As kids, Leah and Tanner hated each other. To this day, they still do. Tanner Cole is tall, dark, tattooed, and insanely attractive, though his ugly heart drowns all of this out to Leah. At eighteen years old, all Leah wants is to go off to college...
"I kind of had plans with Ben and Zara in an hour. I'd feel rude blowing them off."
"They can come with us," my dad interrupts.
"Yes, I want to meet your two new friends that you keep telling me about," mom tells me. "But you're going to want to change out of your sweats, Leah. You can't wear that where we're going."
"Going? Where to?"
"On a yacht in the bay," my dad answers.
"Please tell me you didn't buy one!"
I know my mom especially was having a hard time letting me go, but I swear to God if they have bought a home to stay down here, I'll hit the roof.
"No, honey. We're just renting one," my mom hastily responds. "I was playing tennis with Mrs. Norris, and her son; you remember Curtis dear don't you?"
I nod my head in response.
"Well, Curtis owns a boat down here, and when I mentioned wanting to visit you, Mrs. Norris offered it to me. So for the entire weekend, you'll be staying on it with us," she gleams.
I'm going to need to pack a bag. "I guess I should get some of my things then. Do you want to come see my room?"
"Yes!" my parents answer at the same time.
I chuckle and put my key in the door and usher them in. I send a quick text to Ben and Zara to let them know my parents have offered to have them join us for a catch-up, and I then give my parents a brief tour of the communal rooms, until we finally make it to my door.
I step aside and allow my parents to enter my room and watch them inspect it with eagerness, but my body feels out of sorts like I'm looking down from above as a spectator.
As soon as my mom gets a real good look at Zara's side of the room, her mouth goes slack. I guess her black bed cover and posters of the supernatural is different to her initial thoughts of the girl I've talked about. "So, is she a goth, then?"
"Um, Zara doesn't really label herself as anything. She just has a likeness for things like this."
"Huh," is all she responds.
"She's really nice, Mom."
"I bet she's lovely, dear. From everything you've told me about her, she seems like a nice young lady."
Thank God!
My parents sit down on my bed, and I sit on Zara's while we fill each other in for the next thirty minutes.
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"It sounds like you've had a wonderful time, then," my mom points out after I've told them everything I've been getting up to so far.
Well, almost everything. I purposely left out every interaction I've had with Tanner, as he has put a real damper on my college experience. It's funny how I predicted only a few weeks ago that he would derail my life here.
My dad leans his arms back on my bed, and he shares some unexpected news with me. "I spoke to Tanner this morning on the phone. He said you've come out of your shell more since being here."
"He did?"
I'm a little annoyed that Tanner is telling my dad things about me after I asked him not to. But then again, my dad may have just asked in passing.
"Yeah. I'm glad you're letting your hair down a bit, Leah. That's exactly what you should do, instead of focusing solely on classes. It's not healthy otherwise."
I guess I was a little guilty of doing this to begin with. "I am experiencing college life more, and it's actually fun."
"That's good, hon," my mom responds.
"Did he say anything else?" Like me and him making out twice.
"Not much. He told me he's spending more time on the ice training the new players. I may come down to see him play at some point when the season starts."
The sound of a key turning in the lock causes us all to look at the door.
Zara and Ben stroll in with shy smiles on their faces, and for the next few minutes, my parents greet both of them with a warm hug and exchange pleasantries.
"So Leah's filled you in on the plan, right?" my dad asks, clapping his hands together.
"Sort of," Ben responds.
"Leah's staying on the yacht with us tonight, but there are plenty of cabins for you if you want to sleep over too."
"A yacht!" Zara squeals. "I'm so there!"
"Sounds like fun," Ben replies with a smile on his face.
"Leah, why don't you get changed, and we'll meet you by the car," my mom tells me.
"Sure." I was already planning on changing out of my sweats before my movie marathon with Zara and Ben so it'll be nice to wear something pretty.
"I'll join you if the girls are getting ready," Ben quickly says, not wanting to be in a room with half-naked girls.
While they exit my room and go to the parking lot, Zara and I pack our overnight bags and throw on some fancier clothing.
"You didn't tell me your parents are loaded!" she exclaims when she finishes putting on her crimson red lipstick.
"It's not something I like to brag about," I respond as I slip on my silver sandals.
"I get that, but it's so cool!" She throws her lipstick in her bag and then motions her hand down her body. "Do you think I look presentable?" She winks.
I giggle. "You look hot as hell like always."
Her dark-gray body con dress and white sandals look amazing on her. They show off her tarot cards and skull proudly on her arms while the dress hides away the grim reaper holding the silhouette of a girls' hand.
I think my mom would have a heart attack if she sees that one.
"Awesome!"
We sling our backpacks over our shoulders and lock the door behind us, heading down the stairs to meet my parents and Ben by their rented car.
What do you think of Leah's parents surprise visit? What do you think will happen on the yacht? 🤔
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