Unexpected Love (Unexpected Series)

by Charlene Martin

  I give the waiter a polite smile and say, “Thank you.”

  As the waiter walks off, mom shakes her head at me, “Arissa that was a little harsh.”

  “I know mom, but I am so tired of eating at seafood restaurants and I don’t eat seafood. Maybe next time we could do pizza or something else.”

  Mom thinks on this for a moment. “Well honey, I can understand that. I guess we have been eating a lot of seafood lately. I just love it and so does your father. How about we let you pick next time?”

  I smile big at that idea, “That would be wonderful, thanks mom.”

  Mom starts talking to dad about work and I start to tune them out. Apparently, something happened today at work. My dad, Jake, is the head surgeon at Mercy Hospital. He is tall and lean with wavy brown hair. He has dark brown eyes, which mom is always telling him that is because he is so full of shit, charming I know! He is a fun loving guy, has a great sense of humor and has always been my protector.

  My mom, Melissa is a nurse in the ICU at the same hospital. I look a lot like her, with my long blond wavy hair. She is a little shorter than I am and has green eyes. We almost look like twins. People always mistake her as my sister. She is great, but has a tendency to overreact to things; the nurse side of her gets on my nerves bad. She is more of a best friend than a mother, because I tell her everything. We often stay up late eating ice cream and chat. I have a great relationship with my parents.

  Realizing I have to pee, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. “This bathroom is hideous.” I mumble as I notice toilet paper everywhere. As I side step around it to get to the stalls, I notice some disgusting things, but I really don’t think you need to hear about that. I go to the first stall. Did you know that it is usually the cleanest? Most people bypass the first stall. Yeah, they did a study about it. Therefore, ever since I read that, I always try the first stall and most of the time it is the cleanest.

  Let’s just say that this one wasn’t too awful. Seeing the bathroom this nasty, makes me not want to eat here. I mean if they cannot keep the bathroom clean, what about the kitchen. Yikes!

  As I am about to walk out, I look in the mirror and realize that I have part of my skirt tucked into my underwear and tights. Shaking my head in disbelief “OMG!” That would have been so embarrassing. Thank God, no one was in here to see it. If I had walked out into the restaurant like that, I might never recover from the embarrassment.

  A shiver runs down my spine and I immediately sense eyes upon me, but I am in the girl’s restroom and it is completely empty and there are no windows. There is no way someone is watching me in here. This is so alarming! Am I going insane? Maybe I am just paranoid. It’s just this has been happening since I was a little girl. When will it stop? I let out a frustrated sigh and shrug it off…Again!

  Walking back to the table I notice that dinner has arrived. I take my seat and place my napkin in my lap and I look up to see that my parents are suspiciously peering at me. “Why are you looking at me that way?”

  “Arissa, are you feeling well you look ill? Did you get sick in the restroom? Oh my God, are you pregnant?” Mom asks.

  Looking to my dad, “Jake she’s pregnant, it’s all coming together now. The smell of seafood made her nauseous, then she snapped at the waiter and now she comes back looking like she just threw up.” Almost breathless now she finishes with, “OMG you are, aren’t you?”

  I look at her wide-eyed and answer a little too loudly, “What? Mom! No way, are you freaking crazy? You know you always do this overreacting crap; I am so tired of it. I just had a little incident in the girl's room, it was kind of stupid.”

  “Oh are you sure you aren’t pregnant? I mean it all fits together. I know you have this new boyfriend. I think his name is Damon. You haven’t told me if you guys are doing anything yet, but I would hope that you are using protection if you are.”

  “Wow, really mom?” Throwing my hands in the air, “I am not having SEX and I do not plan on doing so until I am married. I have more respect for myself than that.”

  Mom looks at me still not quite believing me, “Well dear I hope that you do, but sometimes you live in the moment and things can happen. I know this because that is how you got here.”

  The moment? Really? “Mom, I can promise you if ‘the moment’ happens, I will use all the necessary precautions. I do not want any children before I go off to college. I want to be able to finish college and, then think about marriage, maybe buy a house and then start a family. I don’t want to end up pregnant and possibly sabotage what I have worked so hard for already.”

  I pause, thinking of how to change the subject quickly. “Speaking of which, I talked to the school counselor today. We think that I should apply to all the major colleges. She thinks that with my grades I should be able to get a scholarship. I am so excited. I know that they are quite a ways from home, but I really want the whole college experience. So what do you guys think?”

  Mom sits up straight in her chair, “Arissa I think that is great. Your father and I both went to Yale. I think that moving away from home and being on your own would be beneficial to you. You could get the whole college experience as well as learn to be self-sufficient.”

  I let out a breath of relief, “So, you are both okay with me applying to those colleges?” I look to my dad for an answer.

  He gives me a reassuring smile. “Yes dear, we are very excited that you want to do this. We are very proud of you. I hope you know that?”

  With an excited smile I squeak, “Yay!” Then I get all serious. “I have to start applying over the next few weeks. So will you help me over Christmas vacation?”

  Nodding their heads eagerly, “Of course we will help you.” Feeling a sense of relief, I finish my dinner lost in my thoughts and listen to them chat about work again.

  Once we get home, I rushed upstairs to finish my homework. I really hate Trig. I just cannot seem to wrap my head around all the angles and formulas. I just have to understand it enough so it does not affect my GPA. I just pray I can because it has been so hard for me. I am usually good at math. I think Algebra is more my thing.

  I hear my phone ring, looking for it under the papers scattered on my desk. I finally find it under my binder. I look at the caller ID and see its Damon; I almost forgot that he was going to call me tonight.

  “Hello?” As I answer the phone.

  “Hey Babe how was dinner?”

  Reaching for my soda and taking a quick swig I reply, “It was good, I got to talk to my parents about the colleges that I want to go to.”

  With disappointment in his voice he asks, “Oh really? Where are you planning to apply?”

  Ignoring the way he said that, “I am going to apply to all the major colleges. My counselor said that I should be able to get in with a full scholarship.”

  “That’s great babe,” sounding a bit more excited.

  Pulling my hair from my ponytail and letting it drop down my back. “Thanks, so where do you plan on applying?”

  Damon pauses and is slow to respond, “Well my grades aren’t as good as yours Arissa. I think I might even have trouble getting into a community college.”

  Astonished by his statement I reply with surprise in my voice, “Really? You are not even thinking about going to community college. You know I can help you study if you need me to.”

  He laughs that off, “I think it’s a little late for that babe. I will work something out, I always do.”

  Not wanting to drag this out any further, I just let it go with, “Ok, so how was your night?”

  “I went down to the local pool hall and played some pool with the guys.”

  Running my fingers through my wavy blond hair as I reply, “That sounds like fun; I wish I would have gone with you instead. You know I cannot play pool to save my life. I just like to hit the balls and hope that one goes in the hole, but it would have been nice to spend time with you. The evening started disastrously and all I wanted was you.”

  “
Well, if you can figure out trig, it would help you become a better player,” he answers with a chuckle trying to lighten the mood.

  “Ha-ha! You are so funny Damon, I am trying; it is just not that easy for me. I swear my brain just does not comprehend it. Well it is late and I need to get some sleep. I have a test in History first period.”

  I hear the smile in Damon’s voice, “Alright, love. Sweet dreams.”

  “Good night Damon,” I answer back while trying to contain the yawn that is escaping my lips.

  I lie in bed thinking to myself about Damon and our future. His grades are so bad that he may not be going to college. Do I really want to be with someone who does not see college in their future? With me going off to college, I do not see how this is going to work between us. I will be leaving town and he will stay here. I really do like him and he treats me well, but do I see a future for us? With all these thoughts running through my head my eyes start to get heavy, I finally give in to it and go to sleep.

  I am being pulled into this beautiful dream where I am being kissed by an extremely hot guy. He has the most beautiful green eyes that seem to dive into the depths of my soul. When I look at him, I feel nothing, but comfort and safety. As we lie on the beach, he slides his hands down my sides and it tickles me. I start to giggle as he looks into my eyes and smiles. I am aware that his hands are sliding south when my jeans slide down a little as his hand grips my butt through my jeans.

  I dig my nails into his back while pulling him close to me. I begin to kiss him with heated passion. My shirt is lifted over my head and I gasp at the realization. He tosses my shirt to the sand and places his hand upon my breast. I get a cold chill as he seductively moves my bra aside. He gently squeezes my nipple between his fingertips while looking deep into my eyes. His gaze is so intense I have to break it, letting my head fall back and a little moan escapes my throat.

  A exhilarating sensation is running through my body. I can feel his desire for me pour into each of his movements, if this is what love feels like I do not ever want to wake up. If only this man in my dreams was real, I would be so happy.

  Chapter 2

  A sudden noise pulls me out of my ecstasy; I wipe the side of my mouth, just as a total mood killer I have been drooling in my sleep. I put on my fuzzy pink slippers and make my way down stairs.

  We live in a yellow and white two story, country style home, with a wraparound front porch. My mom fell in love with its old style charm and well, my dad had to give into her. It is beautiful; however, the bad thing with old homes is that they tend to make loads of unexplained noises. The plumbing makes this loud racket as you turn on the water and the stairs creak in protest as you walk down them. Do not get me wrong I love the house for its spacious rooms and country appeal, but I would have loved to grow up in a brand new ‘quiet’ house.

  Trying to be as quiet as I can, I creep down the stairs in the dark. I hear it again and it sends a cold chill through my body. I am scared shitless at the moment. Do I continue down the stairs or do I run back up and wake up my dad?

  I try to be brave and peek around the corner into the kitchen. I do not see anything so I begin to walk in. I am almost to the light switch, when I hear this crunching noise from the pantry. As I tiptoe to the pantry, I grab a knife, thinking, where the hell is a gun when you need it? I am almost to the pantry door when all of a sudden I am thrown back by a wild gust.

  I squeal as I watch a shadow dash off towards the living room. It’s my stupid cat Mischief. He chewed through his bag of cat food creating a huge disaster. “It’s everywhere,” I grumble under my breath. I turn on the kitchen light and grab the broom, dustpan, and start sweeping up the mess.

  I shake my head wondering what I was scared of. We have an alarm system and it didn’t make a sound; it has to be because of this constant awareness of being watched. It’s just odd that I can never find a reason why I get these vibes; I don’t understand it at all. Maybe I should talk to someone about this. I am not sure if I should tell my parents.

  They might think I’m going crazy. Nothing ever happens, it’s just this weird sense that I am being watched and it’s really starting to freak me out.

  I contemplate this while drinking a glass of chocolate milk. Then I remember that I have that huge history test in just a few hours. I glance at the clock across from the table. It is already 3:00 am. “Oh crap!” I turn off all the lights and head back to bed.

  My alarm goes off, waking me from my slumber. I peer at the clock and it reads 6:00 am. “Why the hell does high school have to start so early?” Wishing I could pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep; I lazily roll out of bed and start the shower. I hear that familiar awful racket as the water starts to make its way down the pipes. Darn it, mom needs to call someone to get this crap fixed. I brush my teeth then get into the shower, the water is so cold. A cold shower is just what I needed after only having a few hours of sleep, thanks to that stupid cat.

  As if the morning couldn’t get any worse; I look in the mirror and see that I am getting a pimple right in the middle of my forehead. “Man, how am I going to hide that? This is going to suck.” I try to pop it and it just makes it red and bigger. “Oh hell, I give up.”

  While searching my closet to find something to wear today, I find my favorite pair of skinny jeans and my baby blue Aeropostale sweatshirt. It’s been chilly out lately being that Christmas is just a few days away. Pulling on my jeans, I wonder what I can do to hide this damn pimple. I throw on my sweatshirt and walk into the bathroom. Pulling out all the make-up I have, I begin to add some concealer to my face. That hides the redness a bit but this thing is still noticeable. I lightly powder my face and add eyeliner and lip-gloss.

  Then it hits me, if I have bangs they would cover the zit. “Hey I can’t look any worse right?” I murmur under my breath as I reach for the scissors I take one quick snip and voila, I have bangs. They lie just below my eyebrow. However, right now they look screwed up. I always part my hair in the center so they sort of have this big upside down V in them. I pull out the flat iron and turn it on to heat it up. It only takes a minute. I begin to flat iron my bangs and it is not working, they still want to part in the center. “What am I going to do? I look like a freaking retard,” slapping my hands on the counter in defeat.

  I run downstairs to mom, hoping maybe she can fix this. She starts to laugh at me. How rude is that? I am so upset. All I wanted was her help, but she is laughing at me instead. I start to tear up. Mom reminds me of how ridiculous I look, but promises to try to fix it. Feeling relieved, I follow my mom into her bathroom.

  I love my mom very much and if it were not for her, I would never have gotten through most of the things that have happened in my life. My mom is my best friend. She is more like a sister to me than a mother. We talk about parties, guys, sex and all the things a teenage girl needs to talk about.

  Mom fixes my hair within a few minutes. She puts hair spray on my bangs and then uses the curling iron on them. “They actually look cute, thanks mom!” I catch a glance of her alarm clock while hugging her “Oh shoot! Look at the time I am going be late! I have a huge test in History.” I gather my books and run for the door.

  “Good luck!” She yells after me.

  Just before the door closes, I yell back, “Thanks Mom!”

  I see Damon waiting for me. He is dressed in his all too familiar outfit of dark jeans, a black t-shirt and a leather jacket. You would think he doesn’t own anything else, because that is all he wears. Nevertheless, God, he looks good in them, I could just melt at the sight of him.

  “Good morning gorgeous,” as he puts his arm around my waist and hugs me to his side. He leans down to kiss my cheek.

  “Hi handsome, I am running so late we better get going.”

  “No worries babe we will get there faster today!” I look at him quizzically and he just smiles.

  “See that Ford Mustang down there?”

  Once I find it, I reply. “Yea, What about it?”
looking to Damon for an answer.

  “Well, I just got it yesterday.”

  Looking surprised, “Really, no way!”

  With a huge grin, "Yea, my dad surprised me with her; it's an early Christmas present."

  “Oh thank God! I am so relieved that we don’t have to walk in the cold anymore.” He just laughs. “It's fabulous Damon, I can't believe it's yours, it is really pretty.”

  He looks at me with a strange expression on his face “Sweetheart, that car is NOT pretty. That car is all muscle and power. It's one bad ass car so; NEVER call my car pretty again.”

  “Well I think the cherry red paint and low profile tires make it look very pretty,” I say with a giggle, as I run towards the car before he can catch me.

  He starts chasing after me. I am almost to the car when I slip and fall right on my back knocking the wind out of my lungs. An immeasurable pain runs down my back. Damon runs to my side and asks if I am ok. I cannot speak and all I want to do is cry. Tears start to run down my cheeks. I am so mortified that I fell. He wasn’t laughing at me, but I felt like a dimwit. I was lucky enough that no one else was around to witness my predicament. Thank God.

  “Oh shit is your head ok?”

  “I think so; it’s my back that hurts.”

  Damon smirks at me, “Do you want me to help you back into the house? That way your mom can make sure you are not damaged.”

  Rolling my eyes at him, I say, “No, I have to get to school on time today. Let’s just go before my pride is wounded any further.”

  Damon helps me up and I get into the mustang. I take a deep breath, as I relax back into the seat. The heat comforts me and the soft black leather seats hug my body in all the right places. Damon climbs in the driver’s seat and starts the car. He quickly lowers the blaring sound system. I am relieved due to the fact that I have a major headache on the rise. Looking over to him, I muster a small smile and say, “I really adore the car Damon.”