Unexpected

Chapter 3. A Change Of Heart

Sofiah

A week after my fathers funeral and the reading of his will I was sitting in the kitchen looking over the last of the bills.

My father had paid just about everything off. All that were left were the cars my father had bought Stefan and I for college graduation. We had started college while still in high school and were able to graduate early.

As I finished the online bill pay Jack walked in opening the fridge.

"Hey Sofi I think I'm going to head out." He said as he took out a bottle of water.

"Okay, do you think you could pick up some milk and heavy whipping cream before you get home?" He let out a sigh, "Sofiah I'm... Leaving" he began walking out of the room.

"Oh? Are you going to the house in Ojai?"

"No, I'm going to find an apartment." He turned to go again.

"Jack! Did my brothers tell you why my dad put you in his will?!" I began to get a little angry, this guy has no damn idea! He shook his head as if afraid to use his words.

"Please sit down Jack. I have to tell you this, and I would really appreciate it if you listened." Jack walked over to the counter where I was sitting and he took the seat next to me as he turned to face me.

"Did you know that originally the Lennox family lived in Texas? My dad came out here when he was eighteen." Jack looked at me confused. "I thought your family was from Miami?"

"eight generations back we did. Originally they settled in Texas though, my grandfather married a woman from Mexico city, they had my father and his two brothers." I let out a small laugh as I continued, "After my grandmother died Abuelo started drinking, my dad was sixteen and didn't really know what to do so he started working, paying bills, going to school, he also did all the grocery shopping and my Abuelo would work days and drink at a local bar at night. Right after my dad turned seventeen his dad started hitting him my father had my grandmothers features, he would tell him that he hated looking at my dad." Looking to Jack I continued on.

"He would say that it was all my dads fault that she died and that he was worthless. My dad would take it because his dad was the only family he had left out here and he didn't want to end up in the system at seventeen. So as soon as he graduated high school he left. My dad was offered a full ride to UCLA and that's how he ended up here."

I looked at Jack noticing that his fists were clenched tight. "He met mom at the end of their sophomore year and he fell in love. They dated through the summer and got married. They continued school and my dad graduated top of their class. My parents bought a small apartment and her father helped my dad start a small business, they built Lennox Enterprise from the ground up and as soon as it got to be a huge corporation my grandpa sold his share of the company to my father and retired. My parents had Steven at 25 Sebastian two years later and two years after that Stefan and I."

Jack seemed to be completely focused on me while I went on. "My mom died when Stef and I were fourteen and the next year the boys left. I was so mad and dad always had Stefan and I doing something to keep our minds occupied." I took a deep breath as I went on.

"I learned three languages, Stef and I played baseball started college at sixteen, soccer was fun. We learned just about every type of marshal arts form know to the world. When the guys started coming home for holidays I would go stay in Miami with my dad brother, his wife and their kids. I know my dad always wanted me to stick around but I just didn't want to see my brothers. When I came home the first time my dad and Stef told me all about you and how they enjoyed your company, after that every time you all came home I'd get an update. When my dad found out that your step father had been beating you he was angry. He wanted to help you Jack, he knew how you felt and what drove you to leave. Even though he didn't have to suffer too long he new how you felt, he also noticed that even though you had been through a lot you trusted him and my brothers." I looked up at Jack to see him looking down at his hands.

"He wanted you to be able to have something when you got out of the marines. He also didn't want you to have to go back to your mom and that asshole. So he wrote you into his will. He told all of us. That's why Steven and Sebastian made sure you came back with them. They see you as their best friend and Jack, my dad seen you as another son. He cared for you dearly. And we all do. You can't leave because you are entitled to everything you got.'

'We are all truly happy that you came. And even though I only met you last week I feel I've known you since the first time you set foot in this big ol' house." I smiled at him as tears began to stream down my face.

"Sofiah, w-why... are you telling me this?" His eyes began to feel with tears as I open my arms for him. Leaning forward he wrapped his arms around my waist and put his head in the crook if my neck sobbing. "Because Jack. You belong here. You don't belong in a house with people that hate you."

I said as my own tears started coming down faster. "You deserve to be in a place where you are surrounded by love and people who care for you." He pulled me closer to him as I put one hand on his head as my other hand began to rub his back.

We sat there comforting each other for I don't know how long. Jacks body seemed to pull closer to mine as I realized Steven was walking into the kitchen. He noticed Jack and I and his eyes filled with anger until he noticed my tear stained face and jacks labored breath. He smiled slowly and turned around waking out.

Jack

I felt safe in Sofi's arms... She finished telling me her story and I noticed the tears, as I was trying to hold back my own. "Sofiah, w-why... Are you telling me this?"

I asked trying not to show weakness. She opened her arms to me as if she new I needed a hug. I leaned forward in my seat wrapping my arms around her tiny waist, and setting into the crook of her neck as I started to sob... Hard.

"Because Jack. You belong here. You don't belong in a house with people that hate you." I could feel Sofi's tears on my head as she said, "You deserve to be in a place where you are surrounded by love and people who care for you."

I pulled her closer to me as she placed a small hand on my head and began rubbing my back. I continued crying. This was something I never did, but there was something about Sofiah that made me think that she didn't care if I cried.

She was stuck with three older brothers and probably never seen this kind of emotion. I felt comfort in the fact that she didn't hold back, she wasn't afraid of my emotions, she had this way about her like she could make anyone love her with out even trying. I loved her.

And not in a sisterly way either. I was in love with Sofiah Lennox, and I felt that she was in love with me as well but I couldn't do that to her she deserved better than me. Way better than me.

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