The Girl With X-Ray Eyes

Chapter 16

It was becoming closer of a reality for Noel's next album to be ready. He had finished recording all of the songs and they were starting to mix them. Noel was gone almost everyday in the studio and I was missing him a lot. I didn't want to be there to bother or distract Noel and his producers while they were working so I stayed home. I was also working myself of course, my business taking off. I was doing so well that I could afford to hire an assistant. I was still scheduling Noel with interviews and tv appearances, but everything else I handed back to his management label.

Noel came home from the studio one night as I was making dinner as usual. He kissed me on the cheek and sat down at the table.

"Jess love, do you have any plans next weekend?"
Noel asked while I was still cooking.

"Uh was just gonna go out with my friend was all."

"Well cancel that. We're going up to Manchester."

I put the spoon down and turned to him. Noel stood up and came over to me.

"Why? What's going on up there?" I asked suspiciously.

Noel grabbed my ass and hugged me closer to him. "It's a surprise." He winked then kissed me.

We sat back down at the table to eat. I kept asking him questions to try to give me a little hint but he wouldn't budge. Now it was going to be on my mind 24/7.

Noel and I cuddled in bed, my head on his chest while he brushed my hair with his fingers. His eyes were closed but I couldn't help myself from staring at him. "What is happening in Manchester that I have to go with him? What was he planning?" I thought to myself. Of course the big question kept popping in my head. I mean I was only 24, I wasn't sure if I was ready to be married. I really do love Noel and I only want to be with him. I know he loves me but was he ready to do it again? He's already been divorced twice, which I have no problem with, but I want him to be sure. Noel opened his eyes and smiled at me. I had to just get these thoughts out of my mind. I gave him a little kiss then went to sleep.

The week flew by so fast and next thing I know we were getting the train to Manchester. Noel told me to pack for the weekend so we had a few bags with us. He led me to the first class section of the train and chose our seats. The last time I had gone to Manchester was when I was a child. Noel would go every few months but this was the first time I went with him. About halfway through the journey I got too impatient and had to try and ask him again.

"Noellll can you pleeeease tell me why we are coming up here?" I begged him, laying my head on his arm.

He sighed, "Okay, okay. We are going to shoot a music video for my first single for the album."

I squealed, "Noel oh my god, that's so exciting! Which song?"

Noel cleared his throat, "It's actually your song."

"My song? You mean the one you wrote for me?"
I asked shockingly.

"Yeah, It's called The Girl With The X-Ray Eyes."

Little tears formed in my eyes and I gave him a hug. "I can't wait." I smiled at him.

We finally arrived in Manchester and got off the train and into a taxi. Noel gave the driver an address. We arrived at a beautiful lush park.
Noel and I walked through the paths, families, couples, elderly, all enjoying the day.

"I grew up about 10 mins away from this park." Noel said holding my hand.

"It's beautiful. Is the video being filmed here?"

Noel nodded, "I have another surprise for you. Since we are doing your song, you're going to be in the video."

My mouth dropped. "What? Are you sure? I don't know if I'm that good of an actor."

Noel laughed. "It's okay, you're going to be with me, no acting needed." He winked.

"Okay." I agreed giving him a kiss.

We finally met up with his small crew. They tried to be a little inconspicuous so people wouldn't notice what was going on. Noel talked to a few of the crew then came back over to me. He took out a little piece of paper from his pocket and told me about the video and what I would be doing.

"So I'm going to be sitting on this bench here with my guitar playing and watching all the people. My eyes drift to a figure walking in my direction which will be you. As you come up to me you stick out your hand wanting me to take it. I take your hand standing up and when I look into your eyes I see places we have been, things we have done together, and things we will do in the future. When I finally let go of your hand, the park will be empty and you will be gone out of my sight."

I was amazed by the story, it was so emotional and vulnerable."Did you come up with this by yourself?"

"Yes, I had to match the feelings I felt with the song with the video."

"It's amazing, I can't wait to see it." I said smiling so brightly. Noel thanked me by giving me a kiss. It was truly inspiring to see Noel be so open and honest like that, I was so proud of him.

The crew were ready to begin and told me where to go for the start of the video. I went a bit away to go stand in the open field. From where I was I could see Noel sitting on the bench but not clearly. The director told me when I saw a bright flash from near where Noel sat to start walking but not too fast. A few moments later I saw the flash and began making my way over. As I got closer to Noel, I could see him strumming away, he was as gorgeous as ever. As I looked at him, I thought back to when I first started to watch him play. Sitting on the floor of his room, watching how his fingers moved, the way his mouth hummed whatever he was thinking of. It all felt so special and touching that I was lucky to witness him so deep in emotion to his music.

When I finally came up to Noel, I was still smiling thinking about him, even though he was right in front of me. I wanted to just hug and kiss him but at the last second I remembered we were filming and stretched out my hand. Noel slowly rose and took my hand, then the director yelled cut.

"Good good Jessica that was great. We're gonna run it again. Do you think next time around you could smile less with your mouth and more with your eyes. Thanks." The director said to me and then went back to the crew.

"They always fucking say that, the cunts." Noel leaned over and whispered to me. I couldn't help but laugh.

Noel went back to the bench and I walked back across the park. We did a few more takes pretty much doing the same thing, I could see why Noel hated doing these videos now. I saw Noel talking to the director for a moment and then winked at him, very weird.

"Hey Jessica great work. We're gonna do one last take here okay. Though this time when you get closer to Noel I want your eyes to be closed and we'll tell you when to open them okay?" The director said to me.

It sounded a bit strange but I nodded. I mean who knows what these people are thinking of. I got back to my starting position then saw the flash. I started walking across the park toward Noel. As I got onto the pathway I closed my eyes. I took a few more steps forward and stopped. I could feel how close I was to Noel since I had being doing this over and over.

I kept my eyes closed and didn't move as I was waiting for the director. He was taking quite a long time to say something. I heard Noel's guitar be sat down then I heard Noel speak my name.

I opened my eyes and what I saw in front of me made my heart skip a beat. He was kneeling down on one leg and a box with a shiny ring was staring at me.

"Jess, I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Ever since we met you've always been the girl. You're were the girl helping me with the whole media thing, teaching me and letting me be a part of it. You were the girl when I needed comfort, when I needed company, when I needed fun. You were the girl who saw and understood me, my feelings about my life, my interests, and my music. Now I want you to be my girl, who I can do all those things for you to be happy. Jess will you marry me?"

I started crying so many tears of happiness. I was so glad Noel was ready for this and I was so ready to be his girl.

"Yes Noel! Yes!" I hugged him immediately still crying my eyes out.

I let go and Noel put the ring on my finger.

"I love you Noel, I can't wait to be your girl."

The End!