It was one of those afternoons that you just had to love. But of course, Tracey never could. No, Tracey wasn't one for gorgeous days; she always preferred the thunderstorms. She liked it when the sky could turn grey and ugly 'just like people could be' she explained lightly. It was one of those tidbit things that were appealing about her.

His heart swelled with happiness as he thought he knew everything there was about her. But he was wrong. He didn’t know everything. There was so much he didn't know, and so much he just didn't see. There was just too much.

Walking through the mall, he held her hand tightly in his own. Smiling and laughing together as they wandered through the stores and down the passageways, not really looking but just passing their time. Tiring, they sat on the edge of the large fountain in the center of the establishment.

Isaac smiled at her, "Want something to eat or drink?" He asked thoughtfully pointing towards the A&W Shoppe. "A root beer? Nachos?"

Smiling a small smile in return, Tracy shook her head to decline. "No. If I need anything, I'll just steal some of yours." She teased affectionately, her eyes wandering to the people around them.

He laughed lightly and walked off, his hand digging through his pants pocket for his wallet.

There were people everywhere it seemed today; women, teens, children, all out just to be out and roaming with friends or family, and taking advantage of the AC.

His thoughts turned to Tracy as he stood in line, she smiled like she had a secret, and she seemed to be really enjoying keeping it all to herself. Shaking his head, he lost himself in thought. Thinking of all the time that they had spent together, going out, staying in, and watching either his or her younger siblings. Without even meaning to, Isaac caught the conversation behind him.

"Hey Chad, that's Trace over there, isn't it?"

"Yeah, …dude I haven't seen her in a while! Wonder where she's been hiding herself."

His friend snickered, "And with who." He added.

"Nah man," his friend stated, "It was always plural with her. She can't stay true to just one guy."

Isaac turned around to face them, his face red and angry as the fury rushed over and through him. He looked them up and down briefly; first impressions meant a lot. They were dressed okay, baggy jeans and tees, large jackets...

Waiting for them to take notice of his appearance, he questioned, "You know Tracey Caldwell?"

Chad glanced him over and then at him. "Yeah, why? Who are you?" He questioned back.

Isaac took his time to and answered him slowly; "I'm Isaac." He stated calmly, then his eyes narrowed on them. "Her boyfriend."

The words had their dire effect, both straightened their backs noticeably, one snickered and murmured 'fool.'

"And how, might I ask, do you two know her?" There was a bad vibe he was getting from these two, he didn't like it, and he couldn't figure out why quite yet.

He listened intently as Chad readily answered his question. "Um," he coughed, "Trace's an old…" he paused a moment, "friend of mine." He coughed again, "Actually…she was more than that for a while."

"A long while." He added quietly.

They both tried to stifle their laughter, but Isaac gave them a pointed look that sobered them quickly.

Chad sighed, "Look, it was a long time ago, man. And I haven't exactly seen her around since."

His friend shouldered him, as if to pass on a secret code, angering and annoying Isaac more.

Shrugging it off, Chad nodded slowly. He cleared his throat; "You do know about Trace's incurable obsession with needing to have more than guy…don't you?" His lips were pressed together, his eyes intent on him, displaying a keen interest in what reaction he would be getting. "Right?"

A questioning look crossed Isaac's features. "Obsession?" he repeated dumbly, puzzled by the choice of words.

"Yeah," Chad's sidekick put in, snickering. "You must know about it, man! With her!" His eyes rolled, "She could never hide it for too long." He smiled knowingly, "How long have you been going out anyway?"

Exactly what are they talking about? Did I miss something here? "I have absolutely no idea what you mean," Isaac snapped, "So could you please get to the point? It would be greatly appreciated." He paused like Chad did, "If you have one?"

"Hey, chill man." Chad said, fidgeting with the drawstring to his jacket. "Just thought that since you're with her and all, you should know about it if you didn't." He chewed on the corner of his lips, "See, Trace has this insatiable cure for having guys. She could be dating one, but have several on the side as well. She can't stay true to just one. She's… just unfaithful, man."

Isaac didn't wait for him to continue on, even if the guy could. He walked off. Keeping a fair distance away from Tracey he watched her. Watched as she smiled at the table of guys near her. Watched as her eyes batted and her head dip down in a coy shyness. Hurt and anger flooded through him.

He walked purposefully over to her, "Come on." He stated tightly.

She looked worried for a moment, "Are you okay?"

His head shook, as well as the rest of his body, "Just tired. I want to go now."

Nodding, Tracey stood, her expression still worried.

Isaac reluctantly let her take his hand, as they walked by the table of guys she was flirting with.

He heard them laugh and mutter 'the fool.'

Several days passed after the encounter with the 'ex.' Isaac tried telling himself that Chad was simply lying and jealous that Tracey wasn't his any more. Tracey didn't act like that. She never did! She was too sweet and nice for such betrayal. I know her, he told himself firmly, and Tracey would never cheat on me like that. But even as he said the words, he wondered why there was so much doubt in them.

Now it was as if he'd been made aware of what was going on, and unwittingly Isaac started to notice things that he didn't before. Small things that past his trusting eyes didn't escape his now doubting ones.

When he took them to see 'The Green Mile', she smiled at the guy standing next to her in line and at the one who sold them the tickets. Or if he brought her with him and a group of his friends she would let her hand rest on one of his friends' knee in the car, or lean her head on one of their shoulders if he was driving. Complaining that she was exhausted and not wanting to disturb his driving and cause an accident. It was all those little things that started to catch his attention now, and he didn't like what he saw.

Maybe it was just the power of suggestion that really did this to him, but it was too late to blind himself again. To trust her again. With his eyes opened now, he was losing trust in the one that he thought he was in love with…

Wanting to make things better, to get over whatever it was that was happening Isaac tried taking her out to dinner to a nice restaurant.

"Tracey?" He asked timidly.

Swiveling her head back around, Tracey smiled wanly at him. "Yeah?" she murmured, picking up her fork and pushing the salad around on her plate, moving the lettuce leaves from one side to the other.

Isaac watched her carefully. Scrutinizing, "Is everything okay tonight?" He took in a small breath, "Cause you seem to be distracted."

It was an almost the honest question he wanted to ask her, and he couldn't seem to help himself as the smallest ounce of sarcasm seeped into his voice. It didn't take a rocket scientist to notice where her eyes had been lingering since they'd sat down.

Her smile brightened, he noticed with effort, "Everything's fine," she assured easily. Her dark eyes darker and unfocused. She turned back to her salad, only to shift slightly in the direction she'd been staring at before.

Feeling his eyes burn into the top of her head, she looked back up at him. "God, Ike! What has gotten into you?" she snapped heatedly, slamming her hand down on the table and causing the plates to rattle.

He shook his head firmly, "No, Tracey!" Isaac voiced back, his tone low and harsh. "What has gotten into you?" he bit out.

His insides twisted with an unknown harshness, he hated this feeling that had settled deep in his stomach lately. The feelings of suspicion and doubt about the one he cared for and at one time was sure cared for him.

At one time everything had been fine between them, but now… he didn't even know anymore. Wasn’t quite so sure, or secure in their relationship. Everything started confusing him, but he could not be mistaken about where she'd been looking all night: the young, attractive guy sitting alone on the other side of the room where evidently his date stood him up.

He watched her teeth clench and her lips thin, "Nothing has gotten into me!" She snapped strongly. "Why are you acting like this? What's going n? You're acting as if I've changed into this… hideous creature or something when I'm the same person I've always been!"

Isaac's hand tightened around his water glass, "That's what I'm afraid of," he muttered bitterly, before releasing the glassware and then looking away in disgust.

There was a loud silence for moments that passed by in an agonizing pace. When Isaac finally was able to look back at her, shock was distorting her features.

Slowly bringing herself back together, she cleared her throat in that delicate feminine manner of hers. "And tell me, what exactly," she asked coldly, "that is supposed to mean?"

For a few seconds their eyes met across the table, daring each other to make the scene they knew would happen. Isaac knew and saw that he had stunned her. Her response seemed to be a guilty reaction, and it made him feel a little more justified in starting this confrontation.

His eyes moved to the tabletop, and sighed warily, "I know about your past." He answered evenly. "I somehow managed to run into a few of your old friends the other day and talked." Pausing, he glanced back up at her, happy to see he had her full attention. "They mentioned your… habits."

Her gaze turned into glare, at him. "I see," she replied, her voice brittle. "You hear one little rumor about me and you readily jump to believe it. Nevermind about asking me about it. You just judge me without even giving me a chance to defend myself. I guess that shows me how much you really trust me."

Isaac's eyes widened slightly, then he leaned forward, "Honestly, I don't know how much I do trust you anymore," He returned, folding his arms tightly across his chest. "Whenever we go out, all you do is flirt with other guys. How am I to know that the things I've heard aren't true? You certainly haven't proven me wrong yet. Only proven them."

Her eyes flashed with anger as she too leaned across the table. "You know what? You believe those lies because you want to believe them." She smirked cruelly, "If you loved me, you would have talked to me right at the start!"

Isaac shook his head fiercely, anger creeping up on him too. "I didn't need to ask you, Tracey!" he yelled loudly, causing the other diners to stare. Neither seemed to care or notice. "When you throw yourself onto someone else, one of my friends! When you are supposed to be with me, I think I am capable of forming my own damn opinions about what the hell is really going on!"

She looked stricken, more like she was physically struck and not verbally lashed. "I can't believe you would think that," she whispered shakily. Even though her head had turned quickly, the unmistakable shine of a tear slipped down her cheek.

"I don't know how to prove this to you, but I'm not like that," she murmured after a few moments of trying to gain composure. "I was only with you, I always have been from the beginning."

The words didn't stop the dread that was growing deep and painfully in his chest now. He wouldn't listen, couldn't. His eyes squeezed shut from the hurt, the nauseous feeling was still there though. How could he trust her? He was realizing more and more that he didn't even know her… "I don't know if it was true or not, Tracey." He started slowly, "But from what you've shown me, it is. I wish things could be different, but… I'm just not sure. I don't know whether to stay or let it go."

It was her turn to take in a deep breath. Quietly, she drew herself up straight in her chair. "If you can forget everything we've shared just because of one thing you've heard about me, you're right. I wish things could be different too. And if you believe anything you're telling me right now then I don't know you at all either, and you didn't ever me ." She pushed back her chair and grabbed her evening bag, "And this could never work." A forced in a ragged breath, "Goodbye, Isaac, and thanks. For everything." Tears flowed freely down her face as she stood up from the table.

She had paused for a second, hoping he'd stop her, but Isaac just sat in his chair, his face turned away. Sniffling, she walked off.

He had been so sure that she had wronged him, that she really was the wrong one for him. But now he couldn't help but wonder if maybe he had been wrong. It didn't matter now, though. He had just blown it, big time.

After staring absently at the door for a few moments, the waiter wandered over. "Excuse me, sir, will she be coming back?"

Isaac gave a short bitter laugh, "No, I really don't think she's ever coming back," Looking up at him, he sighed slightly and watched as the waiter started to clear the empty plates from the table.

"I'm sorry about that, sir" the waiter apologized as he set the bill down in front of him.

His head shook, "So am I," His hand removed the credit card from the wallet on the inside of his jacket, "So am I."