-Chester-
The three of us lay down on the mattress while looking at the very blue sky. Each was shut dead silent, still trying to absorb this today’s events. Yeah, we got away from Noah’s cruelty but at the back of my mind, I feared that when we come back, my family would hate me again. They didn’t know I’m heading out to Nashville today. Mom would be expecting me home by night. I tried to clear my head with those thoughts but I can’t. a phone call would ease here worry for sure, but what would I say?
‘Hey Mom! I’m sailing to some city across Chicago today then fly to Nashville. I ran away with Naomi because her crazy brother tried to get her married to my mortal enemy. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. I love you.’
I’m pretty sure I’d gain a big, heavy slap on my face for that. I dismissed that off and gave up. Naomi was snoring beside me, and Sam was also staring at the same area in the sky. I nudged her elbow.
“Sam, if there’s only the three of us here, who’s driving this yacht? And who owns this awesome thing?”
“Oh, the captain’s there and-“
“It’s me.” A familiar voice cut her off. I got up and turned to that voice. Michael Norton’s grin lit up his face when our eyes met.
“You own this?” I said in disbelief.
He shrugged. “Being a writer brings you a lot of money. I bought this thing you’re riding on.”
I found myself voiceless. I never thought of him all along. They didn’t tell me that he was part of the plan.
“What can I say?” I said, unable to form one complete thought to convey the happiness that I feel.
“What should you say?” he answered.
Sam got up and linked her arm with mine. “I never had second thoughts of convincing him to do this though we’re not that close. He became my friend just yesterday.”
“Yesterday?” I almost exclaimed.
“Don’t overreact, it’s true.” Then she gave me a thoughtful wink. I turned to Michael’s whose smile never faded a bit. My lips playfully showed a sincere smile for him. This would add to my millions of things he did for me, which of course, would be hard for me to pay back. A hug won’t be enough to say how grateful I am to have him as a friend.
“You’re welcome.” he said as though I’ve already foreseen that I’d thank him again.
We made it to Nashville at six and at the apartment Michael paid for us at seven in the evening. Two personnel helped us carry our suitcases to our place. Sam slid the key and twisted the knob open. We settled on the couch and tipped the two boys.
“It’s a nice place.” I commented, looking around the apartment.
“I paid the monthly rent for this.” Michael said.
“Really?” Naomi blurted out.
“Yeah, but you have to find a job. You just can’t live here like a boss.”
Sam laughed at the thought. She gave Naomi a pat on the shoulder. “You’ll have all the time with him.”
Naomi turned to me and smiled. “Yeah, thanks to the two of you.”
I felt my cheeks burn in glee and cast my eyes down. Soon, we arranged our things and ate homemade dinner. The apartment already had a food supply which was really helpful. Sam and Michael decided to stay for the night to help us put things into place, but strictly, as if to test the two of us, we have to sleep in two different rooms. Naomi had to sleep with Sam, and I got to sleep with Michael.
I fought the urge to sneak out of the room and reach out to her. Tossing and turning on my bed was all I could do to keep myself from going out. I looked at Michael who was sleeping peacefully beside me, amazed on how he could manage my restlessness. Then I shifted my gaze on the alarm clock. It was one in the morning and yet sleep hadn’t pulled me under.
Seven minutes was enough for me to let Michael wander in his dreamland. I slowly lifted up my body from the bed and walked slowly like a cat outside the room. The door made a banging sound upon closing the door, but this didn’t wake him up. I walked down to the kitchen and found Naomi stirring a cup of milk while watching TV at a low volume. This gave me a twinge of happiness. Right now, we couldn’t stand being away from each other.
“Hey.” I said and sat beside her.
“Hey.” she slightly smiled. “Let’s drink.”
“Thanks.” I leaned back on the couch and tried to absorb everything I watched on screen.
“Can’t sleep?” she asked and sipped through her milk. I nodded and asked her the same question. “Yeah, that’s why I’m drinking this. It’s been a long day for us.”
I brought up our current situation today which I knew wasn’t necessary. “I don’t know why they have to let us sleep apart. It’s killing me you know.” I laid my eyes on her to see how she’d react.
She smirked. “To see if we could really stand it. If we win, then that’s it. If we lose, they’ll probably laugh at us.”
They surely would be, now that she’s sitting next to me.
“So weird.” I said just to drop off the conversation. I didn’t expect her to keep it going.
“Chester, do you know how we would live here? I mean, they just couldn’t give us money to use for our needs. That’s too much.”
For a moment, I considered that factor. Maybe we could find something like a job to earn a few bucks.
I shrugged. “I hope they’ll figure that out.”
“Maybe.” A smile adorned her lips while she looked at somewhere far for me to go. Whatever was that, I left it to her.
I made myself a cup of milk to relax a little bit while I continued to chatter with Naomi about every topic that we could think of. Dawn was breaking and I could see that we both needed to sleep. We decided not to go back to our rooms and made ourselves comfortable on the couch. After cleaning up the utensils, she sat beside me then leaned her head on my shoulder. I held her hand and caressed it softly.
“Good night.” I said, closing my eyes to sleep. She kissed my cheek and shut herself to the world.
YOU ARE READING
Blue Flower
RomanceAs Chester Sulkin spends his freshman year in high school, his life is turned upside-down because of love- love for his best friend's cousin Andrew Richardson. It was unexpected, and he didn't mean to feel that way. Soon, he begins to feel tormented...
