Until My Last Breath

Chapter 4

If Sophia was being honest with herself, she was nervous. She didn't know what "somewhere more private" meant...she thought she did. But she didn't want to make assumptions. She wanted to expect the best in him. She takes a deep breath to find the courage to say
"Okay."
Noah offers his hand to hold. She takes it.
No going back now she thought to herself.
He lead her to a nice secluded beach.
"What are we doing here?" She asks.
"I could tell you weren't really comfortable back there...and I want you to feel comfortable around me, so I thought I could take you to one of my favorite spots."
"Well...I hope you aren't expecting anything.."
She said softly but firmly.
"Oh no, definitely not. My only expectation;turned hope, is that you would tell me your story."
Sophia takes a deep breath.
"Okay...but first let's take a seat."
They find a nice soft spot on the sand near the water, but not too close.
"So...my family backstory. It's not the worst case but it's definitely not the best. For as long as I can remember my dad was always drinking and he always took it out on my mom...we didn't really leave the house except for me going to school and sneaking off to youth group every week. But now that Im out of school and I'm not really allowed in the youth ministry anymore...work is really my outlet. Which, doesn't really matter anymore because both of my parents left two days ago so..."
"Wow..."
"Yeah, I told you it was a lot" Sophia said "what about you?"
"Well...I grew up with two loving parents who always tried their best to do the best by us. I have one younger sister with autism so it wasn't always the easiest growing up...not that it was any worse than what you went through" he mentioned.
She could tell that he wasn't trying to insult or offend her. So she decided to say
"Hey, my childhood does not define your story. Everyone has stuff they struggled or continue to struggle with. It's okay" she grabbed his hand, "please tell me more and don't feel bad."
"Well...you know...kids were always so mean..I got into a lot of fights growing up, mostly defending her. She's just so sweet and innocent..she didn't deserve to be talked about like that."
"I'm so sorry." Sophia said as she laid her head on Noah's shoulder.
                                           •••
After the silence passed, Noah stood up and said
"Come on"
Sophia stands up and asks "what are we doing?"
"You'll see" he smiles.
He pulls out a camera from his backpack. Sophia looks at him a little confused.
"Oh well you see, I'm a photographer, and there's a beautiful view and an ocean behind her...so I thought if you wouldn't mind modeling for me..." he smiled.
Sophia rolls her eyes.
"I'm not a model though"
"You're a natural, just talk to me and walk"
Sophia starts to walk along the shoreline
"Okay talk about what?"
"What makes you happy?"
"Hmm..." She began to think.
"Singing." She spoke sweetly.
A look of surprise plasters against Noah's face.
"Oh really?" He says with a slight smirk.
"Oh yeah, I haven't really performed before but when I'm alone and no ones around...I enjoy singing."
"Well when you're ready I would love to hear it someday." He says as he takes another snapshot of Sophia.
                                           •••
The next morning Sophia wakes up with the biggest smile on her face. She can't believe she had been on her first date, and with a really great guy. She closed her eyes, laying her hand on her chest as she started reminiscing about their evening together. After they left the beach, Noah took Sophia home. He got out and opened the door for her and walked her to her front door. Noah turns to face Sophia and grabs her by both of her hands.
"I had an amazing time tonight" he says.
"Me too" Sophia responds, blushing.
"Sophia?" Noah looks a little worried.
"Yes? Is everything okay?"
"Yes everything is great," he responds, "I just would really like to kiss you if that's okay with you." He blushed and looked down shyly. She appreciated that he asked her first, it made her aware that he cares about what makes her comfortable.
"That would be more than okay" she answered.
She takes a deep breath preparing for what would be her first kiss.
Noah lifts her chin with one finger, and gently places a lengthy peck on Sophia's lips. Her body immediately responded and she kissed him back. Noah slowly pulls away and says
"I'll see you later." And he got in his car and drove away.  Sophia opens her eyes as her memories of last night come to an end. She gets up and gets ready for another day of work.