The next morning I wake to the light from the balcony shining in my face. If I close my eyes it's like I can imagine myself snuggled in my old bed. i can practically hear my mother's voice filling the apartment, her voice singing along to the tiny radio in our apartment. The smell of eggs and bacon dances around my nose it's it seems just too real, until a knock on the door snaps me back to reality.
"Sophie honey?" Michelle peeks her head into my room. "good your up!" she says with a smile.
I try opening my eyes with no success.
Shit I slept with my contacts in.
"Honey I just came in to let you know your father already left for work and I'm on my way out." Michelle explained.
I respond with a grunt and quick nod of my head. I slump back into bed and hear the door close and Michelle drive off. seeing how attempting to fall back to sleep would be impossible I decide to get up and start the day. I spend a few minutes walking around the house. it's pretty nice, definitely not anything I'm used to. I make my way to the kitchen and open up some cabinets, looking around. The thought of food right now disgusts me and I decide to go back to my room. After ten minutes left to my thoughts I decide it's best for me to get out of the house. I throw on a pair of leggings and an old baggy t shirt and put my hair in a bun and grab my keys.
I drive around for a while trying to figure out this new town. I will admit that it is really beautiful. There's a beach not too far from my father's house and little shops by the boardwalk. I drive by a group of teenagers and my stomach gets uneasy. I never was good with kids around my age. I always preferred to be around my mom and her friends and I loved volunteering at the nursing home by our old house. The idea of having to start at a whole new school in a few days raises my anxiety.
While driving I come across a small hardware store and decide to stop in, I did say I was going to fix up the trim in my room.
When I walk through the door a bell chimes and I'm greeted by an older man maybe early 70's.
"Welcome to Dan's Hardware Store!" He greets with a warm smile, "what can I do for a pretty lady like you?"
I blush at the compliment and play with my hands not knowing how to react to his kindness.
"Uh I-I'm just looking around." I respond.
"You just let me know if I can help you."
I offer a small smile and make my way down an aisle. I come across plumbing supplies, nails, - ah trim.
I'm scanning the options when all of a sudden I hear a velvety voice close to my ear.
"He's right you know," his breath fans across the back of my neck and I hold back a shudder. "you are a very pretty young lady."
I turn myself around and come to face a pair of warm green eyes. In front of my is a gorgeous guy, toned tan arms, messy brown hair, amazing jawline. he looks to be only a few years older than me and is sporting some scruff on his perfect jaw. Now I'm definitely not one to gawk at a guy like some pathetic fan girl but there was something about the smirk on his face, confidence rolling off him, that made me nervous.
"What's someone like you doing in here?" He asks smirking at my speechlessness. "why don't you let me help you find what you're looking for."
Something about his cocky attitude makes me gain my composure and snap out of my hormonal coma. If there's one thing I hate it's a woman who can't take care of herself and I definitely don't need anyone to "help" me especially not this asshole.
"Actually I was managing fine before you came," I respond with bitterness "so if you don't mind I'm leaving now."
Take that prick. I don't care how gorgeous you are I'm no damsel in distress.
Before I can make my escape he reaches one of his arms across the aisle trapping me.
"No need to get so defensive," he says with humor in his voice. He leans closer in so I can smell his minty breath.
Mmmm. Get a hold of yourself Sophie!
"I'm Cole." he says "and I've never seen you around before. What's your name?"
I scoff at his forwardness. "Wouldn't you like to know?" I say with a smirk of my own.
"I sure would." he says. I notice how close he is and my cheeks warm and my heart skips. Anyone who has ever met me would say I have a front built up. I'm very closed off, don't show any emotion. But there was something about this stranger that was making my stomach feel warm and nervous.
"Well I'd love to stay and chat" I say with a shaky voice distancing myself from Cole "But I really should get going."
I spin around and head off but am stopped by Cole's voice.
"Hey pretty girl" I turn to look back at him and see amusement in his eyes. "I'll see you around." he says with a sense of determination. I bite down on my lip nervously and walk away.
After purchasing my supplies I walk out of the store and it's like a wave of relief when the cool air hits my skin. I didn't even realize how hot I was feeling. I take a moment to regain my heart and decide to light a cigarette. Even my usual release of the smoke can't calm me down at this moment. All these years of keeping a cool facade and all it take is one hot guy to get into my head.
One hot guy named Cole.
