It still hurt whenever she caught sight of Roman around school. But the pain started to feel normal; not on the forefront of her mind so much, but rather a deep and heavy shadow in the background.
Isis and Jackie were having lunch in the cafeteria when Jayson walked up to them with a friend. Jackie greeted them both with her radiant smile, and Isis wondered how she always seemed to know everybody. When the boys asked if they could sit with them, Jackie happily scooted over without noticing Isis’s glare. Isis hadn’t been feeling social for a long time.
Jackie said “Glad you guys came to sit. Isis could use some cheering up.”
Isis did not find that funny and ate her food while ignoring all three of them. Jayson’s friend’s name was Noah and he was full of jokes and quips. Isis got the feeling he was trying too hard to impress Jackie but Jackie seemed not to notice.
Isis wished she could be more like her best friend. No matter what was going on, Jackie was always so full of life.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Jackie asking, “Are you in, Isis?”
“What?” Isis hadn’t been listening.
“Noah just got his driver’s license. Wouldn’t it be fun to go to the corner market in Strangerville? Are you in?” Jackie repeated, with an encouraging look at Isis.
“I don’t know, isn’t that far? I probably can’t.” Isis couldn’t think of a better excuse.
Jackie countered with “It’s not any further than Sulani Beach and your parents let you go there!”
Then Jayson chimed in, “Come on! Don’t leave 50% of Jacksis hanging.”
That made Isis giggle. She loved the nickname friends gave her and Jackie.
She caught herself thinking… Jayson was kind of cute. That smile, those hazel eyes, the shoulder‑length hair– Oh my god. What was she even thinking? Her brain only wandered there because Jackie had planted the idea that Jayson liked her.
She only wanted friends right now.
Isis sighed with a smile. knew there was no getting out of something Jackie wanted to do and the idea actually did intrigue her. She had heard fun things about the Strangerville corner market. Apparently the food was delicious, there was a rooftop garden, quirky vendor booths, karaoke, and even surprise DJ sets on weekends.
So she reluctantly agreed, which made Jackie clap and giggle joyously.
Isis’s phone chimed. It was Jackie, texting that they were outside. She grabbed her purse and headed for the front door, still half shocked her parents had let her leave town.
Jackie popped her head out of the passenger window. “Get in, loser, we’re going to Strangerville!”
Isis laughed and climbed into the back seat. She gave Jayson a small smile as she settled beside him, and Noah twisted around from the front to say, “What’s up, Isis?”
“Hey.” she replied, and just like that, they were off.
She expected the drive to drag, but Jayson took over the playlist and, surprisingly, he had incredible taste. Hit after hit blasted through the speakers, and the four of them belted out lyrics, laughing when somebody didn’t know the right words.
Outside, the scenery shifted from lush green to dusty ochre, the trees thinning into desert scrub.
The sun was bright and warm when they arrived. Isis stepped out of the car and stared, wide‑eyed. This place looked like someone had dropped a festival in the middle of the desert. Shipping containers were stacked into colorful towers, transformed into makeshift entertainment spaces. Bright banners fluttered in the breeze, string lights crisscrossed overhead, music pulsed from somewhere nearby, and the air smelled like sizzling food.
Right on cue, her stomach growled and they followed the scent trail. Jackie and Noah veered toward a Vietnamese stall, while Isis and Jayson drifted to the Mexican one.
While they waited in line, Jayson glanced at her. “Have you ever taken professional singing lessons?”
“No, why?” She asked, genuinely curious.
“Your voice was really nice. In the car, I mean. I was kind of amazed. Ever think about pursuing singing?”
She felt her cheeks warm from his observation. She had considered singing but was very self-conscious about it.
“Thank you. I’ve played piano my whole life, and sometimes I sing my own songs, but I’ve never had vocal training. I was thinking about taking Musical Theater next year, though.”
Jayson studied her with this soft, thoughtful expression that made her shift her weight.
“What?” She asked with a small, awkward smile.
“That’s just, really impressive.” He replied. “I can’t imagine having so much talent. I’ve never been musically inclined.”
Isis laughed and said encouragingly “You played some seriously great classic hits in the car. I was impressed with your choices!”
They placed their orders, and before she could react, Jayson paid for hers. She was flattered, but also slightly annoyed. She didn’t want him getting the wrong idea. Still, she thanked him politely, and they carried their food to the table where Jackie and Noah were already digging in.
After they finished eating, they wandered through the vendor booths.
A display of crystals caught Isis’s eye and she said “Hey guys! Hang on!”
She browsed the table, mesmerized by the sparkling gems in so many vibrant colors. Some were rough clusters and some were polished into shapes. She picked a tower with shimmering white quartz speckled through green amazonite, and Jayson complimented her choice. The vendor wrapped it carefully and she tucked it into her purse.
Jackie drifted toward a staircase leading up the side of three stacked containers. “Let’s get a view from up there!”
They climbed the stairs and were met with a sweeping panorama. Massive rock formations and mesas surrounded them, painted in shades of sienna and amber. The whole landscape felt ancient and mysterious.
They were able to see the rooftop garden perched on top of another set of containers. Then they noticed what looked like a dance floor on the roof of yet another container.
Noah said, “Look! Is that a DJ setting up? I think they’re playing music tonight!”
Isis had told everyone she needed to be home by curfew, but she silently hoped the music would start soon. She could use a little dancing.
They climbed down and headed toward the rooftop garden. Up there, the air felt slightly softer, filled with the scent of potted herbs and blooming flowers. Just then, the music kicked on, and all four of them burst into excited laughter.
They ran up to the dance floor, and the beat wrapped around them like a trance. Isis danced without self-consciousness, holding nothing back. She was intoxicated by the magical desert scenery and the quirky charm of this place.
She glanced at Jackie, who was glowing with joy, her red curls bouncing as she danced. Jackie grabbed Isis’s hands and bounced gleefully while holding their hands above their heads. Then she twirled away and Jayson grabbed Isis’s hands. Isis was laughing and raised his hands in hers above their heads like Jackie had done.
The sun was just starting to set and she knew they’d have to leave soon. But for a few more minutes, she felt herself healing as she danced, painted in the gold of the sunset.
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