grayson
"her name's noelle." i squint my eyes at the sun, shielding my face with my hand as i look at brayden.
"yeah? good for you, man."
"thanks..." i trail off, looking toward the ocean, suddenly losing my train of thought completely. i swallow hard, the thought of my brother squeezing my heart so hard that it feels as if my chest is being crushed. i stare out at the sunlight sparkling on the blue water, and i study the people around me.
that's when i see her. noelle is standing on the shore, sunglasses on, hair blowing in the breeze. i can't take my eyes off her, even though her back is turned to me.
"gray?" brayden asks me, lightly punching me on the arm.
"hm?"
"is that her, bro?" i nod, and i look away as noelle turns around. i can tell that she sees me, and out my peripherals i see her mouth moving. but there's no one by her. is she talking to someone? i adjust myself in my seat, watching as she comes toward me, smiling.
"grayson, hi!" her tone is excited, and i immediately stand up, opening my arms to envelope her in a hug. she hugs me back for a few moments.
"how are you?" i ask, smiling as she pulls away. it feels good to see her again. it feels good to be happy again.
"really good, yeah! how about you?" suddenly, brayden nudges my arm, loudly clearing his throat. i look next to me, seeing him looking up at me.
"uh noelle, this is brayden." noelle waves at him and he waves.
"how are ya, darlin?" his question makes her smile even wider. his accent always gets girls. i start feeling lost, a feeling that i'm too used to now that ethan's gone. the two of them get to talking, and i'm pushed aside for a few minutes.
"hey, gray, i'm gonna get going." brayden gets up from his beach chair, folding it up, and winking at me before he walks down the beach toward the parking lot.
"well...you wanna sit?" i ask noelle, moving on my chair. she sits next to me on the chair, and we sit in silence for a few moments. suddenly, i feel compelled to pull her into me, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. noelle leans her head back against my chest, relaxing her body.
"is this alright?" i ask in her ear.
"yes. it's perfect, grayson."
♡♡♡
