“After everything he did? How could you do that to him? You should already know what kind of guy he is, and know he wasn’t just going to abandon you. Are you really that cruel?” she said, looking down at her angrily.

“I-I’m sorry, ” Rachel said, shocked that a girl as happy as Izzy could have so much hate for a person she barely knew.

“Well, honestly, after what you just did to Chris, that’s really not good enough. I swear, you hurt him one more time and I will make sure you can’t do it again.”

Then Chris came running up the stairs. When he saw her, he stopped and stared for a moment, then walked over. “Thanks,” he said to Tyler, pounding him on the back. Then he turned to look at her. Neither of them could look away.

Seeing this, Izzy and Tyler withdrew into the room, leaving Rachel and Chris alone. “Why did you do it?” Chris asked simply, staring into her eyes.

“I can’t-I just can’t explain now, ” she said, unable to break their connection. “But I promise, I will tell you.”