Chapter 002

CHLOE

It was quiet inside the dining room, everyone paying attention to their plates. I sipped on the coffee, savoring the taste as it travelled down my throat. Even though I didn't want to admit it out loud. The coffee tasted good, just the way I loved it.

To be honest, I thought Aaron didn't know anything about kitchen but he just proved me wrong. Perhaps he knows more than I thought. The images of him making coffee effortlessly flashed in my mind. It seemed as though he was enjoying the coffee making process. I recalled the relaxed look on his face and everything in between.

Aaron and I ended up preparing coffee for the whole family, as my mother and Jacob prepared the scrambled eggs and pancakes. I’m proud to say that now I know how to use the complicated espresso machine. I won't be needing Aaron's help anymore.

I felt like squealing in excitement when I gave it a thought. However, I remained composed.

“Do you like the coffee?” I almost choked on the coffee when Aaron's voice pierced through the quiet air. Damn it! I think I made it obvious that the coffee tasted good. I thought.

I looked around the table to confirm who he was talking to, hoping the question wasn't directed to me.However, his eyes were on me, making me feel a little bit uncomfortable. It made me feel as though I was made of glasses and he could see through me.

Perhaps it's true what girls say about his eyes. I heard them say that those green eyes can bring a girl to her knees.

However, to me it was quite the opposite. I was still on my feets. Perhaps he knows what those eyes do to girls and that's why he was trying to play some tricks with me. If he thinks I will giggle in excitement like other girls, he's dead wrong. I sat straight, raising my chin up high to show him that I was unfazed with his stare.

"Not bad.” I shrugged nonchalantly and continued to munch on the scrambled eggs. I know he wanted me to give him the satisfaction and there was no way in hell that I was going to do it.

My mom and Jacob didn't say anything. They just exchanged knowing looks and we continued with our breakfast. I could feel Aaron's eyes on me but I ignored him, pretending as if he didn't exist.

___________

“Today is the first day of your senior year to the both of you. How do you feel?” My mother popped the question, darting eyes between the two of us.

“Feeling a little bit nervous,”I confessed, a small smile touching my lips.

“Well, I don't feel anything. I think…it's pretty normal. Just like the normal first day of the year.” Aaron shrugged nonchalantly, leaning back on the chair. I mentally rolled my eyes when I heard his words. I know he was nervous but pretending not to be.

“Do you guys have any plans for this year? Like, what legacy you would like to leave behind. Your dream university, Your career?” Jacob asked and I could feel the excitement in his voice. I could tell that he was eager to know about everything.

Unlike Aaron, Jacob is a calm person and easy to get along with. He welcomed us warmly when we moved in with my mother three days ago. He told me to feel free because this was my new home.

It was quiet for a while as I tried to reflect on the future. To be sincere, I hadn't thought of it that much.

“I'll put more effort into my studies because I want to join my dream university. About areer path, not so sure about it. However, I would like to do something in line with medicine.” A smile spread across my face when I gave it a thought.

“And about the senior year. I know, not many would remember me because I’m not that popular.” I stretched the word popular. Aaron looked at me with a raised eyebrow, realising what I was trying to do.

“I would like to leave behind a good impression. I’ll try my best not to get into unnecessary fights or ditch classes.” The corner of my lips curved into a smile. I gave Aaron a side eye look and I saw him make a face when he heard my words.

“That's good. I think I like your idea.” Jacob said in approval. He turned his gaze to his son who looked unbothered.

My mother smiled warmly at me and I smiled back. By the look in her eyes, I could tell that she was pleased with my words as well.

“What about you son?”Aaron was quiet for a while as though he was thinking of what to say.

“We have talked about this dad.” He complained, “I don't remember talking about anything with you.”Jacob said and I could tell that he only wanted to annoy Aaron.

“Perhaps you can give him time to think about it my love.” My mother said, defending Aaron and I couldn't believe it.

“It's okay aunt. I have already figured it out.” He sat up straight, placing his elbows on the table. It was silent for a while, everyone eager to hear what he had to say.

I was eager too…

“I think…I’ll concentrate more on football, and studies of course. The falcon team better be ready.” The corner of his lips curved into an wicked smile, giving me a side look.

I know those words were mine to listen to because my boyfriend, William Lockwood is the QB of Falcon football team, they are rival teams.

We have two football teams in our school. They compete amongst themselves and the winning team gets the privilege to present our school in high school national football games.

I clenched my hands into tight fists under the table, my nails digging in my palms. However, I managed to put on a smile, pretending his words didn't affect me. I know he wanted to get a reaction from me. However, I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

“That’s amazing.” I nodded to his words, pretending to be awed by his words.

As though my mother sensed the tension between Aaron and I. She coughed, capturing our attention. My mother knows too well that my boyfriend is the QB of Aaron's rival team. My mom knows William and they get along pretty well.

That's how my mother and Jacob met. They had come to watch the football game in our school. My mother had come to help me cheer up my boyfriend while Jacob was cheering up his son. They were on opposing sides. I don't know how they ended up falling in love. Perhaps the saying “ opposite poles attract” is true…

“I think…it's time for school.” Jacob announced, checking on his wrist watch. “I’ll drop you off at school on my way to work.”I was about to pick up my backpack when I stopped, “Chloe, I would like to have a word with you.” My mom said, I couldn't help but crease my eyebrows.

______

It was a little bit quiet when Aaron and his Dad left the dining room, leaving just the two of us.

“Did…I do something wrong?” I asked doubtfully, not sure what my mother wanted us to talk about. It seemed as though it was something very important that couldn't wait.

Her lips curved into a smile when she heard my words, “You haven't done anything wrong, my love.” She said in a relaxed voice. A breath which I had no idea I have been holding all this time left my lips.

She held my hands, giving them a gentle squeeze, “I can't believe this is your final year in Golden Willows High.” The smile on her lips broadened. I could see the genuine happiness in those brown hazel eyes and it warmed up my heart.

"You have no idea how proud I’m of you. It's not that I have been a good example to you. However, I’m happy that you have been a good girl. All I would like to tell you is…” She paused then heaved a deep sigh.

“Focus on your studies since this is your final year. You have a whole future ahead of you my love. I would like you to go to college, something that…I wasn't able to do. I don't want you to end up like me.” She blinked countless times, holding back tears.

I know what she was talking about. My mom gave birth to me when she was seventeen years old in her senior year. She wasn't able to go to college since she had to take care of me. When I think of it sometimes, I feel like I cut short her dreams.

“It's okay mother. Even though you didn't go to college, you tried your best to provide for me.” I said, my lips curved into a smile and gave her hands a gentle squeeze.

I have to admit that while growing up, life wasn't easy because she had to work three jobs to make sure that I had a comfortable life. However, as time went by, she saved some money and started a flower shop which is doing pretty well right now. She supplies the flowers to events.

She looked so happy when she heard my words and we hugged so tightly.

“I know I can't control your life because you're a big girl now. However, remember what I always tell you. When you and William…” A growl tore from my lips when I heard my mom's words.

“We haven't done it. William and I agreed that…we need to finish high school first.” I said, trying to brush off the topic because it made me feel embarrassed.

I knew what my mother wanted to tell me. She wanted to remind me to use protection when William and I get intimate. My mom has always been open with me about sex life and I don't blame her for that even though it makes me feel embarrassed sometimes. I understand that she was afraid I would end up like her...

"Well, I didn't say you did anything. Just reminding you to be careful…” She teased...