Once In A Lifetime

Chapter 3 - Just Another Day

I woke up at 8:00AM on a Tuesday morning to my phone ringing loudly in my ear. I rolled over, grunting as my head was throbbing. I looked at the screen and saw that it was Jules, "Heeeey girly! You awake?" I grunted at her, "Dude, it's 8 o'clock in the morning, I'm dead asleep."

"Did you stay up all night working on Victor again?" she asked. I hesitated for a moment before answering, "Maybe." I could hear her giggle, "Come on, Letty and I are going out for coffee. How does the Corner Cafe sound?" I agreed and hung up. Getting out of bed my mom knocked on the door, "Hun, are you awake? You left your lights on in Victor last night. I don't want your battery to go dead."

I sighed to myself and threw on my hoodie, "I'll be right out." I put on my Vans and ran outside, past my mother. I unlocked the car and immediately cut off the lights, "Sorry, baby. I'm worn out lately." I rubbed the steering wheel and leaned back for second, admiring my interior. I ended up putting a new air freshener in before heading inside back to my room. I took a quick shower, put on some makeup, and put on my favorite blue jeans with my Nascar shirt. I put on my necklace that had a checkered flag emblem, and my grandmother's opal ring she gave my on my right hand. I threw my hair in a loose ponytail, and went to the kitchen. "Thanks for telling me about my lights, momma. I'm sorry about that," I apologized as she set some eggs in front of me with bacon. She smiled at me and gave me a quick hug, "It's alright, I know you're still a little down in the dumps. Do you have any plans today?"

"Jules called me asking to meet at the Corner Cafe. Afterward, I'm not sure, I might take a ride down to the beach, I have my swimsuit and towel in my trunk," I responded. My mom sat with me and chewed on some bacon, "Oh! Sounds like fun. I wanted to let you know that your father and I are going out tonight with some friends, we'll be back sometime tomorrow evening. Do you want Sid or some friends to come over?" I took a sip of some orange juice and looked outside the window, "I'll invite Letty over, we haven't hung out in a while with just the two of us." I finished my plate and put my dishes in the sink.

"Good God, what is that tank outside?" my mom questioned with confusion in her voice. I went over to the window and looked at our driveway, it was Declan's car. He got out, and waved at my mom and I. "My goodness, who is that? He's a hunk," my mom said as she grinned and waved back. "Mom! You're married!," I laughed. "Doesn't mean I can't look. You better go get him before I do," she said. I made a barfing sound and went to the front door, "You're disgusting." I grabbed my purse, "I'll see you tomorrow. You and dad have fun."

"Not if I invite that man in first," she said as she giggled sipping her coffee. "Gross, mom!" I yelled and shut the door behind me.

I walked over to Declan with a curious look on my face, "How did you know I live here?" He smiled at me, he looked so much better during the day. I could see him completely this time, he's so mesmerizing. He leaned against his car and shrugged, "Ask Ethan." I sighed at the sound of his name then nodded, "Of course."

I threw my purse in the passenger seat of Victor. "You going somewhere?" Declan asked. Before I could answer, Ethan pulled up. That horrible yellow color he had painted his mustang just made it look ten times worse during the day. I don't understand the concept of having a horrible car with a god awful color, maybe it matched his personality?

"Hey Declan, my man, looks like you got here just in time. What are we all doing today?" he asked after rolling his window down. "Not hanging out with you, that's for sure," I responded. Ethan looked over at me with a grin across his face, "I didn't ask you, sweet cheeks." I heard my front door open behind me and when I looked over my shoulder, my mom's face had the most angry look. She couldn't stand Ethan, after what he did. I tell my mom pretty much everything, she's never judgmental or critical, she always supports me in my decisions, unless I'm making the wrong ones.

"You're not allowed on my property, boy. Get out of here," my mom said as she walked over to me. Ethan smiled at her, trying to fool her with his charm like he does to everyone, "Awe, come on Nicole, you know you love me." She walked over to his car and leaned down to his window, "My name to you is Mrs. Anderson, jackass. Now you get off of my property and leave these two alone." I smiled at my mom, she was so protective but in the best way.

There were many ups and downs over the years with my mother and Ethan. When we first started dating, mom loved him and approved of him all the way. But once he started drifting apart from me, mom was the first one that noticed and she tried to tell me. I didn't want to believe it, although she insisted on telling me and giving me advice. Eventually, I began to notice it too.

"Whatever," Ethan said before speeding off.

"Wow, momma, you sure know how to get rid of them," I laughed and bent over, holding my stomach. She laughed back and walked over to Declan, "And who is this young man?" I stood back up and walked over to both of them with a grin. "I'm Declan, Mrs. Anderson," he responded.

"You can call me Nicole, it's nice to meet you Declan," my mother said as she gave him a quick hug. He looked at me over her shoulder with surprise, and I shrugged, "She's a hugger."

Many different thoughts were running through my head: Why did Ethan give Declan my address? Why was Declan here? When did my mom become such a badass? And did I even put on deodorant today?

Mom went inside after a few minutes of talking, she told me to have a good day and if I need anything while her and dad were away I can call her. Typical motherly type, but it did make me feel safe. "Let's go for a drive," Declan broke my thoughts. I looked over at his camaro, it was so shiny and bright, one ride won't hurt. I grabbed my purse out of Victor and whispered, "I'll be back shortly." Declan then smiled at me and held open the passenger door, "Our adventure awaits."