Two unbreakable souls-Book 3

CHAPTER 3

　　Ryland

　　It took me a moment to remember where I was when I woke up, but when I did, I glanced down at Gracie, still sound asleep, and smiled. She had her head on my chest, and her arm draped over me. I carefully repositioned her, making sure not to disturb her much, climbed out of bed, pulled on a pair of joggers and tee, and sneaked out of the room.

　　I made my way down the hall, creeping into Ben and Lola’s room, shaking him gently.

　　“Go away,” he complained.

　　“Get your ass out of bed. We are going to get things for breakfast.” I whispered. There was no need to, though, because Lola would sleep through anything.

　　It took Ben a moment, but he finally got up, “Jeeze, bro, a warning would have been nice!” I covered my eyes because he was entirely naked, “Why would I not be naked I was expecting to be woken up by my horny girlfriend, not you.” he chuckled.

　　He had a point. I laughed as I made my way to the living room, effectively giving him some privacy to sort himself out. As I waited for Ben, I opened the blinds and admired the view I could get used to seeing every morning. This was a much-needed fresh start for Gracie; my girl deserved a better life, and I truly felt honored she had chosen me to build that life with. I found myself getting lost in the city until I hear Ben coming behind me.

　　“Tell me, why the f**k did you wake me up at six o’clock to head out and pick things up for breakfast We could have easily done it later,” he groaned, “Because it is our first morning here, and I wanted it to be special for the girls,” I replied.

　　He muttered under his breath, and I glared at him; he stopped. I lifted my wallet and cell, slipping them into my pockets before we exit the apartment. I didn’t want Gracie to wake up and panic when she realized I was not there, so if I had my cell, then she could call me.

　　The second I stepped outside, I drew in my breath, glancing around. It was early, but the streets were still busy. It was like a completely different world here.

　　“Please tell me we are buying food from a café or something because I can’t be assed cooking,” Ben complained, “We don’t need to cook.” I chuckled, shaking my head.

　　For starters, the plan was to get some New York bagels since there were supposed to be amazing, and then see whatever else tickled our fancy. And coffee, of course, because if we arrived back with breakfast and no coffee, we would be in the doghouse, and we didn’t want that, not on our first morning here.

　　“Thank Christ,” Ben responded, relieved. He can be so lazy at times.

　　It didn’t take us long to find somewhere that appealed to us, “Do you want to sit in for a coffee first because the girls will not be impressed if we wake them too early” They would bite our heads off.

　　“Good idea! We don’t want cranky girls,” he snickered.

　　“No, we do not!” I agreed.

　　We ordered a couple of coffees and took a window seat.

　　“Are you nervous about living with Gracie here I mean, I am quite nervous about living with Lola, but I wouldn’t change it,” he smiled.

　　“Not at all. We lived together before we came here, so I guess we are used to it. The nerves will vanish quickly.” I completely understood where he was coming from.

　　“I am sure it will. There are a lot of changes yet to come, and we will just need to adjust,”

　　“You aren’t having doubts, are you” I questioned.

　　“No, of course not! I am happy with how things are. It is a massive change, and I have always struggled with it, even small ones. Growing up, there just seemed to be so much movement around me with my parents breaking up and getting back together, and I think those things stick with you. But this, this I wouldn’t change for the world,” he replied confidently.

　　“Good! Because it is going to be incredible!” I said excitedly, “But I completely understand what you mean; it was the same for me.” I added.

　　“Yes, yes, it will be.” He grinned.

　　I am sure we will all have moments of panic, but it is part of growing, of the change.

　　***

　　Ben and I were in the kitchen, prepping the food we had brought in before waking the girls up. We would need to do it soon before everything became cold as some things don’t taste the same when reheated.

　　As I plated things up, my cell vibrated on the counter. I glanced down, seeing a message request from f*******:. With no idea of whom it could be, I scooped it up, opened it, and saw it was from Daisy. The only Daisy I knew was the one we met when we visited campus. Why the hell is she messaging me I sighed, reading it. The last time I saw her was when she was trying to cause trouble and upset Gracie.

　　Hey! I just wanted to say congratulations and welcome to campus after the summer. I am excited to have you there. Maybe I can be your tour guide!

　　How does she even know Then again, she probably has access to specific files for when new students start. Maybe she has reached out to everyone and not only me — I hoped. I sent a quick reply.

　　Hi, Daisy, thank you. Gracie and I are looking forward to starting. See you after the summer