Love Without Fear

Chapter One- Fire And Ice *Blaire’s POV* Sunday 10th May 2022 “Blaire what did you put for question 6?” Pestered Liv who was draped over my bed looking over at me with her signature puppy dog eyes. Meet our perfect little Trio, first of we have Olivia Smith, our resident prom queen and loveable airhead. What she lacked in brains she certainly made up for with her looks and kind heart. She had silky dirty blonde hair that fell just above her shoulders, hazel eyes that matched her flawless honey skin. Every guy fell for her and it’s clear to see why, by anyone standards she was stunning. “Oh come on Liv!” Laughed Ali, her black bob cut hair swaying around her perfect face. Ali is short for Alison, short and feisty with a hell of a temper. Ali’s a star athlete, and a crazy health freak who as far as I could remember her heart was set on playing professional soccer and she could dominate at-least 3/4 of the boys soccer team at our school already. She really was talented. Then there’s me, Blaire Young. Nothing special about me really, compared to Liv and Ali I was a nobody and that was how I liked it. My long brown hair fell just below my shoulders, my eyes were a dull blue which matched my pale white skin. Im about 5”5 with the body frame of a twig, for those who didn’t know me would think this is very alarming but I’ve got used to it because no matter what or how much I eat the weight never stays on. Unlike Liv and Ali I’m not popular or sporty or your stereotypical definition of pretty, but they like to call me the brains of the group. Your probably wondering why they are friends with someone like me, and don’t worry I think about it to sometimes, if not all of the time. I met Liv when we was 4 and in pre-school, I was playing with the doll house on my own at break when she came over and sat next to me smiling and picked up a doll and began to play. Since then we became inseparable, joint at the hip our parents used to say. We then met Ali when we went into grade 3, she had moved from a town across the state and was so quiet and timid when we first met her. Me and Liv took it as our sworn duty to induct her into our little group, and from then onwards the quiet little girl we met disappeared and the Ali we all know and love was born. Now we were all in 10th grade and we’re still as close as ever. “Liv I taught you this yesterday” I sighed, trying to suppress a laugh. I was sat at my desk doing my english essay while Liv and Ali were still stuck on yesterdays class work that I had completed already. “ I know but I still don’t get it!” She groaned, dramatically dragging a pillow over her face. Ali was curled up in my window seat, one head phone in and the other hanging out humming along to herself happily. I pulled my maths work out of my bag and pushed myself away from my desk and off my chair. Walking over to her, she pulled the pillow off her head and sat up. Her eyes instantly saw the paper in my hand and a huge smile spread across her face. “Just this once” I grinned, but we both knew this wouldn’t be the last time I let her copy my work. She nodded frantically and took the paper from my hand. “Thank you Blaire you are a life saver!Algebra just confuses me, why mix letters and numbers!” She squealed as she began frantically copying down the equation and answer. I let out a small chuckle, when she was finished I took the paper from her and slid it back into my bag. I returned back to my desk and dived straight back into my essay, even though it was lent due in till Friday. A hour passed as we sat chatting and studying, I could tell Ali and Liv were getting distracted and antsy so I finished my essay up and slid it into my bag with the rest of my class work. Ali had given up on her work and was going through a old scrapbook with photos of all of us, smiling happily to herself while Liv was scrolling through her phone absentmindedly. “You guys hungry?” I asked, even though I should know the answer already. “Yes!” They Both shouted in unison, answer confirmed. I pushed myself up off of the chair when I heard a loud beeping coming from outside the house. Ali who was still sat next to the window was peering out behind my partly closed curtains. “It’s a moving truck!” Ali cheered asLiv climbed gracefully of the bed and joined peeping out of the window. I rolled my eyes at them before turning and walking towards the door. The house next door had been for sale for months since the last family that lived there left to go live overseas. “I see a guy! Oh my god Blaire he’s hot” Squealed Liv excitedly, then my curiosity spiked. I hurried over to them and peered out from behind the curtain, at first eyes saw a women who looked like she was in her early thirties. She had black curly hair and was wearing a plain grey tee tucked neatly in to a pair of distressed blue mom jeans with a pair of black boots. Next to her was a boy, he couldn’t be older then 5 and looked like the exact replica of his mother. He was stood gripping on to her leg panicked and nervous. They were unpacking boxes off the moving van and stacking them up on the path to their door. Then I saw him, unlike what I assume his brother he had no resemblance to his mother at all. He had her black messy hair, tanned skin and was tall and muscular, with a jaw line that could cut glass. He had a black T-shirt, black ripped jeans and checkered red flannel shirt over the top. Liv and Ali were already drooling over him, he was extremely good looking. He carried on shifting the boxes from the curb into the house. “Let’s go say hi!” Liv gasped, jumping up from where she was and rushing out the bedroom door, Ali following closely behind. I groaned pulling myself away from the window but not before I stole a quick glance out to see him with no avail. I was in a pair idle sweat pants and a crop top with my hair tied up in a messy bun but quickly hurried after them. By the time I had reached the bottom of the stairs they had already rushed out of the front door. “Hi I’m Olivia and this is Alison” chimed Liv, offering her hand out to the older women. She smiled back at her and shook her hand enthusiastically. “Meredith Black and this is Luke” she said, her eyes beamed down at the little boy stood awkwardly next to her trying to hide himself. “I’m guessing your our neighbours” Meredith continued as I approached. “No but us, but Blaire does” Alison replied, turning to look at me first and everyones eyes falling on me after. I waved shly and took my place between them, way to throw me in the deep end girls. “Hi I’m Blaire Young” i squeaked, suddenly losing all sense of confidence in myself. “Nice to meet you Blaire” she smiled, offering her hand out for me as I awkwardly shook it. Then the dark haired boy came out of the house, his eyes widening at the fact there was now 3 strange teenage girls stood on his front lawn. “And this is Finn, my oldest son” She laughed, he approached us cautiously before his little brother ran over to him and he picked him up and nestled him in his arms. “Hi” he said half heartedly, Liv and Ali staring at him in a kind of dream state. “Hey” I muttered quietly, my cheeks glowing red, up close he was even more beautiful, perfect. But there was something about him that filled me with uncertainty, he had a aura of mystery hovering around him like a dark cloud that somehow made me even more interested in him and made him ten times more alluring. “My parents and younger brother are out shopping at the moment” I blurted out filling the awkward silence that hung around us. Luke perked up at the word ‘brother’ and I let out a small smile. “Well I can’t wait to meet them” Meredith smiled, she seemed like a very cheerful women. I returned her a smile, but my eyes kept focusing on Finn who was stood there examining us. “Do you need some help with these boxes?” Alison asked, I could tell she was only offering to get closer to Finn and who could blame her. “We don’t need any help I’ve got it” He grunted, his tone was harsh and cold and i hadn’t realise I subconsciously raised a eyebrow. “Help would be appreciated” Meredith replied, glaring at her son “Thank you girls”. Finn rolled his eyes before putting his brother back down on the floor and continuing on the pile of boxes stacked. I instantly walked towards the truck to help unload while the girls followed Finn with boxes. While we’re unloading boxes I learnt that Meredith was a single mom to Finn and Luke, there dad had left when Luke was born. But the ways he spoke about him she looked torn up and confused, I could tell there was something wrong but didn’t want to press into it. They had moved down from Michigan to Detroit for a fresh start, Finn was 17 and starting at our local high school on Monday, the grade above me. Luke had given up on his attempt at being helpful and was sat in the van unpacking his toys and playing blissfully. After a hour the girls had to go home and we had made it half way through the boxes. They said there goodbyes and I debated with myself about staying to help or retreating back home so I didn’t make a fool of myself. The better half of me decided to stay, unable to just disappear and leave them. As I reached for another box I felt a large hand suddenly brush mine and I jump back in surprise shrieking. I felt a pair of hands land on my waist, the hands were warm and soft against the exposed skin on my waist. “Jump easily don’t you” teased a warm husky voice behind me, the tone of his voice completely shifted from our earlier encounter. “I do not” I protested, turning around completely unaware of how close he was, I took a quick breath in to steady myself. He smelt of chocolate and vanilla and it was intoxicating. He was looking down at me grinning, before taking a step back, leaving a cold space where his hand were. I took a deep breath and steadied myself, scowling at him. It was that moment I hear a car pull around the corner and to my relief it’s my parents. “So you’ve met my mom I think it’s only fair I meet yours” he grinned, moving to stand next to me and leaning on the moving van. My heart stopped, I have barely said 4 words to this boy and he’s already talking about meeting my parents. Then I realised that we were next door neighbours and it was inevitable that he was going to meet my family. The car pulled in to our drive and I calmed myself quickly and tryed to gain some composure. “Blaire!” My mom called, waving from the car grinning from ear to ear. She climbed out and my dad followed after helping my brother Zachary out of the car. Zachary was the youngest out of us, around 6 years old and full of excitement and smiles. He was starting to take after my dad with his messy blonde hair and green eyes. My dad was tall and tanned with a tick stubble around his face. My mum had a dark long brown hair and was a short and curvy women, she said having three kids did that to you but she wouldn’t have it any other way. I had a older sister, Tara who was away at college right now studying to become a Lawyer, she was just a bigger version of me and we have often been mistaken as twins. They rushed over and greeted me with a big hug before turning to Finn who was leant there smirking. “Nice to meet you Mr and Mrs Young, I’m Finn your new neighbour” he beamed, offering his hand out. I narrowed my eyes at him, he was being a lot nicer now that the girls had left. “Hi Finn, call me Cheryl and this is my husband James and our son ” my mum smiled, shaking his hand happily. At the sudden commotion Meredith and Luke began peering out the door. “You must be Blaires parents! You’ve raised a lovely young lady” praised Meredith who was walking over holding Luke’s hand while in the other he held a red fire truck. The moment he spotted Zachary he let go of his mums hand and rushed over to show off his new toy. They instantly began playing together as if they had been friends their entire life’s, taking turns to play with the truck as the other made noises. “Thank you” my mom beamed at me, and I couldn’t help but blush, embarrassed by being the centre of attention. Introductions were made as I stood there awkwardly twiddling my thumbs and looking around the neighbour hood trying to distract myself while taking quick glances at Finn who was still grinning. “So you go to Northbrook high?” He questioned, it took me a couple of seconds to realise he was speaking to me. “Uh- Yeah I’m a sophomore” I mumbled, focusing on my shoes subconsciously. “Looks like I’ll be seeing you around” he chuckled, pushing himself off the moving van. “Well it was nice meeting you all but we have a lot of unpacking to do” Meredith sighed, Finn waved his goodbye and walked towards the house without another word which infuriated me, how could someone be so hot and cold! “Luke come on!” She said calling for her youngest son, he said a sad goodbye to Zach before shuffling over to his mum in a tantrum. Mum picked up a upset Zach and carried him towards the house, consoling him on the way. “They seem nice” my dad stated, and he wasn’t wrong, they were a genuinely lovely family but there was something about Finn. “Yeah they do” I agreed, following him into the house to help unpack the groceries. When I was finished I helped my mum prepare dinner as usual, cutting up vegetables for the salad. When I was finished I called Zach over to help set the table, helping out around the house was mandatory in this family. Zach came willingly helped and we made a game out of it, who could set there plates the fastest, as usual I let him win. We sat down and ate dinner, dad staring ravenously at the lasagna mum had made. “Meredith gave me the recipe” Mum chuckled, obviously amused by dad. She began dividing the lasagna and placing a slice on each of our plates. I was more in shock that Mom and Mrs Black where on the stage of sharing recipes already. I spooned some salad in to my plate and took a bite. “Luke seems nice and Finn seems like a gentlemen” she continued, and i almost chocked on my food. “Are you okay pumpkin” my dad asked concerned, I hastily nodded and composed myself. “Yeah he does” I half-heartedly agreed, i could tell my mum didn’t believe me from the side eye I was getting. “I like Luke” grinned Zach, pushing his salad to the side of his plate. “I know you did honey” Mum laughed, that was all on the subject for tonight. Then we did the usual, asked how are days went, they asked how Liv and Ali were, I said fine. Then I sat in awakened silence for the rest of the email while the rest of the mum chatted away. When I was finished I stood up ready to excuse myself. “Thanks mom, I’m gonna take Zach up to bed” I said pointing towards a barely awake Zach, also just happy o have a excuse to leave dinner early. They nodded at me quickly before resuming there conversation about work. I gently lifted Zach into my arms and he laid his head sleepily on my shoulder. I carried him out the dinning room and up the stairs to the first door, opening it with my one free arm. Recently Zach has been going through a dinosaur faze so mum redecorated his room with wall stickers and plushies aswell as selection of new toys. I lowered him in to bed gently, careful not to wake him and tuck him in, not bothering to change his clothes. Planting a quick kiss on his forehead I retreated out the room and turning on off the light, leaving the door open slightly so I could hear him. I waited outside for a few minutes just to double check he was sound asleep before going to my room. Once in and alone, I closed the door and let out a sigh. I grabbed some clothes out of my wardrobe and tossed them on to the bed before heading into my en-suite bathroom, now that Tara was gone I got to move into her room. I turned the shower on and twisted it so that it was hot before stripping down and climbing in. For a minute I just let the hot water fall down my body, taking in the minute of peaceful silence apart from the patter of water before washing my hair and my body. I turned the shower off before climbing out, wrapping one towel around my body and another around my hair. I collected the washing off the floor and tossed it into the washing basket while setting myself a mental reminder to take it down in the morning. As I left the bathroom, I stared out my bedroom window to find Finn lounging on his bed topless and in grey sweatpants. I had completely forgotten my window gives me direct access into the neighbours room as none had lived there in so long. I gulped and rushed away, hoping that he didn’t notice me staring. I threw myself on the bed and hurriedly got dressed, I had decided on a baggy P!ANIC band tee and a pair of black shorts. After getting dressed I sat on my bed debating on taking another glance out the window just to catch one last look at him. And as usual I gave into myself and snuck back over to peer out. He was led in the same place with his perfect abs on show, phone in hand and grin plastered along his face, I began to wonder what was so funny that he was smirking like that. Then i realised it, he wasn’t grinning at his phone he was grinning at me, I threw myself back in shock and stumbled over my own feet and fell crashing to the floor. He had just caught me creeping on him, how freaking embarrassing. I threw my head into my hands and squeezed my eyes shut, praying that this was just some nightmare and I was going to wake up. But nope, I was still sat in the same place rocking back and forth like a lunatic when I finally pried open my eyes. I don’t know what part of my brain thought it would be a good idea to sneak another glance but i did and instead of him being led on his bed he was leant up against the window with the same grin plastered over his face. That mesmerising grin. Snap out of it Blaire! I shook myself back to earth and tryed to hide the awkwardness by waving before rushing to shut my curtains. I had just made myself look like a peeping Tom to the hot new guy, great Blaire absolutely great. I groan and throw myself back on my bed face down into my pillow. I have no clue what tomorrow was going to be like but it definitely had to be better then this.