author's note: this is not, contrary to popular belief, a story about isaac being crazy. it's a story about isaac having an overactive imagination and wanting someone to love.

I couldn't believe that she was there. Couldn't believe that she'd have the balls to show up, after everything that had happened. I thought I had made it perfectly clear that I didn't want to have anything to do with her anymore. I knew that Zac still spoke to her - they had been best friends for years, and an ill-fated relationship with me wouldn't change that. They had a love and affection that would last forever.

I stared out into the crowd as I robotically sang. She looked happy - she was taking pictures, smiling and singing along. She didn't look as heartbroken as I felt. I kept staring at her, hoping that she would make eye contact with me. "If only you could feel what I dream, maybe you could hear what I mean..." I sang, still watching her. Finally, she looked at me. We kept eye contact for a moment before she looked away. She raised her camera and snapped a few more photos, before taking the can of beer from her friend and drinking from it.

Throughout the entire performance, I couldn't help but stare at her. The crowd didn't seem to exist - it was only me and her, and every word I sang went directly to her. She looked at me occasionally, then glanced at Taylor, cringing at what I could only assume were his "bad idea" jeans. She smiled at Zac, drank more beer, snapped some photos with her friends, and was obviously having a good time.

After the performance, we all spoke backstage. "Dude, Isaac, what the hell was your deal? Talk about distracted." Taylor sniped.

"He was probably looking at some girl." Zac teased. "He's gotta get some tail."

"We should do an autograph session." I suggested, ignoring my brothers' teasing. That would be the easiest way to see her, to speak to her.

"Um, okay. Whatever, Ike." Taylor said as he walked towards our mother and the security men.

"Seriously, Ike. What's your deal? You've been acting weird since the beginning of the show." Zac asked once Taylor was out of earshot.

"It's nothing, Zac. I've just been...Kind of exhausted lately."

The security guards set up a table and three chairs for us. One man told the crowd to settle down and explained what was going on, while another spoke to us. "We'll have to cut off the signing after about fifty or so fans. We can't be here all night."

We agreed, since our flight left later that night, and sat in the uncomfortable folding chairs at the metal prison-esque table. Fora while, I was too preoccupied to look for her, until I heard a ringing golden laughter in my ears. She was talking to Zac, who had cracked some joke or another. He threw his head back in laughter at something she had said. She knelt by his side to take a picture with him. He put an arm around her and pulled her close before she held the camera out and snapped a picture. She thanked him, and moved two steps closer to me. I could feel my heart racing, and overheard her short dialogue with Taylor. They didn't talk about anything important - he shook her hand with that all-American smile on his face. She expressed her wish to get a picture, and her second wish that this wasn't so rushed. He agreed and thanked her for coming to the show. Two steps closer.

She was finally in front of me. I shook her hand and smiled at her. "Hey, thanks for coming down."

She laughed. "That would be more effective if I hadn't heard it, like, a million times." She rearranged her hair with her fingers nervously. "Hey, Isaac, do you think I could get a picture with you?" she asked, holding up her camera.

"Of course." I replied. She knelt next to me as she had done with Zac, and looked up at me before snapping the photo. I began to question whether or not this was the girl I thought I knew.

"Thanks." She smiled and began to walk away with her friend. I wanted to call out her name, to hold her and tell her that I was sorry. When I shouted her name, she didn't turn around.

They cut off the line soon after that. We shook a few fans' hands and quickly scribbled a few more autographs. I searched the remaining crowd for her, but she was nowhere to be seen.

After the three of us were in our old van, with Taylor at the wheel, I rested my head against the window with a sigh. "What's up?" Zac asked, concerned.

"I thought I saw her." I replied simply.

"Her? Her who?"

I stared at him, mouth agape. "You saw her. You talked to her. You took a picture with her. You should know who. Your best friend. My ex-girlfriend, that I'm still completely in love with."

"Isaac...You haven't had a serious girlfriend in years, and even so, none of them have been anything I'd consider a best friend." Zac gazed at me with concerned brown eyes. "Are you okay?"

I thought for a moment. "I think so."