Chapter 1
Today has not been my day. It started out with me waking up late. I was supposed to be up and ready by ten, but for whatever reason, my alarm didn’t go off, and I ended up oversleeping until almost eleven.
After I got home from work last night I had a quick bite to eat, brewed a pot or two of coffee, and put my nose to the grindstone staying up all night studying. I have eighteen months left until I get to walk across the platform at University of NH and receive my degree. I am in a rush to finish college so I can get out of this God forsaken town. There is nothing here, especially for me.
Not since my mom passed away last year. She had lung cancer, and I always lectured her about smoking. She never quit, though. Not even when she got the diagnosis. She didn’t go through with treatment. She didn’t want to live any longer.
She left me because her husband left her.
He left her for some younger bimbo, someone who was wild and free. My mom wasn’t a very responsible person, herself, but she deserved better than what Grant gave her. He was abusive. He was mean. He was a monster. And he was as worthless as they come.
But she didn’t see it that way. She worshiped the ground he walked on. “He provides for us.” She would say. More like he provided her with her habits, so he was worth keeping around, even when he was beating the crap out of her.
A rustling noise in the woods shakes me from my spiraling thoughts. I look to my right, but it’s so dark I can’t make out a thing.
It’s probably the wind making the trees dance in the shadows of the night.
Either way, I walk faster, wanting to get home and out of these sweaty clothes. For being a fall evening, it’s surprisingly warm. I inhale deeply, smelling the sweet scent of decomposing leaves, the pine trees nearby, and the apples blossoming on the apple trees.
Fall is my favorite season; the scent of fruits and veggies that only bloom this time of year, the vibrant colors of leaves as they change from life to death, and the unique aromas that trigger strong feelings of nostalgia, comfort, and the anticipation of the coming holiday season.
Even though holidays have been spent alone for the longest time, I still long for the season. Maybe because I look forward to a time I will be able to make new memories, and celebrate with my own husband and children, some day.
Reaching my driveway, I stop by the mailbox and see what today’s bills will be. Opening my front door, I toss my keys and purse onto the counter, along with the few envelops and magazines. Closing and locking the door behind me, I close the curtain, afraid to look out the window.
I grab a cold water from the fridge and head to my bedroom. Grabbing some fresh clothes, I take a quick shower to wash away today’s grime.
Especially that of Blake Williams. That boy grates my nerves to no end, and one day he will wish he didn’t get on the wrong side of me.
Thinking about him makes me angry all over again. He’s such a narcissistic imbecile and I can’t stand working with him. However, my boss is his aunt, and she thinks he’s acting like he does because he likes me. But like I remind her, this isn’t elementary school where the boy picks on the girl to show interest.
A knock on my front door interrupts my thoughts. Dressing quickly, I head to the door, peeking through the curtain before opening it.
I groan as the person stares back at me.
“What do you want?” I ask, opening the door a smidge.
He grins down at me, his blue eyes shining brightly. “Hello to you, too.” He attempts to push his way through, but I stop him. “Come on, Ash. Don’t be like that.” He pouts, looking as adorable as ever. “I brought you chocolate.” He pulls a bag of mini Reese’s cups from his backpack, handing the chocolatey goodness to me. I reach for them, but he pulls them back, teasingly. “Ah, ah, ah.” He quirks a brow. “You have to let me in, first.”
He holds the bag just out of reach. All I would have to do is punch him in the gut, take the treat, and shut the door.
Instead, I sigh and begrudgingly open the door wider, letting him through. “I hate you.” I mumble, walking behind him to the living room.
I live in a small two bedroom house that was left to me after my mom died. It’s quaint, and enough for just me. The kitchen is small, but the dining and living room make up for the lack of space. And the bathroom is average. My bedroom is bigger than the smaller one. The best feature is the front and back yard. I love sitting outside and gazing at the stars. If I’m not inside studying, than I’m outside admiring the nature that surrounds me.
“No you don’t.” He chuckles. He takes a seat in my recliner, knowing that is my spot.
I’m no Sheldon Cooper, but I do enjoy sitting in my recliner.
“You’re right. I don’t hate you.” I tell him, taking a seat on the couch. I fold my feet under me, getting comfortable. As I reach for the remote, I glance over at him to see he’s staring back at me. “I despise you.” I send him a fake grin, and search for something so boring, he will want to leave.
Instead, as I Love Lucy appears on my television, he reclines the chair, getting comfortable. Tossing the bag of Reese’s to me, he reaches into his backpack and pulls out a treat for himself, along with some Dr. Pepper.
Something is tossed my way, and lands by my legs. “You should play that.” He says, grinning at me. “You know you want to.”
Looking down at what I now know is a movie, my eyes light up. “No way!” I exclaim, excitement coursing through me. I leap from my seat and race to put the disc into the DVD player. “I can’t believe you got it.” I tell him, looking back at him with a smile.
He shrugs his shoulders as if it’s no big deal. “I told you I would.”
Walking back to the couch, I get comfortable and press play on the remote.
“I’m surprised you’re staying to watch.” I comment, knowing this isn’t exactly his type of movie. “Thank you, Blake.”
I end up spending the rest of the night watching The Notebook with my work nemesis, and it wasn’t that bad. Blake supplied the drinks and treats, while I supplied the food. Together we surprisingly had a good night.
Besides, who doesn’t love Ryan Gosling?
