Story Of A Girl

Ch 6

I woke up the next morning in bed in the room at Cole's apartment that I was staying in. I remembered falling asleep on the couch last night but I didn't remember getting up any time during the night. Cole must have carried me here.

I got out of bed to look around the apartment for Cole but he was no where to be found. And then all of a sudden the door was getting barged on and it sounded like someone was trying to break in.

Instantly I grabbed the nearest weapon which luckily for me it was a fire poker thing- you know those pointy sticks to move the wood around in a fire place. I held it up getting ready for the attacker.

As soon as the door opened I screamed and swung the fire poker at the man hitting his chest.

"Owww!" the man screamed in agony. That's when I realized it was just Cole.

"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry Cole! I thought you were a burglar!" I took the bag of what seemed to be bagels and coffee from his hands and placed it I the kitchen table as he sat down on the couch.

"Jeez Lake you've really got an arm," he hissed pulling his shirt up to reveal the cut and bruises I gave him.

"I'm so sorry! You were making a lot of noise and I thought you were trying to break in," I explained.

"I was looking for my keys and my hands were full," he laughed.

"I'm sorry," I apologized again, "let me at least clean you up. Where are your medical supplies?"

"In the bathroom, first draw on top," he said.

I quickly got some rubbing alcohol, a wash cloth, gauze, and tape. I came back into the room and Cole had taken the liberty of taking his shirt off exposing his perfectly chiseled chest and abs. Before I could get caught staring at him I quickly snapped out of my trans and walked over to the couch sitting next to him.

"Here," I said holding up the rubbing alcohol but Cole backed away.

"That's gonna sting," he said with a wry look in his eyes.

"Don't be such a baby. Of course it'll sting just don't think about it," I shrugged hoping he'd man up.

He inched back closer again as I poured the rubbing alcohol on the wash cloth. I cleaned the gash on his chest as Cole flinched and grabbed my hand to squeeze for the pain. I didn't mind though.

After it was cleaned I out the gauze over the cut and taped it to keep it in place. I looked up and God we were close- really close. And I could have sworn he looked like a Greek God.

"Thanks," he breathed staring down at me.

"You don't have to thank me, I'm the one who caused it in the first place," I tried to collect myself.

"At least I know my apartment is in good hands if I ever leave again," he laughed and I chimed in as well.

"Come on I got breakfast," Cole said getting up off the couch and lending me a hand. I took it and followed him into the kitchen where I put the bag of bagels and coffee.

"So why did you do it?" I asked as he took out plates, knives, butter, and cream cheese.

"Do what?" he asked confused.

"You know. Take me in? Why'd you open your home to me and everything? You barely even know me," I was actually really curious as to why he did it. I mean we just met like 4 days ago and he's already opening up his home to me like we've been pals for years and I just needed a place to stay.

"Lake, I can tell you're just trying to find a place where you can belong. It's not like you're a bad person or anything. I feel like you're just running from your past and I'm not going to hound you with questions about it cause I can tell you don't want to talk about. I can see that you just want to move on right? So I'm not going to intrude but hey if you do ever want to talk about it I'm here to listen," Cole explained openly. Why was he so damn perfect.

"Thanks, Cole. It means a lot," I liked how I didn't have to tell him all my dark secrets and that he was accepting and trusting of me. I really liked how I didn't have to go through that horrible pity everyone gives me or judgement from all my crimes. But I really really liked how if I did want to confide in him I could.

"I don't know what it is about you, Lake, but you're different- a good different. I like you," he said nodding in approval.

I don't know why I was blushing right then and there like a freaking tomato. And the way Cole just smiled slightly chuckling just made it worse.

"So my brothers and I have to get some stuff for my sister's wedding today. You wanna tag along?"

"Uhh won't that be a little weird?" I asked. I didn't want it to be awkward.

"Nah my brothers are pretty cool and plus 3 guys shopping for a girl is not going to go over very well. So we kind of need you there anyways," he chuckled rubbing the back if his neck.

"Sure I'll come," I agreed. I mean it couldn't be that bad.

After breakfast I got ready putting on some lose fitting jean capris, my vans, and a dark blue loose v-neck. I let my wavy natural hair loose on my back as I put on sun glasses and grabbed my skateboard.

Cole was still ready from this morning when he left to get breakfast. He wore tan cargo shorts and a black t-shirt with sneakers.

"Ready?" he asked as I approached him in the living room.

"Yup," I answered following him out the door.

He led me to the apartment building's parking garage where Cole unlocked a nice red jeep wrangler. He opened my door for me helping me get inside.

After I thanked him, he proceeded to close the door and make his way to the drivers side where he started the ignition.

We were driving around when 'the ceiling can't hold us' started playing on the radio.

"No way I love this song!" I cheered as I turned the volume up until it was blasting. Cole laughed at me but joined me in belting out the lyrics to the song until we arrived at a strip mall. We were still jamming out as people turned to look at us, some glaring, some amused, and others not even caring.

Cole parked where he found a spot not too far away from the stores. It was a really nice day in Sacramento. It wasn't too hot and not too cold but just right and the sun shinned brightly in the sky with no clouds to cross its path.

We walked up to one of the stores where 2 other guys stood. One looked to be in his upper 20's whole the other looked like he was 10.

"Lake these are my brothers Ryan and Chandler. Guys this Lake," Cole introduced us naming the older one Ryan and the younger one Chandler.

"Hi," I waved.

"Nice to meet you," Ryan held out his hand which I shook.

"I like your name," Chandler smiled up at me.

"Thanks I like yours too," I smiled back at him.

"You know I saw your jeep pull into the parking lot but I didn't think that could possibly be my brother singing to and blasting the radio," Ryan slung his arm around Cole's shoulders who just blushed and shrugged.

Ryan led the way into a flower shop. He held the door for us and we made our way to stand in the small line.

There were samples of flowers decorating the place with little description cards next to each one. It wasn't like a florist though where you can just grab some flowers, pay for them and leave. Instead it was more professional for bigger events where people had to order the flowers in advance.

"So isn't the made of honor suppose to do this kind of stuff?" I asked. I could have sworn in all the movies it was the made of honor who picked out the cake and the flowers and all that jazz with the bride.

"Yeah they already did all that. We're just here to pick everything up," Ryan informed.

I nodded. That made more sense. The line went by quickly and we were already at the counter.

"Hi we're here for pick up under Gates," Ryan said.

"For Ashley Gates?" the man at the counter double checked as Ryan nodded, "ok right this way."

The man led us to a room in the back where there were about 10 boxes of flowers, most of them white lilies.

A few of the workers came to help as we all took a box and brought them to the pick up truck Ryan had rented for the day.

After that there were some other things that were ordered ready for pick up as well.

"So when's the wedding?" I asked. It had to be coming up pretty soon if they were already beginning to get everything.

"One week," Cole answered.

I nodded and followed them into a Jewelers store.

"So this is where we need your help," Cole turned to me, "we want to buy Ashley something for her big day but we're not really sure what to get."

"Uhhh ok, but I don't really know your sister," I pointed out.

"It's alright as long as you pick out something nicer than what we would have. And plus you can ask me questions about her if you need to," he commented.

"Alright," I sighed in defeat. I couldn't believe he was actually trusting me to do this. It may feel like I've known Cole a long time now but in reality I've only known him for like 5 days.

I walked around the store examining all the diamonds, rubies, sapphires, pearls and other jewels. To be honest I didn't even know much about jewelry let alone wear it.

Suddenly I remembered Grace telling me something about the bracelet she always wore. She said it represented her birthday because of the stones inside. She told me how each month has a specified jewel and it's called a birthstone.

"What month was Ashley born in?" I asked Cole who was following me. Ryan and Chandler were looking at some other stuff in the store as well.

"September," Cole answered without hesitation.

"Excuse me sir?" I asked the older clerk behind the counter.

"What can I so for you miss?" He turned to me.

"What is the birthstone for September?"

"Ah yes that would be the sapphire. Come I'll show you our collection," he said making his way out from behind the counter to another section in the store.

"What were you thinking of getting? A bracelet, necklace, earrings, rings.." he trailed off.

"Let's get her that one!" Chandler exclaimed pointing to a sapphire necklace that was on display.

I jumped a little hearing his voice. I hadn't notice Ryan and Chandler come up behind us.

"It's perfect. It represents her birthday and it could be her 'something blue.'" I told them remembering the whole something old, something new, and something blue rule that the bride must wear.

"I like it," Cole said looking at Ryan for approval.

"Yeah me too. We'll take it sir," Ryan said to the clerk as he packed the necklace up in a box. Ryan and Cole split the money and paid for it. I'm not gonna lie the necklace was pretty expensive which confirmed my suspicions of their family being wealthy.

Back in Miami, I'd probably try to find a way to steal it without getting caught. But knowing my record they'd already stop me from taking one step into the place.

"So how about we go get some lunch on me?" Ryan asked as we walked out of the jewelers.

"Yeah I'm starving!" Chandler said. Cole and I just nodded.

"So where do you guys want to go?" Ryan asked.

"I think Chandler should pick the place," I smiled.

"Really? No one ever lets me pick! You're the best!" he hugged me tightly, "Let's go get pizza!"

Of course like any other 10 year old kid he would want pizza.

"Ok we'll go to Angelo's pizzeria. Do you want me to drive you guys and then I'll just drop you off here after?" Ryan suggested.

"Yeah sounds good," Cole shrugged.

We all hopped into the pick up truck and head to the restaurant. Cole and Ryan sat in the front and I sat in the back with Chandler.

"So what's your favorite pizza, Lake? Mine's plain!" Chandler asked.

I laughed at his excitement, "I like pineapple pizza."

"Pineapple pizza? I've never had that before, it sounds gross!" he exclaimed.

"Hey don't knock it til you try it," I joked.

Chandler just shrugged, "We'll see."

We arrived at the pizzeria and as we walked in the sign said to just seat yourself so we did. We sat at a booth with me next to Chandler and straight across from Cole.

"I'll bet you 5 bucks that Cole orders pepperoni pizza and Ryan orders sausage on his," Chandler whispered in my ear.

"Alright deal," I said shaking his hand underneath the table. Just then a waitress came by to take our orders.

"Hi I'll get 2 slices of the pepperoni pizza and a water," Cole said.

"I'll have 2 slices of the sausage pizza and a water as well," Ryan ordered.

"Plain pizza and a water for me!" Chandler said.

"I'll get the pineapple pizza and a water, thanks," I said. The waitress nodded at us and hurried off to put our orders in.

"You owe me 5 bucks!" Chandler whispered in my ear.

I laughed but handed him a five dollar bill underneath the table like it was a drug deal. Ryan and Cole eyed us suspiciously which made both me and Chandler start cracking up.

"So Lake where are you from," Ryan asked.

"Miami," I replied.

"Oh that's awesome! I've always wanted to go there. And then Cole here decided to go traveling without me," Ryan glared at his brother.

Cole just whistled and looked away pretending he didn't hear anything. I smiled at the innocence.

"It's not that great," I shrugged.

"That's only because you live there. So what's it like? What do you do all the time?" Ryan asked intrigued.

I hesitated. Normally I would have been up front with people and tell them all about my so-to-say bad choices even though they would just judge me and lecture me about it. But for some reason I didn't want to tell them about it. I didn't want them to judge me. I didn't want them to look down upon me or think badly of me. Heck they didn't have to know. Like Cole said this was going to be a new start.

"Oh you know just mostly skating, biking, surfing, and that fun stuff," I said waving my hand around like it was nothing. I mean technically I didn't lie I just didn't tell them everything I did.

Ryan just nodded as the waitress came by with our orders taking his mind off the topic at hand. I was relieved as we thanked the waitress who nodded and left to attend to other customers.

"Hey Chandler do you wanna try a piece of my pizza?" I asked remembering how he said it would be gross.

"Uhhh no thanks," he stared at my late with a wry smile on his face.

"Oh come on now it's not that bad. Do you like pineapples?" He nodded. "Do you like pizza?" He nodded again. "Then you'll like it! I promise!"

"Ok," he said reluctantly probably unsure of his decision.

Both Ryan and Cole stared wide eyed at him as he took a bite of the pineapple pizza on my plate. We kept staring at him as he chewed and swallowed showing no sign of emotion at all. He had a really good poker face.

"So?" I asked wanting to know how he like it.

"Wanna trade?" he said sheepishly almost embarrassed he actually liked it.

"I'll giver you this piece and I'll take one of yours," I offered and he obliged trading the slice of pineapple pizza he had already bitten for a plain piece from him.

"I can't believe you just got Chandler to try something knew?!" Cole exclaimed.

"I can't believe he actually liked it!" Ryan shouted excitedly.

"That's because I like her better," Chandler smiled and I laughed.

Soon we all finished eating and Ryan drove us back to the strip mall where Cole's jeep was.

"Hey Cole you better be bringing her around sometime again!" Ryan called as we hopped out of the truck.

"Yeah yeah yeah," Cole waved as did I.

I kinda hope I did see them again. They were actually really fun to hang around and they were such a nice group of brothers.

"Bye Lake!" Chandler shouted out the window.

"Bye Chandler!" I shouted back.

"He likes you. I can tell," Cole smiled watching them drive off as we got into the jeep.

"Oh yeah?" I questioned once we were both buckled in ready to leave.

"Yeah he wouldn't try any new food for ever! I still can't believe you got him to do that!"

"It wasn't so hard," I waved it off.

"Yeah you haven't lived with him though," I laughed they were such brothers.

"I wish I had a brother," I said. At first I couldn't believe I actually said that out loud. I told myself that Cole wasn't going to know anything about my past. But actually saying it wasn't that bad. I didn't mind him knowing to be honest which was weird.

"Do you have any siblings?" Cole asked.

I shook my head no.

"That's ok you can take mine. They can get a little annoying. I have an older brother who you met Ryan. He's 27. Then there's Ashley who just turned 24. Then me at 19. And then Katie's 14 and Chandler's 11," he explained.

"It sounds nice to have such a big family," I complimented.

"Yeah I guess. Game nights are fun and it gets really loud but I guess it isn't that bad," he said reminiscing. "So what about you Lake? What's your family like?"

"Uhhh," I stammered. What was I suppose to say? I'm an orphan who no one could keep for more than a year? Yeah that sounded good... And here he was with this whole big happy family.

"Sorry too much?" he looked kind of guilty and it made my heart melt.

"No, no it's just a touchy subject, but I'll tell you one day," I said hoping to make him feel better.

"Alright I look forward to it," he smiled.

I couldn't help but smile back. Just something about that damn smile of his always seems to make me feel better and happier.

"I thought you didn't really care about my past?" I questioned arching an eyebrow but still smiling.

"We'll I want to get to know you, Lake. I just want you to want me to get to know you," he said which kind of confused me, but then I got it.

Just then we pulled in from of his apartment building as he parked in the street.

"I guess now we can rest up before the big party later," Cole said.

Oh that's right Parker was throwing a party tonight. Oh boy this should be good...