Unexpected Love

Chapter 1

             Ava unlocked her dorm door, walking in to find her two friends and roommates sitting in the living room, she gave them a quick wave before heading to her room. Dropping her backpack in her desk chair she turned walking into the kitchen where she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.
"Hey Ava how was class?" Brittney asked, turning on the couch to look at her.
"It was good, it just felt like it was going on forever today," Ava replied, opening the bottle and taking a sip, as she walked over and taking a seat.
"I know how that can be, that's how all of my classes feel," Nancy stated, taking a sip of her coke.
"Enough about classes, it's Friday and we should go out," Brittney said with a smile.
"Oh I just heard about a new club that juts opened up in town from one of the girls in my psych class," Nancy replied, smiling at them.
"I don't know guys, I was just going to get some of my homework done tonight," Ava said, fiddling with the cap of her water.
"You have all weekend to get it done. Come out with us tonight and you can get it done tomorrow," Nancy replied, looking at her stack of books on the counter.
"Yes, please come," Brittney begged.
"Ok, fine. If we're going out then I'm going to go hop in the shower," Ava gave in, getting up.
"Thank you," Brittney said, watching Ava disappear into the bathroom.
"You know she's going to try and go wearing jeans and a T-shirt," Nancy said once the door shut.
"She always tries to, but I actually just picked up a hot dress for her," Brittney replied going to fetch the dress from her room.
"Oh that is hot," Nancy stated, as Brittney brought out a red strapless minidress, with a pair of black heels.
"It's going to look great on her," Brittney replied, putting it in Ava's room. Brittney had just sat back down, when Ava exited the bathroom in a robe, with her hair in a towel.
"You guys should go get ready if we're going out," Ava stated.
"Ok we were just about to. Oh I put a dress in on your bed for you to wear tonight," Brittney replied, getting up and disappearing into her room before Ava could protest.
"You'll look hot in it," Nancy said before going to her room. Ava looked at her friend's shut doors, before shaking her head and going to her room. She put her dirty clothes in her hamper, before turning to look at the dress on her bed. After debating if she could get away with not wearing it, she took her robe off and got dressed, and started blow drying her long strawberry blonde hair. Once her hair was dry she curled it and pulled some of it back with a small clip, and began working on applying some simple makeup. After she was done with her makeup she put earrings, a necklace, and her favorite charm bracelet on, and was digging through her closet when someone knocked on her door.
"Hey you almost ready." Nancy asked, poking her head in.
"Yea I'm just looking, gotcha," Ava replied, pulling out a pair of black flats and slid the, on.
"Brit will be disappointed that you're not wearing the heels you know," Nancy said with a smile as she looked Ava over.
"Yea I know, but she already has me in this dress. She can deal with me wearing comfortable shoes," Ava replied, sliding her black leather jacket on, and grabbing her matching purse.
"True, she should know better by now," Nancy stated with a chuckle. They walked out and were waiting for Brittney in the living room, as Ava made sure her phone was fully charged and that her pepper spray was still in her purse.
"Come on Brit, you're taking forever," Nancy called out, as she scrolled through her phone.
"Yea yea, I'm ready," Brittney said, exiting her room in a skin tight hot pink minidress and matching heels.
"Wait, where are your heels?" Brittney asked, looking over Ava, as she tossed her keys into her purse.
"I'm already wearing the dress Brit,at least let me wear comfortable shoes," Ava replied, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Oh fine. The taxi should be about here," Brittney said, rolling her eyes at Ava. Ava rolled her eyes back at her friend and followed them out the door and down the stairs.
            The taxi pulled up to the club, where there was already a long line, and you could hear the music pumping inside. Nancy paid the taxi driver, as Ava climbed out behind Brittney. They headed to the end of the line, and were chatting among themselves when a guy approached them.
"Hello ladies, what are three beautiful ladies such as yourselves doing out here, you should be inside," he said, running a hand through his slimy looking hair.
"That's what we're trying to do. We have to wait in line to get inside," Nancy said, turning to roll her eyes at Ava. Ava coughed to cover up the giggle that almost escaped her.
"Well I work here, and can get you three inside sooner if you'd like," he replied smiling at them.
"Oh, and what do you want in return?" Brittney asked crossing her arms over her chest.
"Just one dance with you beautiful," he replied, winking at Brittney.
"Ok I guess I could do that," Brittney said eyeing the long line that was hardly moving.
"Great, follow me this way," he stated, leading the way to the door. Stopping to  whisper something to the bouncer.
"Fine Chuck, just this once, but I still need to check their ids," the bouncer said, looking at the three of them. After looking over their ids he allowed them in, and  as they followed Chuck through the group, Ava looked around spotting the dj on a stage in the far back of the club. Chuck showed them to the bar before dragging Brittney off to the dance floor, leaving Ava and Nancy to watch over her stuff. Nancy chatted with the bar tender while Ava looked around. She noticed a set of stairs to her right that led up to an area with more tables and booths, as well as a sign for the restrooms to next to the bar. There was a lit up dance floor that took up much of the floor, with tables against the walls, and strobe lights. Her attention was drawn back when Nancy tapped her shoulder.
"Hey so the bar tender told me there's lockers we can rent to put stuff in so it doesn't get stolen. Let's go," she said grabbing Brittney's stuff and taking Ava's hand. They worked their way through the crowd towards the front where there was a lady taking the admission cost.
"Hey can we get two lockers please?" Nancy asked, after the lady finished with a customer.
"Sure thing doll, twenty bucks," the lady replied holding her hand out. Ava pulled a twenty out and handed it to her. The lady put it in the money bag, handed her two keys, each with a number on them,  and pointed to the right. Ava looked to see a room to the right. After finding their lockers they put their coats and purses in, and before locking hers up Ava pulled some bills out and shoved them in her bra. With their stuff secured they made their way back to the bar, where they found Brittney waiting for them.
"Where'd you two go?" She asked handing them each a drink.
"We were locking our stuff up in the lockers they have here," Nancy replied, taking her drink. Ava took her drink and took a sip, cringing at how strong the liquor was in it. They finished their drinks and headed out to the floor, after Brittney pretty much demanded it. Even though nightclubs weren't really her thing, Ava enjoyed dancing with her friends, as Nancy and Brittney pointed out hot guys in the club.
"Oh he's a hottie," Brittney said pointing back to the bar. Ava looked in the direction she was pointing to see a guy with messy blonde hair that was on the longer side, and he looked muscular.
"He is hot," Ava replied, watching as he raised his hand to get the bar tender's attention.
"Wow, it's rare that you think a guy is hot. The only ones I can really recall are actors," Nancy said, smiling at her.
"Yea, even in high school there was only one guy you thought was cute," Brittney added.
"I can't help it. I like what I like," Ava said, looking back at the guy one more time, only for her eyes to meet his cool grey ones, that made something in her stir.
"Maybe you should go talk to him," Nancy suggested, pulling Ava's attention back to her friends.
"What! No, I can't go up to some stranger and go Hey I think you're hot," Ava stated.
"Well of course you don't say that sweetie," Brittney said, "you just say hi, how are you tonight and talk to him like you would anyone else."
"I'm probably not even his type so why bother," Ava replied, fiddling with her bracelet.
"Oh I think you are, he keeps glancing at you," Nancy stated, giving Ava a gentle push towards the bar.
"You got this hun, beside you look drop dead gorgeous," Brittney added, smiling at her. Ava glanced over her shoulder to the bar, before sighing and walking over to him and taking the seat next to him.
"Hi, how are you tonight." She asked nervously.
"Hello, I'm doing good tonight. How are you?" He replied, smiling at her.
"I'm  doing good as well," she said, returning his smile with a small blush.
"Can I buy you a drink?" He asks.
"Sure, that would be nice." As he waved the bar tender over, Ava glanced back at her friends who were watching and gave her thumbs up.
"Can I please have another whiskey on the rocks, and whatever the lady would like," he said turning to smile at her.
"I'll have an espresso martini please," she told the bartender, before smiling at the guy next to her.
"May I ask your name?"
"Yes you may, it's Ava."
"That's a beautiful name and it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Hades."
"Thank you. So Hades as in the Greek god of the underworld? You don't hear many names like that."
"You're welcome. Yes my parents liked it, but not many use it, what with not many people liking him."
"I always thought he got a bad hand dealt to him, just because he was put into the position of being the god of the underworld. I also think not many people like him, because it makes them think of their own end."
"You are very insightful. I agree with you, he was dealt a bad hand," Hades replied, smiling at her.
"I don't know about that, but I can imagine how lonely it must have been for him. Well that is until he met Persephone," Ava said, noticing a hint of sadness enter his eyes.
"Anyhow, what do you do for a living Ava?"
"Oh I am going to school at the moment, I want to become a veterinarian."
"Oh you're a college student. You must go to Saint Bonaventure University."
"Yes, I do, I'm currently in my second year there."
"That's amazing."
"I've always loved animals so I want to have a career helping them. What about you, what do you do for a living?"
"I work in management, for my family business."
"That's cool, you get to work with your family."
"It's not always good. Would you like to dance?" He asks, setting his empty glass on the bar, and holding his hand out to her.
"I would love to," Ava said taking his hand and walking out onto the floor. She noticed her friends work their way over to the, to eves drop and keep an eye on her. Ava rolled her eyes at them before smiling at Hades.
             They danced for an hour talking about their lives and getting to know each other better, while Nancy and Brittney stayed nearby in case anything happened. A slow song came on, and as Ava was about to ask if they could go sit down, Hades held his hand out to her. Smiling up at him, she took his hand and allowed him to pull her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. Ava felt her heart rate pick up, and the stirring inside her continued, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Can I just say that you are very beautiful," Hades said, whispering in her ear, making her face heat up.
"Only as long as I can tell you that you are very handsome," she whispered back. He pulled back to look into her eyes, as he smiled at her. She returned his smile, as the song ended.
"Shall we go find somewhere to sit and rest?" He asked, taking her hand.
"Yes, that would be nice," she replied trying to calm her racing heart. They made their way through the crowd to the stairs, and found an empty booth in back corner.
"Would you like another drink?" He asked, before sitting down next to her.
"Yes please," she replied smiling up at him.
"Ok, I'll be right back." Ava watched as he went downstairs, and her friends rushed up them.
"So it seems to be going good," Brittney said, sliding into the booth.
"Yes, it is. He's so nice, and charming," Ava replied blushing.
"So what's his name?" Nancy asked skidding in next to Brittney.
"His name is Hades," Ava replied, watching the stairs.
"Huh, that's a weird name," Brittney stated.
"I like it," Ava said spotting Hades climbing up.
"He's coming, don't embarrass me please," Ava said, as he came into earshot, making him grin.
"We won't don't worry," Nancy replied, as Hades slid into the booth beside Ava, and setting her drink down in front of her.
"Thank you. These are my friends Brittney and Nancy. Guys, this is Hades," Ava said smiling.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Hades said holding his hand out.
"Nice to meet you too," Nancy and Brittney said shaking his hand. Hades pulled his hand back, placing his right arm on the back of the booth behind Ava. Ava smiled at her friends, before picking her espresso martini up and taking a sip.
"Oh that looks good. Come on Nancy let's go get some drinks. We'll be right back," Brittney said smiling at Hades and Ava. Ava watched them disappear downstairs, before turning to Hades.
"Sorry about my friends, they just wanted to check up on me," Ava said smiling at him.
"That's ok, it's good that you have friends who care. Besides, they also had to check out the guy hanging with their friend," Hades replied smiling, taking a sip of his drink.
"Yes, there is that too," Ava said with a giggle.
"You have a beautiful laugh," Hades replied, reaching out and tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear that made her heart beat faster.
"Thank you, I'd like to hear your laugh sometime."
"I'm sure you will get a chance to hear it," he said looking into her eyes. Ava looked back into his eyes, and it felt like time stopped as she got lost in them, and his arm wrapped around her waist as he gently pulled her closer. Just as their lips neared they were pulled back into the present as they heard Brittney and Nancy near the table laughing. Ava pulled her eyes away as her friends sat back down.
"Oh did we interrupt something?" Brittney asked looking between Ava and Hades who was still looking down at Ava and still had his arm around her waist.
"Brittney shut up you're embarrassing her," Nancy said smacking Brittney's arm, as she noticed the blush on Ava's cheeks.
"Ow, don't hit me. Sorry Ava," Brittney apologized.
"Oh it's ok," Ava replied, picking her drink up and taking a big sip, as she tried to calm her racing heart.
"So do you ladies go to school with Ava," Hades asked, pulling his eyes off Ava and looking at Brittney and Nancy.
"Yep, we're her roommates. I've known her since we were kids," Brittney replied, with a smile.
"I met Ava and Brittney our first year in college and we just clicked and have been friends since," Nancy explained.
"Oh well it's good to know she has good friends," he said smiling at them.
                Two hours later and several more drinks, the four of them made their way to the rooms with the lockers. Watching a tipsy Ava fumble with the lock, he gently takes the key from her and unlocks it for her.
"There you go my lady," he says, stepping aside and hands her back the key.
"Thank you Hades," she says blushing, and taking the key back. She pulls her coat out and slides it on before grabbing her purse and shutting the locker door. They turn the keys back in to the lady at the front and make their way outside, where Nancy calls a taxi.
"I would love to continue talking to you and getting to know you, may  I have your phone number?" Hades asks, pulling his phone from his pocket.
"Oh, yes. I would like to get to know you better too. It's five, eight, five, six, one, zero, five, eight, seven, one," Ava replies, smiling at him. She watches as he types her number into his phone, before sliding it back into his pocket.
"Thank you, I'll send you a message tomorrow sometime," he says returning her smile.
"I look forward to tomorrow then," she replies, feeling her face heat up more.
"As do I," he says as a taxi pulls up in front of them.
"Well I guess this is me then. Have a good night," Ava says as Brittney and Nancy climb into the back of the taxi.
"You as well," Hades replies, picking up her hand and placing a gentle kiss to the back of her hand. He watches as she climbs in and shuts the door gently behind her. Ava waves at him as the taxi pulls away, smiling when he waves back to her.
"This was a fun night," Brittney says beside her.
"It really was," Ava replies, turning to look back at the club, hoping to catch another glimpse of him, but he was already gone.
Sighing she turns back in her seat, and stares down at the back of her hand where he had kissed. A few minutes later they were back at the college, and after paying the driver they climbed out and made their way back to their rooms. Ava kicked off her shoes, as she shut her door, and got changed for bed. She climbed into bed after brushing her teeth and drinking plenty of water, feeling exhausted for the first time tonight. She fell asleep a few minutes later, thinking of Hades, and hoping he got home safely.