New Love

Chapter 1

The subtle warmth of the beaming sun peaked through the gaps of the blinds. Touching her honey skin and creating a deep orange glow behind her closed eyes. As she groaned and twisted herself under her fresh white sheets, she revealed her deep blue eyes. Hazelnut hair scattered amongst the pillows. She huffed, resetting her consciousness so that she could roll out of her tranquil bed and into a cold shower.

It was a few hours beyond sunrise in Coral Springs and the Florida humidity had already set in. Before Elisha even reached the bathroom down the grey hall, she had noticed a pool of sweat form around her armpits and scowled in disgust. Yanking off the oversized sweatshirt she had slept in, she twisted the taps and rested one foot under the cascading water. A shiver went through her spine as Elisha stepped under but was soon relaxed by the cool shower.

"Elisha! Hurry up, Jackson is on his way over.", her roommate, Ronnie, yelled from outside the bathroom door. Elisha quickly turned off the shower, squeezing the water out of her slightly darker hair that stuck to her bare back. Wrapping the towel that was hanging on the shower door around her bust, she brushed her teeth hastily and then her hair. She lightly jogged back to her disorganised room where she whisked off her towel.

Before she even had time to put on her crisp white summer dress over the baby blue bikini she had thrown on, Ronnie walked in. Her tightly coiled chocolate brown hair bounced as she plopped herself on Elisha's bed. Ronnie's skin was a deep bronze that seemed to capture the morning light perfectly, and her dark brown eyes shinned golden. She wore a mustard yellow one-piece with a body-hugging white skirt that tailored her curves and accentuated her hour-glass figure.

"Girl, Im so glad its the weekend. I dont think I could stand working another day at Lennar with all those cocky white boys.", Ronnie admitted.

"Me too Ronnie. Me too",Elisha chuckled as she packed a tote bag with beach supplies.

"Are we going out tonight or what?" Ronnie asked as she started to make Elishas bed.

"I thought Jackson was working?", Elisha replied confused with a raised eyebrow.

"Well yes, but I thought we could go and visit him at work". She implied with a cheeky smile.

"You're so going to get him fired on day." Elisha said as they both walked to the front door where Ronnie had left her packed day bag.

"I know, but who doesnt like free drinks?" Ronnie remarked. A low grumble cut their conversation short as they opened the front door and made the pair made their way to Jackson's 90's Jeep.

"Hey, hey! How ya doing?" Ronnie asked Jackson as she sat next to him and ruffled his shaggy beach blonde hair. Elisha slid in the back and perched herself in the centre seat so that she felt included in the conversation. Jackson's shortboards were strapped to the roof racks and the car reeked of salt, seaweed, and board wax. Elisha was almost jealous of how naturally tan Jackson's  skin was and wished she could spend as much time in the sun as he could without forming a raw sunburn.

"I'm good Ronnie. How are you two?", Jackson sincerely asked his best friends as they drove towards Miami Beach.

"Good." The girls replied in union. Ronnie turned up the radio that was playing in the background so that it was overpowering the noises of the road. They all sang along to the 'Top Hits' whilst Elisha sat back and admired her surroundings, from the generic sandy coloured concrete buildings that dominated the streets, to the palms scattered around the city. A cool, salty breeze blew through the open windows and they could smell the ocean.

Jackson parked the car in the crowded carpark, it was a warm summer day and the beach was already scattered with hundreds of beachgoers. The girls went to find a prime spot on the warm sand whilst Jackson removed his dark blue, fishtail short board. With their towels laid down, they sat down and watched the sets roll in.

"I'm heading out." Jackson puffed as he ran over to the girls and stripped off the branded shirt he was wearing, throwing it at Ronnies face. She peeled it off her face and rolled her eyes when Elisha chuckled. Within seconds, the surfer had made his way past the 3ft waves. The girls applied sunscreen together, rubbing the cream into each others backs without hesitation.

"Do you want a smoothie or coffee or something? I'm thirsty." Elisha questioned as she stood up with her purse in hand.

"Uh yeah sure. A watermelon smoothie if you're going to the Shack?" Ronnie said with puppy dog eyes under her black sunglasses that rested on her button nose.

"Sure, Ill be back soon girl." Elisha chuckled and smiled as she carried her sandals to the sidewalk and slipped them on. Elisha's hair lightly flowed behind her as a small breeze tickled her freckled cheeks. She took a deep breath as she strolled through the familiar streets, feeling calm.

Elisha could hear the cry of a baby close to her and looked around for the source as she continued her journey. She had spotted a very handsome man several years older than herself, maybe 27 or 28, struggling to juggle a crying toddler and open a stroller simultaneously. Elisha crossed the street, dodging cars, and made her way towards the tall, dark haired man. She admired his features as she began to approach him, her cheeks baring a rosy tone. His dark stubble caught the light and showed his sharp jaw and cheek bones. "Model worthy" Elisha pondered to herself as she came to a standstill in front of the man.

"Here, let me." She offered, showing her pearly-white smile. The man, at first confused, displayed a visible sign of relief as Elisha assembled the stroller instantly. She looked over his muscular body and admired his slightly sun kissed skin. His chiselled jaw was covered by dark stubble that shadowed his features. His short dark hair and filled eyebrows contrasted against his piercing green eyes that mesmerised her. Elisha could not help but to want to drool over him.

"Thank you." He smiled as they explored each others eyes, his voice intensifying her heartrate. He bounced the little boy, who shared the same beautiful green eyes but had a head of blonde hair. She smiled at the toddler and waved, the tears stopped rolling down his adorable face and he replied in a smile.

"Uh, this is Leo, my son. And Im Xander Weaver." The man had said, the name sounding familiar to Elisha, but she decided to ignore it.

"Leo is cute name," She smiled again at the child "I'm Elisha Williams."

"Elisha that sounds like a very familiar name." Xander thought out loud as he slightly tilted his head.

"So, how'd you learn to do that so fast?", he nodded towards the stroller as he shifted his hold on Leo.

"Oh, I used to volunteer at the Children's Hospital here a couple years ago. I guess I picked up a few things." She shrugged.

"Would you like to grab a drink with me sometime?" Xander asked as he seated Leo in the stroller and gave him a toy to teethe on.

"Uhhmm, sure?" She questioned, taken aback by his forwardness.

"You dont have to. Its just an offer." He replied with a breathtaking smirk.

"No, I uh, I'd That would be nice." She stuttered, looking at her feet and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Great! Can I have your number and Ill message you with the details?" He asked politely, slipping his phone out of his back pocket of his light blue jeans, and handed it to Elisha. She entered her contact details and shyly handed it back.

"I should get going now." She smiled remembering the drinks she still had to purchase for herself and her roommate.

"Me too, Ill message you later. And thanks again." He replied taking the stroller into his hands. Elisha smiled and waved goodbye to Leo who had toy shoved in his mouth. Xander looked into Elishas ocean eyes briefly before smiling his intoxicating smile that made Elisha feel a tingle in her stomach.

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Hey guys, let me know what you think of this chapter!! If y'all like it I'll post more....