The next few weeks are a whirlwind of excitement. I start wandering back to class, my body no longer runs solely on coffee, and I spent every afternoon at Noah's uncle's house. He greets me with a kiss each time.
I don't label our relationship, there's no actual name for it. We mess around for a bit, then talk. Those talks are strange, they confuse me a bit sometimes. Noah contradicts himself occasionally, especially about his mother. When he started talking about her in past-tense I didn't even need to ask. I knew she was dead. The 'how' doesn't matter. It made me more affectionate toward him. He is a broken soul, just like me.
Though his thoughts seemed to come in endless supply, mine are growing tired. I have always dreamed of having someone to tell everything to. But, it hurt more than it helped. When I would try to open my mouth about my father, it stitched itself shut.
One evening we lay in bed, my body pressed tightly against his, warm arms wrapped around me. He sits up suddenly.
"Come meet my cousin." He gasps.
I flinch, I had been half-asleep.
"Hmm? Ryon? Why?" I mumble groggily. "Doesn't he live in California?"
Noah had told me about Ryon, his cousin and best friend. They'd grown up together, playing with each other nearly every day. He had pulled up his Facebook for me. The two were nearly identical. Though, Ryon was a few years older and had recently gotten engaged to be married.
"He does. I've been invited to his wedding. You could be my plus one. Please Shilo? I'll pay for everything. I need you there. I can't go single while my best friend is engaged to some hot chick. The moment he sees you he'll realize that he's about to commit himself to one girl for the rest of his life. I know you'll knock some sense into him." He begs.
I giggle. My thoughts turn and flop in my head.
"What about school." I roll my eyes.
He looks confused, but recovers quickly.
"School can be made up. Besides I think it's over spring break or one of those no-school weeks." He takes my hands in his. "Please."
His arms are gorgeous.
"Yes." I say, staring at his bicep.
I haven't thought it through. But I'm ready for this. I'm ready to meet his family, Ryon, maybe even his Dad. We've known each other for a month. Shay likes him. TJ sort of likes him. They have to let me go. Technically, I am almost 18. I can leave as soon as my birthday comes. Technically, it's my own decision. I decide to follow Noah wherever he goes. He is my lifeline.
//The above picture is mostly conceptual. It's Shilo exactly, but Noah looks a little different. This picture was kinda the inspiration for the the story so it's pretty rad.//
YOU ARE READING
Museums
Teen Fiction"we are all museums of fear" -charles bukowski Shilo has always faded. Like a small detail in a large painting, she considers herself insignificant in the universe. Noah is full of confidence. He's always been on exhibit for the world to see. When...
