Nora

Chapter 14: A Man and a Lady

I think the hardest part about loving someone is that you have to accept all their flaws. But it's not an 'oh because you love them you should accept all their flaws'. It's a matter of 'you are so infatuated with them you can't possibly not'. It's really unhealthy and absolutely horrible. 

But you just can't stop it. Accept that you will be accepting of their flaws, no matter how horrible they are. 

God knows I'm having to right now.

You see illegal substances have always seemed like the most stupid thing in the world to me. I've just never gotten why people want to put something into their body that is not only addictive (dangerously so) but also changes who they are. 

I mean I haven't got the cleanest slate. I'm a teenager and I used to be a teenager on a mission to survive high school. Part of surviving high school is getting a little rowdy. 

But I never took anything illegal. 

Becayse I knew that I didn't want to end up a loser. Living on the street or off their parents, friends, girlfriend because I couldn't say no. That's not the sort of person I wanted to be. I wasn't going to throw everything I worked so hard for away.

So that's why I don't understand why Nora, beautiful, smart and wonderful Nora would be one of the losers. She's better than that.

But I can't judge her just yet. I need to hear the whole story. 

"Okay I'm ready to hear whatever it is you have to say. I'm listening." I say. 

We're sitting together on the ground. The carols blaring in the background. 

She sits across from me.She wipes her hand across her face. "Can we get out of here? I don't feel like telling this story here."

I breath in and then back out. "Nora I came here with my parents I can't just up and leave. It's Christmas Eve as well. My last Christmas Eve. They're going to want me to stick around."

Nora nods. "Right of course. Yeah."

"It can't be that bad Nora. I already saw what you were doing." I say.

"No I have to... I have to explain and I can't do that sitting on the ground with mascara running down my face." She gets up.

"Nora you're not walking away without telling me what is going on." I protest, hating how terse my voice sounds. I stand up up as well. 

"How about I meet you later then? Can you sneak me into your room?" She wraps her arms over her chest. 

Did she just ask me to sneak her into my room? Am I dreaming? Have I died and I don't know?

"Sure. Come by around midnight. My bedrooms the one with the patio." I scratch the back of my neck. I sure as hell hope Mom and Dad don't want to sit around watching Miracle on 34th Street this Christmas. "But wait won't your Dad be wondering where you are?"

She clears her throat and a piece of hair falls over her left eye. "He thinks I'm at my Mom's."

I shake my head not understanding, "But, where does she think you are?"

"At my Dads." She digs her foot into the ground.

"Why would you tell them you're at the others house?" I ask stunned.

"It's been a rough couple weeks okay." 

"How did you get yourself into this Nora?" I ask.

"I'll tell you tonight. I'll see you soon." She starts walking off. I really hope she isn't driving. Sure she way not exactly be intoxicated anymore but she sure as hell isn't clean.