Isabella Woods. The name echoed in Matthew's head. He stared at the newspaper blankly with his bright blue eyes. He occasionally moved his dark brown, wavy hair out of his face so he could see. The name sounded familiar, but why? "Isabella…Isabella…Isabella…" Matthew repeated several times. He didn't know an Isabella. Well one with the last name 'Woods' at least. "Maybe mom knows?" Matthew says to himself still trying to figure out who she is and why she's so…familiar. He stood up from his bed and put his book down flat on the pages so he didn't lose track of his page. He walked down the stairs. The wood creaking with each step. "Ugh, dad said he would fix that" Matthew said obviously annoyed. He didn't know why but his dad would say he would do somethin, then never do it. It was a regular thing. He learned not to ask his dad for anything cause he knew he'd never get it. He was thinking about telling him again about the steps then shakes his head while walking. "What's the point of even asking anymore?" Matthew said to himself. He walked into the kitchen. The cold tile floor cold against his feet as the smell of bacon, eggs, and pancakes being cooked filled the room. "Mom?" Matthew said while sitting down. His mother, Barbra, looked at him with a warm smile.
"Yes, dear?" His mother said in a calm voice.
"Do you know anyone named Isabella?" Matthew said with curiosity in his voice. His mother's breath caught in her throat slightly. It wasn't that noticeable but her calm, sweet, and caring demeanor cracked slightly with irritation.
"Isabella who?" His mother said in a almost stern voice.
"Woods. Isabella Woods." Matthew said. "Do you know her?" Matthew asked while his mother just sat there. "Hello? Earth to mom?" Matthew snapped his fingers in her face. "Who is she?" He asked once more and his mother snapped. She grabbed his wrist tightly and clenched her jaw so tight it looked like it could break.
"We don't speak of her! Do you understand!?" His mother yelled. It was rare for such a sweet lady like her to scream or lose control. "Where did you hear that name!" She asked and Matthew sat silent still shocked at his moms outburst.
"I…I uhh-…" Matthew stuttered and his mom cut him off.
"Don't give me any bullcrap Matthew. Tell me. Now." She said through gritted teeth. "Don't make me pry it out of you." She added while looking into his eyes.
"I umm…I saw it in the newspaper." Matthew said.
"I thought me and your father made it clear you weren't to look inside any newspapers. Bring it to me." She said leaving no room for argument.
"But mom I-…" Matthew said getting cut off by his mother again.
"No buts. I said bring it to me. Now." She said releasing his wrists. He looked at the red marks she left from gripping it so tightly. He's never seen this side of his mother before. He was scared. He reluctantly started moving upstairs to get the paper but he couldn't help but think. Think about why his 36 year old, sweet, and caring mom was getting upset over one name.
"Man wait till Jane hears about this." Matthew says grabbing the news paper. He walks back down the stairs with the same old annoying creak. "Sounds like my dad's unfinished project." He laughs at his own joke then it dies down. "That wasn't funny." He says to himself as he reaches the kitchen holding out the paper to his mom. "Here." He says.
"You got it?" His mom says and he looks at the newspaper then at his mom with narrow eyes.
"Nah I used my telekinesis skills to get it." He says with sarcasm.
"Ok rude. Drop the attitude." His mom said as she takes the paper. Matthew goes back to his room.
"Sometimes I wonder how she made it past middle school." Matthew shakes his head as he walks to his room. He picked up his phone and called his best friend, Jane
"Hello?" Jane says.
"Hey, Jane. Are you free to meet up today for a few hours?"
"Uhh yeah? Why? You sound kinda stressed." Jane says with concern in her voice.
"Just meet me at the abandoned playground in 15 minutes. Ok?" Matthew says.
"Ok I'll be there in like 10." Jane says then ends the call.
Matthew sighs and pockets his phone. He rubs his face then gets ready to go to the park. "Maybe Jane knows something." Matthew says to himself while walking out of his room. He walks down the stairs but on one really weak one he falls through and tumbles down the stairs. "Ahhh!" He yells and lands on his back with an 'oof' sound. He lays there for a moment. "What the frick man." He gets up and looks at the step seeing something hidden beneath it. "What the…" He said and his dad opens the door.