are you going to school tomorrow?”

Isaac let out a groan but eventually nodded. “Yeah, I have to. Dad will get a call if I skip.” A small frown etched into Zoey’s face at the mention of his father. Asshole, Zoey thought to herself bitterly. Isaac noticed his friend's upset expression and tugged lightly on a blonde curl, catching her attention. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Zoey shook her head. “Are you staying the night?”

Isaac nodded, a grateful smile tugging the corner of his lips. Having Zoey in his life made everything easier to deal with. She was his rock; his confidant. Without her, he would be lost. “Yeah, if that’s okay with you...” He replied quietly.

Zoey nodded with a small smile. “Of course. You have clothes in the closet. Go get changed and I'll get you some food to eat.” Upon hearing the word food, Isaac’s stomach growled loudly, causing both he and Zoey to chuckle. The blonde patted her friend’s stomach before leaving her room in search of something for him to snack on.

Returning with a bag of chips and some soda, Zoey saw Isaac already curled up in bed, his blue eyes scanning the TV screen as some old horror flick played. She tossed the bag of chips on the bed and handed Isaac his soda. Crawling in next to him, Zoey twirled her blonde curls into a braid and set her glasses on the table. “Night, Isaac.” She whispered, pulling the covers up to her nose.

Isaac glanced down at the small girl and smiled softly. “Goodnight, Bumble.” He replied quietly, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

^^^^^

The next morning, the two walked into Chemistry, greeted bitterly by Mr. Harris. Zoey smoothed out her dress as she sat in her usual seat, right next to Isaac. He had been giving her an odd look all morning. "Why do you keep looking at me like that?" She asked quietly, narrowing her eyes at him suspiciously.

Isaac shrugged, giving her a small smile. "You look...pretty today. Your dress. I like it." A light blush bloomed across Zoey's fair cheeks. She smiled in reply and thanked him just as Mr. Harris began his lesson.

"Today, you'll be switching seats." Everyone in the class groaned and Zoey turned to Isaac with a slight frown. Isaac mirrored her expression and shrugged, listening to Mr. Harris call out the partners. "Scott and Danny, Allison and Matt, Stiles and Zoey, Isaac and Jackson..." Isaac grimaced at the thought of pairing up with Jackson, knowing how much of an ass he was. Zoey shot him a sympathetic smile and patted his shoulder before taking her seat next to Stiles.

"How's it going, Shorty?" Stiles asked Zoey with a small smirk, making fun of her five-foot-three frame. She rolled her eyes playfully and socked him in his shoulder. Stiles winced and narrowed his eyes at the blonde. "Jeez, for someone so small, you can pack a damn punch."

"And don't you forget it." She smiled, poking the boy in the chest.

As the class moved on, Zoey kept sneaking glances behind her at Isaac, who looked on the verge of falling asleep. She scribbled a note down on a piece of paper before crumpling it up and tossing it at her friend.

wake up, baby blue! The note read. Isaac smiled at his nickname before writing something down and tossing it back to her.

i hate when you call me that, bumble.

oh shut it. you love that name. but thats not the point. you need to focus!

Isaac rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at a smiling Zoey, not going unnoticed by Mr. Harris. "Isaac, is there something you and Miss Monroe would like to share with the class?" All eyes turned the two friends and Isaac shook his head. "What about you, Miss Monroe? Anything?"

"Nope." She replied impatiently, forcing herself not to roll her eyes at Mr. Harris.

"Then I suggest you keep your flirting to a minimum of, let's say, none." He scowled and continued on with the lesson.

After the class was over, Zoey and Isaac were forced to go their separate ways. She had promised to give him a ride home after school in hopes of convincing him to stay another night. The more he was away from his father, the better.

Eventually, the final bell rang and Zoey stood from her seat in Calculus, relieved that the day was finally over. Isaac patiently waited at Zoey's locker and smiled upon seeing his best friend. "Hey," He grinned softly. "How was your day?"

"Shitty." She grumbled, shoving books into her locker. "I just want to go home and sleep."

Isaac nodded sympathetically before following her out of the school.

^^^^^

"Are you sure you don't want to stay another night? Because I don't mind." Zoey asked Isaac for what seemed like the tenth time as she parked a few houses down from his. She was scared of Isaac's dad seeing her. Her house was Isaac's hideaway and if his dad saw her then he'd know exactly where Isaac runs off to.

Isaac sighed and shook his head. "He'll notice, Zoey. I can't risk it."

Zoey frowned, worry etched into her face. "Okay," She mumbled sadly. "Just promise you'll come over if anything happens. I mean anything, Isaac." She said sternly. The blue eyed boy nodded, glancing nervously at his house. Zoey noticed her friend's expression and grabbed his hand, causing him to look her way. "Please be careful." She mumbled.

"I will." He replied softly, his eyes locking with hers.

Zoey felt herself choking up, so she leaned in and pressed a kiss to Isaac's cheek. "I'll text you when I get home, okay?"

He nodded, sending her a small smile before climbing out of his car and making his way to the house. Zoey watched his retreating form and let a single tear slide down her cheek. The blonde glanced up at the sky and sighed. She was never big on religion, considering it was never really enforced in her household, but she decided now was better than never. Clearing her throat, she started to pray. "God, if you're real and you can hear me, please just let him be okay." She whispered. "He needs someone watching over him, and if you do that sort of...stuff, then please. Keep an eye on him for me. Make sure he stays safe."

Ending the prayer with a quick 'amen', Zoey shifted the car into drive and headed home, hoping that her prayers had been heard.