Annabelle comes into her room at six and begins to put her make-up on.
“I’m looking for a hook-up, and I can tell from your outfit that you’re not going for the same thing. You’ll be wing woman extraordinaire, ok?”
I’m surprised that she isn’t pushing me into getting dolled up, but I agree to her plan. She knows I’m an abysmal wing woman. I know I am, too. In fact, every girl in the house is painfully aware of how bad I am at it. Which means she isn’t really expecting me to do much, which I also appreciate.
We both get ready and head out of the house together, calling a cab over and to take us there. When we get in, Annabelle insists on going in first. She really likes the initial entrance, and she flaunts it every time they go in.
Every head in the room turns to her, with her long blonde hair in curls down to her waist and her tanned legs that seem to go on forever. She’s everything you would expect from a super model, but instead she is studying mechanics at the college. She’s one of the few girls in the house that isn’t heading for a fail.
I trail behind her, feeling more comfortable away from the limelight. We walk towards the bar and I order my vodka cranberry and Annabelle orders a long island ice tea. We settle in the bar seats as Annabelle surveys the crop.
“He’s cute.” She says, pointing at the bartender.
I look up and realise that it’s Jake. He seems to realise that I’m here the moment I notice him. He smiles and waves at me, walking over, ignoring several customers on the way.
“Oh, hey Isobel!”
Annabelle looks at me as though I’m an alien, and then flutters her eyes at Jake, but he hasn’t even looked in her direction yet. I wish he would though, because I feel really uncomfortable right now.
“Hi, Jake.”
He leans on the bar, pointedly ignoring the customers and their drink requests. The other bartender is giving him dirty looks and taking up the extra work.
“How’re you today?” He asks, smiling broadly.
“I’m ok. Just here with my friend. Have you met Annabelle?”
He turns to her and smiles half-heartedly, but doesn’t pay her very much attention past that, despite her obvious attempts to retain it.
“Hi, I’m Annabelle. Or belle for short. As in, beautiful in French.” She holds out her hands, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
Annabelle glowers at him and picks up her drink.
“Josie has been on my arse all day. We’ve been cleaning for six hours straight. The woman is going to drive me crazy. I can’t cope with this. I’m tempted to send Peter an S.O.S and ask him to come home.”
I laugh, but only out of politeness. I think he’s hitting on me, and I really don’t want him to. He’s supposed to be Peter’s best friend. Isn’t this the worst kind of betrayal?
“Yes, I miss Peter, too. I’ll let him know you said hi, next time I see him.”
He grimaces and shrugs.
“Only a week though.”
“Yeah, and from the looks of it, Josie will be teaching you some much needed work ethic.” I say, looking down the bar at all the other customers.
He follows my gaze and moves away. He begins serving customers with a poor manner, rudely accepting their orders and snatching the money from their hands.
“How do you know him?” Annabelle inquires, accusingly.
“Well, I told you about Peter, the boy I’ve been… uh… seeing. Well, that’s his house mate and best friend.”
Annabelle crinkles her nose at him and shakes her head, disapprovingly. I’m glad that she is one of the girls who can take personality into account when she’s thinking about a man she wants to take home.
“He’s a bit of an idiot if he’s trying to move in on his best friend’s girl, isn’t he?”
“Absolutely.”
We both watch him as he does the worst job of bartending we’ve ever seen in our lifetimes. He seems to be upsetting his customers and his co-worker. They’re probably going to lose a lot of custom tonight, and all because he’s trying to get back to them, just to talk to me.
“We should move away from the bar, I think. We’re only distracting him.” I suggest, “We don’t want it to shut down because of him.”
Annabelle agrees and we both take our bags and our drinks to a table by the wall.
“So, tell me about your holiday.”
She talks for the next hour or so about the different things she got up to, which sounds interesting, but in reality, is just a lot of different drinking games, mixed with sports.
I’m glad I didn’t go, since it doesn’t sound like it was something I would have enjoyed. However, I smile and nod along, asking questions that make it sound as though I am jealous. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of acting, just so that they feel they had a good time.
I have a suspicion that something else went on while they were there. It doesn’t sound like she found it boring, either. So, what made her come home.
“Are all the girls OK? Did anyone hook up?”
“Crystal and Zikh found each other, again. I didn’t even know he was going to be there. Shelley-Ann and some coast guard disappeared on the first night and she didn’t turn up for a few days. She texted us on the first day and told us she was busy and not to worry.”
“Oh my god. She doesn’t wait around, does she?” I gasp.
She tells me all the dirty details of the events, but none of them sound like they would have made her want to come home. Isobel keeps asking questions, hoping to get to the bottom of it, but before he subtle interrogation is over, and man appears at the table and offers her a drink.
“Why yes, I think I may just take you up on that.” She winks at me and picks up her bag, which is our secret signal that we’re parting ways.
I don’t mind. I’ll find out why she came home early tomorrow, when she comes home.
I gather my things, give her the thumbs up and leave. I opt out of getting a cab, and instead decide to walk back.
The air is still tonight, barely a breeze, but I still miss my cardigan. I really want to go back and get it, but I know that it will be no use. For one thing, it’s too late to go knocking on anyone’s door. For another, Josie is the only one there right now, and she definitely hates me.
I keep walking, heading into the park, where I’m not going to have another breakdown. Instead, I sit on my bench and remember all the good times me and Peter spent together this past week and all the time we can spend together in the future.
CHAPTER 10
This past week has been awful and great. I’m not sure how else to describe it, really. It’s been awful because I’ve been missing Peter, but it’s been great because Annabelle has been there to help take my mind off of things.
I’ve also had the time to consider everything that’s happened, and really analyse my feelings for him. The end result is that I definitely have them. I definitely like him. I might even stretch it to love. I really do want to spend all my time with him.
I also know that even if he does choose to go to another college, no amount of distance will change how I feel for him. I’m willing to spend the next year skyping if it means I get to be with him. We can alternate visits. It can definitely work out.
Jules has been particularly happy about this change in me. I was quite miserable for the first three days, but we’d had a long, wine induced conversation and I finally came around to the idea.
I told her that Peter and I shared classes this past year and she almost screamed at me for being so carelessly unobservant. I explained that it wasn’t my fault that I didn’t know, and she laughed. She told me that had I realised that, as two med students, we’d been in the same classes earlier on, then most of the stress wouldn’t have happened.
There’s no denying the truth of it. I feel stupid for having never put that together, and Jules spend a long time questioning the legitimacy of my medical education.
I didn’t go back to the Dover, because I really don’t want to have to see Jake a
gain. I still can’t believe how he was acting, but I’m not going to tell Peter about it. It seems a little rash to call him out for something so small when it can affect their friendship. It’s not that big of a deal, at the end of the day.
I’ve also managed to find more time to study, which is great because I was getting behind. I didn’t want to go back and suddenly not know anything relevant to the classes. I find the question part of the class to be the most informative and I can’t ask questions if I don’t know what I don’t know.
I’ve also managed to not miss another day of work, though every time I do in, they make an overly dramatic deal out of it. They all seem to think that it’s rather hilarious, but I’m sure it will die down soon.
All in all, I’m quite happy with how the week has turned out. It’s been a lot easier to get through than I thought, and tomorrow, I get to see Peter again.
I set out my outfit for the morning and I pack my bad, ready. I lay in my bed and fall asleep, as I imagine myself running into his arms tomorrow.
****
Peter spent the entire first night of the trip trying to bring his dad around to the idea. It took a lot of explaining, and enthusing to really help John get his head in the right place to accept this decision.
He told Peter that he’s sorry he felt the need to go along with his mother’s wishes when it was against his own, and that he will talk to Josie about it.
“What you want is just as important as what she wants. I know that’s not something you hear very often, but it’s true. You get to have a choice. I’m only upset that you waited so long to tell me. I wish you had been brave enough to say something a year ago. I accept that I may not have made it easy to talk to me sometimes, but I wish you would have faith that I would listen.”
Peter spent the first day feeling really guilty, but his father made it clear that there was no need to feel bad.
Peter’s only other worry was about where he wants to study, and what that decision would mean for him and Isobel. He spent hours discussing this with his father, who seemed to think that no matter what he decided, it wouldn’t have to affect their relationship.
“I don’t see why you’re worrying yourself over this. You could go wherever you wanted. I don’t see a reason why that would interfere with your relationship. You kids have all the gadgets now-a-days to make it work anyway.”
Peter knows that he’s right. He could just skype Isobel and visit whenever they have the time, but he’s leaning more towards the idea of staying at the same college. They can transfer some of his credits, and he might not have to start from the first year.
Of course, it will take a lot of convincing to get that level of consideration, but he’s never missed a class, and has maintained an A average the entire time he’s been there. He’s a model student, by all accounts. He’ll just have to book himself a meeting with the dean when he gets back.
The rest of the week is spent catching fish, exploring the mountain, catching wild animals (an activity Peter truly hates) and drinking their slowly diminishing supply of beer. His dad has said that he will drive to the nearest convenience store to get more if they run out, but Peter knows he doesn’t want to break the tranquility of being so far away from other people and real life.
Peter has finally learnt the appreciation of the outdoors. He doesn’t like it any more than he did when he first got here, but at least he understands his dad’s fascination. There’s something calming about being away from the stresses of everyday life. People are so busy that they forget to appreciate the amazing things that surround them.
They finally pack up on the last day, and Peter doesn’t even feel tired as they climb back down the mountain with an empty cooler and slightly lighter bags.
He’s too distracted by thoughts of seeing Isobel again to care about how unfit he has become and how dangerous the track is.
****
I wake up and shower. I want to feel my best today, while also looking my best, so I do a few half-hearted sit-ups and eat a fruit salad for breakfast. All the other girls are downstairs with me, still talking about spring break, and I feel like the calmness in the middle of the storm. They’re all chattering and rushing around, while I sit at the table, eat and day dream about finally seeing Peter again.
I don’t even realize I’m being spoken to until Shelley-Anne shakes my shoulder roughly.
“Earth to Isobel!”
I look up, annoyed to be torn out of my fantasy.
“What’s up, Shells?”
“I was wondering whether you were going to give us any details on this new man in your life?”
All the girls in the room squeal and I shrink into myself a little. Why do they all insist on being so stereotypically blonde? Can’t they just calm down for one day?
“I’ll tell you about him when I’m good and ready.” I tell them all, setting my bowl in the dish washer.
“Aw, come on, Belle! Don’t hold out on us!”
“How about this; I’ll invite him over and you can all meet him?”
It’s a terrible idea, I know it is, but the girls won’t rest until they know him and I worry about what kind of stunts they would pull just to find out who he is. They’ve been known to break into houses before, but that’s really a story for another time. Basically, they might not look like much, and they may not take their college education very seriously, but these girls have some really weird skills. For a long time, I was convinced that they were spies of some degree.
“I’ll make my special sweet potato stew.” Charity promises, and the other girls moan.
It’s a very famous dish in our house, and it’s only ever brought out for special occasions.
I smile, imagining Peter sat in the front room on the house, surrounded by all these curious girls asking him questions while he tries to eat. I’m actually looking forward to it.
But this all depends on today. It all depends on where he’s going to study and when he’s going to move.
****
Peter walks around his room, his hands shaking with nerves. He’s put cologne on for the first time in ages and he’s already regretting it. He doesn’t want to appear pretentious. He tries to scrub it off, but the smell stays behind. He curses his bad luck and walks into the kitchen, where his mother is loading up four plates.
“This is the last breakfast you’re going to get from me for a while, so don’t take it for granted.”
Peter sits down next to Jake, who has been oddly quiet since they returned home yesterday.
“You ok, man?” Peter asks.
“Yeah, I’m good. Super good.”
Peter knows something is wrong now, but he doesn’t want to push it. He’ll figure it out eventually, but today isn’t the day. He wolfs down his food, packs his bag with the days books and his transfer form. He has a meeting with the dean in less than twenty minutes, and his dad is waiting to take him.
He jumps into the car and his dad drives towards campus.
“Nervous?” He asks, as they pause at a stop sign.
“Yeah, though I’m trying not to be.”
“No, let yourself be nervous. It reminds you of how much pressure you’re under to get this right, and I know you can get it right, son. You’ll do great.”
“Thanks, dad.”
Peter climbs from the car the moment it pulls up and races towards the dean’s office. He’s about two minutes from being late and it won’t do him any favours if he’s tardy.
He almost falls into the receptionist’s desk as he announces himself and lets her know why he’s there.
“Just take a seat. She’ll be ready in a moment.”
Peter sits down and has to catch his breath. He pulls out his transfer form and waits, knee jiggling, until he’s invited into the room.
“Good morning, Peter. I hear you have a question you would like to ask?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I’m wondering if I can transfer from med to chem?”
“Is that the entirety of the reques
t?”
Peter gives her a winning smile, because she already knows what he wants. He launches into his pre-rehearsed spiel, showing her the letters from the other schools, and how he’s truly ready to put in the extra effort and the extra hours to catch up before the next semester begins.
He talks for close to an hour, before the Dean holds up her hand, to silence him.
“Peter, I’ve hear enough to know that you’re clearly passionate about this. I appreciate passion in this school, because passion powers success. Judging by your offers from other schools, it’s safe to say that you’re an asset. I would be glad to have you transfer majors, and starting in your second year.”
Unexpected Lover: College Romance Book 1 Page 16