Southern Charm [✓]

Prologue

When you lose someone you love, you don't think anything can be worse. The grief, remorse, and regret doesn't let you go. That's why it's always great for a pleseant surprise to come along, letting you focus on how to deal that without including all that horrible stuff.

This is why I'm not thinking about how my mother was in a coma for what felt like forever and they had to take her off of the machine when they found out she was brain-dead. Nope, not thinking about that. I'm thinking about the surprise she left behind for me-- a ranch-style house in Dyersburg! I'll be the legal owner as soon as I turn eighteen, but that's just the downside to this situation.

What situation, you ask? Well, I'm now sitting in the car, driving through Dyserburg. I know, I know, dream come true! For those of who are now looking like this can talk in Hebrew, my dream life is to live in a small southern town where me and my charming beau go to bonfires with my friends in the woods. The fact that my mother grew up in a close-knit, southern town probably contributed to this dream of mine.

But, I'm not thinking about my mother. I'm thinking about how much I hope the pictures do my house justice. And I'm about to find out if it does, since we're turning onto the street it's on.

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I stop writing in my diary to pay attention to my rumbling stomach.

"Hey Dad,"

"Yeah?" he asked tiredly. I guess driving what feels like forever can do that to a person.

"Can we get pizza tonight?"

"Sure," he answers in that same tired tone. Okay, I don't think I'll bother him or he may bring down my happy mood.

Ever since Mom passed away, his mood hasn't been great, and I understand why. My parents were the parents that every kid wanted, even though they didn't admit it because of the PDA. They were the ones that were always happy together, that kissed each other before Dad left for work; the perfect parents in my mind.

I start bouncing in my seat as the car turned right, and onto the street we were going to be living on, Applewood Street.

As soon as the house comes in view, I stop bouncing. There, on the front poorch --my front porch, stands a tall guy with all the features of a Greek god. Chisled jaw, biceps that weren't too much, and green eyes. 

My father shoots me a stange look when he notices how I'm looking at the guy on the -my- front porch.

"Uh,...who is that?" I try to ask without stuttering.

"My godson."

Wait. Does that mean we're like...related? I voice these thoughts to my father who laughs. I can't help but smile. I feel happy just hearing his laugh. His laughs were always the best, and very rare nowadays. 

"No, honey, you're not related." I start to oogle him again, but Dad interuptes. "But your fantises aren't going to happen." 

"What fantasies?" I ask innocently, even though I have a sneaking suspicion of excatly which fantasies he's talking about.

"Dating a guy with southern charm." he replies easily.

"How did you know that?" I manage to blurt out as he pulls the car to a stop in front of the house.

"Nothing is secret in this family."

I sigh. I bet Mom told him. "And why can't that fantasy come true?"

"According to Jim, Drew isn't like the guy you want."

What I really want to say is, Psh. Let me decide that, will you Pops? But I opt for, "We'll see." instead.

I push open the passenger door and stand on my black pumps. Yeah, I know black pumps aren't the dress code here, but I really like these. Plus, Dad wouldn't let me pack them, so I put them on instead.

My navy blue skirt bunched up during the car ride, so I pull it down and my white ruffled shirt was yanked down, so I pulled it up to make the neckline more modest than what it was, as I move to back of the car where this Jim guy, Drew and my Dad are.

"This is my daughter, Emalie." Dad introduces me and points to the guy next to Drew. "This is Jim, your mother's best friend and this is his son, Drew."

Before I can say anything, Jim pulls me in for a very unexpected hug.

"You're beautiful, sweetie." Yeah, I think I might like this guy.

He lets go of me and pushes me into the unsuspecting Drew. His hands fly to my waist to prevent us from tumbling over.

"Uh,...hi." I say awkwardly.

He smiles at me. Oh my god, I think I'm in love. "Hi, Emalie." His masculine voice makes me swoon inside and his warm breath on my face nearly makes my knees buckle. And who says he isn't my dream guy?

My hands fly to my waist when he squeezes his hands against my hipbone and I gently pry them

off, giving him a smile before walking over to the back of the black Escalade and popping the truck, walking into the house with my suitcase trailing behind me and my dresses in my left hand.

"Dibs on basement!" I call over my shoulder.

Dysersburg just got more interesting.