Unexpected Love

You okay, kid?

Chapter 1: You okay, kid?

The last school bell rang and Malcolm Ridge High School's parking lot began flooding with students. Ian Sterling walked out of the door and found Cora Evans leaning against his bike. He shook his head and made his way towards her.

"What are you doing, Cora?" Ian asked.

"Well, you were my ride here and I demand that you'll be my ride back," Cora said firmly.

"This doesn't change anything, Evans," Ian warned.

"I know..." Cora trailed off.

Ian helped Cora with her helmet and got on the bike and wore his own. Ian caught a glimpse of Zachariah Masterson's glare before riding off. Ian dropped her off in front of her building.

"Thank you," Cora said quietly.

Ian was silent. So, Cora tried a different approach.

"Would you like to come inside?" she asked.

Ian looked away and remained silent. Cora touched his arm and he could feel the electricity from her touch even though he was wearing a leather jacket. He turned and looked at her. Cora reached out and took his helmet off of his head and cupped his face. He looked so hurt, so lost and it broke her heart to see him like this. Her green eyes met his blue ones.

"Come inside, please," Cora said softly.

Without saying anything, Ian pulled away from her touch. For a second, she thought that he was just going to drive off but he didn't. Instead, he shut the engine off and got off of the bike. She smiled and took his hand and interlock their fingers together and lead him up to the apartment.

In the apartment, Ian sat on the couch while Cora went to get some ice for his cheek. She came back with a bag of ice and gently placed it on the bruised and swollen cheek and eye.

"There. How does that feel?" Cora asked worriedly.

"I've had worse," he let out a light chuckle.

"I thought people were afraid of you... How could anyone do this to you?" Cora asked.

"Cora... Just... Leave it alone... It doesn't matter anymore... It's done," Ian said.

"Fine but I don't like it one bit."

He chuckled, "I didn't expect you too."

"The ice should help with the swelling," Cora said as she moved closer and adjusted the bag of ice. Ian looked up at her and met her eyes. They were just inches away from each other.

Ian reached up and took the bag of ice from her hand. Their hands touched briefly and they felt it again. The electricity running whenever they touch each other. He brought the bag down from his face and leaned in. Cora was momentarily frozen as she held her breath. His lips brushed against hers but very briefly. He quickly pulled away.

"I'm sorry... I.. I should go," Ian said in a hurry.

He got up but Cora grabbed his wrist. She got up, grabbed his neck and pulled him in and kissed his lips. This time, he didn't pull away. Instead, he kissed her back. He felt her tug on his bottom lip and she could taste the blood from the cut. After a few moments, he pulled away for air.

"Whoa," Cora said softly.

He smiled. "This is a very bad idea," he said.

"I don't care," Cora said with a smile.

"I knew you'd say that," he said as he leaned in for yet another kiss.

They pulled away when she heard the rattling of keys and the banging of the door. It only means one thing. James Evans was back and he was struggling with the door.

"Get out," Cora whispered.

"What?" Ian asked.

"If my brother catches you, you're dead!" she exclaimed as she whispered.

"Go! Out the fire escape!"

"But we didn't do anything wrong," Ian pointed out.

"Yes, we did. My brother expects me to have a boyfriend after college! Not before... He's very overprotective."

"So I'm your boyfriend now?" Ian teased.

Cora heard James call out to her from behind the door.

"Go!" she hissed.

Ian gave her one last lingering kiss before grabbing his helmet and doing as she said. She made herself presentable and helped her brother with the door. Cora actually fell backwards when the door flung open and she landed on her butt.

"Ow!" she exclaimed.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry, kid!" James exclaimed as he bent down to help her.

"No worries, Jimmy."

"Are you home alone?" James asked.

"I am now. A friend was here. He was beaten up really badly so I helped him a little," she replied. Technically, it wasn't a lie because it was true. Besides James could see right through her if she lied. Cora Evans wasn't exactly the best liar ever.

"Why didn't I see him?" James asked.

"He went down the stairs. He was already late for curfew."

"Huh... Okay then. At least you're okay," James said.

"I'm really sorry, kid," James said again.

"It's fine, Jimmy. You know it would help if you fixed the door so that doesn't happen again. Then again, it always happens," Cora said.

The two ended up laughing. As the laughter died down, her brother gave her a hug.

"You okay, kid?" he asked.

"Hopefully," Cora whispered.

James pulled away and gave his baby sister a kiss on the forehead before heading to the bathroom. James was 28 years old. He had short and messy dirty blonde hair that covers his eyebrows and because it was messy, he messed up his hair for it to stay up. He had hazel brown eyes instead of green ones like Cora. He was well built and tall. For a messy guy, he shaves regularly. He was 12 when Cora was born and ever since then he instantly loved his sister and had the urge to protect her. When James dropped out of high school, he was only 17 years old. Barely legal. He was still considered a minor. He just left for the sake of his family. For the sake of his sister. Hoping that one day, they will forgive him and reunite with him. Now, he will never have their forgiveness but he has his sister. And that was enough for him.

Cora admired her brother. He worked so hard just so that she could have a future that he didn't. She just hoped that she'd make him proud. One day.