To Be Brave √

Chapter 1

Secrets, Everyone has their own secrets that they only share with the closest friends, people the trust, or at times just lock it in the chambers of their heart just known to themselves.

I have my own fair share of them. The most important of them all, definitely- a photograph, faded and whitened by the times, of Naomi...
 
... and I.

She used to be my neighbour when we were younger. The typical geek sci-fi with curly afro black hair and braces.
She usually would hang out in greased and stained clothes, let alone the fact that they were worn out.

My friends, Jakey and Reece, hated her. They were extremely popular at school hence they felt like they owned the world and everyone ought to bow at their foot.

With my crystal blue eyes and dumb blonde hair like every second girl in America, I fit right into the popular clique, 'the girl gang' (Yes, it did exist even back then) The platonic fun the Jakey felt on humiliating Naomi was beyond me. I never took part in any of her activities, for God sake we were just seven back then and there was no need to go ballistic on her just because said she and quote I," Her dressing sense is so off."

Jakey's favourite prank till date had been throwing a can full of paint on Naomi's clothes. She would do that often. I would help Naomi out after they left. we were kind of friends and I could see that friendship blossoming but then, she left, forever I guessed.

Before she left however she gave me a photograph of us, of the day she had moved in- the precious secret I spoke about.

I never told anyone but I found her cute maybe pretty too. She had her own charm. The way she spoke with food in her mouth was horrendous...

..and silly.

And a favourite pink leather jacket that has seen five centuries if not more brought out her pale grey eyes.

Yes, she was pretty if you just cared to give her a chance. She was definitely the prettiest on the inside.

I never thought I see Naomi again, but I did. She returned to my town in my sophomore year.

High School- was pretty much like every other clichéd place. The crowd was ruled by our hot shot power couple, Jakey and Tyler. Those two, Reece and I along with Rafael, Connor and Stallion formed the popular group, as expected. Reece had an on-and-off with Connor. And Stallion and Rafael,  well I just didn't know them enough.

I never cared to, for they never piqued my curiosity.

And then on a typical sunny morning, the girl gang crashed into Naomi. Literally. Uh, Jakey did. And My!  she has changed.

She had grown out of a tomboy phase. Her wild Afro hair was styled. She had even grown out of her braces and spectacles. I would have never recognized if not for the infamous pink leather jacket tied to her waist.

She was just as surprised to see us. Jakey being the douche that she was snatched and threw all of Naomi's books down and with Reece following her left for her locker before anyone could react.

I helped her pick up her book as she asked nonchalantly, "Still hanging out with them?"

I gave a half-smile.

"Believe me I just ask myself why Naomi"

She grinned at me. "Of course I do. And call me Nao like you used to when we were younger"

I nodded my head handing her the fallen books, "Nao it is"

"Thank you, Dase," she said coming in for a hug while I forwarded my hand for a shake.

Saying it was awkward would be the understatement of the century. In the end, we just smiled at each other and walked our separate ways.

The whole time all I could think about was how beautiful and utterly charming she looked with a smile lighting up her face.  What?

"Your old neighbour?" I heard someone ask.

I turned around to see Tyler behind me. "Huh?"

"I asked if that was your once upon a time neighbour that Jackie just..."

"Yeah" I answered at his loss of words.

"Though I don't get why your girlfriend was being such a bitch to her. It was just her first day here, Ty".

Tyler took me into a hug, "I'll talk to her personally cupcake. Smile now please, for me. I don't like my honey bear frowning."

Now before you get any wrong ideas, let me clear it up to you for you. Tyler was just like a brother to me and had grown really close over the years. I felt like I was better friends with Ty then Reece or Jackie. He understood me better than them. And so Yea, I was..

..better friends with him.

Tyler sense that I wasn't feeling particularly good and so he asked, "Honey bear wanna ditch school and hang out your place or somewhere?"

"I need some caffeine"

So, Tyler and I found ourselves at the campus cafe. Rafael joined us at our table. I kind of got irritated by the constant flirting Rafael threw my way but then that was how he was, the school's dashing flirt boy.

Unfortunately, Tyler had to leave because someone spilt coke over Jakey's dress and she was having one of her moments.

Right then Naomi walked into the cafe with some other girl. They passed my table and ordered something for themselves.

I stared at her, taking in her appearance. Puberty had hit her like a truck. She looked hot now instead of tomboyish cute. I had never noticed before, the way her grey eyes shone and twinkled and her lips twitched when she laughed.

•°•°•

Naomi is basically.... You know

Dedicate a song for this chapter.

Awaiting your comments too.

Much love,

(I kind of like it now)