𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄 - 𝐁.𝐄

twenty one - neverletyougo

•
julia.
•

august 7th.

before the night of our first sleepover, i would find myself staring and spending so many minutes on end just staring outside of my bedroom window, letting the air grow cold as the sun would rise or set. i would just sit there, hoping and wishing for some sign of her.

sometimes, when it got to be too much, i'd walk down to the dock. the soft creak of the wood under my feet would fill the silence between me and the gentle waves crashing as i made my way closer to the edge, pretending that the lake could somehow draw the idea of her out. and sometimes, she'd be there. sometimes, i'd see her. and in that moment, i'd freeze, my breath would catch in my chest as i tried to blend into the shadows, praying that she wouldn't see me at the same place as her at the same time. because i couldn't let her think i was some kind of creep or stalker. i wasn't weird, i just... like to see her. want to see her. want her to notice me. wanted something. anything.

when she came to my door tonight, it was exactly 8:00 p.m. on the dot. not a minute before. not a minute later. she used to bring flowers, random little blooms she'd pluck off the bushes probably along the fence between our houses. she hadn't brought any this time, or the time before, or the time before that. maybe she thought it wasn't necessary anymore. or maybe she didn't care enough to bother.

either way, the doorbell rang, and there she was—a black leather backpack slung effortlessly over her shoulders, probably from gucci, looking so at ease in an oversized eazy-e tee shirt and some nike basketball shorts that went past her knees which she still somehow managed to look perfect in. honestly, she could make anything look good. even the dumbest of clothes, there's no doubt she'd be able to pull it off.

"hey!" i practically spill out, the word coming out in a rush. my chest tightens with a nervous and small awkward chuckle as i catch her gaze. i tried to play it cool and to slow my inviting smirk so it didn't give me away, but i can't hide the fact that my heart was hammering inside of my chest, loud enough that i swore she could hear it if she listened close enough. 

"hey, jules," she replied casually, her voice low and raspy like it always was, like she'd just woken up from some deep, beautiful dream.

i stepped back to let her inside, my hand fumbling a bit as i closed the door behind her upon entry, locking it for safety of course. she kicked off her shoes, some old sneakers that had probably seen better days. she walked over to the living room casually since she's been here quite a few times, dropping her backpack off onto the couch like she owned the place while she turned to face me, waiting to see me in search for what was next.

there wasn't much small talk. it was never like that with her. i hated that. she probably felt like we didn't need words or introduction into hanging out, or maybe she just didn't want to say the wrong thing.

anyways, i led her through the house and out the patio door. we made our way down the grass and to the dock, the lake stretching out long and vast before us, being somewhat still but endless. my boat was tied up there, its pristine white paint gleaming softly in the fading daylight. sure it was no cruise ship, but it felt like home. i looked at her as she crossed her arms, her eyes taking in the boat. she smiled softly, a genuine glint in her eyes. my eyes scan her features, noticing the way her lips curved upward, making my heart do somersaults in just a singular look at her pretty face.

"here she is," i said, my voice quieter now as i nodded toward the small yacht bobbing gently along the water as the lakes small waves splashed against the sides.

"she's pretty," she murmured, almost as if it were just an acknowledgment to herself. her gaze lingered on the boat before drifting back to me.

i smiled, biting the inside of my cheek to keep myself from grinning like an idiot. "come on, i wanna show you the inside." i pulled the key from my pocket, sliding it into the lock and twisting until the gate open with a soft creak. i held it open for her, watching as she stepped inside, the boat swaying slightly beneath our feet as we crossed the threshold.