A Surprise That Changed Her Life

Chapter 8: Ryan Claudel

The picture above is of Ryan.

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Violet's POV

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I wordlessly accepted his help and pulled myself up, "Um, thanks. And sorry for bumping into you. I wasn't watching where I was going."

He smiled, "No, I'm the sorry one here. I was so preoccupied with texting my boyfriend that I didn't saw you."

I blinked, and blinked again and again. Now that I look at him, no like really look at him, I saw what I missed at first. He was wearing a red and black checkered shirt with two buttons open and black ripped jeans. He had blonde hair, high cheek bones and grey expressive eyes that held so many emotions. But that wasn't what I now noticed about him. It was the way he stood, the way he carried himself, the way he looked at me and the way his hands moved. He was gay and he wasn't ashamed to admit it. I kept staring at him, because honestly I didn't know what kind of trance I was in.

He looked away, slightly uncomfortable with my creepy staring, "Are you okay?"

His simple question snapped me out of my stupor, "Yeah, I'm alright. Sorry for um, staring." I blushed due to embarrassment.

He laughed, "It's okay. Are you from around here? Cuz I have never seen you before."

I looked around and was greatly surprised to see that I was in my neighbourhood. I nodded, "I am. Do you live here as well?"

He casted a glance at the street, "Yeah, I do," he continued after a brief pause, "Hey, are you the one that had just moved here? Because if you are, that would explain why I haven't seen you before. And believe me, I know everyone who lives in this street."

My smile widened, "Yeah, me and parents moved here last Friday."

Before he could reply to my statement, a thought struck me and I blurted it out, "Wait a minute, who are you anyways?"

He blinked at my sudden snap but then he recovered and his smile was back in place, "Sorry about that. I forgot to mention my name. I'm Ryan Claudel. And you are?"

I took a deep breath to get my emotions back in control. I couldn't just snap at the neighbours like this. They would think that I was a crazy bitch. So, I smiled, "I'm Violet Steele. Nice to meet you, Ryan."

He chuckled, "The pleasure's all mine." Then he held his hand out to me again and I looked at him confused. So he said, "Friends?"

I pretended to think about it, but the truth was I liked him. As a friend, of course! I was sure that I would enjoy his company and become good friends with him. I smiled and slide my hand into his, shaking it firmly, "I think I can use another friend. The last one escaped. So, yes, friends!"

He laughed at that and at the same time, his iPhone buzzed with a text message notification. I nodded at him, "I'll talk to you some other time. You were texting your boyfriend before I rudely interrupted you by bumping. Bye!"

"Yeah, sure. Visit me and my mom some day. She will be so happy to meet the new neighbours. I live in the beige coloured house down this street", he said genuinely.

"Yeah, sure. Gotta go now," I said walking backwards and waving my hand.

He waved back too and shouted because of the increasing distance, "Bye, Violet!"

When I got home, I freshened up and proceeded to tell my mom about my day which went amazing to say the least. I told her about Ryan and she said, "Of course, honey. But today your father may have some great news for us."

And when I asked her, no scratch that, begged her to tell me about what kind of good news it was, she refused to budge and only said, "That's a surprise for you. I think you'll like it."

"Are you getting me a car? Because I'd love that, a lot!" I asked excitedly.

She snorted with laughter, "You wish. You don't even know how to drive, Violet. Let alone having a driving license."

"Hey! You shouldn't be mocking me. I'm your favourite daughter!" I pouted.

"You are my only daughter, Violet" she said in a mock serious tone. I knew because her eyes were shining with mischief.

"I can always learn how to drive."

"I don't know. I don't think the authorities would want to put anyone's life in danger by letting you test drive again," there she goes again, laughing her ass off.

I soon joined her, laughing hysterically. That time when I tried to test drive was absolutely hilarious, at least for her and dad. As for me, it was embarrassing. But now that I looked back, I couldn't help but laugh. That was two years ago! I had lost control of the car badly and had drove the car into a park. Thankfully, no one was hurt because they kinda moved out of the way in time, but my driving lessons ended there.

It took a few minutes for mom and me to calm down from our laughing fit. I grinned at her, "Guess I'll have to wait for dad to ask about that good news," I said, hand quoting the words good news.

She nodded, smiling widely, "Yes, my lips are sealed." She did that action where she pretended to zip her lips and throw away the key.

I giggled. Most of the times, I completely forget that she is my mother and not my best friend. I love how I can share anything with her without her getting mad at me or judging me. I couldn't express in words how much she had helped me get over my insecurities when I was being bullied. I'm still a bit insecure, but that's not the point here. You might say that it's her job as a mother to protect her child, but she didn't feel obligated to, instead she had wanted to. And I love her for that.

The sound of the front door slamming shut made me focus on my surroundings again. I heard dad, "I'm home, honey!"

It wasn't long before he appeared in the entrance of the kitchen where mom and I were chatting. I smiled, "Hey, dad!"

"Hi, Violet! Hello, Nat!", he replied and then kissed mom on the cheek.

She blushed slightly, "Hey, why don't you freshen up while I set the table, Kev?"

"Okay," said he before walking upstairs. My parents had been married for nineteen years and they were still in love. I could see it in their eyes. They were my ideals. Someday, I wished to find someone who'd look at me the way dad looks at mom. I want to have the same happily ever after that they have.

Dad came back just as mom and I were finishing setting the table. His outfit made me laugh, because he had changed into sweatpants and a loose t-shirt. Told ya that I wasn't the only one who did that.

Dad was 41, but looking at him, you would say that he was only 35. He was handsome with brown hair, shinning green eyes, high cheek bones and a height of 5'10". You guessed right. I got most of my features from my mom. She was 5'6" tall, same hazel eyes and red hair like me, and soft feminine features. She was 38 but didn't look like it either. She was gorgeous. I wish I was as beautiful as she is.

We were half way through our dinner when dad spoke up, "So, what I need to tell you both is that__"

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