Forever & Always

Chapter 12

Chapter 12:

Rosie

"You look beautiful." A month can go by fast. Especially when you have winter break coming up. Amelia spent nearly two hours doing our hair and makeup. We have matching grey eye shadow and mascara on. Amelia put eyeliner on herself but I skipped out. The dance starts at 7:00 and it was 6:30. Noah said he'd pick me up at 6:45 and Amelia was getting a ride from some girl she knows that lives around the block. I quickly slipped into my dress and readjusted my strapless bra so I wouldn't be showing too much cleavage. "Okay Rosie, Natalie's leaving now. See you at the dance." I wave goodbye as Amelia leaves.

"So who's the lucky guy taking my baby to the dance?" Shit. I've been avoiding this talk with my mom all week. "Just a friend mom don't worry." Or overreact like you do with everything. I have to think of something else to say. "Will he at least introduce himself?" Think Rosie think! "He's in a wheelchair at the moment! Got in a car accident, broke both his legs." Damn that's not the way I should've gone. Noah: I'm outside.

"Gotta go mom see you later." I rush out the door. Why did it have to be Noah? Why not just don't random ex-boyfriend?

Noah

Rosie rushes out with a jacket in one hand and her phone in the other. I open the door for her from the inside as she climbs in. The first thing I notice is her beautifully curled hair. My eyes wander a little lower and I can see her cleavage. I clear my throat and try to keep my eyes on the road.

When we get there, I help Rosie get out of the truck. I do my full inspection. She's wearing a short but not too short black strapless dress with her black flats to match. She's wearing mascara and eye shadow. Her lips are red and full, matching the color of her hair. I want to kiss her so badly and let my hands roam all over her body. But I know I can't do that with her, not tonight.

Rosie takes notice of my eyes wandering up and down her body. Her cheeks turn pink. A smile pulls at my lips from her embarrassment. "Let's go dance." I take Rosie's hand and lead her to the dance floor.

Rosie

There were a couple slow songs that made me feel uncomfortable dancing so close to Noah. I shouldn't feel uncomfortable. I mean, I dance this close to Noah nearly every day. Noah's been so nice and honest with me. And I've been anything but honest. Guilt churns in my stomach, making me feel sick. Noah takes notice. "Need some air?" I nod. Noah rushes me outside where my lungs gap for air. "Do you want to take a walk?" I nod again. "Rosie, is everything okay?"

"No it's not. Noah I haven't been completely honest with you." It's now or never. We don't stop walking and I'm grateful. If I stop, I won't be able to tell him the truth.

"What do you mean?" I sigh, "the guilt hurts too much. I...remember...what happened between us. I remember what the past had." Noah lights up when I say that. I shake my head "Noah you don't understand. Every single day that I spend with you, I remember something new from my past. Something that I thought for sure I would never remember. Sometimes they're good memories. Like when you always took me to the arcade. Most of the time, though, they're bad memories. The ones that gave me nightmares. You left me Noah. You left me, an eight year old, in the grass crying."

Noah swallows hard. "I know what I did was wrong. But I was eight. I didn't realize how great of a person you are. Leaving you was one of the dumbest things I have ever done in my life. I promise you that I will be here with you forever." We walk back to the truck. "Now come on. I'll take you home."

I'm not looking for another relationship with Noah. But soon, I'm sure I will be dating him. I just hope he lives up to his promise.

Noah

I dropped Rosie off at her place. Before she gets off, I plant a kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight Rosie." It sucks that after today, I won't see her until school gets back from winter break. I promised Rosie I wouldn't leave her and I will keep that promise. Even if it means giving up my douchy self.