Not What You Expected

Chapter Twelve

"A blueberry scone and caramel tea, please."

I order at the small diner in town. The waitress gives me a small smile before taking my menu and walking away. I sigh and lean forward on the booth table, I stare out the window and watch as people walk back and forth on the sidewalk. To no one's surprise, it is raining, but everyone here doesn't seem to mind. I guess if you have lived here for years you get used to it. I guess living here for three weeks is not enough time to adjust to the unpredictable weather.

Three weeks...

Yes, I have lived in Wild River for three weeks now. I didn't even know that I could make it past a week, but I guess I have more fight in me than I originally thought. Octavia has become my one and only friend in Wild River. I mean, she has come over to my house or rather, Charles's house, I think it is too early to actually start calling it my home. But yeah: she is basically at 'the' house everyday, but it's weird that like everytime Charles comes home she either disappears when I turn my back, or she just makes up some excuse and then leaves. I have been shrugging it off thinking that maybe she does indeed have something to do or she just might not want to be...seen with me.

Ouch.

Not gonna lie-if that is the reason, then yeah, I have never felt more worthless and invisible. I sigh and rub the palms of my hands down my face as thoughts just continue to pile up in my head. It seems that they never stop coming.

Speaking of Charles though, he has actually not been home, because apparently three days ago, he decided that he wanted to go on a fishing/hunting trip with Mr. Jones and a few other friends of his. He hasn't made much of a attempt to have a relationship with me and honestly? It hurts. I mean, I literally put my life on hold and flew thousands of miles out here to try and have a relationship for mom's sake, and he has the audacity to basically just ignore me. Ugh! It's so frustrating! And the same with my mom, she literally has not called, wrote, or even come to see me. Okay, making a seventeen hour flight is kind of extreme but HEY! I am her only child, so she should at least call or write!

I am brought out of my thoughts by the same waitress setting down my blueberry scone and caramel tea on the table. I give her a small quiet 'thank you' before picking up my caramel tea, it is hot to the touch, and as soon as I take the first slip of it, my eyes roll close, as it tastes purely wonderful. And the scone is just as wonderful, and if not more delicious.

"Is this seat taken?"

Asks an-all-too-familiar british accent, just as I am taking another bite of my scone. My eyes flicker between my scone that is halfway out of my mouth, and then to Jackson, who stands right by my booth, holding a very wet umbrella and black jacket in his arms. Water drips from his hair and falls down his jawline. Now, a normal teenage girl would be falling head over heels for him right now, but somehow in my messed-up mind it doesn't affect me in that way. Of course, I find Jackson handsome but he doesn't have that...coldness to him that Eth-

Don't you dare say his name!

I scold myself. Ever since that day when Ethan stole my first kiss I have forbidden myself from saying his name. As I am still very, and I mean 'very', mad at him.

I clear my throat as well as my thoughts, as I set my scone back down on the small white plate, before taking my napkin and wiping the corners off my lips.

"It is empty."

I reply as I set my napkin down and take a quick sip of my tea. Jackson takes the seat across from me, in the old red booth that has holes in it. He sets all that is in his arms down beside him as he adjusts himself in the booth.