Dripping Desires: My Unexpected Mate

Celine: Introduction

It's October 20th, nearly the end of the year. I could hear the Christmas carols echoing through the house from the living room as my mother's slim figure darted from room to room. Standing in front of my bedroom mirror, I gazed at my round face and hazel brown eyes, and the small bags beneath them that betrayed my tiredness. To conceal this reality, I applied a light layer of makeup and a touch of gloss to my lips.

Relocating to the Netherlands during the winter felt utterly exhausting, and I could see that my mother was even more drained. She was embarking on a new chapter in her life, trying to escape the emotional turmoil of her recent divorce. With hopes of starting afresh, we settled in the vibrant city of Amsterdam. Our situation was a bit challenging—we had very little in terms of money, clothing, or food—but my mother always managed to make do with what we had.

With my strong academic performance, I received admission to an excellent school known as Roxborough High. It was surprising that they were willing to accept me in my final year. On the otherhand mother, displaying remarkable resilience, securing a job as a hotel manager.

I felt lucky to find myself in the pivotal final year of high school, a period filled with hopes and aspirations as I prepared to transition into the next chapter of my life—college. My ultimate dream was to attend Harvard University, an esteemed institution renowned for its rigorous academics and vibrant campus culture. I knew that attaining this goal hinged on my ability to maintain exceptional academic performance for the upcoming year, with a scholarship as my prize. In my former school, I committed myself to a relentless pursuit of excellence, pouring countless hours into studying, engaging in extracurricular activities, and seeking opportunities to bolster my college application. I had already bagged myself an amazing recommendation and it was crucial that I maintained it, but I was still heavy on what this new school might throw at me.

As I tripled up on my layers of clothes, I came across an old photo of when my family was happy. When Dad used to love us before, he became a drunkard and an abuser. Feeling the anger and disappointment washing in, I quickly rested it face down on my little bedroom cabinet and rushed out to meet Mom, who was still bustling about the house as if excited about her first day at work. As always, she had a little sandwich prepared for me to take along. I picked it up with a smile and packed it in my backpack.

"Hunniee, today is going to be amazing. I know you will be great," she said as she paced across the room, trying to place small hoop earrings into her ear lobe. "I have heard so many good things about this school. You will show them who's boss and bag yourself that scholarship to Harvard University," she said excitedly, smacking a kiss on my forehead as if I were still six. It was clear that she failed to realize that I was already seventeen. But I allowed her to have her way to avoid adding any more stress to her life.

"Mom, I appreciate your hype, but I am not guaranteeing anything. Let's focus on surviving this winter first." I implied.

"You're right." she sympathized, stopping for a minute to look at me. "The coldness is aching our bones, but we will get through this," she said. She looked at me with love, then passed her hands firmly against my arms as if to bring warmth. Come on, you can't be late for your first day at school," she said hastily. She then grabbed her handbag off the table and rushed towards the door. I followed quickly behind.

*****

As we drove through the imposing gates of Roxborough High, the engraved letters with the little Christmas decorations caught my eye, and I read the words silently, feeling a mix of anticipation and unease. The ride had been unusually quiet, with Mom lost deep in her thoughts, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as the landscape blurred by. I could feel the butterfly in my stomach when I took deep breaths, eager for what was ahead of me.

Soon, we stopped in front of a huge concrete building, its facade towering above us, and I couldn’t help but notice the cluster of students busily ascending the few flights of stairs. They seemed eager to exit the cold. Most students were bundled in layers, their breath visible in the chilly air, but three stood out amidst the crowd. They were dressed surprisingly lightly, wearing snug-fitting t-shirts that clung to their athletic frame, paired with skin-tight jeans, and one wore sunglasses, which was so weird because there was barely any sunlight. Their confident strides and similar features; even the blind could have seen they were related.

Shaking off my curiosity, I grasped the handle of my bag, along with a few books and art sketches that I cradled in my arms, and prepared to step out into a new world. Just then, Mom glanced back at me, a soft smile lighting up her face, momentarily easing the nervousness bubbling inside me.

"I hope you have a great day, sweetie," she said softly.

"You too, Mom," I said, returning her a soft smile before exiting into the cold wilderness. I hastily made my way into the building.

My anxiety surged; I tried to maintain a calm demeanor while navigating the bustling hallways toward my classroom. I had studied the map of the school like an exam so I think I had a mind where I was going. Students gathered everywhere as voices of debate and laughter filled the atmosphere; I quickly lowered my head, feeling shy and out of place; my feet moved quickly beneath me. Suddenly, without warning, I collided with something solid as a rock, and the impact sent me tumbling backward, landing hard on the floor. The sound of my books thudding around me was followed by the scattering of my little art sketches, their pages fluttering like fallen leaves across the hallway. The noisy atmosphere came to a hush, as I was now the center of attraction.

I slowly raised my head, and my breath hitched at the sight of three extraordinarily handsome gentlemen standing in front of me. Their confident postures were highlighted by their strong resemblance and light attire, which had caught my eye from the parking lot a moment ago. Seeing them up close, panic washed over me as I scrambled to my feet; a rush of heat crept up my cheeks in embarrassment as I quickly gathered my papers and books back together nervously.

Just then, one of the gentlemen removed his sunglasses, revealing his light grey eyes similar to his other two companions. He stooped down beside me, rendering his assistance with a straight face. I couldn't tell whether he was pleased or not. As I glimpsed at him, neither of us seemed apologetic or thankful, so I remained silent and continued to gather my things. Suddenly, my fingers brushed against his, and an electric shock coursed through me, sending a chillwave up my spine. It felt like time had frozen in that brief moment, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he experienced the same jolt of connection I did. Rudely enough, he didn't dare to meet my eyes. He seemed to be avoiding my gaze.

To my dismay, his attention seemed captivated by one of my sketches. He lifted it towards his face, and in a whirlwind of anxiety, I quickly snatched it away, the urge to protect my work that revealed deep parts of my thoughts and feelings. Without a second thought, I rose and darted into a nearby classroom, its door with a bold "English" sign hanging. It's just the class I was looking for. My heart thundered in my chest as I pressed my back against the cool, solid wall, striving to calm the frenetic anxiety that surged within me. My eyes darted across the classroom, thankful to see that it was empty.