PRETTY AS A PICTURE

CHAPTER 4 THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

Izzy’s POV

2 weeks flew by, I managed to sneak away from my crew every night and head to a firing range I found, with all the changes coming at me shooting and practicing my accuracy with my knives was the only time I felt normal, It also helped me to feel close to Poppa. The last 2 years Poppa had taught me to shoot, throw knives and Mixed Marshal arts, I was a quick learner so our training was intense this was part of the reason I didn’t party or drink and I definitely had no time for boys and s*x, Hell I had never even been kissed.

I thought it strange that my gentle giant of a Poppa would want me to learn this stuff so when I asked him he laughed saying “Oh my dear bambina I won’t always be here to protect you and your mother and you have no other man In your life so I will teach you how to protect yourself, unless you want to marry because that’s your other option” he said laughing “Calm down Poppa you might have a heart attack and Nah I rather learn how to slit some ones throat rather than marry so teach away Poppa” I remember us both laughing so hard.

During those 2 years my Poppa really desensitized me he took me secretly to watch illegal street fights, at first I flinched watching people punch one another to a bloody pulp then eventually I grew to kind of enjoy it. I am well aware my Poppa was not a normal Poppa but I trusted him with my life and he loved me with all his heart, other than being trained like I imagined an assassin would be trained my life with Poppa was normal. We fished together, he took me to movies and basically just hung out.

The gun range was quiet at this time of night, it was normally just me and an old guy named Fletch, Fletch often watched me and smiled but we never really talked. In those 2 weeks he took great interest in me and I knew he was itching to ask something. I sat down to have a drink of water after I had finished unloading 3 rounds Fletch for the first time came and sat by me. I was surprised when he spoke “So little girl I have to ask who you work for?” “work for? Nah this is just a hobby” I responded as I chuckled at him. Fletch looked surprised at my answer and replied “I have seen some amazing talent in this field during my 65 years but none as skilled and as young as you, I must say little girl you are definitely the most lethal I have seen”. “I am going to take that as a compliment I guess my Poppa knew his stuff after all” I giggled whilst talking to Fletch.

“Your Poppa? What was his name?” Fletch asked “Kingston Rivera” I replied. I watched as Fletch softened his normally harsh features he was now looking at me like he had found a long lost member of his family. “You are Ara’s daughter? He asked in a voice just above a whisper. “Yup so how do you know my family” I asked now a little excited. “Your Poppa and I were best friends he is like a brother to me I am your mothers God Father” Fletch replied looking at me in disbelief. “Bring it in old timer” I said as I hugged him.

Fletch and I talked for a while I let him know Poppa had passed away and that Ma and I had moved here only a couple of weeks ago, He told me how amazing my Poppa was and how when Poppa left after My Nona died they did not keep in touch. I felt sad but said “Well Fletch I am here now and need a Pop in my life I have no dad how about you be my Pop, I come with a warning label though Fletch, I have a Potty mouth and a bad temper” I grinned at him as he hugged me again “Deal little girl” he said with a genuine smile.

I had to get going before I was caught, I said goodbye to Fletch and made my way home, I climbed up the drain pipe onto the balcony of my room and quietly made my way inside. I jumped in the shower and got ready for bed. I was asleep in no time.

I was woken up by the sound of yelling and things being smashed, it sounded like it was right outside my door, I checked the time 6 am you have to be f*****g kidding me I thought. I jumped out of bed opened the door and standing in front of me was the Leggy blonde who Clay was dancing with at the party screaming in Clays face. I just stood there looking at them both, not being noticed at all. Clay finally acknowledged my presence but his mood was not good and he yelled at me “Iz just get the f u c k back in your room”. “Or how about you and legally blonde over here F U C K off some where else and scream at each other” I replied as I crossed my arms in defiance.

The legally blonde chick looked at me stunned like how dare I even speak at all. Blondie walked towards me we were now face to face she lifted her hand to slap me, I caught her hand looked at her nonchalantly and issued a quiet warning “Blondie if you want to keep your fucken hand I suggest you keep it to yourself or so help me me I’ll break it off” I then twisted it so she could see I was serious.

She screamed in pain Clay then yelled “Iz let her fucken go” “No problem Romeo but I am tired grumpy and need to sleep so you and Blondie go and Fucken scream some where else before I really lose my fucken s**t” I let blondie go she fell to the floor dramatically as F U C K,  all I could do was laugh, walk back into my room, close my door and hope they would F u c k off.

Within minutes things got quiet as I heard foot steps moving away from my door, I tossed and turned trying my best to go back to sleep but I couldn't all I could think was F u ck Clay and his drama. I got up brushed my teeth chucked my stupidly long hair up in a high pony tail and decided to go to Saffia's studio and relax myself in front of the Piano. I entered with out turning on the lights and sat down in front of the Piano. I began to play Lightning by Mortimer and began sing,

Your love struck me down, lightning thunder in my soul, baby

My heart beats for you only every word is true I'm in love with you

Take you as you are baby. you aint gotta change for me

Need you from your crown , honey right down to the soul of you very feet

Boy, my love grows stronger each day baby

don't hurt me because you know I'll forgive

Boy, my love grows stronger each day baby 

don't hurt me because you know I'll forgive.

As I started the second verse I felt a big hand on my shoulder I looked up to see Tysons smiling face, He sat down next to me. "Izzy how you doing?" he asked. "I'm ok Tyson just so much has changed in such a short time but I'll adjust". "I know it's not easy Izzy but we are here to support you, Your ma, me, aunty Jazz and the kids we all got your back Izzy", "Thanks Tyson or can I call you uncle Tyson?" I asked with a cheeky grin. "I would be honored for you to call me uncle, come here" he said pulling me into a bear hug.

"Oh by the way, Girl you got some serious pipes if you decide you want to do that s**t professionally I got you and before I forget my dad is coming for dinner tonight" Uncle Tyson announced as he left the room. I looked at the time and sighed it was now 7 am, time for me to get ready for my first day of my senior year. I walked back up the stairs and into my room pulled out a pair of ripped shorts paired them with a blue half hoodie so my abs were on show left my hair as it was grabbed my back pack and headed down stairs.

I was greeted by the twins who both were wearing summer dresses and open toed heals, I looked at my beat up old converses and laughed. "Morning Izzy" they both said in unison, "Morning bitches" I replied laughing. I grabbed an apple trying to escape Aunty Jazz and My Mums scrutinizing gazes "Hold up Izzy, It's your first day of school a private school I might add and you want to dress like that" My ma scolded. "Ma I always dress like this, please I am comfortable". My ma just shook her head. Grace tried to save me "You know aunty Ara if I didn't have an interview today to try and get into the advanced art program at school I would be dressed similar" She said as she smiled.

"It's true Aunty Ara I also have an interview for the advanced dance program" Saffia said. My Ma looked at aunty Jazz "Are they just trying to save Izzy" Mum asked aunty Jazz. "No Ara they are telling the truth however maybe lets do something with all that hair and a little lip gloss or make up wouldn't hurt to hide the big bags under her eyes" Aunty Jazz said with a chuckle I gave up and let them braid my hair into a lose braid and I applied Lip gloss and concealer to hide the bags. Satisfied we were now allowed to leave the house.

Uncle Tyson dropped us off and wished us all luck. The twins took me to the office to collect our schedules unfortunately for me all my classes were advanced because I was a Brainiac and while the twins made good grades they had no advanced classes except for their electives which of course was art  and dance and I sucked at both of those. We managed to get our lockers next to each other and we had lunch period together, I laughed at the girls pouting as they showed me to my first class we hugged at the door and then they left.

I walked in and took a seat at the back next to a window, I felt a little hot so I stood up and opened the window, I felt breath on my neck so I cautiously turned around getting ready to throat punch whoever it was. "Izzy I promise I am not being a creep I was going to help you with the window because they Jam sometimes I promise" and there still too close was Seb. "Hey Seb thanks but could you back your sexy arse up a bit" I replied with a chuckle. "So you think my arse is sexy then?". "Yup but it's a pity about the rest of you". "Burned" he said holding his chest faking heart break, all i could do was laugh, stick out my hand and say "Friends" again he faked pain "and now friend zoned" I laughed hard, this guy was most definitely a fool, but he must be a bright fool to be in advanced classes.  Hmmmm I thought intersting.