Chapter Two

~Haven's POV~

I was beyond furious after dropping Tristian off. What's his problem? Who throws quarters at people?

And saying that Gabe pleasures himself to substitute the fact that we don't engage in premarital sex is just ridiculous! He knows nothing!

Sure Gabe gets a little intense and grabby when we make out, but he's more than aware that we have to wait. He's never verbally said that we should take things further, but his actions when things get hot and his breath gets shallow do indicate that he wants a little more.

He'd have to wait.

Tristian is still a jerk and completely wrong. 

I took a deep breath and reminded myself that we're not supposed to judge others. That's not our job, that's God's. No matter how obnoxious other people can be.

"How was the meeting?" Mom asked when I entered the house.

"It was wonderful!" I said.

"Good. We're going to have a full table tonight at dinner. Mrs. Fletcher and her grandson are joining us!" Dad said excitedly.

Lovely.

+++

I waved at my brother Heath as I passed his room.

"Hey Haven." He said distracted by his video game. 

It's so strange having a twin brother. The thought that we used to share a womb is pretty crazy. 

Heath and I definitely looked like twins. We both have glowing, bronzy light brown skin, freckles and bright amber eyes that we're told are piercing. His black coily hair was cut into a perfect flat top. He always told me I should wear my hair curly too, but that felt too wild and untamed to me. I like the structure of straight hair even though it's more work. 

I settled on my bed and opened my bible. I was tired, but I had to finish these verses...

"Haven. Hey Haven," Gabe was trying to wake me up with a gentle whisper. "Wakey Wakey." He was gently poking me.

I groaned. "Five more minutes," I turned away from Gabe.

"It's time to wake up now," he said. He didn't sound like himself. His voice sounded much deeper.  Almost sexy. Maybe he was catching a cold.

"Nooo." I whined.

"Come on, Haven, get up."

I turned around to beg him to give me five more minutes and instead of seeing Gabe's hazel eyes staring back at me, I see Tristian's smokey silvered eyes. I screamed. 

"What the hell?" He asked.

"You scared the living daylights out of me! I thought you were Gabe!" I explained.

"I don't know why you thought that. I'm much better looking." He shrugged. His eyes raked over me. I suddenly felt incredibly insecure.

"What are you doing in my room?" I asked.

"Hoping you changed your mind about that premarital sex."

"You're disgusting. Where is Gabe? Or Grace?”

Tristian shrugged his broad, muscular shoulders again. "Isn't it your job to keep tabs on your friends?”

I rolled my eyes as I reached for my phone. There was a text from Gabe saying that he was running a little late. Apparently Grace had just arrived

Tristian was still just standing there, looking at me. "You can leave now," I said. "Tell everyone I will be down in a few minutes, I just need to freshen up."

"Alright,” he said. He stopped at my door. "You might want to pull your dress down before that though. You're giving a whole new meaning to 'turn the other cheek'."

I gasped and scrambled to pull down my dress. I could hear his deep gravelly laughter as slammed the door behind him.

++

"Could you pass me the green beans, Haven?" Tristian asked, giving me a smile that I did not like. It was still charming but by now I knew if he's smiling, it's not a good thing. 

I forced a smile to my own face and handed him the green beans.

"Why thank you for your assistance." He put emphasis on the first part of the word, obviously referring to my dress riding up.

"So, are you kids excited for school tomorrow?" Ms. Fletcher asked.

"Yes!" Grace and I chorused.

"I am so excited to finally take some art classes!" I gushed. "I mean I completely understand the importance of G.E. classes, but I'm so happy to finally work with my hands."

“I could help you with that too if you want.” Tristian whispered so only I could hear.

I didn't even want to figure out what dirty, vulgar thing he would have me do with my hands.

"Tristian, Haven is also an art major."

"You're into art?" Tristian asked me. I nodded. "Who's your favorite artist?"

"I don't want to sound like a poser or anything, but I am hopelessly obsessed with Monet's work."

A smile spread across Tristian's face. "He's my favorite too."

"Oh. Well...cool I guess."

Just because he was cute and liked Monet did not mean suddenly I wanted to be friends with him.

"Well that's wonderful!" Ms. Fletcher said. "You can show him his classes at school tomorrow."

"Oh, um, sure," I said. 

"So, Heath, what's your major?" Tristian asked.

"I'm a Psychology major, so obviously I want to be a psychologist." Heath said. “I somehow missed out on the artistic gene.”

"He's terrible at art, but he's gonna help a lot of people." I said smiling.

"I'm a government major. I want to be a good politician. No lying or schemes. And I think I'd like to be President someday." Gabe stated, without being asked.

"And wouldn't Haven just make a wonderful First Lady?" Mom said grinning widely.

"Well I think so," Gabe said, winking at me.

“You have great style, you'll be like the next Jackie!” Grace said.

"I could paint the White House!" I joked.

"You could make it look like Rouen Cathedral The Portal in the Sun!" Tristian exclaimed.

Okay, that's a cool idea.

Heath shook his head and laughed. "Art geeks." I made a face at him.

"Speaking of being First Lady, when are you two taking things to the next level?" Ms. Fletcher asked.

"Yes, when will you be making an honest woman of my daughter, Gabe?" Dad asked.

Gabe and I exchanged looks. I shifted uncomfortably. I wasn't a fan of when my family would get nosy about my relationship. It wasn't their business. 

"Soon," Gabe said, his hazel eyes creasing under his curls. "Very soon. I can't imagine a life with my Haven."

“I can't wait to be a maid of honor,” Grace said. “Haven you'll be such a beautiful bride!” Everyone started discussing how beautiful I would be on the day and the songs that would play and who would be what.

It made me feel awkward.

Tristian gave me a strange intense look while everyone else talked and I wasn't sure why.

After dinner we got ready to go out for ice cream while the adults settled in the living room, talking animatedly about the sermon from this morning.

"So who's driving?" Heath asked as we exited the house.

"I'll drive." Tristian offered.

*Tristian's POV*

So it turns out Haven wasn't just the hot stuck up Jesus freak that I wanted to corrupt. I mean she was, but she's so much more than that.

She's an artist! From our first conversation I thought the only thing she could be passionate about was her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

But she was truly passionate about art and painting and I gotta say, it's a huge turn on.

There was something about this girl that I couldn't explain. I'd only known her  day and she was driving me out of my mind.

Haven was special. I had to have her.

And there's definitely more to her than she lets on. She's not happy with her boyfriend. And I know she's curious about less Godly things.

It was now my mission to make her see that. I was going to make her leave that clown and find out how fun life outside the church is. I'm also going sleep with her.

We all climbed into my car. Haven took the passenger seat, and Heath, Grace and Gabe got in the back.

I liked Heath. He seemed pretty cool and wasn't super in your face about the God stuff the way Gabe was. 

Now there's something I don't trust about that guy. I didn't understand how he's had a gorgeous girl like Haven for like ten years and he's never tried to get in her pants.

Grace seemed okay. I unfortunately couldn't use her as an advantage with Haven.

"Fasten your seat belts." I said shifting into drive.

"Woah!" Gabe called from the back seat. “Slow down buddy!"

I laughed in response and glanced over at Haven, who seemed to have no problem with the speed. In fact, she seemed to be enjoying it. Her hair was whipping around her face. She likes to go fast. How hot is that? 

“Do you even know where you're going?" She asked me, looking amused. I loved the almost devilish smile on her perfect face. Her honey eyes are lit up with mischief. I knew she liked a little excitement.

“Yes. I make it my mission to find a great ice cream place the moment I go to a new city." I informed her. This made her giggle. I was pleased with myself.

We made it to the ice cream place in record time and I parked right in front.

“Everyone okay?" I laughed.

“That was fun," Haven whispered to Grace as though she didn't want Gabe or me to hear it.

“He drives even faster than you do," Grace responded, fixing her glasses. “Didn't even think that was possible."

Haven lightly shoved her as Gabe grabbed her other hand. It bothered me to see them being cutesy with each other. I needed to figure out a way to ruin them quickly.  I didn't like seeing her with this guy. 

We entered the place and I surveyed the ice cream carefully. Picking the perfect ice cream couldn't be rushed.

I found the perfect one.

“What are you guys having?" Heath asked.

“Chocolate Malted Crunch." Haven and I answered simultaneously.

She laughed. “Looks like art isn't the only thing you have good taste in."

“My taste in women isn't so bad either." I winked at her. She bit her lip and looked away from me.

“Bleh, chocolate ice cream is the worst!” Grace says. She ended up choosing Sherbet.

I offered to pay for everyone's ice cream and we all went outside to eat.

“What college are you from?" Gabe asked me.

“University of Florida in Gainsville." I said.

"That's like the biggest party school in Florida right?" Gabe questioned, almost sounding accusing.

"Yeah, I guess. How did you know that?" I asked.

"Google."

“So why'd you leave?" Grace asked curiously. "I mean from Florida to here in Rhode Island is a huge change."

“Well, I needed a change and my parents and I felt the change I needed was here." That was as much as I would say. Haven would never look at me the same if she knew about what I'd done. "They grew up here and thought it was great."

“They're not wrong,” Heath said. "You'll love it here."

“I kind of already do." I said sneaking a glance at Haven.

Seeing her lick her ice cream cone was doing something to me. Her pink tongue swirled around the top. It was making my mind race with images of being with her.

I shifted and pulled at my pants. This girl is driving me insane!

“Hmm." Gabe said quietly.

We didn't say much else as we ate the ice cream.

“To the park then?" Heath asked.

“Yes!" Haven replied.

“What park?" I asked.

“You'll see,” she said. “I hope you're good at following directions."

I'd follow her anywhere.

“Is there any way you could slow down?!" Gabe shouted. I was speeding through the streets, listening to Haven's directions.

“That was a stop sign!” Grace pointed out.

“Turn right here!" Haven yelled.

I did a hard right. Gabe and Heath screamed, but Haven squealed in delight. 

When we reached the park I stopped abruptly.

“You've given us all whiplash!" Gabe announced, quickly unbuckling his seat belt.

“My neck feels just fine," Haven said looking over at me.

“Race you guys to the swings!” Haven said taking off.

I ran after her immediately. My eyes were focused on her ass. I didn't even care about winning. I just loved seeing her from behind. The others didn't stand a chance. Haven and I reached the swings first.

“I have to say, for someone who throws quarters, you're not as bad as I thought you were." She said. 

"Thanks. You've helped me realize what my newest mission is going to be."

“What is it?" Haven asked curiously.

"You."

"What do you mean by that?"

"My new mission is to make you see life differently," I explained. “To be happy with life."

“I am happy with life." She insisted.

“No, you're comfortable," I whispered. “Not happy. I'm gonna make you see that. I'm gonna make you happy, Haven."