Chapter ３

I continued my shower and conditioned my hair. I worked it through with my fingers, making sure I got every little knot and tangle out. I left it in while I washed my body and shaved my ridiculously hairy legs and armpits. Sometimes, I just couldn't be bothered, so I let them grow wild. I finally washed out the conditioner and turned off the shower.

I got out of the shower and pulled a towel off the rail; I then flipped my head forwards and wrapped my hair up in it. I put another towel around my body and secured it in the middle of my chest. I walked back to the mirror and glanced at my more refreshed and pinker looking complexion.

“Now you look a bit more human,” I sniggered as I spoke to my reflection again.

I put some drops in my eyes to combat the redness, but with one eye now looking like I had a bad case of pink eye, I just sighed in defeat and left the bathroom to go and get dressed.

I pulled my closet door open and stood there contemplating what to wear under my graduation gown. I should have sorted an outfit out beforehand. My best friend Cassie had nagged me to do, but hey, I always leave things till the last minute, so why change now?

I let out a giggle and started pushing outfit after outfit aside, trying to find the perfect one. I was getting super-hot. So, I whipped the towel off of my head and shook out my long, wavy hair, letting it fall down to the middle of my back. I ran my hands through it and shook it out as I went.

“Ahhh!”

I jumped out of my skin when two large hands wrapped themselves around my waist and pulled me backwards. making me lose my footing. My back hit his hard chest and he automatically brought his face down into the crease of my neck. I was used to him sneaking up on me like that, but for some reason, I was on edge today and I couldn't shake a strange uneasy feeling. My body began to tremble. Why do I feel like this?

“Baby?” Tristan asked me softly.

In an instant, my body reacted to his familiar voice and I relaxed slightly. It was as if my body had a mind of its own. My brain knew that the strong arms around my waist, and the breath that brushed my neck were my boyfriends. But it took a while for my body to get the memo.

I began to feel somewhat normal again, but my body froze in fear when he inhaled deeply, taking in my scent. Another wave of Deja vu washed over me and my heart pounded, while my mind filled with panic.

Tristan Cole

After checking on a few things at work, I jumped into the car and drove over to Freya's house. I pulled up and got out of the car, then walked towards the house. It was a small house in comparison to my own, but I loved being there, it always smelled like fresh coffee and it was so cozy and homely. I knocked on the door and patiently waited. I heard footsteps coming down the hallway towards me, then the door opened, and a warm smile greeted me.

“Good morning Tristan, don't you look handsome today,” Eleanor said sweetly.

“Thank you, Eleanor. You look lovely,” I replied politely. She blushed a little then said with a giggle,

“Thank you, Tristan. Flattery will get you everywhere.”

She turned around and began to walk back down the hallway. “Are you coming in?” She shouted back as she turned toward the kitchen.

I entered the house and closed the door behind me.

“Is Freya ready yet?”

“No, she's upstairs. You can go up if you like. Tell her to get a move on, or she won't have time for breakfast,” she shouted back through.

“Ok, I'll make sure she's down in a bit. She can't miss your breakfast it smells too delicious.”

I walked past the kitchen and began to climb the stairs. Her giggle echoed through the hallway as I reached the top of the stairs. I got to Freya's bedroom and gently pushed open the door. There she stood, wrapped in a crisp white towel, the absolute love of my life. I watched while she frantically pushed outfit after outfit aside. I sniggered knowing that she had left picking out an outfit for her graduation until the very last minute. She was always the same, always late, and always unprepared, but it was one of the cute little quirks that made me love her even more.

She suddenly took the towel off of her head and dropped it to the floor. Shaking out her gorgeous long brown hair, she began running her fingers through it. Her fingers slid effortlessly through the wet strands, making tiny water droplets roll down the soft skin on her arms. I couldn't resist the primal urge to capture her, so I crept forward as quietly as I could. I then slipped my hands around her waist and pulled her back into my arms.

“Ahhh!” She screamed as she stumbled back a little, slamming into my chest.

She always startled when I snuck up on her, but this time it felt different. As soon as her body began to tremble, I squeezed her tighter to try and calm her down. Her breathing was labored, and her heart was racing. She had never reacted to me like that before.

“Baby?” I spoke softly into her ear.

She let out a deep sigh of relief and I felt her body relax within seconds of hearing my voice. What on earth is going on with her today? I thought as I leaned into the crease of her neck and inhaled deeply, taking in her delicious scent.