Unexpected Love

Chapter 19

Another two weeks of class goes by fast. More assignments, deadlines, and boring lectures continue on. Too bad I'm not in any classes that I am super interested in right now, yet I'm still obtaining a 4.0. All I truly want to do is spend time with my two friends and boyfriend anyway, but I know they feel the same way.

Friday rolls around again and Jess says Lance is throwing a party at the dunes. "Do we all want to go?" I ask. I glance over waiting for Jess to respond when I see our roommate leave for work. I think back to how I worked by ass off working two jobs in high school and how I am fortunate to have obtained a scholarship and grant. I could finally afford to not work for a minute. But that sinking feeling comes crashing in knowing that I'll have get a job in the fall so decide that I better live it up.

"Yes, we want to go." Jess says. She calls James "Hey baby, are we going to Lance's party...uh huh... the four of us?" She listens intently to his response. "Okay, he says they'll pick us up at 9pm" she says. I look at the clock and see I have about 3 hours to finish a few things and get ready. "Should we make a quick run to the store to see if we can get a new top" Jess squeals. "Yes" I shout.

We throw on some yoga gear and jump in Jess's black corolla. As we drive me to the store we rock out to country music that she loves. Though I am not a fan, I'll support my friend's terrible habits. We pull into the parking lot and I tell her that we need to go do yoga on Sunday since I'm reminded of how amazing it is considering we're wearing the attire. She nods and we enter the store. After 30 minutes, I'm browsing an assortment of clothing when I hear "Hey hottie" my skin almost crawls knowing who is behind me. Landon and Lance are staring at me in my yoga tank top and shorts that really hug my curves. I almost feel naked and suddenly wish Josh was here.

"Hey Landon, Lance. What's up? I say trying to hide my discomfort. "Just shopping for a few things for tonight then we spotted you" Landon says. "Are you coming to the party in the sand dunes?" Lance asks. "Yes, Jess and I'll be there" I respond. "Will James and Josh becoming too?" Landon questions. "Yes, they'll be there too" I say. Landon looks disappointed but he knows I've officially with Josh. "Alright, well see you tonight" Lance says. They turn and leave as Jess approaches me.

"That was a little weird" she says. "You're telling me" I say.

We find a few new items and gladly spend the money on them for tonight. We drive back to our apartment to find Josh's car parked in the lot. "Wait, he's early" I whisper "We still have an hour or so to get ready."

We open the front door and find Josh on my bed half a sleep. "Babe" I whisper in his ear not trying to scare him. He stretches on the bed with his eyes closed "Hey, I'm beat... but I wanted to find you right away." He sits up and notices all of our bags. "I see we did a little shopping, anything I would like." "Every single item I hope" I say.

Jess leaves the room to give us some privacy and Josh pulls me into his lap. He pulls a large box behind him and hands it to me. I give him a questionable look and begin to unwrap the box. Low and behold when I open the box it's a pair of black converse shoes. The exact same style that I ruined weeks before. "Babe, are serious? You bought me shoes!" I scream into his shirt. "I'm glad you like them." He kisses my temple.

Josh rubs his eyes and notices what I'm dressed in and begins to eye my entire body. "Josh, stop! You still make me nervous and I don't need to feel like you are violating me" I laugh. "Oh, I'll violate you anytime I want." He lays me back on the mattress as he lays on top of me. Once again, my legs spread open for him as he places a knee between and he begins to roll his hips. Our kisses begin to get a bit sloppy and he starts nipping at my neck. I place my hand over my mouth and try not to moan too loud considering my roommates are all probably in the living room.

He grazes his hands over my breast and lowers it on my stomach stopping at the top of my pelvic bone. "Maybe we should stay inside tonight" he coos in my stomach. "Josh, you're looking for danger" I giggle. "Damn right I am" he says. He pushes himself up on his side and continues to stride his one hand over my stomach, hip, and upper thigh. "Why don't you come back with James in a bit and pick us up. We'll have fun tonight." He lays back and breathes out deeply. "Aright." He gets up from the bed and pulls me up with him. He wraps his hand around my neck and waist. "Okay, see you in an hour. You better look amazing in a trash bag, because I don't want any guys looking at you tonight." "Challenge accepted" I respond. He leans down and kisses me and leaves.

An hour later James and Josh show up. Josh seriously looks hot in anything. Tonight he's in jeans, converse shoes, and in a simple white tee shirt. When I open the door he has to take a double take it my appearance. I have dark, skinny jeans on with the new converse shoes he bought me, along with a dark green top and black leather jacket. Jess helped me apply the smoky eye shadow earlier that I can never do. "That's not a trash bag" he shouts. "Yeah, I felt like going a bit more formal" I smirk.

We always seem to be taking Josh's car but I think he would rather drive than be in back or passenger seat anyway. We show up and the music is already blaring. Plenty of students are already having a good time and we all get handed red cups as we enter the crowds. Somehow the four of us get separated and Jess and I are soon alone by the fire laughing. I later see Josh and James in the distance talking to a few buddies while Josh seems to be keeping an eye on me from time to time. As I take last swig of my drink Landon is handing me another. I glance up and say "No thank you Landon. I've already had plenty." I try to stand up but Landon pulls me up by my arms. Out of the corner of my eye I Jess is staring at us with worry. Gripping his arms I try to stay calm as I feel his his hands rest on my hips "Landon it's great to see but I need to find Josh."

"Seriously, Jenn? Do you still not see that he's playing you" he shouts. I can't tell if he's hammered or drunk with anger and I begin to panic. "Landon, I don't think he's playing me. But I appreciate you looking out for me" as I try to keep him calm. I try to step back seeing that this is not going well but he pulls me closer by wrapping his arm around my waist. I try to extend my arms against my chest, but he's so much stronger than I am. He continues to mutter in my ear that Josh doesn't care and is using me like every other piece of trash he's had. I almost begin to tear up when Josh and James rush over. "Let her go" James yells. I squirm free and drop to the sand. Jess, rushes over to me and picks me up away from what seems like just the beginning of a long night.

I don't see Josh anywhere until it's too late. Josh rhino charges Landon to the ground and starts punching him. He picks him up by the hem of his shirt and slams his head back down to the ground. Josh has the upper hand and Landon can't seem to control the situation fast enough. I finally scream "JOSH, STOP!" Josh suddenly pulls back his balled up fists and stands up from the mess he created. Landon's face is bloody and bruised. Lance and several friends finally come over to see what has just happened. Landon wobbly stands up "Fuck you, Josh. She'll realize you're a fucking scumbag and you don't deserve her." Josh gets in Landon's face...noses almost touching "You talk to her, come near her, or fucking touch her. You're dead! Do you hear me?" Josh shouts.

Josh turns and picks me up from the ground still in Jess's arms. He pulls me into his chest and guides us to his car while James and Jess follow us a few yards back. All I can muster as we walk is "Are you okay, please tell me you're okay." Josh pulls me closer "Yes, babe I'm fine. Are you?" "Yes" I whisper.

The drive home is super quiet, not even the sound of the soft music playing on the radio can fill the awkward void. Josh pulls into the apartment parking lot and Jess and James quickly get out, but when Josh looks for me to get out I hold my ground and say "why don't we go for a drive or go back to your dorm room?" He smiles back and pulls out of the parking lot looking relieved. We head back to his dorm room and I'm grateful to see that he's in a single room. The boy's dorms are set up just like in the movies as compared to the girls. One to two in a room with a shared bathrooms and kitchens on each floor. Josh claims it's cheaper than an apartment since he wouldn't want to share anyhow.