Before Isabella could react, Emily launched straight into another barrage. "And what was all that nonsense today? Even someone like me, who barely ever comes to school anymore, has heard ten different versions of it! I know you've always been caught up in scandals, but this time is beyond ridiculous. They're saying you were lonely and went to the school warehouse to hook up with some young guy, spilled lighter fluid, and burned the place down. Can you believe that? Are those people insane, or is the world insane?"
She paced a step back and forth, her voice rising with agitation. "Tell me the truth. What actually happened? Do you have any idea how scared I was? I almost had a heart attack when I heard!"
Emily rattled on like a machine gun, not stopping for breath. Isabella simply looked at her and smiled faintly. When Emily finally ran out of steam, Isabella lifted her hand and gently pointed at her own throat, the meaning obvious.
