The Grey- Noah Sebastian

four

*Noah's POV*

Sutton is incredible, and it terrifies me. 

I haven't had my heart open to even consider dating anyone for a long time, but me being a clumsy dumbass landed me with the fastest crush that I have ever developed. She's strong, smart, and witty, which is the base of everything that I have ever wanted in a partner. But because of the context, what if this daydream wasn't meant to last for more than a day?

We were watching some random movie with the guys that I wasn't paying attention to, and I don't think she was either, so I nudged her quietly and gestured outside, asking if she wanted to go. She nodded and we slipped out of the bus. It was in the 80s outside, and we always pack chairs, so I brought two chairs out with two White Claws for us. I know, shoot me, but I love White Claws. 

"So, did you have a good time today?" I started with probably too big of a smile on my face, but she reciprocated it. 

"Absolutely, it was definitely an incredible first Warped Tour." I sat straight up in my seat.

"This was your first Warped Tour?" I asked incredulously. 

"Yeah," she said with a laugh. "I wasn't allowed to go while I was living with my family and this was the first lineup since moving out that excited me," she answered honestly.

"I get that, there was a weird few years," I resounded to her point. "Are you close with your family?"

"Not at all," she started, it clearly being a deep wound that she had since healed. "My dad kicked me out when I was 18 and that's when I was done. He was always... a piece of work, and my stepmother was worse. I miss my siblings at times, but nothing would drive me back to the way that they treated me." She took a long pull of her drink, clearly wanting to escape a little. I extended my hand to her, and she accepted it with a small smile on her face.

"I'm really sorry for however way they treated you, you didn't deserve it." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath for a moment before looking at me again. "I was in the same boat, but I got kicked out at 15, and I was crashing on couches for a long time. I'll never be able to repay Nic enough; that man is basically my brother and him and his family definitely saved my life."

"I didn't realize you guys knew each other for that long," she bounced off, which I don't mind, I like knowing she is listening. 

"We've been best friends since middle school. It was happenstance that we both really love playing music and the rest fell into place." I felt myself subconsciously rubbing the back of her hand with my thumb, but it also helps me remember that this was something that was really happening even though it felt like a dream at times. 

"I love that for you guys, but I am also sorry that your parents kicked you out so young. It doesn't matter the situation, it will always be horrible to kick out your child, especially a minor." I gave her a small and sad smile; this is something that I had accepted and healed from years ago, but it's always nice to receive reassurance and empathy. "I'm really glad that you have found something that makes your heart so full, I'm still looking for that myself." She takes another pull, that clearly being another painful topic for her.

"What do you do for work currently?"

"I am currently a store manager in retail, and I love my job in ways, but I know that I also eventually want a family and the capabilities to have a schedule that suits being a parent," she answered honestly. "But right now, I love what I'm doing. I've kind of dreamt of being a teacher as well, but they are so mistreated that it's hard to see it as rewarding."

"That's for damn sure," I responded earnestly. "Especially with how rampant school shootings are, that would never be a career that I could justify." 

"Have you ever thought about what you would do if this didn't work out for you?" she asked honestly, but it took me by surprise. "I mean clearly things are fine since we're here, but it's always fun to pick people's brains."