The universe and her, and I

N O T T I N G H I L L

It was 5 Am; I'm sitting on the front porch, listen to the rainfall aggressively thinking of him and wishing he was here.

Didn't rain much on the mainland but when it did Wyatt made it his mission to enjoy every second of it. If the forecast called for even the smallest chance of rain he would drop everything and come over to celebrate. At first, I thought it was weird someone could love the rain as much as did but eventually, I craved for the days it would rain so we could spend time together acting like children.

When Wyatt and I first broke up it rained for a week straight and for some reason, I thought he would show up at my house in his yellow rain jacket just like old times and he never did. But that never stopped me from sitting on the front porch for endless hours waiting for his return. It sounds stupid with I think about it now. Yet here I am sitting on the front porch of Phoebe's house waiting for a person who probably doesn't even think of me anymore.

"You're up early," Someone said breaking my train of thought. I stood up from my rocking car and looked over the railing of the porch to see Torryn soaked from head to toe planting flowers in Phoebe's garden.

"I could say the same for you." He looked up at me pushing his wet hair out of his face.

"I work at my other job this morning so I needed to get this done before I head over there."

"I'm sure Phoebe wouldn't mind if you finished this another time"

"I'm a busy guy Kylee my scheduled is always full."

"I can tell" I propped myself on the railing so I could watch him finish his job. "Where else do you work?"

"I'm an ocean rescue lifeguard."

"Seem fitting," I said letting him get back to work.

Now that I think about it I've never not seen Torryn working. When he's on the farm he's always keeping himself busy with tasks Phoebe's provided and when he's not on the farm he's either running an errand for Phoebe or he's working other jobs, I wonder what he's working so much for?

"Hey, Torryn,"

"Yeah,"

"Is the small greenhouse in the woods Phoebe's?"

On our second day in the Outerbanks, Phoebe showed Thatcher and me around her property and everything we were allowed to mess around in, on our way to her big barn in the back we passed by a small run-down greenhouse that was perched in the trees. She didn't mention it being one of hers's but I just assumed it was considering it was on her property.

"I think so; she hasn't done anything with it in years." He replied not taking his eyes off of his work. I simply nodded at the newfound information letting him continue his work unbothered.

The sunrise came as promised peaking through the clouds allowing the golden ray to cast itself on the farm. When I arrived this morning didn't expect to see Kylee curled up in the rocking chair on the front porch. I wanted to say hey and make my presence known so I didn't startle her but she looked like she enjoyed her quiet time so I didn't disturb her

I got halfway through my job every so often peaking back onto the porch to see if she was still there and sure enough she was still in the same spot looking up at the sky. I eventually asked her something breaking her from her concentration, she looked confused to see me here but she moved to the railing to continue a conversation.

"Hey Torryn," Kylee said breaking the silence. "Out of curiosity do you know of any places looking for summer help?"

"Like a job?" I said confused. I didn't think she was the type of person to work, not saying she's never worked but I just assumed she had Mommy and Daddy's money to ride around on until she met some guy to take over for them.

"Like a job," She mocked me obviously offended. "Dont sound so surprised, ass hole."

"Well excuse me" I chucked holding my hands up in surrender.

"So is that a no?"

"My job is currently hiring."

"Perfect where do I apply!" She stumbled off the railing and down the steps to meet me on the lawn. She's obviously very eager but from what I can remember she told Luca she couldn't swim, which is going to be a problem.

"I thought you couldn't swim?"I asked. She stood there with her hands tucked in her back pockets looking around for an answer to her newest problem.

"Got it!" She said her face relaxing. "Luca can teach me."

I'm sure Luca would love to teach Kylee to swim but swimming in a pool is completely different than swimming in the ocean and on top of needing to be a strong swimmer you also need to know how to rescue someone and from the looks of it, Kylee looks like the type of person that would need rescuing.

"Do you know CPR?" I asked. She pursed her lips, a slight furrow between her brows as she stared pointedly at me, and with an icy coldness.

"If you dont want me to work there just say it."

"That's not what I'm trying to say." I tried my best not to laugh at her sudden seriousness. "I'm just asking questions."

"Just tell me who I need to speak too"

"You're looking at him"

"Of course I am," She threw her head back in laughter. "Because why wouldn't you be the boss,"

"Kylee I-"

"No-no I wasn't done." She slowly kneeled into the wet grass so we could be at eye level. "Torryn, I'm just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him for a job."

Did she just quote Notting hill?

I wanted to counter her response with something that would make her roll her eyes because shamefully I loved it when she did but the way she looked at me with her bright green eyes slowly batting her lashes waiting for me to respond I couldn't come up with something quick enough

"What exactly do have in mind?"

"Torryn, I'll sort the sand if you ask me too"

"Fine, When do you want to start?"

"Yes!" She squealed jumping up from her crouched position. "I can start whenever."

"I'm heading there now if you want to tag along."

"Sounds good," She nodded her head rocking back and forth on her heels. "I'm going to change I'll be right back."

I watched her quickly ran up the front porch and into the house not even bothered to catch the screen door that botched off the frame from not being latched properly. I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to give her to work on but I'll figure it out, the storage closet could probably use some sorting