stars upon my face

chapter 26-tearful thoughts

I got up from the couch and made my way to the room, I felt as if I was in an interrogation room.

What was I doing? Was this really a good idea? But I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to do this, needed to be honest with Nora.

"Excuse me for a minute," I said, trying to sound casual as I disappeared into my room.

I went through my desk drawer, searching for what I needed. Ah, there it was. I grabbed the envelope and made my way back to the living room.

Nora looked up at me as I approached, her eyes questioning. "What's going on?" she asked.

I hesitated, feeling my heart race. "I want to give you something," I said, holding out the envelope.

Nora's eyes narrowed. "What is it?" she asked, her voice firm.

I hesitated again, feeling like I was taking a step off a cliff. But I had to do this. "It's an envelope," I said finally, handing it over to her.

Nora took the envelope from me, her eyes never leaving mine. "What's in it?" she asked again, her voice still firm.

I took a deep breath. "It's a picture of us at the club taken by someone I don't know," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Nora's eyes flashed with emotion, but she didn't say anything. She just held the envelope, "how did you get it?"

I felt  trepidation as I sat back down next to her on the couch.i looked into her eyes trying to read her mind .

What would she think when she sees it?  Would she be angry? Hurt? Scared? at that point all I could do was to have patience.

Nora opened the envelope and pulled out the picture, her eyes scanning the page quickly. And then she stopped, her eyes fixed on something specific.

"Where did you get this?" she asked, her voice softening.

"How did you get it ?" And why?

"I remember that night I was about to exit my apartment when I saw it on my table".

"I know this will sound crazy but I found it on your table the night we came from the club and went to your apartment."

"I...I ..really wanted to show you that night  ..but I didn't think it was a good thing to do so".

"Isn't it a coincidence that you're the one who found it in my apartment,isn't it ?"

"But.. didn't you say you saw it on your table."

"I mean I might have seen or maybe at least I thought I did".

"I mean I was drunk,sleepy and not thinking straight so may....

"Wait..are you saying I'm the one who took that picture,and why would I do that?"

"How would I know, James ?"

"You were asleep Nora,so I took it and kept it".

"Nora's voice starts hardening."oh so you thought it was okay for you to keep it to yourself".

"It's not like that,Nora

"Then how is it ,please tell me because I'm dying to hear your explanation".

"Please calm down,Nora".

Nora looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "Why did you give me this anyways?,huh ,was this some kind of revenge for what happened that night"

You settling your score".

"James's voice raising,"Nora!, someone could be stalking you or me,

And I think It could even be Edgar".

"look Nora,I had fun with you that night and I'm not planning on forgetting it anytime soo...

"So it is about that night ?,look James ,me and you have nothing special and never will ".

"Nora please don't say that(his voice softening) just...think this through".

"I.. don't,Nora takes a deep breath."I don't know what to think anymore James,

It's like my heart just stopped and my mind Is thousand miles away from here"

"I need some time alone ",she says softly

I nodded, feeling like I had been punched in the gut. "Okay," I said quietly.

And just like that Nora got up and left, leaving me sitting there alone with the envelope , my doubts and fears and hopes for what could happen between us.