A Neighbouring Romance

ch 31 - snow

Please know that I love you all so much, if you're still here - thank you <3

I see the cabin in the distance as we make our way down the long driveway, the snow gathering on the side of the road as Noah focuses his gaze on the ice. His knuckles turn almost white with how hard he seems to clutch at the wheel with his one hand. The other rests next to him, and I clear my throat as I hold back thoughts of placing my palm against his.

The knot of anxiety in my stomach tightens at the reality of this place, the memories and meaning behind everything we've known here. I unclench forcefully as I remind myself to stay calm. My mind is in overdrive, but as we pull up in the space outside, I can't help but gasp as I stare out at the mansion-like, old, bricked structure.

"Oh my God."

A myriad of childhood memories flood into my mind, no bad feelings, all good. A grin spreads across my face as I take in the snow-capped window ledges, the beautiful brown brick and wooden fixtures. It looks the exact same and I regret ever changing at all.

I want to be who I was when I was here.

A loud cough pulls me out of my reverie.

"Missed it?"

Why lie, I think to myself as I nod my head in response to his question.

Something about this place changes me, it makes me honest and bold and true. I feel thirteen all over again as I step out of the car and make my way to the door, forgetting I don't have the keys surreptitiously snatched from my mom's hands. I wait awkwardly as Noah follows and sticks the old key into the lock.

"I love that you still have so much faith in this ancient lock." I joke, eyeing the digitalised doorbell.

"You know my mom hates change." Noah says, struggling with the key.

It doesn't appear to turn as he jerks it out and looks down at the metal in confusion. I'm not sure what's so hard to see, the lock is older than the combined ages of our grandparents.

"Here, let me do it." I jokingly roll my eyes.

"I'm good-"

I snatch the key from him and wiggle it into the lock, ignoring the way that his eyes make the skin on my cheeks burn up, strands of hair falling onto my face. I feel fingers brush away the hair framing my face. His fingers warm against my skin for the millisecond they brush against my temple, moving the hair out of my eye and tucking it behind my ear.

Ignore him. Ignore him. Ignore him.

I turn the key so hard I almost flinch away at the loud noise, when the door unclenches, I roll my eyes, noting the singular attempt it too for me to get the door open.

"You're so annoying." He mutters, and I can't help but smile again. I suddenly feel fourteen and flushed by the taunting of a boy I'm so terribly in love with as he teases me obliviously.

Noah disappears to call his mom so I give myself a tour, making mental notes of all the things that have changed and all the things that haven't.

Most things remain untouched, and I don't know if I like the feeling of familiarity that comes with every step I take into this space. The most important part of our time at the cabin has changed, and that's all that matters, it's the only thing that looms high over the pair of us with every moment we spend together.

My eyes linger on the window, at the whiteness outdoors.

"I'm going back outside!" I call out, unable to wait. I take a jacket that I'm almost certain belongs to Noah, the puffiness of the material almost swallowing me whole as I burrow into the material.