A Summer To Remember: Novella (Lost Love Book 1) (4 page)

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Waking the following morning, my hand feels unbelievably warm. What the heck! Opening my eyes, my gaze zoomed in on my hand still encased in Xavier's. He looks incredibly uncomfortable, sat the chair and his legs extended before him. I can't resist the urge to study his features. His cheekbones are sharp, his chin covered in days’ worth of stubble. Giving him a rugged appearance, making him considerably more gorgeous. He's grinning at me, Oh my god, is that a dimple? Cheeks blazing, I drop my eyes to the floor.

“Hey look at me,” his hand goes underneath my jaw, forcing me to meet his piercing gaze, "don't be shy. Are you feeling better today?" Still feeling emotional. If only I could erase the dreams. Not really interested in reliving the nightmare, I playfully nudge Xavier. "Thank you for staying with me last night. That was sweet of you. But right now you need to leave. I really have to pee.” Xavier blasts out a laugh, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I'm leaving. There's no messing around when a lady needs to pee." As he departs and closes the door behind him, I can hear his chuckles from across the hall.

Racing to the restroom, I'm all of a sudden hit with a bout of nausea. I'm not certain to how long I've been sat here when Nikki discovers me.  “Are you okay, girl? Why are you sat on the floor? It's extremely unhygienic you know." Not amused with her trying to lighten the mood, I send her a fierce glare. “If I move I’m likely to be sick.” Pulling a funny face, Nikki steps back. Where the hell is she going? Aggravation hits me with an extreme force.  Irritated, I yell "Where are you going? You can't leave me on the freaking floor."

"I'll be back." after several minutes, she arrives stacked with saltines and a glass of soda. "Here you go. Eat something a beverage may ease the nausea.” Opposed to bringing the saltines into the restroom, she leaves them on the bedside table. Reaching down to assist me to stand up. "How about we get you back to bed," with a giant pull, I stand on unsteady feet. Wrapping her hand around my waist, she leads me toward the bed. Climbing onto the bed, I snack on the saltines until the nausea vanishes.

"I saw Xavier leaving your room toward this morning.  Anything you might want to tell me?"

"Not by any means. No."

"Really, Izzy? Are you not going to tell me anything? Can you at least let me know whether he's a decent kisser?"

“Sorry, to disappoint, honey, but nothing happened. Anyway, where did you stay last night because I'm almost certain you didn't go home?" Pink ascends onto Nikki's cheeks. Well, blow me down. I'm speechless.  In all the years I’ve known her, I've never seen her become flushed. "Are you blushing?" I can't resist the urge to play with her for a bit.

"Quiet down. I like him, Izzy. When I'm close to him, I feel complete. Happy. I know I've known him for a brief while however I can't help how I feel. I’m not sure I want to.”

"Be cautious, Nik. He's here for six weeks. What will happen when he leaves?" Emphasizing they're here for a short amount of time, for my own purpose. Especially regarding my fascination in Xavier. "I know," is the only reply I received. Pounding sounds on the door, I call to whoever's behind it to come in. The door opens, revealing Caleb. Seeing me, he wavers. "I was wondering whether you might want to show me around."

A grin illuminates Nikki's face, she hops up off the bed. "My pleasure."

I need to go and get the results from the doctor. Despite the fact that I know what the result will be. Grabbing the telephone. I call to check whether I can get the test results as opposed to gallivanting to the surgery. To my disappointment, they want to see me. Pulling on my most loved jeans and a tank top, I quickly freshen up and make my way out the door.

Isabelle

“Miss Taylor, the doctor will see you now. Please go to room three.”  Anxiety crashes over me, my body overwhelmed by stress. Will they look down at me for the father not being present?

   Taking a deep breath to quiet my nerves, I raise my hand and tap on the door. On the request to enter, I delicately push it open.

  "Hello, Miss Taylor. Might I call you Isabelle?"

  "Isabelle is fine," I react, gesturing with my head.

  "Try not to look so anxious, Isabelle. Everything will be fine. We got your test results back. I'm happy to say, you're pregnant. Congratulations." Shock pummels into me. It feels more genuine, having a medical professional let you know. I'm not certain how long I'm sat gazing into space, but the doctor pulls my attention to him. “Are you okay, Isabelle? I know it can be a shock to the system, but there is no reason to worry," he rehashes. "We have to discover how far along you are. I'm going to send you to the hospital for a routine scan and book you in to see a birthing specialist. Is that alright?"  Everything appears to be a blur. By one means or another, I end up in the car, making a beeline for the clinic. Shock has grabbed hold of my body, my life feels as if it's on quick forward while I'm still amidst to it all.

"There's your baby, Isabelle."  Bewildered by the photo on the screen, I try to pull my eyes away but it’s impossible. There's just a little blob to be seen yet listening to the heartbeat is amazing. That is my child. Our baby. Josh, if you're looking down on us, meet our child. Can you hear the heartbeat? God, Josh, I wish you here, with me. "It can be overwhelming." Understatement of the century. In a trance, I attempt and take in the relevant information yet my mind can't grasp what is being said. "I would say you're sixteen weeks pregnant. We will require you to return at twenty weeks for a checkup. You can also find out the sex of your child if you wish at that time." Expressing gratitude toward the medical caretaker. I make my way out to the car yet I don't feel like going home.

Not certain where I’m headed too, I drive aimlessly for a few hours. Pulling to a stop, I look out at the endless of mountains before me. Will my child be alright? What am I going to do for cash?  Despite everything, I must tell mom and father.

  Deciding now's the best time as any, I pick up the phone and search Dad's number. He will be easier to deal with. 

“Hey, baby girl, you okay? How are you coping? How’s everything with the house?” I can't resist the urge to grin. Listening to Dad's profound, quiet voice has me relaxing.

"Hello, daddy. I need to tell you something."

"Why are you so anxious? You know you can tell me anything, spit it out." Alright, here it goes. "Daddy, I'm pregnant."

There's a long delay, Please say something. My mother begins hollering in the background. Crap, I must be on loud speaker. "Did she say she was pregnant?" In contrast to that loud question, Dad has gone quiet.

"You better be joking, young lady," Mom proceeds, "what about your degree? How are you going to manage the cost of an infant? You can't depend on us." I don't react. She's right. What am I going to do? "Well, how are you going to do any of the things you planned? Anyway, who is the father?” Did she really ask that? My hand clenches in my lap, my knuckles turning white. How can she possibly not know who the father is?  I've only had one boyfriend and it's not Like I sleep around. Mother knows this but, does she think so little me? She's furious on the grounds that I've disappointed her. Subsequent to leaving Josh to make them happy, I’ve still managed to anger them.

  "Who do you think the father is, Mother?!" I manage to choke, hurt and insulted. "Huh? Go ahead! Tell me."

  “Come on, dear. Izzy has only had one boyfriend. We know who the father is," Dad soothes, attempting to quiet her yet it's impossible. When she's raving like this, the best thing to do is sit back and wait until she's finished.

   "Josh is dead, Izzy. He's not here to support you or the baby. Have you contemplated what you are going to do?" Dad asks in the same quiet voice he utilized with Mom. Ending the call. How dare they ask what I’m going to do! My body is physically shaking from anger. My blood is bubbling. I let every one of my feelings and displeasures out and my screams transformed into wails.

Taking a deep breath to calm the smoldering in my throat. I begin counting in reverse from twenty until I'm totally relaxed. I’ve never taken such an abrasive action towards my parents before. I've generally done what they've inquired. No questions asked, like a decent young lady. I ponder where the boldness to talk up appeared from. If only I had the same amount of willpower when Josh was alive. If I hadn't listened to what they expected of me, Josh would be alive. What hurt above all is how they can insinuate getting rid of the baby.

The sky's turning dark,  I'm not certain of the time. I find my phone, from where I launched it after the call with the parents. I discovered ten new messages. Six off Nikki, three are Kyle's and one from an unknown number. Opening Nikki's messages to begin with, I observe that they all essentially say the same. Where are you?  Are you alright?

Kyle's messages are instructing me to get my butt home. He knows I'm pregnant. I figure he's spoken with our delightful parents. I shoot Nikki a message telling her I'm fine and will be home in a while. Kyle can wait. I’m not interested in dealing with his fury yet instead, I open the message from the unknown number.

"Hey Isabelle, it's Xavier. I’m just checking in to see if you’re you're okay. Kyle and Nikki are going insane with worry. If it's not too much trouble let one of us know you're alright."

How did he get my number and why does he care? He doesn't know anything about me. The heaviness of everything going on has a significance of me. Not having any desire to deal with Xavier or anybody else. I head in the direction of home.

Xavier

Raised voices originate from Isabelle's room making wonder what's going on. Do I intervene or mind my own business? Sitting on the edge of the bed, doing whatever it takes not to listen, it's pointless. I've only caught bits and pieces. “How can I look after a child?” Isabelle screams.  Pacing the room, willing the temptation of comforting her reside. Oh, shit. Is she pregnant? My brain spins with unanswered questions. Where is the father?  She deserves to be treated like a princess. Someone who worships the ground she walks on. At the thought about her circumstances, my body goes rigid. My jaw clenches and unclenches, my knuckles are white from gripping the chest of drawers hard.

  The fury boiling through me isn’t good. It lets me know I'm getting in way too deep with her. Her pregnancy gives me the perfect reason to stay away. I rub my hand roughly down my face, aggravated with the way she makes me feel. She doesn't need me causing her more pain. Which will be inevitable, with me leaving soon. 

  The yelling halts. Only the sound of her delicate sobs can be heard. Trying to restrain myself is almost unimaginable. My legs tingling to cross the hall. Balling my hands into clenched fists, the need to comfort her is too much. I need to reach out and pull her into my arms. Tell her she can believe in me, and I can be trusted. But in reality, I will only be with her for a short amount of time.  Everything's calming down. Choosing she will be better off without me. I hesitate outside her bedroom door before making my way downstairs.  "You okay, bro?"  Caleb asks while sitting next to me on the couch. "I'm cool." Snickering under his breath, Caleb says, "You're not tricking anybody, man. You have it bad."

Am I easy to read? Are my emotions displayed all over my face?

"Just tell her how you feel." Caleb shrugged like it's the easiest thing in the world.

Shaking my head, "it isn't that simple man. There's something going on with her." I leave it at that, not feeling comfortable in telling him what I suspect.

  I wonder whether this is the reason Isabelle's closed off herself. Has she been scorned by the baby's daddy? Suddenly her behavior towards me makes sense. One moment she appears to feel the attraction between us. The following she can't get away from me quick enough.  "You can still be there for her. Don't be an asshole. Perhaps she simply needs comfort, a shoulder to cry on. Trying offering friendship first, Xavier."  Caleb states. Our discussion abruptly comes to an end. When Kyle inquires if anybody is interested in recording. Slipping the headphones on, I lose all sense of direction in the realm of gaming. Gaming is my life. Every one of my issues, stresses, essentially everything, vanishes. It's me, the boys and whatever video games is chosen for the day.

Some time later, Isabelle makes her way down the stairs with Nikki trailing behind her. Isabelle avoids making eye contact with anyone, her gaze cast straight ahead. She heads to the front door, not letting out the slightest peep. Nikki clarifies they're' having girly time over her place and may be back later. Please look at me, I beg with my eyes, hoping she’ll turn her gaze in my direction. she has to feel my heated stare but I don't receive any sign of acknowledgment. The door slams, as it closes behind them.

Feeling lost and a bit disappointed with myself, I lose enthusiasm for gaming. Not in the mood to play anymore, I pass the control pad to James and lean back into the chair. Closing my eyes, trying to calm the sea of questions. How could I possibly think that taking a step back would be good for her or me? I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, if I stay away, I will only be harming myself.

Hours passed since Isabelle left. My mind clouds with worry. Hoping she's alright. My worry subsides when the front door pushes open. Caleb then informs me, he's been talking to Nikki for the duration of the night. He mentioned something about ordering pizza. My stomach grumbles making me realize how hungry I am.

Spending the evening with the girls, has been one of the greatest evenings I've had in a long time. Isabelle demanded to play. She's great, she gave us a run for our money. Which is humiliating considering we're professional gamers. Yet, listening to the sound of her laugh is music to my ears. The way she tosses her head back, exposing her delicate skin, leaves me with the need to adjust myself.  God, what I would love to do to her body. I can't resist the urge to moan while thinking about the delicate skin. My lips trailing kisses along her neck until I'm whispering sweet nothings. Distraction, that's what I need a distraction. “Think of something else, man,” I mutter to myself. “You're not doing anything for your hard on. Transport, planes, cars, buses, that should solve my problem.”

Isabelle must feel me staring at her, all happiness drains from her. A shadow of doubt falls across her face, her eyes automatically drop to the floor. Without saying a word, she flees from the room. She's withholding something like she's frightened to be happy. I guarantee myself, I'll do whatever it takes to figure out said information.

Trying to gain Nikki’s attention is impossible. I would prefer not to alert Kyle of anything. He doesn't appear to notice Isabelle's upset or has fled the room. I'm hoping Nikki will reveal a little insight into what's occurring with Isabelle. I understand there's a possibility she could be pregnant. Is that the real reason she's terrified? Tilting my head in a manner to let Nikki know I want to talk with her, waits until she follows me into the kitchen.

"What happened? She was fine one minute, then gone the following."  Nikki shifts from one foot to the next, "I'm not certain it's my place to say anything. It's her story to tell." Disappointed with both myself and Nikki, outrage grabs a hold of me. In an unassumingly obvious tone, "I need to know she's alright. One moment she's fine. Happy even, however, a switch flips and darkness enters her features. What is going on?" Keeping my voice low, hoping nobody will acknowledge us.

In an obnoxious tone, "Like I said, Xavier. It's not my story to tell. However, what I can say is she needs time, give her time. She will tell you everything when she's ready."

Facing the stairs, my legs are itching to climb the stairs to be with her. In a softer tone Nikki says, “She will be fine, I promise. I'm going to check on her." I go back to the one thing that helps me escape my emotions, gaming.

A few hours later, everybody resigns to their rooms. Mine is across the hall from Isabelle’s.I  enter the en-suite, for a quick shower before taking a nap. I wrap a towel around my waist and proceed to pull a T-shirt over my head. Suddenly I hear something that sounds like a girl screaming. 'What the fuck.' I dash through the room and out into the passage. I pull on my joggers, as I attempt to work out which direction the noise is coming from. Studying my surroundings, without giving it any thought I push Isabelle’s door open.

Watching her writhe on the bed, sweat rolling down her face. Makes me extremely upset. Not having any desire to startle her, I stay in the doorway while I call out to her.

"Are you okay, babe?" No answer.

“Do you have nightmares?” What a stupid question to ask. You dumbass, clearly she does. She peeks up at me from underneath her eyelashes. Anguish and apprehension are making their vicinity known. Knowing, I won't be able to sleep until she's settled once more. I pull a seat closer to her bed, taking her hand in mine, I lace our fingers. Before she can reject my comfort, “Please, for my peace of mind.” She lays her head onto her pillow. The tune mom used to hum to me as a child, springs to mind. I start humming the tune to Isabelle, hoping she would gain the same comfort I had.

I watch her sleep like a creeper ‘she’s gorgeous.’  My eyelids start to grow heavy. Knowing I should head back to my room. I’m sure Kyle won’t be delighted seeing me leaving his little sister's room in the morning. It’s still not enough reason for me to leave her. I give in and let sleep succumb me.