a little collection

35

I've really been digging a boys POV of things so expect more of those!!

I sit next to Noelle on my bed, and she seems more distracted than usual. Always checking her phone, looking in her room, which lays just next door.

"Elle, are you okay? You seem off." I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah...yeah, I've been okay, it's just that...never mind." She trails off, and I see her doing her nervous tactic, as she fiddled with her shirt sleeve, and blinks a lot.

"Noelle...." I say, placing a hand on her shoulder, and she visibly sinks, and places her face into her hands.

"I'm such an idiot, Miles, I don't know why I have been lately." She laments, her shoulders starting to shake.

"What happened?"

"It's....it's my grandfather." I tense.

"Is he okay?"

Noelle shakes her head, tears forming in her eyes.

"No. He isn't, his....." She holds back a sob as she tries to find her words. "His brain cancer has come back. Worse than ever. And, Miles. I'm not ready to lose him. I'm not ready..." She breaks down into sobs, and I hold her in my arms, my eyes squeezed shut.

"I've tried to ignore the facts, he's noticeably sick, and I can't stand it. I hate seeing the stares when we go out, he's still human. Of course, I've been lashing out and isolating the ones I love, and..." She breaks down even further, her sobs leaving her breathless.

"I'm so sorry Noelle." I whisper into her hair, and I genuinely am. I may not have known her all of my life, but she's been my neighbour long enough for me to realise how important her grandfather is to her.

"I....I just can't imagine a life without him, Miles. He's been there for me, which my parents never were. He always brought laughter and joy to everyone, everywhere."

I remember one year, my own grandfather passed on and her grandfather happened to be his best friend, so at his funeral, he told funny anecdotes and made that gloomy day seem a little less sad.

"I know. He's a fantastic man, and he will always be there for you, Elle. If not physically, then he'll be here," I place my hand on her heart, light as a feather, "right there."

She snuggles closer into my chest, taking my hand into hers, and her sobs slowly become little sniffles, her eyes still squeezed shut.

"Miles...I'm so sorry if I've been an asshole to you. I'm not good at handling any sort of loss, and I'm not ready." She whispers.

"Hey, it's okay, we're friends, I understand." I console, rubbing her back with my free hand.

"No, it's not okay, I shouldn't push you away. You mean too much to me to push away."

"Elle, it's okay. I can promise that." I reassure, and she takes a deep breath, pushing off my chest.

"Um..this is going to sound weird, but can....can I stay here tonight? My grandparents are out of town and my parents are always MIA, and I don't want to be alone tonight." She babbles, twiddling her thumbs.

"Of course, let me just find you a shirt you can wear to sleep." I stand, rustling through my shirt drawer. I find a black Nirvana shirt, and I toss it to her, catching it. She smiles her thanks, and shuts herself into my bathroom.

I get myself into my pajamas, and I climb into my bed. She steps out, wearing the shirt and her jeans. Elle tentatively steps into the bed, and faces away from me to maybe make this seem less awkward?

Once I know she's asleep, I slowly and carefully wrap my arms around her, and she snuggles into me, wrapping her own arms around my torso. I smile as I drift off, falling for her as I hold her in my arms.