Chapter 7

New York, a few months earlier.

Isabella picked up a small stone from the grass beneath her feet, held it for a moment, and then threw it forcefully into the lake directly in front of her. Her eyes squinted, trying to figure out where the stone, no bigger than the size of her little finger, had fallen from where she stood.

Until the voice of someone familiar came from behind. "Isa!"

That girl turned her head, not at all surprised by Alisa's sudden presence. Alisa approached so that Isabella could clearly see that her best friend was still wearing her college alma mater, complete with a tie and backpack over her shoulder. That girl then looked at Alisa from the top of her head to her toes, shook her head in disbelief, and said, "You must have run away from the dormitory again." in a sarcastic tone.

But Alisa completely ignored Isabella's sarcasm aimed at her. She stood in front of Isabella and put her arms around her. "Are yo