Breathe

ten

[ nora ]

"I think this is when you're supposed to say thank you." I lean in close and give him an awkward wink.

It was extremely stupid of me to come here, but when I say something, I have to make it come true. I told him I would see him the next day, forgetting that the next day was Saturday and not a school day.

It had taken me a few hours to get out of bed, a few more hours to come up with an excuse to see him, and then even more time to convince myself to actually walk across the road.

Now, seeing the stunned expression on his face, I was regretting every single thing that I had decided.

"Uh, Nora?" He scratches his head, letting messy strands of hair fall over his forehead. "Hi."

He takes the cookies, but never really looks at them. He just keeps staring forward, making me feel like a ghost.

"I just wanted to say sorry for yesterday, Cole. It was wrong of me to-"

"Can we talk at your house?" I watch as his gaze falls on something inside, and as he lets the door open a little, I can tell what he's looking at. Or rather, who he's looking at.

His mother.

She's dressed in a white pencil skirt and matching blouse, her porcelain skin a close match to the material of her clothes. Her lips are pressed tightly together as she intently reads through a stack of papers.

I nod.

He shuts the door and I begin to lead him towards my home.

"You didn't have to apologize." He matches my stride. "For what you said, I mean. I've been thinking it over and you're right."

We reach our destination and I open the door. "Really?"

"Well, possibly."

I raise an eyebrow, but ignore the comment.

"Home already?" I hear my mom's voice from the kitchen.

I regret going to him, and I regret bringing him here. I regret it all. My stomach swims with something much deeper than butterflies.

How could I forget about my parents?

She turns the corner to greet me, but a gasp escapes her lips instead of a welcome. "Frank!"

"What is it, sweetie?" My dad follows her footsteps.

"Nora's brought home a boy." She shakes her head in disbelief. My face blushes bright red.

Cole just smiles. I swear there's not a single drop of awkward in him.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Nightingale. It's a pleasure to meet you." He shakes their hands.

I did not plan for this to happen.

"Mom, Dad, this is Cole." I talk too fast, and my nerves are a mess. "We'll be outside."

I give Cole a nod and he leads this time. He remembers the way.

Before I can make my escape, my mother grabs my arm and whispers, "It's getting late, Nora."

My dad pushes his glasses up farther on his nose and nods.

"Okay." I flee the scene, giving them a promising look. They trust me.

Cole is already in the backyard when I greet him.

"Your parents seem nice." His back is towards me so I can't see his face. "Unlike my mother."

I don't respond. Instead, I'm tempted to place my hand on his shoulder, as a sign of reassurance or comfort, but I don't.

He spins around, his eyes widening. He didn't realize I was so close.

"Sorry." I begin to back away, but then something strange happens. Cole Woods grabs my hand and pulls me closer.

Of course, it only lasts a second. He drops it and backs away quickly.

It was a moment, though. Maybe not spectacular or even a hopeful sign, but it was something.

"Hey guys, we brought some entertainment." Dad's jolly voice rings out from behind us.

He carries our old radio above his head, letting the music pour out from the speakers.

I roll my eyes and something inside of Cole lights up. A small smile appears on his lips.

"Well don't just stand there." Mom walks out, twirling her long skirt as she grabs her dance partner. Dad sets the radio in the grass and takes her hands. They kick their shoes off and jump around, reminding me of little kids.

It's my turn to smile. I will always love them no matter how much they embarrass me.

I look at Cole. I've never seen him look so... well, he looks out of place. I guess he can be awkward.

"Cole." I take his hand and spin myself underneath his arms. "Loosen up."

He nods and starts dancing. He can't dance very well, but I don't really mind it. I've never seen his eyes look this bright before.

Before long, the sky has no light at all, and we're all just tiny specks hidden under a layer of stars.

"Last song of the night." My parents turn the music up louder.

I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith starts playing at the same time a drop of water hits my cheek. I pray for a soft rain, like the kinds in the romantic movies. That would perfect the already amazing night.

"I love this song." Cole starts singing. He actually starts singing. It's almost like a dream, except it's real.

"You're a terrible singer." I laugh.

He ignores me. "I don't wanna miss one smile. I don't wanna miss one kiss. Well, I just wanna be with you. Right here with you,

just

like

this."

It's like time stops, except it doesn't.

"I have to go home now." He lets go of me, acting as if my flesh is on fire.

"What's the rush?"

He speeds towards the door.

He has obviously mastered escaping.

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Nightingale. I had a great time."

"Bye, dear." Mom's gaze never leaves Dad's face. They're mesmerized by each other.

He looks at me. "Bye Nora."

"Bye."

That's when the rain comes down.

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[A/N]
my writing gets worse and worse.
this feels really rushed but I can blame it on a character and say it's because Nora's in la la land so the details are mixing together. just like us girls in real life, right? ;)