A Brush of Blue

Chapter 10: Echoes of Firelight

Naomi woke up the morning after the bonfire with a warm, lingering feeling in her chest—a mix of excitement and curiosity. As she lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, memories of the previous night floated back to her. The way the firelight had flickered in the dark, the soothing sound of waves in the background, and Selah's quiet smile as they shared conversation under the stars.

There was something about Selah that stayed with Naomi, something deeper than she had expected. Whether it was friendship or something more, she wasn't entirely sure yet. But every time Selah opened up, Naomi felt that flicker of excitement, as if she was being let in on something special. And that felt important.

Naomi rolled out of bed and stretched, feeling the warm sunlight streaming through her bedroom window. She wasn't usually one to get lost in her thoughts, but Selah occupied her mind more than anyone had in a long time. There was a vulnerability and intensity in Selah that made Naomi want to be there for her, to help her navigate the emotions that seemed to run just below the surface.

After pulling on a pair of comfortable clothes, Naomi headed downstairs. The scent of freshly brewed coffee met her as she entered the kitchen. Her mom, Lorraine, and her sister, Noelle, were already seated at the kitchen island, as expected. Lorraine was sipping her coffee, flipping through a newspaper, while Noelle scrolled through her phone. As soon as Naomi walked in, Noelle's eyes lit up mischievously.

"Well, well, look who's up bright and early," Noelle teased, a playful grin spreading across her face. "Still buzzing from last night, aren't you?"

Naomi groaned internally, bracing herself for the inevitable teasing. "I'm just getting up like a normal person, Noelle. It's not that early."

Noelle smirked, clearly unconvinced. "Oh please, you've got that dreamy look in your eyes. Let me guess—you're thinking about Selah?"

Naomi tried to hide her reaction, grabbing a cup of coffee and turning her back to Noelle. "I'm just thinking about how nice the bonfire was, that's all."

"Oh, it was nice, all right," Noelle teased, glancing over at Lorraine. "Selah must have been great company. I gave Mom the highlights."

Naomi rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "You didn't need to tell Mom every little detail."

Lorraine set down her newspaper and gave Naomi a knowing look, her voice gentle but amused. "Oh, I didn't need the details. I already know how much Selah means to you." Naomi felt her cheeks warm.

"She's just a friend, Mom," Naomi said, though even as she said it, she wasn't sure it was entirely true.

Noelle snorted, clearly unconvinced. "Yeah, right. You've been into her since the day you met her. Admit it."

Naomi shot her sister a glare, but before she could argue, Lorraine gave her a soft smile. "Sweetheart, there's nothing wrong with caring about someone. You've always had a big heart. If you feel something for Selah, that's a good thing."

Naomi shifted uncomfortably, not sure how much she wanted to share. "It's complicated," she said after a moment, her voice quieter. "Selah's been through a lot. She lost her wife last year. That's why she moved here."

The mood in the kitchen shifted immediately. Noelle's teasing faded, and Lorraine's face softened with understanding.

"I see," Lorraine said gently. "That's... a lot. Losing someone so close, so young, is a pain I understand all too well."

Naomi's chest tightened at her mother's words. Lorraine had lost her husband—their father—when Naomi and Noelle were young. Grief had been an ever-present shadow in their lives for years, and Naomi knew just how much strength it had taken for Lorraine to carry that weight every day.