When You Came

Chapter 19

In the outskirts of the city, everything was peaceful. You could easily forget about reality. You would get sucked into Mother Nature and the night sky that you would forget everything easily. You could easily get lost by the sound of the waves crashing or how bright the stars are without light pollution or even the quietness of the night. I could forget about everything easily. I would be lying if I said I didn't have resentment or pent up anger towards my father. Sure he paid for everything: my car loan, my school's tuition, hell even my phone bill. But sometimes a daughter just needs spend time with her father and not give her money to show that he cares.

Not everything can be bought and sometimes paying the bills doesn't mean someone cares, I've come to realize. Some people take it as a chore, as a responsibility. They do it because it is their responsibility and not because they want to do it. My father treated us like a chore.

"Are you feeling better?" Noah rubbed my back, comforting me. The small gesture made me feel all mushy inside.

"Yeah. Thanks. And I'm sorry I'm such a mess." I awkwardly laughed. "You probably didn't expect the daughter of the rich and famous businessman Ethan James' daughter to be an ungrateful brat."

"Hey... Don't talk about yourself like that." He slipped his fingers under my chin and tilted my face up to look at him. "You can always talk to me about anything. And I won't judge." He said with so much sincerity and honesty in his voice.

"Wow, what happened to mister arrogant asshole?" I attempted at a joke.

"Alright then, don't talk to me then." He huffed and crossed his arms at his chest, pouting.

"Noah, don't be a man child." I laughed at pushed him slightly.

"You hurt my feelings, sweetheart." He held his hand to his heart and clutch the material of his hoodie. I ignored him and stared out into the vast ocean.

"How old are you?" The question suddenly came to mind before I even comprehended that I opened my mouth to ask.

"23." He answered. Hmm, four years older than me.

"Damn, what's it like, your age starting with the number 2?" I jokingly asked him.

"Are you implying that I'm old?" He had a mischievous grin.

"Yes." I answered. Suddenly his hands were on me as he tackled me onto the sand and I burst out laughing. He was tickling me.

"How dare you?! Say I'm old." He said as he continued tickling me and I was still on the sand laughing.

"Stop" Laugh "Noah!" Laugh "You're gonna get sand in my hair!!" I said laughing. And he stopped. But he was still hovering over me. He held my gaze but I broke it in a minute by saying "Why do you always stare at me?"

"Cause you're beautiful." He said in a low raspy voice.

"No. I'm not. Get off of me, man child." I pushed him but he wouldn't budge. He had both of his hands placed on the sand on each side of my face.

"Aurelia, don't let your insecurities get the best of you. As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you sweetheart are just so magnificently beautiful." He said in a low husky voice which was full of candor that I nearly believed it myself.

"Get up, Noah." I pushed him another time and he moved. I began to weave my fingers through my hair to get the sand out but I knew I had to wash it again tonight thanks to mister man child.

"Noah?" I called, turning my face slightly towards him but my fingers never stopped weaving through my hair.

"Yes, Aurelia?" He answered, looking at me intently. Those damn green eyes were filled with awe as he looked at me. He was always giving his full attention to me which was a rare experience for me. No one has ever really 100% gave me their attention. Amy would always get distracted and we would end up talking about herself or her and Damien. My brother would always be busy on his phone and my mother was already weak and she didn't need me pouring out all my worries and problems on her. Noah is the first person to have ever gave me his attention.