Page 96 of Finding Fate

“No, it’s okay, Izzy. I don’t want to sit,” she said quietly.

She didn’t want to push too much. Tabitha had hardly spoken to her since she’d found out about the baby, but it seemed like there was something on her mind. “Okay, well, what did you need?”

“Besides to go so we can talk.”

“Jet!” Annie cried and reached over to swat his knee.

Isabel gave him a look and turned back to his sister. “Ignore him.”

“I always do,” she grinned.

The older girl smiled back. “So what’s up?”

Tabitha immediately began to look nervous but went ahead, “I was just wondering…you see, I’m going to the movies with some friends tomorrow, and I was hoping you would help me pick out an outfit. You always look really pretty.” She added the last statement as an explanation.

“Of course I will,” Isabel responded enthusiastically, happy that Tabitha was warming up to her again. “I’ll come by and help you in a bit.”

“Great! Thanks, Izzy!” Tabitha cried, giving her a quick hug before running back home.

“What was that about?” Tucker asked when she left. “She seemed awfully nervous about going to the movies with friends.”

The twins shared a look and rolled their eyes. Guys were so clueless. “It’s not the movies she’s worried about. There’s a boy,” Annie explained.

Jet coughed, spitting out bits of S’more as he shot up straight. “A boy?!”

“Don’t you dare embarrass her,” Isabel instructed, taking a bite of the gooey treat she’d just constructed.

“I don’t want to embarrass her. I want to keep her away from boys,” Jet retorted, big brother mode still on high alert.

“Why?” Annie asked. “We were her age when we started dating.”

“No, we were thirteen.”

“She turned thirteen last month.”

“But,”

“No, don’t be a hypocrite. So are you two going to tell us what you decided?” Annie asked, cutting Jet off before he could argue anymore. “Are you going or not?”

“Going,” Tucker replied.

Annie clapped her hands excitedly. “Yes! I knew it! College is going to be so much fun!”

Isabel shared an incredulous look with Tucker while Jet stared at Annie. She turned back to her sister. “Um, sis, I don’t think you’re seeing the whole picture here.”

“Sure I do. We won’t be able to live on campus now, of course, but that’s okay. The point is that we’re going!”

Jet shook his head at his girlfriend. He hadn’t realized she was so deluded about what would happen.

“No, Annie, we’re not,” Tucker said firmly.

“But,” she faltered, “you just said you were.”

“I meant, we’re going to attend college, not that we’re moving away to do it,” he explained.

Annie looked crestfallen. “Oh.”

“Annie, think about it,” Isabel said, getting up and sitting at her sister’s side. “Tucker and I are going to be parents. Babies are expensive, and I don’t think school loans are intended for babies. We’re going to have to work.”

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