other half

the letters

the story of Noah's family was probably the most surprising thing that Lydia had learned that day. from the night they first met, to days after where she was to find out that it was safer for her to stay away from him. that even his closest friends pretend not to know him unless they're out of sight from their family. the whole idea that he was beaten, that his father was such a cruel man, that he had suffered so much just seemed...impossible. he was kind, a little withdrawn but then she assumed that that was only because they didn't really know each other.

"so what? he cant leave?"

"its a gang Lydia the only way out is-" bobby places his hand over the blondes mouth as Noah made his way towards them. the brunettes eyes hit the floor. her mouth brimming with venom as she noticed the bruise on his arm just above his tattoo. she knew she couldn't say anything nor do a great deal but it wasn't going to stop her from trying.

"Lydia, can we talk?"

the girl barely glances at Bobby and her cousin before dragging herself towards the woods with Noah. every move he made she could see he was in pain, a visible gut wrenching agony that, she guessed, for her own safety she couldn't mention.

"look-"

"save your excuses Bobby and Allie already told me, why'd you lie to me"

"i did what i had to do to keep you safe!"

"and what if i dont need you to keep me safe!"

"believe me, if you dont want to get hurt you'll stay away!"

"thats just an excuse for you to push me away!"

"its dangerous!"

"NO!" she growled feeling tears sting her eyes, deep down she knew he was right, but she wanted to fight it. she had never experienced that feeling with someone before and she would be damned if she would let it escape her.

"your father is dangerous that is not a comment on how i spend my time with you! do you understand?! look if you don't like me you might as well just say so because im not going to sit here and take you treating me like im some damsel in distress, i can handle myself!"

"not my family" he drew closer, his breath hot and heavy as the frustration of the girls ignorance boiled inside him. he gulped watching as she took a step closer, looking up into his eyes. his jaw clenched as she just glared at him.

"really?!" she scoffed, confusion covering his eyes in a glass film, for a moment he studied her looking for any sign that they might have hurt her.

"really!" he spat back, pulling her further towards the dusty path.

"really Noah? then explain to me why your brother came up to me today and kissed my cheek, explain to me why he acknowledged me but not Allie or Bobby" she pulled his hand forwards, he tried to fight her off as she addressed the subject but it was too late, she already knew it was there.

"your brother never laid a hand on me but your father hits you, now you tell me something, if you knew you couldn't be with me, if you have had to hide your relationship with them this whole time please explain to me why it is exactly that you chose to dive into the water with me! why is it that you kissed me!"

"will you please keep it down!"

she laughed feeling the tears sting her eyes. her father had warned her of the kind of boys the country brings, she didn't believe him, she had a habit of not believing him, but now, she was starting to think that he had hit the nail on the head with this one.

she knew why she couldn't be with Noah and it broke her heart knowing that quite possibly the only person she had come so close to loving in such a short time, was about to be ripped from her.