Why is it always about me?

 "How come nobody called me!" Izzy wasn't sure why she said that to Link. But she felt as if she was lost at sea. Wasn't she Mercer's friend too? She broke down in tears. 

"It was only a text from Cade," Link sat with her in his economy car in her driveway. "Maybe..maybe he knew you..you would be with me."

"Are you friends with him?" She practically snapped as if the whole world was against her and she might break like a twig. 

"I guess." Link shrugged as if he didn't know what she wanted to hear.

"I..I didn't know about Brandon and Declan either," Yes, maybe that hurt the most. To know the truth with her own eyes. How come she didn't see that coming? She was certain she turned red from embarrassment when she first arrived at Brandon's apartment (no one told her Brandon had a boyfriend). It was so upsetting, but who would care?

"I think Brandon knew you might be disappointed," Link was even lipped about it. "He feels he's like this big brother to you. And..and he does care about your feelings."

Izzy blinked tears as she looked at him. "Promise..promise you..you won't say anything to Brandon..that..that I..well, you know.." Izzy swelled a frown. Link nodded back.

 "Look, I think you're hungry."

"What?" She looked at him a bit angry as if he thought food solved everything. 

"Let's get pie and coffee." He didn't wait for an answer. Link pulled out of the driveway and headed for the all-night diner. There was a fat coconut cream pie waiting.

"I know you like it," he remembered from Prom. She hadn't eaten any dinner that night and they'd gone to the all-night diner after Prom and had coconut cream pie. He liked it, too.

She sighed as she looked at the chunk of glorious pie while sitting in the cozy back booth side by side. She sighed after a sip of creamed coffee and she ate. Link smiled as if he knew.

"I just feel, I dunno weird." She said after two bites of the creamy filling.

"Well, we graduated." He was with her during their morning at the gym. They'd gone to several graduation parties. It was really good to have a friend to celebrate with. Of course, she hadn't made a move and he hadn't done any more than hold her hand and maybe a kiss on the cheek. 

"You'll do fine." Link said about her first semester which wouldn't start until late August. He would be at the University before her because he had soccer practice.

"I'm afraid, I won't." She was honest. "I'm afraid I'll get sidetracked. You know, with the sororities and the fraternities."

He nodded. 

"Don't take too many classes," Link reminded her. "And..and you know, I'll be there."

"But..but you're a soccer star." She told him it would different for him.

"Oh, I'm nothing. I doubt I do much this season other than try to show them I can suffer with the rest of them." He smiled. 

She nodded. It was true education was hard work. And maybe he was just who she needed at the University.