Toxic Chemistry

Chapter 1

Zoe and I caught up during the ride to Ava and Christian's home in Manhattan.

We soon got to the house and I gasped in surprise. It was a beautiful three story building that Zoe boasted had a view of the ocean. 

 The house was built with white stone and had huge windows. The sun shone brightly on the windows making them glitter.

Fuck. I think my jaw just dropped.

"Home sweet home" Zoe muttered.

As soon as Zoe parked the car the large front doors opened revealing Ava. She was wearing jean shorts and a white tank top. Her long wavy hair was now shoulder length.

 She looked...sophisticated. 

I opened the door eager to touch my best-friend for the first time in three years.

I shut the car door and turned just in time for Ava to launch herself at me. I let out an oomph sound at the impact but wrapped my hands tightly around her waist.

I turned my face into her hair my eyes stinging as the familiar scent of her vanilla shampoo wafted to my nose.

"I missed you so f*****g much you b***h" I whispered in her ears tightening my already tight hold around her but she didn't complain "Don't ever leave me again" 

She sniffed and also tightened her hold on me "I won't. I'm sorry Neil"

Hearing her apologize made my heart clench. She shouldn't apologize to me. I know leaving Taylor's groove was also hard on her.

I sucked in a deep breath releasing her and said in a cheerful tone "Now is somebody going to show me inside this gorgeous house or am I doomed to stay in the sun?"

Ava laughed at that "I really missed you Neil"

I gave her a light punch on her arm with a smile "yeah yeah,tell me how much when I'm sipping a cold martini while sitting down in a nice comfortable sofa"

She laughed again and led me inside "let's go then Carter will see to your luggages" she nodded to a guy who couldn't be older than 20.

The moment I stepped through the front door I was blasted with cool air. Ah. Nice.

"I'll give you the grand tour later but for now let's get you that cold martini" Ava said.

I followed her to where I assumed the kitchen was, already drooling. Ava is the best cook I've ever met unlike me who couldn't cook to save her life and she made the best damn martini ever.

Cooking just isn't my thing. 

I snicker at the memory of Ava teaching me how to cook. Ava glanced back at me her brows lifted.

"I was just remembering the day you took it as your responsibility to teach me how to cook" I explained.

It was a week after prom and since we were all planning to go to different colleges Ava had somehow got the idea that I would starve to death without her and told me tearfully that she didn't want me to die.

One thing led to another and I ended up burning the broccoli she was teaching me how to make. Don't ask me how, It just happened.

Next thing I knew the kitchen was in smoke and alarms were blaring.

Ava who had gone to take a quick shower had come running to the kitchen wrapped in a towel, soap suds on her body and leaving a trail of soapy water behind her the same time Christian ran in looking panicked.

After that I was labelled hopeless in the kitchen and was banned from cooking again.

The kitchen was just as i knew it would be. All big, spacey and pristine.

I was surprised to see Zoe already there eating something. 

"I made myself a sandwich" she said around a mouthful.

Zoe despite having grown up as a princess being the only girl of five in their rich family also knew how to cook. It irks me sometimes being the only one in our group who can't cook but most times?, it was just awesome to be waited on.

"Since Ava practically banned me from eating the delicious lasagna she made" Zoe sighed dramatically.

Ava rolled her eyes "stop acting like you didn't have some before you went to the airport"

That reminded me.

"Why couldn't you come meet me at the airport too?" I asked Ava.

She immediately turned red and started stuttering "that...I...you...we...um" she cut herself off to glare at a snickering Zoe.

Okay...

Ava bit her lip and looked everywhere but at me "I'm sorry about that Neil. You see Christian came home for lunch..." She trailed off.

"And decided he wanted some" Zoe said wiggling her brows suggestively.

My lips parted in surprise, I tried to close it but I just couldn't.

Ava glared at Zoe then nervously looked at me "I'm sorry Neil"

It was evil I know but I couldn't resist teasing her "it's ok babe, I know how hard it is to resist the D"

Her jaw dropped and Zoe started cackling.

"Oh my God Neil,that was gold. I wish I could have caught it on camera" Zoe said wiping her tears still laughing hard.

Then she started coughing choking on her spit.

I glanced at Ava and saw her smile slightly "I really missed you Neil" 

I smile back at her "I missed you too"

Zoe who had finally recovered from her coughing fit suddenly appeared beside us "Group hug!" She squealed.

*****

I woke up just as my alarm started ringing. I stretched my hand out to stop it and got up.

After making the bed i took a quick shower. 

Once I was done I wore my black shorts and pink tank top. I paired it with my worn sneakers and put on my wrist watch. 

I checked the time to see it was exactly 6 am.

"Perfect"

I quietly slid the door open and tiptoed downstairs so I don't wake anyone.

Ava was not a morning person.

When I got to the front door I disarmed the alarm and I was out.

The sun was just rising and was still an orange circle in the deep blue sky. I took in a lungful of fresh air and released it.

I started stretching,prepping my body for my run. Once I was done I took off. 

I started with a jog but soon I was running full steam my breath coming out in puffs.

I realized this was actually a great way to familiarize myself with the neighborhood. I was exercising and discovering new places I thought as I passed a cafe with a closed sign.

If this wasn't killing two birds with one stone I don't know what it was.

I started going faster and harder, sweats beading on my forehead and slowly trickling down my back.

Out of nowhere a wall rammed into me so hard I landed flat on my ass.

"Ow" I winced. I didn't see that one coming.

Two legs materialized in front of me and i glanced up and up and up.

 He was that tall.

 I finally made contact with his face and I was mesmerized.

He had on black shorts and a tank top too. Beads of sweat on his forehead showed he was also jogging.

He had a lean face with thick eyebrows. His hair was a rich brown that curled over his forehead. I couldn't see the color of his eyes from my position on the ground but they looked intense.

He had a light stubble showing he hadn't shaved.

I lifted my hand to him expecting him to pull me up with an apology but instead his gaze moved from my hand to my face then with an eye roll he walked around me.

My jaw dropped so fast and hard I was surprised it wasn't touching the floor.

I scrambled up and turned to the direction he passed. I glared at his retreating back.

"Hey!!" I yelled. Nobody knocked me on my ass and ignored me. Nobody.

Decision made I ran to him and grabbed his arm. He paused then turned to me and I was able to fully appreciate just how tall he was.

At 5'9 it was rare to find a guy that was taller than me but this guy dwarfed me. My eyes were level with his broad chest my head barely reaching his shoulders.

I gulped.

Concentrate Neil. 

I lifted my head to glare at him "How dare you knock me over and not even have the courtesy to apologize?" I yelled.

His brows wrinkled and that's when I noticed he had earphones on. 

I lifted my hand to my ear and made a motion for him to remove his earphones.

He did with a glare "what?" 

His voice was husky and washed over me with a warm tingle making heat pool down south.

Get a grip Neil.

"What?...What??!" I sputtered waving my hand like a flailing fish.

He rolled his eyes again "I don't have time for this"

He moved to go around me but this time I was prepared. I blocked him and glared harder at him.

"Excuse me?. You owe me a f*****g apology pal"

He rolled his eyes again "look here lady I'm on a tight schedule, can we do this another day?"

I planted my hands firmly on my hips "I don't have time for this either just apologize and I'll let you go"

He sighed rubbing his hand on his face "for what?"

I gaped at him. For what???.

"You knocked me on my f*****g ass"

He rolled his eyes at me. That was really starting to irritate me.

"Next time watch where you're going" then he wrapped his hands around my arms and moved me out of his way.

He f*****g lifted me up and moved me out of his way.

And I just stood there. Gaping after him.

Asshole.