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“Ever since you were a little boy, it’s always been your thing. Dex puts the star on top of the tree,” she murmured with a sigh, stepping back and blinking rapidly.
Not the tears.
“I’m sure you’ve grown tired of Tracey,” I joked to Noa. “Ready for me to bring you home?”
She nodded as the lights from the tree shone on her face.
I told them I was going to change and grab my keys, then I stepped away, heading to my room.
When she thought I was out of earshot, Noa asked, “How did you know my name? I didn’t introduce myself.”
“You’re the only person he’s talked about since the accident. Well, except for Ralph. I’m sure he’s told you about his current condition. He was different before. Angry and untouchable. I loved Dexter before it happened. But, and don’t tell him I said this, Dexter now, he’s been…touched. He’s been touched by something spectacular. And, I think you have too.”
I stopped at the steps, waiting to hear what Noa responded with.
“Maybe,” she whispered.
* * *
I parkedin front of the brick apartment building and turned to Noa. “I never did ask you how you were feeling.”
“About last night? The drinking or the…other stuff?” Her voice was uncertain, despite her usual demanding and quick words when asking a question. She didn’t quite request—she required.
“Both?”
“Do we have to do this?” Her eyes were shut. When she opened them, she glanced out toward her home.
“I wish I could look inside your head. I wouldn’t want to read your mind. I’d want to feel what you’re feeling,” I whispered, wishing for it more than anything.
She leaned over and kissed my cheek. When I faced her, she ran her thumb over my cheek, not taking her eyes from mine. “See you at school, Dexter Andrews.” She shut the door behind her and hopped up the steps, giving me a small wave before entering the building.
A few minutes later, there was movement inside. She removed her coat and stood at the window, watching me watch her.
I put the car in drive and pulled off with the image of her calm eyes on my conflicted ones pocketed in the empty slots of my mind.
New memories.
Dexter
I gave Noa time.I fought with myself each day that passed, to text her or call and ask her to hang out, but I wanted her to have time to herself. I sat with her at lunch and people eventually stopped whispering.
She went through books quickly, carrying two or more of them with her each day. AfterAnna Kareninacame some sort of sci-fi thriller trilogy. She read those books fast then started a contemporary romance novel, which I was sure had some rather racy words because I’d catch her blush or see her eyes roving all over the pages, as if she were afraid to miss even a moment.
“More dirty books today, Blue?” I asked as I sat across from her, sliding my tray in front of me.
She closed the book quickly and grinned, nodding.
“It amazes me how you can go from genre to genre.” I pushed my food around my plate, unimpressed with the mess of it.
She picked up her daily apple and bit into it. “I’m amazed that you don’t read at all. How’s your computer stuff?”
“My programming classes?” I’d been enrolled in classes at the local community college, just so I’d be ahead at MIT. Though I didn’t pay as much attention to them as I probably should. “They’re going well. And painting? How’s that?”
“Almost finished with my portfolio. I keep second-guessing my work. I think I need another opinion.” She bit into her apple again.
I nodded, taking a bite of the unappetizing substance on my plate. “Hopefully you find someone.” I was looking at the book she’d been reading when I felt her rap her knuckles against my head.
“Hello. You’re someone,” she stated with a grin.
