Jamie looked up as Monica entered the kitchen. "Did the phone just ring?" she asked.
Monica sighed. "Yeah, it was Isaac. He said his ex got pictures of what happened tonight and is threatening him and his brothers with blackmail. He asked me to meet him, Zac, and Taylor at the park downtown tomorrow to help them with a plan."
Jamie groaned at the thought of the guy she thought she'd liked. "Are you going?"
"I don't know. I wasn't planning to."
"Did you tell him that?"
"I said I'd think about it."
Despite herself, Jamie found herself feeling sorry for the Hanson brothers. The events that had taken place that night didn't mean that they deserved to have their reputation ruined. "Monica, I really think you should go."
"What??!!" Monica said, shocked that Jamie could just forget what Isaac had done to her. "Jamie, you know what he did to you. You're just going to forget that? Even if you are, it will be a while before I forgive the guy who broke my best friend's heart. I am not going unless you can convince me to."
Jamie looked down. "If I go, will you go?" she asked softly. "I have not forgotten what Ike did to me; I don't think I ever will. But does that mean they deserve to have their reputation ruined by a jealous ex? Please, go with me, and try to forgive Ike."
At Jamie's words, Monica started crying. "Jamie, I'm so sorry. You're right. No one deserves to have that happen to them. I...I'll go. And I will try to forgive Isaac, though it will be hard. I'll do it for you."
Jamie managed a small smile. "Thank you, Monica. You're a really great friend, you know?"
"I try," Monica sniffled. Jamie smiled again and told her friend goodnight.
The next morning, Monica got up and dressed. Jamie was still asleep in her room, so Monica slipped out to the park herself. She didn't want to have Jamie go through any more than she had to. Jamie had a lot on her mind. But she knew forgiveness was important.
When she got to the park, Isaac, Taylor and Zac were already sitting there in the bright sunshine. Monica pushed her sunglasses on top of her head and started over. Isaac jumped up when she came into view, and looked for Jamie. Monica knew he was disappointed she hadn't come. For her own good, Monica thought defensively.
"Have a seat, Monica," Isaac told her, pointing to a cleared spot on the grass beside Taylor. Monica stood a moment, but lowered herself into the spot beside Taylor anyway, reminding herself this was for Jamie and not for Hanson. "I feel so terrible about Ja..."
Monica waved her hand. "It happens," she said abruptly. "Let's get to work, okay? What's the deal?"
"Karen, Ike's ex-girlfriend, is threatening him with the pictures she took last night. She's threatening to send them away to magazines and places if he doesn't give her what she wants," Taylor informed her.
"Well, what does she want?"
Isaac looked away. "She left a message on our machine this morning, and told me she wants me back. The only way to stop the pictures from going everywhere is if I date her again. I don't want to do that. She's not the one for me."
"I see," Monica said slowly.
"And there's another thing..." Zac jumped in. "Our parents have forbidden Ike to date, after what happened with Karen. Their breakup was very messy, so Mom and Dad told him he should take a break from dating."
"Oh..." Monica said thoughtfully.
"So even if Ike gave Karen what she wanted, our parents wouldn't allow it," Taylor said.
"You've got yourself in a tough spot," a voice said from behind. They all whirled around to see Jamie standing there. She looked half-asleep and hungry, but she was standing behind Monica, listening to the conversation.
"Jamie, what are you doing here?" Monica asked, turning to her friend.
"I decided that since this was all my fault, I should help to fix it."
At her words, Monica and Isaac both protested. "Jules, this was not your fault," insisted Monica. "You didn't do anything wrong. You're actually the one who was wronged," looking meaningfully at Isaac.
Isaac added, "Jamie, don't blame yourself. It was really my fault. I'm the one who used you."
Then Taylor put in, "It's probably my fault, actually. I'm the one who arranged the date."
When Monica heard him admit this, she began to feel just the tiniest bit less hateful towards him.
"Guys, let's not worry about whose fault it was," Zac said sensibly. "Anyway, the main fault is Karen's. Let's just worry about how to fix this situation. Now, does anyone have any ideas?"
Jamie quietly plopped down in the grass beside Monica. "What if we made Karen's plan blow up right in her face?"
Isaac looked at her. "What do you mean?"
Jamie smiled thoughtfully. "Come here, guys. Here's what we're gonna do..."
*********************************************
The trap was set. Everyone was in position that night at the same restaurant. Monica smiled to herself. This was perfect. Jamie's plan was going just perfect. Soon, Karen would be so sorry she took those pictures and bribed Isaac.
Jamie and Isaac had put aside their differences for the plan. Monica knew how hard that had been for Jamie, considering she was still hurting inside from being used yet again. But when Jamie stepped out of her car, dressed in a beautifully flowing turquoise dress, Monica saw the slight flush on Isaac's face.
Monica, Taylor and Zac were seated at a table in the corner, watching the plan go along. Jamie and Isaac entered the restaurant, hand-in-hand. Karen turned and saw them and started over. "Taylor, let's go!" Monica hissed, grabbing Taylor and moving quietly closer to the action.
"Hello, Karen. Thank you for meeting me here," Isaac began. "I've decided that I'm not going to give you what you want. I have Jamie, and that is all I will ever need."
Karen laughed. "Oh my God, Isaac. You are so stupid. I cannot believe you are so dense. I have the pictures right over there, at my table. And tomorrow morning, they're going out to all the newspapers. Hanson will be ruined, and you will be so sorry you ever du..."
Jamie coughed, right on time. Karen spun around and saw Taylor grabbing the pictures from the table. "No!" Karen screamed, lunging for Taylor. A bright flash went off, drawing the attention of some people in the restaurant. Zac held the camera triumphantly.
"Think again, Karen. We've got you this time," Jamie said. Karen spun around and glared at Jamie.
"You won't be so safe in Isaac's arms forever, homewrecker. I knew the relationship you have is fake. You're probably just some girl Isaac bought off the street to try and get back at me."
"Hey..." Isaac started angrily. Monica saw Jamie squeeze his hand gently, telling him not to do anything.
"I'll get you, Jamie. Forget Isaac. You are the one I'm after!" Karen spun on her heel and ran from the restaurant. Monica and Taylor smiled at each other, and Zac shouted from his spot with the camera. But Isaac was too busy staring at Jamie.
"I'm fine, Isaac. She can't do anything to me," Jamie was saying as the triumphant threesome approached.
"No, Jamie...I've brought you into this. I'm going to get you out of it. I promise you."
Monica looked at Taylor and Zac. For the first time, Monica realized they were all in terrible danger...and Isaac was falling head-over-heels in love with Jamie.
Chapter 9
Forbidden Angels
Story Page
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