Unexpected: Unscripted Love, #1

Prologue

Sometimes, love can be staring you right in the face and you can still be blind to it. Or maybe you just don’t see it. Why we do we block it? That’s still a mystery to me. Before him I thought I was in love. But, back then I wasn’t sure what love truly was. Even with him, I wasn’t so sure if it was real love. It took me feeling like I could die any minute from being without him to realize he had my heart.  But I pushed him too far.

At first I didn’t understand why I treated him like he wasn’t — mine. Was it because of Skylar? To some extent probably yes. But when I realized what I was doing it was too late. Fate wanted us apart at all cost, whether we survived it or not.

***

My heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest. I turn away from him because I can’t look at the hurt in his eyes. I can’t do this anymore.

I hear him laugh bitterly behind me.

You can’t do this anymore?

I wrap my arms around myself in an attempt to hide the shivers coursing through me. No, I can’t! I whisper.

Was it all a lie Rachel? I don’t understand ...

A tear slips from my face, but I wipe it away before he can see it. You don’t have to understand it, just accept it. 

I stiffen my spine and without a backward glance I leave him laying there alone with my heart in his hands. 

Chapter One

Lovers and Friends

Abel

I’m sitting in the school gym after basketball practice just talking smack with my teammates. But, honestly I have better places I’d like to be. But, I can’t be with her right now because she doesn’t want anyone to know about us. I’m not sure how I feel about this whole situation, but I’ll take her any way I can get her. She’s at the back of the gym practicing right now with the cheerleading squad. It’s like torture to watch her and not being able to walk up to her and touch her like I want to.

I feel something hit my head, and I look down to see a wet towel.

Yo, Fernandez where is your head at right now? My teammate Mike asks with a laugh.

I look at the ground where the towel landed and then back up at Mike.

Did you really just throw your dirty towel at me? I ask with a scowl.

He shrugs while laughing as if nothing happened. I stand up and he does too at the same time, but he takes off running before I can grab him. Unfortunately for him I’m not far behind.

This means war! I yell at his back.

We run all the way to the football field until we are both out of breath.

Dude, I’m tired. I can’t run anymore. Let it go man, he says breathlessly as he hunches over with his hands on his knees.

I fall to the ground panting, and he collapses right next to me. We both stay quiet until we’re both able to talk normally.

Mikey, you know I’m going to get you when you least expect it right?

He stands to his feet and smirks at me. You have to catch me first, bro.

I get up and we both head to the gym. When we’re inside I can see cheerleading practice is still going on and I stop in my tracks at the vision of her. Looking at her now causes a flood of memories of the times we’ve spent together. But the most haunting memory of her was the night I first told her how I felt. It was the night she and Skylar broke up.

***

I see her sitting on a couch in the corner by herself with a miserable expression on her face. I walk up to her. Why are you sitting here like someone stole your lunch?

I’m waiting on Skylar. He said he went to get something for us to drink, and that was twenty minutes ago.

I sit next to her. He probably got caught up.

She looks at me from the corner of her eyes. He’s with her isn’t he? She whispers.

I sip my drink and ignore her question. When she realizes that I won’t answer her she grabs my drink from me and swallows it in one big gulp.

You probably shouldn’t have done that. You’re going to feel the effect of that all night.

She shrugs. At least I won’t think about them together.

I turn around and look at the side of her face. She wouldn’t do that to you. You know that. Ari has been fighting her feelings for him because of you. This was kind of inevitable.

You knew?

I shrug and turn away.

She turns and looks at me. Abel, did you know?

Yeah I did. He told me the first night he saw her. It has always been her for him.

Wow.

The liquid courage I drank earlier makes me feel bold. He doesn’t know what he has with you.

What are you trying to say, Abel?

I turn and grab her hand in mine. I begin to rub my thumb over her fingers. Her eyes open wide and she takes a sharp breath, but I don’t stop.

Your hands are soft. I never knew that. I always wondered what they felt like.

You did?

Mm.

Why would you think about how my hands feel? She asks quietly.

Because ...

Because what Abel?

I pick her hand up and kiss it. Because I like you. I’ve liked you for a long time. But, you don’t see me like that. Do you Rachel?

I-I do ...

I whip my head around to look at her face and my heart begins to race. You what? Tell me ... please.

I’ve had a crush on you for a long time. You treat me and Ari like your little sisters. I thought you weren’t interested, he says with a shrug.

I turn her hand over and I kiss her palm. I feel her shiver and I smile.

Correction, I treat Ari like a sister. Not you, never you. Can’t you tell by the way I look at you?

She takes a deep breath. No.

Pay attention then.

What are you doing? she asks in a ragged breath.

I drop her hand. Nothing.

Abel...we can’t. I’m technically still with him.

I stand up from the chair and smile sadly at her. It’s okay. I understand. You’re loyal which is good I guess ... but I’ll be here when it ends. I’ll always be here for you.

Thanks, Abel.

Yeah, don’t mention it.

I walk away from her feeling a strange mixture of freedom because she now knows how I feel. But, I also feel an ache because she knows how I feel and she still let me walk away.

***

Why are you staring at me like that, Abel? Rachel asks with a knowing look on her face.

I look around to see if anyone is paying attention to us. You know why I’m looking at you like that, angel.

I see her pupils dilate. Don’t call me that here.

I walk up to her and put my hands on her waist. Why not angel? I whisper in her ear.

She relaxes in my arms. Because ...

Because what, angel?

In the distance, I can hear voices getting closer and closer to us.

I’m going to let you go now.

She looks down. I let her go and gently lift her chin so that she looks up at me. You’re the one who doesn’t want anyone to know about us. Someone is coming so we can’t be this close.

She sighs. I know.

Okay, then. So, have you heard from Ari? How is college life treating her? I ask trying to switch the subject.

She rolls her eyes and I laugh.

You’re still mad at her for graduating early?

Yes, she left me. She says with a pout.

You still have me, I say quietly.

She smiles. I know.

The voices get louder and I hear someone shout, Abel. I look back and see it’s Crystal. She’s on the cheerleading squad with Rachel, and for reasons I do not know Rachel does not like her.

Rachel rolls her eyes and I laugh.

I turn in Crystal’s direction. Oh, hi Crystal.

She doesn’t even give Rachel a second look, and that irritates me. "Why are you back here talking to her?"

"What do you mean her? I’ve known Rachel for most of my life. Are you trying to imply that she’s not good enough to talk to or even to spend time with?"

Crystal eyes widen and she swallows hard. That’s not what I meant. It’s just ... I-I ...

It’s what? I ask with a raised eye brow.

She lifts her chin defiantly. "I’m sorry ... I didn’t mean to be rude to your friend."

I smile tightly. Don’t ever do that again, Crystal.

She nods her head and licks her lips. Do you want to hang out later? It’s been a while since you’ve come to see me.

"Not tonight. I have to hang out with my friend. Maybe next time."

She looks at Rachel with a sneer and walks away without even saying goodbye. I turn back to Rachel with a smile on my face. "So what are we doing tonight, friend?"

She grins at me. I’m studying for an exam tonight. I don’t know what you’re doing. But whatever it is have fun. She turns around and walks away from me laughing so hard she can barely walk.

I shake my head because I know I’m going to end up studying with her. This girl is going to send me mad.

Chapter Two

Girlfriend

Rachel

I told Abel earlier I would be studying tonight, but I can’t concentrate. What happened earlier today has taken over my brain. I didn’t know that he usually "meets up" with Crystal — gross! Who does that? ... Apparently Crystal and Abel do. But, he picked me over her, so that makes him less gross. This is crazy. I don’t even know what I’m doing with him. 

I lie on my back and stare at the ceiling. I sigh and begin to massage my temples. I can feel a headache coming on. 

When did I start caring about what he did when he’s not with me? I say out loud to myself. 

I grab my phone off of my bed and without even thinking I call Abel.

Hey, angel. You done studying?

I groan and roll over to my side. I haven’t even started yet. I can’t focus.

Why can’t you focus? He asks.

Because ...

Because what?

I don't know, I just can't. I lie.

Mm, okay. I was coming over today but I got held up at practice, and I'm super tired.

Practice huh? I