Eighteen-year-old Eleanor has never been kissed.
She doesn't care, but everyone else does.
So, what happens when a deal is made that requires her to lock lips with someone before graduation, with the help of the one person she wasn't supposed to...
Turning away from him, I choose to pay attention to the large reflection pool in front of us.
I debated whether or not I should bring up what had been bothering me. It was gnawing at me and I couldn't pretend things were ah-okay anymore.
He probably didn't want to talk about it, but I needed to get it off my chest. I had always prided myself on being the type of person that faces problems head-on, so I had to say something.
With a silent breath of courage, I turned to face him. "Why are you avoiding me?"
He turned to face me and I shivered, not from the breeze in the air but from the cold and distant look in his eyes.
"I'm not." He simply replied in the detached manner that matched his current demeanor.
I knew then that I was at a crossroads. Would I push him to talk to me, or would I continue to let him brood or do whatever the hell he was doing out here? The game of logic in my head lost, as I was suddenly consumed with building anger at his dismissal.
"Don't lie to me," I said, barely hiding my growing anger. "You haven't talked to me in weeks, you barely answer my texts, and you didn't even tell me you got into Harvard," I said accusingly.
He stiffened but said nothing.
"I thought we were friends, more than that even." I said growing more agitated at the lack of his response. "but as of late, all you've done is cast me out of your life, and you know what? I'm not going to sit around and wait for you to talk to me. If you don't want to be my friend just say it, don't be a coward and drop me like I'm some bad trend. I deserve better than that." I rushed out.
He fully turned to face me, his lips thinning into a grim line.
"I'm under a lot of pressure and can't deal with your crap right now."
I was stung by his words. "My crap? Are you being serious right now? The only one full of crap right now is you." I said. "You think your the only one dealing with stressful situations? Newsflash Noah Campbell, you are not the center of the universe nor are you the only one going through shit." I cursed at him, earning me a sliver of surprise from him. I rarely cursed, it was something I purposefully tried to avoid, but in moments like this, I couldn't help it.
I closed my eyes and attempted to take a calming breath. "I can tell when I'm wanted and clearly I'm not here. So you know what, don't worry about it. We aren't friends anymore. You're absolved of dealing with my crap." I got up and wiped off the sand from my pants. "Have a nice life Noah."
With those final words, I turned around and marched away. I could feel the prickle of tears starting to form in my eyes, but I was determined to keep them at bay until I was in the security of the house. Lock away in the bathroom where no one could see me fall apart.
I could have said it was because of the argument with Noah, but I knew deep down it was more than that.
Here was another person that had tired of my presence and wanted me gone. Here was another person who I had opened up to only to have them walk away and abandon me.
"Nour," I heard my name being called from behind me but didn't stop, instead I quickened my paste, desperate to get into the house as soon as possible.
"Nour," Noah's voice said a little louder this time, followed by the soft crunch of the sand as he got up.
I crossed my arms and walked fasted, but before my feet could come in contact with the grass a hand grabbed my arm and turned me around.
Noah at least had the decency to look torn, but I hated the flicker of pity in his features. I didn't want him to be my friend out of pity. He dropped my arm and looked past me before catching my gaze again
He racked a hand through his hair. "Look, I'm sorry okay?" He sighed. "I'm..I.. have a lot going on right now and it requires my full attention. I can't afford to lose focus right now." He said trying to reason.
"I know that's not an excuse for the way I have been treating you, I know that. I'm sorry about it though. I may not know whats happening in my life right now, but one thing I am sure about is that I want you in my life. Your one of my closest friends and I don't want to lose you." He said honestly, imploring me to believe him.
A part of me shifted and felt at ease at his words. "Do you mean it?" I asked meekly.
He nodded, softly smiling at me, showcasing his straight teeth and lone dimple on his left cheek, and I cracked. I freaking cracked and wrapped my arms around him in a hug.
He hugged me back and I couldn't help but feel as though we were trying to convey unspoken messages to each other through the hugs.
His arms were wrapped securely around my waist, firm but strong. I felt him relax in my arms as if he had finally received the thing he had been looking for, and I couldn't help but smile. This was how it had always been between us. We never put a name to it, but there was always this sense of comfort and strength that only we could give each other.
I inhaled, happily letting the fresh woodsy and clean scent that was Noah.
I loosened my arms around his neck and proceeded to take a step back, examining him as I did so.
"You can't do that anymore, okay. If you need space, just let me know. Don't push me away." I said solemnly.
He nodded and turned, motioning for me to follow him. I did so and we were once again seated on the makeshift beachfront of the lake.
Simply content to be in each others presence in silence.
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Happy First Official Day of Summer!
What plans do you guys have? I don't really have any, lol, but I do have a goal. That goal is to finish this book... hopefully that happens.
Anyway, thanks for reading my book. As always, let me know what you think/what can be improved. Dialogue has always been hard for me, and I'm trying to improve, so any pointers/comments would be greatly appreciated.
