22: Serendipity

❝ Maybe it's the providence of the universe, it just had to be that, you know I know, you are me, I am you ❞

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Quite obviously, I was receiving attention from everyone in the school. Some would come and congratulate me, while some would wonder in awe how did I manage to end up with Ray. Heartbroken girls didn't stop giving me glares, whispering amongst themselves as I passed.

I had no doubt they were thinking that I slept my way to Ray, and well, it would look like that to anyone.

But Ray walked by my side, his hands intertwined with mine and constantly whispered in my ear about how beautiful I was looking today, or how I shouldn't take what everyone was saying personally. That made my day ten times better.

Our friends were no exception. It was funny how everyone was friendly and goofy when it was just us, but when it came down to walking through hallways, they seemed like a pair of intimidating people ready to fight anyone who came in front of them.

Simon and Jason had already threatened a few boys, while Olivia was taking care of the girls who were speaking shit about me. Katie was using her popularity well and calling out to people to not make me the center of attention. Jack stood by her side confidently, his glare hard and cold, much contrasting to his soft and kind eyes.

It was then that I realized how feared, popular and invincible these guys were around our school. While they were known to punch you in the face if you even came in their way, I'd never personally seen them using their fists. Their glares were enough to set a person on fire.

"What's on your mind?" Ray interrupted my chain of thought as I shook my head. He knew how new and surreal this attention was for me, and hence he quietly rubbed his thumb along the back of my palm which I very much appreciated.

"I'll drop you home? That okay with you?" He asked as we walked up to his truck in the parking area. School was finally over and done with. The others had car pooled and were already on their way home, stating that they didn't want to be third wheeling a couple.

I nodded, as he opened the door for me and made sure I was buckled in before seating himself as well.

"Play some music." He gestured towards the old, but efficiently working music system. The aux sat on the dashboard, waiting to be plugged in.

"Any favorites?" I inquired, as I browsed through my playlist. "Anything you like." He smiled softly at me. If it was Stefan at his place, he would've played music of his choice without taking my likes and dislikes into consideration.

One Last Time by Ariana Grande flooded through the speakers, and I immediately felt the adrenaline racing through me. There's nothing like an Ariana Grande song.

To my surprise, Ray hummed along the lyrics too, and when I asked him if he listened to Ariana, his only reply was that he would be crazy not to listen to Ariana.

I chose a good one, I thought to myself amusedly.

The ride was smooth, and we pulled up outside of my house in no time.

"So..." I drawled, blush coating my cheeks as I was still not used to this whole girlfriend boyfriend thing with Ray.

He chuckled and pulled me in for a hug, his hands brushing through my hair gently. He then placed a kiss on my forehead, his lips lingering for a long time.

"I'll see you on Monday then?" I asked, my eyes still not daring to meet his.

His index finger placed itself beneath my chin and raised it so that I was gazing into his hazel orbs.

"I don't think I can go on without seeing you for that long." His deep voice resonated, the sound waves traveling through my stomach to my core. I swear I felt my legs shake.

"Go out on a date with me tomorrow." I felt like he didn't give me an option, but his voice had a gentle tone laced to it. I liked it.

"Okay." I blushed, and shyly tucked my flying strands behind my ear, not knowing what to do with my hands.

"You're really fucking adorable when you blush. What are you doing to me, turning me into a softie, huh?" His hand held my jaw in place, his grip a little tight, but not rough. Heat flooded my lower region as explicit images started rushing through my mind.

"I—what?" I'd lost the ability to even reply. Great.

He sighed lowly, simply caressing my cheek with his thumb. "You don't even know the effect you have on me."

I stayed frozen, as his eyes roamed over every feature of my face; the expression in his eyes changing from soft to dark as his gaze settled on my lips.

In a second, his lips were on mine, but much slower and gentler than last time. This time, he took his time sucking and nibbling on my lips, and soothing the stings with a swipe of his tongue. It was the type of kiss to leave your insides melting and your core dripping.

He pulled back, his forehead resting on mine.

"Go on in now, before I just hold you close to me and never let you go." He said, his eyes closed and jaw tense, as if he was holding back.

I know how hard it was for him to hold back for me, do the simple basics in a relationship. He wasn't used to going slow, and it is even more hard with a person you genuinely like. It was heart warming at how hard he was trying for us, taking my pace into consideration.

I was told that this is the bare minimum which everyone deserves, but not having experienced it with my previous partner, it was more of an emotional surprise for me.

"Bye, see you tomorrow." I walked backwards slowly, as usual, not ready to let go of him.

"5pm tomorrow. Dress comfortable, baby."

My cheeks reddened at him calling me baby for the first time ever. I'd always imagined how would it feel like to hear that word from his mouth, and god did it sound lovely. He smirked, happy at the effect him calling me baby had on me.

"Bye." I practically raced inside, and closed the front door, blocking out his loud chuckles.

As if one heart racing event wasn't enough for me, my mom stood in front of me, in all her glory, her arms crossed and a blank expression etched on her face.

"Mom, what's up?" I tried to sound casual, but my panting gave it away. I just hoped she didn't see the toe curling kiss I had shared with Ray just a few minutes ago.

"We need to talk, young lady." And she dragged me with her, and sat me down on the kitchen table. Dragging a chair in front of me, she sat down, her gaze curious but fierce at the same time.

"What was that?" She asked.

I gulped. "What was what?"

"Who was that boy? I thought you were with Stefan?" I knew I wouldn't get out of it, so I decided to let her in.

"I broke up with Stefan, mom." The memories flooded yet again, the innumerable amount of insecurities back.

Mom sat up straight. "Why? I thought you liked him very much? And so did he?"

I sighed. "Yeah well, unfortunately me liking him wasn't enough, because he cheated on me."

Mom's eyes turned soft as she pulled me in for a hug. "Oh darling, he didn't deserve you. I always had my doubts about that guy. I knew he wasn't right for you."

I laughed a little, as my mom continued to run her fingers through my hair gently; patting my back in a while.

"Who was the guy who dropped you today?" The main question was back.

I pulled back from the hug, my gaze down. I knew my mom wouldn't judge but I didn't want to tell everything to my mom about Ray. It was upto him.

"He's Ray, a guy from my class. He was just dropping me." I decided to not tell her for now.

"Oh okay. June, don't beat yourself up for how Stefan treated you. There are so many guys out there, and there will be someone who will love you, as you are. He'll never let you doubt yourself and remind you every second of your existence how beautiful you are."

My eyes teared up a little at Mom's words and instantly, Ray's image flashed up in my mind. I nodded, and stuffed my face into mom's arms.

"How was sch—" Mom was interrupted by her phone blasting up. "Just a minute dear." She said, as she walked to the living room. I followed suit, because I had no better thing to do.

As soon as mom picked up the phone and read the name flashed on the screen, her eyes lit up and her whole face broke out into a wide smile. It didn't take an expert to guess from whom the call was.

"June, quick! Come here! It's your dad! And a video call, that too!" Her hands flew wildly towards me, motioning me to come beside her. I rushed, my heart racing and my eyes ready to flow a river.

She swiped the green button on the screen and dad's face appeared on the screen.

"Emily! June! Hello!" His cheerful voice even in the extreme weather of the place he was in right now was soothing.

"Ashton, darling! How are you?" My mom's hands were already trembling, her voice barely a croak and yet she managed to pull it off. "Dad, yes, how are you? It's been so long!" I took the phone in my hand, as mom and I sat on the couch.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Too great, actually. It's freezing here, where I am, but well I've always loved the cold!" Mom sighed in relief at that. "How are you guys? Everything holding up fine in Cali?"

"As hot as always, though the weather's been better these past few days." Mom provided.

"Ah, I'm going to sweat my butt off when I get there then."

It took us a few minutes to comprehend what dad was trying to say, and when we both understood it, we started speaking at the same time, our happy tears and sentences all a goblin language now.

"Calm down, my ladies." Dad laughed and we did too, as he sat down in front of what seemed like a makeshift bonfire.

"Come back soon, Ashton. It's been too long." My mom was a crying mess now, as I rubbed her shoulders continuously.

Dad's eyes turned soft, and a sad smile laced his face. "I miss you so much Ems, its really been too long. And June, I miss you so much too, I listen to that boy band you recommended to me, so that I feel a little bit closer to you everyday."

I sobbed a muffled dad stop as I broke into sobs and my mom craddled me closer to her. Dad wiped his slipping tears and forced a smile on his face.

"Im coming back in one week. So that'll be next Friday. I want to eat lasagna and garlic bread as a welcome back dinner!" Even though he wasn't close to us, he tried to joke and ease the tension off my mother's shoulders.

"It'll be ready. Just come back." My mom said.

"Soon, Ems. Soon June. I'll see you guys soon. And then we'll go trekking, camping, swimming, surfing; everything you guys want to do! I'm going to be staying for two months this time."

We smiled at that. The most he stayed was one month or rarely one and a half. This time it was two; we couldn't be more happy.

"Okay I gotta go. I love you Em, I love you June. I love you guys so much. See you soon!" We said our goodbyes and hung up.

We both sat on the couch for a while, in each other's arms, desperately needing the warmth, comfort and company.

I couldn't help but think how wonderful my life was looking right now and I was so glad for everything I've been given.

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Firstly, updated!

Secondly, WHAT THE FUCK? What just happened, I mean I was on 1.92K reads yesterday and now I'm on 7.93K plus #2 on New Adult? Omfg. I saw the tag below my book, but when I cross checked it, it didn’t show up. I close Wattpad, sleep for an hour, wake up to see 99+ notifications and over 6K+ plus reads in a few hours? Y'all best believe me when I say I freaked out *_*

I don't know what I did to deserve #2 New Adult and these many reads, because honestly, this book is shit. I don't like it, and when I went through the first few chapters, I gagged beacause it was so not me. But well, when your story is based on your life, it tends to be shit.

Anyways, I'm thankful for the reads, votes, comments which won't stop flooding. I promise to give you all worthy content henceforth. Please correct me whenever you can <3