One
Apiercing ring blares through the speakers, jolting me from my daydream.
“Students! You’ve survived your first year of college. Congratulations and stay out of trou–” The professor’s voice is drowned out by the loud cheers and rushed sounds of my fellow classmates hastily exiting the building as the last bell of the year chimes, signifying that it’s the start of summer break.
I can’t believe my first year in college has rolled by so quickly. I narrow my eyes as I scan the mass of moving bodies in the hallway, smiling when I spot a bobbing blonde bouncing my way.
Ashley nudges my arm. “Did you pass?”
“Finals? Thankfully, yes. I’ve done nothing but study. You?”
Rolling her eyes, she flips her hair over a slender shoulder. “Don’t wanna talk about it.”
I laugh. I already know her grades are nothing but stellar.
Shoulder to shoulder, we make our way towards our freedom. The unusually warm Oregon air sweeps my chestnut hair across my face as we step through the propped open metal doors. The excitement is still palatable as we walk out of building C.
We’re free! Well, for the summer anyways.
“I can’t believe we are finished with our freshman year!” Ashley squeals, throwing her head back dramatically.
“I can’t wait for tonight!” I exclaim happily.
I haven’t seen Ian in a week, and I miss him so much. He’s been so busy between Lacrosse and finals he just hasn’t had the time. But tonight, I’m surprising him.
As though reading my thoughts, Ashley nudges my arm. “We know you’re more excited to see Ian than anything.” She fans herself.
I blush. It’s true. My excitement isn’t about the freedom I’ll have for three months. Well, it is, but only because I get to spend all my time with Ian. We have been together for about two months now. It hasn’t been very long, but he is so sweet to me, and handsome.
“Anyways,” Ashley’s lips curve into a half smile, redirecting me from my longing thoughts. “You know my brother is on his way here...right?”
“Yeah! I’m excited to meet more of your family. Your mom is the best!”
Ashley waves her hand in the air. “Just don’t get too excited. He’s not the nicest person to be around.”
“I can handle a mean brother. We’re practically sisters. He has to be nice to me.”
Her eyes widen slightly, “I’m his sister and he’s not even nice to me. Well, he’s okay, I guess.” She fixes her previous statement.
“It’ll be fun,” I say absentmindedly, my thoughts on what to wear later.
There’s a party at the frat house for the beginning of summer and I want to look my best, especially since I know how much Ian hates surprises, so I need to make up for it by looking cute. He thinks I’m going to my mom’s for the weekend, but I wanted to make tonight special.
We hop into my Altima and roll the windows down, enjoying the breeze that overtakes the car as we drive away from the prison we pay to go to.
Freshmen usually live in the dorms, but when I met Ash on my first day, we became instant best friends. After months of sharing bathrooms with our classmates and having awful roommates, we decided to rent a house off campus.
Luckily, between the money I had saved from working at my mom’s florist shop through high school and Ash’s current job at the nicest restaurant in Corvallis, we were set to rent our cute two-bedroom home right down the street from fraternity row.
That was where I met Ian.
I’ve only dated one person prior to him. But Ian is different; preppy and all about sports, he has a kindness towards me that drew me in. Plus, the fact that he hasn’t complained too much about us not having sex yet is nice. I’m eighteen and I know it’s a normal thing to do but I wanted to wait until I found the right guy. I think tonight is the night though. I mean, why wait any longer?
Ashley’s voice brings me back to reality as she rambles on about a new guy she met the other night. But what about her current quest, Brian? I’ve never met the guy, but I thought things were going okay.
I nod, trying to listen as we pull into the driveway. I take a double take at the glossy black car parked next to mine on the left side of our narrow driveway; it must be a classic.
“Guess he got here early.” Ashley shrugs, a small smile taking over her face.
“Are you two close? Why is he coming here?” I ask curiously.
“Aiden is his own thing. We’re as close as he will let me be. You’ll see what I’m talking about. He’s coming here because he doesn’t want to go home during his move.”
His move?
“Why? I love your mom! She was so funny that time she came to visit and brought us both fuzzy pajamas and made us have a full-on girl’s night, like a middle school throwback. Braided hair and all!” I laugh at the memory.
Ashley looks at me uneasily. “Look, don’t say anything because it’s a sore subject, but that’s not his mom. He lives with our dad, sort of. If you can even call him one.” Her lips twist into a frown. “But he’s all Aiden has. He’s been away the past four years at university and hasn’t been back home since. He’s looking for his own place, so he’s staying here until then. Shouldn’t be more than a couple of weeks.” She shrugs.
“Your dad? The asshole that left you?” The astonishment is clear in my voice.
“Yeah, Aiden and I are half-siblings. I don’t really want to get into that. Just please don’t bring it up.” She gives me a crooked grin as we step out of the car.
“Of course, I wouldn’t.” I smile reassuringly at her.
My thoughts go toward the little I know as Ashley doesn’t talk much about her childhood. Her dad left her at a young age and isn’t involved in her life. I just assumed they were full-blooded siblings.
Unlocking the door, I step inside. I whistle while walking to the kitchen, feeling ecstatic about my day. That’s when I see him, leaning against the counter with his elbows on the bar top.
I can’t help but stare, taking in the thin material of his T-shirt which showcases his inked and tan skin underneath. He looks up at me, his striking green eyes piercing mine. I feel my cheeks begin to heat but I can’t pull my eyes away.
A cough interrupts my thoughts and I look over to find Ash looking back and forth between us. I assume they would hug after Aiden being gone for so long, but she simply waves.
“Hey Aiden,” She greets with a smile.
“Hey Ash.” His deep baritone fills our tiny kitchen. He straightens and makes his way over to her in long strides, ducking his head to miss the ceiling fan overhead. He is tall, so tall.
Muscles flex underneath his shirt, and when my eyes pan back to his face, he’s already looking back at me. His full lips slightly curve upward, leaving the faintest trace of a smile.
I look away to keep from gawking. What is wrong with me? I shake my head to clear my mind.
Mine and Ashley’s eyes simultaneously land on a tool bag, its contents laid out on the counter.
“What’s this?”
A smirk creeps up on Aiden’s face.
Dimples.
Then, as if something ruined his day, the smile is gone and replaced with a flat line.