A new chapter

Chapter 3 A new chapter

Arabella whimpered as she sat up, cleaning the beads of sweat that formed on her head. She exhaled deeply. “Not this nightmare again.” She muttered.

Bella poured herself a cup of water that was next to her by the bed. She gulped loudly. She checked the time it was past seven in the morning. She woke up late yet again. Putting on her slippers, she slipped into her robe, headed out of the room and she walked down the stairs.

“Finally sleeping beauty has decided to grace us with her presence.” Arabella’s eighteen year old daughter, Mia teased on seeing her come down the stairs.

“Shut your mouth child, that’s not a proper way to greet your mother.” Her aunt Harriett rebuked the child, even though her eyes twinkled and it was obvious she was trying all she can to not laugh.

Arabella waved them off as she took a stool and sat down. They were both seated in the kitchen round the island and sipping coffee. It was a regular routine that became a tradition for the three of them.

“May I ask why you are up late this morning?” Harriet said.

“I’ll like to know too although it’s more like you.” Mia added.

“You both should back off my tail this morning. I am in no mood.” Bella replied.

Mia repeated after her mother silently while nodding her head. It was her mother’s daily mantra whenever she woke up late. “Yeah mom. You are always not in the mood. That’s all the excuse you could come up with every morning you wake up late. Really mom? Try make your excuse classy.”

Harriett let out the laughter she has been holding in all along as she hit the table. She loved to watch Mia diss her mother. It was always a thing of joy to experience.

“Really Aunt? Seems you both enjoy seeing my misery.” Bella whined as she shot her daughter a glare. Mia smiled sheepishly.

“Forget all of that, you do know we have a long day ahead of us as it is.” Harriett told her.

Arabella nodded her head, she knew for sure. This morning, they have a huge order to deliver to Bradford. When Mia was eight, she had been working as a library attendant in the community but aside that she loved baking. At first on Sundays, she made all sort of pastries for everybody at the church including her neighbors and feeding all of them to their heart contents. Until she was advised to expand her shores by the pastor, telling her how much people loved what she did and it would help her take care of the home.

So Arabella left her librarian job. She and her aunt brought together their resources and opened up a pastry and coffee shop opposite the house. It had thrived well, making them the talk of the town all over Titusville. The sweetness of their pastries pull people to make orders consistently.

Mia finished her coffee and placed the cup on the table with a grunt. “I would be leaving you old ladies to your chitchat while I get ready for school.” She announced, walking towards the stairs to her room.

“She is so sassy.” Bella muttered.

“She is just like you.” Harriett interjected.

“Well I wish she wouldn’t especially when it comes to love. She is head over heels in love with that boy from high school.”

“Stop acting like you do not know his name. And what’s wrong with her loving him if she is happy around him?”

“You know what I mean aunt. I just feel like she might get hurt and I don't want my baby to be heartbroken.”

“There is nothing to worry about. Remember he had stayed back because of her, they are both fine and happy. Go get ready for the day’s work. It’s a Monday morning and we can’t laze out too much.”

Arabella did a mock salute after she stood up. “As you wish ma’am.”

Harriett smiled, shaking her head. “Like mother, like daughter.” She murmured.

Mia sang to her heart content in the bathroom. She was so excited. It was her one year anniversary with Collins. It was also their first day of resumption in college. Mia couldn’t believe she would ever get lucky with the hottest guy in high school then in her final year not to talk of their relationship waxing strong till now that they both got into college. They had both decided to study in Titusville despite the fact that they could have enrolled in New York University with their performance but staying back to be together was a better option for them as they thought. Although the idea of staying back wasn’t all hers but her mother’s who didn't want her far away from home. Collins had also declined his admission and stayed back with her instead. She couldn't deny the fact that he was deeply in love with her.

Mia reminisced on when they had first met in person. Collins played basketball in the town’s high school and was their captain. She had been heading to the basketball court to meet with her friend Cheryl whose boyfriend was on the team. Cheryl had asked for them to meet there because the team were practicing and she wanted to watch her boyfriend and make videos of him. On entering, she got hit by the ball, one of them had thrown it unintentionally her way. She groaned in pain after her butt landed on the hard floor. ‘Are you okay?’ The nice voice had ask her.

‘Ahmmm…I…am fine…I guess.’ She couldn’t conjure any words together seeing the hunk bending down to her. He looked so handsome. She could have sworn no one rocked a green eye better than he did.

He pulled her up and she bumped into him, making her catch a wisp of his scent. He smelled delicious and she wanted to forget herself in his arms. Pulling her self together she walked away from him on seeing her friend.  

That moment marked a new chapter in her life as they began bumping into each other coincidentally until it became intentional and they started dating. Collins was the sweetest guy she had ever known, always putting her first and attending to every of her needs. He was a kind and caring person at heart.

Mia got dressed in a flowery gown that flowed to her knee with a pair of nice looking heels. She pulled her hair freely around her just as he always preferred it. She smiled at her look in the mirror after touching up her face a little with powder and lip gloss. She looked good and knew he would be impressed. As she was heading out of the room, she checked her notification to see a message from Cheryl waiting in front of the house. Shouting her byes to her mother and aunt, she ran out of the house.

“Careful there missy, you might trip and I do not think your superhero is anywhere near to save you cause I am not moving a muscle from here." Cheryl told her with a wide grin plastered on her face.

Mia snorted. “You are just jealous. I would tell him to be weary of you just in case I go missing."

"Say what you like. Have you gotten him a gift?" Cheryl asked.

"Yeah I did." Mia jumped in excitement, rummaging through her bag she brought out two tickets and showed it to her friend. “They are tickets to the college basketball game tonight."

"Not bad."

"Why do you sound off?"

"I would prefer you let him fuck you in place of these tickets as a gift or should I say make love." Cheryl emphasized on the make love dramatically, making Mia shove her aside.

"He said he would wait."

"And he has waited enough, girlfriend."

"Why are you so keen on it, when the man isn't?"

"Cause I hate that I can't tell you all of my escapades with Bryan without you getting hot all over." Cheryl responded. Mia blushed profusely while Cheryl rolled her eyes. "There you go, I just said it."

"Shut up! Are you driving or we would keep standing here all day?”

“Yeah…whatever. We should head to school.” Cheryl moved away from the door frame and got into the driver’s seat. "Mia, just listen to me and you would thank me later. The tickets aren't—"

"I can't hear you, Cheryl!" Mia yelled as she blocked her ears with her fingers. It made both of them laugh as they drove off to school.