Forbidden Fruit

(A Hybrid Romance Series - Book 2)

Part 1: Painful Past

It was the humid month of August. The twentieth day, to be exact. The sun was beating down on me as I drove my beat up car to the university. I turned my air conditioner on, but all it blew out was hot air.

I grumbled. "I have to remember to get that damn thing fixed."

I had just graduated high school a three years ago. I took a break before enrolling in college.

Well, to be more honest, I had to work at a factory those few years to make enough money for my college tuition. My parents wouldn't help me out.

Today was officially my first day as a college student, and my twenty-first birthday. My major, and absolute love, was art.

Be as it may, I'm a singer and a lyricist, but something about drawing and painting beautiful scenary grabbed my interest. Besides, I believe I would be more well off becoming a great artist than a mediocre singer.

I could just keep it as a hobby.

I swirved into the parking lot and turned the engine off. I pulled on the handle to let myself out and made my way inside the building.

It was huge! I surely would get lost in this place. My mind set on getting to my room and unpacking, I walked to the main office.

"How may I help you today, Miss?" I looked at the woman seated comfortably in her chair with a computer in front of her nose. Must have been the secretary.

"Hi, I'm Aideen Thatcher." I introduced kindly, a sweet smile on my face. "I need my room number."

The lady nodded and her fingers pecked quickly at the keys. "Ahh, Miss Thatcher, here you are. This says you are in room 345. Your roommate will be Nicole Green."

"Thank you very much." I replied, but I didn't know the way. And the school was so large. "Uhh, how do I get there."

She giggled. "I'm sorry, I forgot to give you the map. Here you are, dear."

"It's alright. And thanks again." I laughed, gently grasping the map and taking it. She nodded once more and I took that as my cue she was done with me. I turned around and made my way back to my piece of shit car.

I drove up to the dorms. People were already outside enjoying the day. I parked the car, everyone staring my way. I knew they were curious as to who the newcomer was. I sighed and shut the car off.

"Here we go, Aideen." I told myself.

Yes, I talked to myself quite a lot. You would too if you grew up in a house full of parents who hated and abused you.

I was considered a "freak" to my mother and father. You see, I had eyes that would change colors. Normally they were brown, but they tended to turn black when I was angered. And when there was a full moon, my brown eyes would have bright green streaks flaring through my whole iris.

Men would gaze in awe and comment about my strange orbs, how mesmerizing they were. Of course I would just laugh it off, my self-esteem low thanks to my parents. They were at fault for that, not me.

"Good God, Aideen, you can be so ugly. Your eyes are a sign of the devil." Those were the words I heard from my mother all the time.

Then my father would pipe in with his two cents. "You are going to be such a lonely woman with an appearance like that. Not to mention a loser. And just what is up with your eyes anyway? You're a damn freak."

But like I said, that's all they would ever say to me. There was no "I love you" or "I am so proud of you".

No, they reminded me about how ugly I was. How I would never amount to anything in life. That I would always be unwanted.

I forced my tears to stay at bay and stepped out of the car. Sliding the key in, I unlocked the trunk and pulled my bags out.

I took a deep breath in through my nose and blew it out of my mouth. With a fake smile on my face I made my way into the dorm building.

A few hours had passed. I'd already unloaded my suitcases and decorated my side of the room. My long legs were folded indian-style as I sat on my bed and continued to engrave lyrics in my notebook with my #2 pencil.

A few tears stained that page. I just couldn't hold it in any longer.

The song was about my first love. The one I'd given my virginity to.

I mean, I had dated in the past, but they always broke up with me after a week of not giving them any sex. They all ended up the same - users and complete jerks.

He was different, or so I thought. We had dated for two years, when I was seventeen. He told me that he loved me. And, being naive, I believed him.

After it happened, he broke up with me and bragged to his buddies about how he was the one to pop my cherry. The guy only wanted to put another notch in his belt. He had never cared for me.

I was such a gullible fool. My broken heart had become guarded.

That asshole had made me feel cheap. Now, I feared of being used once again.

Fate would have it, my judgments were accurate. That was the only thing they all wanted from me. When I turned them down I was called a tease.

Never did I lead them on. I was mostly too stubborn for that nonsense. I made it apparent to never sleep with anyone after that dick broke my fragile heart.

After I finished the last line of my newest song I decided to go for a walk. It was a warm night, therefore perfect for going on a little journey about the town. I needed to clear my thoughts anyway.

My long brown hair was put up in a messy looking up-do with a white clasp, strands hanging down my neck. I wore little makeup.

My complexion was slightly dark, due to my Indian-American heritage, and my lashes were long. I liked to appear natural, not all done up like a clown.

I had brushed medium violet shadow on my eyelids and applied mascara to highlight my eyes. My lips were soft, luscious, full. Instead of drowning them in some intense color of lipstick, I dabbed on some clear gloss to give them a shimmering glow. It had a fruity taste.

Since it was still every bit as humid as it was earlier, I changed into a simple purple halter top with pretty green vines and white flowers sewn delicately into the fabric.

I slipped into white short shorts and threw on my purple sandals. I wanted to look pretty, but it was imperative that my feet were comfortable, as well.

I grabbed my purse and cellular phone, slipping the earphones in my ears that was hooked into the side of my cell. I turned on some tunes and walked out of the room, shutting the door.

Nonchalantly, I made my way down the hall, ignoring the indecent stares and wolf whistles. The things I seen in that hallway were repulsing.

Two guys fondling one girl. Even girls fondling girls.

College was said to be intense. It surely was.

What really made me sick was this jock who grabbed his crotch at me, making kissing gestures as I passed by him. I quickly opened the door that lead outside and ran.