Failed Expectations {IN EDITING}

Chapter 3: Love and Loss

>>Image: What I picture Will's cabin to look like.<<

A/N: Chapter 3! Hurray! Things will pick up soon, I promise. :) Hope you like it. I love constructive critism, and votes are always appreciated. Thanks for reading! XOXO
--Viviane15

(Chris' POV)

Rachel finally came downstairs, about fifteen minutes later.

She was in her cheer outfit. I bit back a cry of utter exasperation. I knew that she could get into that thing in two minutes top, because she'd done so before games dozens of times. Why in the world had it taken so long this time? "Oh, look, you're finally done," I muttered, eyes rolling.

Rachel shot me a death glare, face growing pinched with displeasure. She looked good--it wasn't up for debate. She had her hair tied back in a high, bouncing ponytail, lightly curled with curly ribbons that represented our school colors (blue and purple for the Daring Dolphins) tied around it. "It's cheer week," Rachel said as if I'd just demanded why she wore what she had. "You remember right?"

"Of course," I lied. Thank God I left my sports bag in the back of car. Rachel would have known about my lie, had I gone back home to grab it. "I'll be there."

Rachel gave me little smile, sliding a bit closer to me, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek, reluctant to smear her lipstick. "I know, silly, you're playing the game."

I certainly did not love Basketball. I was a lacrosse kid at heart and always would be. But I needed to stay active so I didn't crawl out of my skin during the freezing winter months and basketball was the most appealing for me. It was the first game of the year and a very big deal for lots of guys on the team. My best friend Sam Sawyer included. Sam was devoted to basketball; he lived for it. And he was good too.

After knitting my hand into Rachel's, we said good bye to her mother but it was cut short by Rachel glowering at me. Once in the car, on the way to school, Rachel finally spoke. "You think my mother's hot." It was an accusing statement but I didn't bother to deny it. Why bother? It'd simply induce an unnecessary fight.

"She's attractive," I agreed trying it be casual and not dwell on how attractive she truly was. I tried to deflect the anger by adding, "But who am I dating?"

Rachel gave me a little smile letting me know I was triumphant. "Me..."

"Yes, gorgeous, you not your mother." While Mrs. Ering was certainly nice to look at, I'd never betray Rachel like that ever. She meant a lot to me. We'd been together for three years. Never had I cheated on her and as far as I knew, she had been just as faithful as I. It was scary but I could imagine being with her, you know, after high school.

Rachel gave me a smug smile, shifted in her seat then flipped down the visor to apply a bit more lipstick that she withdrew from her purse. "Okay, good. 'Cuz...I love you."

I slammed on my brakes, causing her to screech and drop her lipstick, leaving a streak of peach paste on my white leather dash. The car behind me blared its horn. I love you. Oh, wow--she just said that. I felt oddly numb and fuzzy at once. Like it wasn't truly happening. "Chris!"

My eyes travelled to Rachel's face. Her eyes were wide, a bit too glossy. "Yes honey?" My tone was hollow, lacking life or feelings.

She retrieved her lipstick and shot me a glare full of daggers. Her demeanor was suddenly cold and uninviting. Certainly less vulnerable than it had been. "Go. I want to go to school."

She was pissed. Awesome.

At school she practically jumped out my car, speed walking to catch up with her cheer squad who naturally began to look at me, asking questions, wondering why there was no goodbye between us. She just held up her hand and swept inside, gaggle of gossiping girls behind her. The drama to it all was almost comically, had I been able to laugh, that is. Honestly I was upset and a little pissed. "Fuck," I muttered aloud.