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“Earth to Dex,” Ralph called from above us. “Let’s eat.”
“Maybe you can stare at my breasts later,” Noa whispered to a very slack-jawed me. She walked up the steps, and I tried to look at everything but what was in front of me.
But, I wasn’t a saint, so I enjoyed the view.
* * *
We lounged around all day,either in the water or on the dock. Noa was carefree, and I felt at ease knowing she could finally be this way.
The sun was going down, and she was leaning against me while our feet dangled from the edge of the dock. We’d been sitting silently for a while now, and I could feel the question right on the tip of her tongue.
“What’s going to happen to us?” she asked.
I hated that she was asking now. But she deserved the answer to her question—when she asked it—even if I had planned on giving it to her the next day. I stood, holding my hand out to her.
“What?” She looked up at me in confusion.
“I’m going to answer your question. Just come with me.” I wanted to be away from everyone else when I told her. Good or bad, I wanted to be the only one to see her reaction. Some things were meant to stay with us alone.
We walked along the edge of the lake, and I looked up at the sky. It’d gotten dark. I slowed when we were far enough where no one would see us.
The stars twinkled and I took a deep breath. “I have my own theories, you know.” I was nervous, buying time, trying to figure out my delivery.
Delivery is everything.
“Do any of them have anything to do with us?” Her nerves made her voice tremble, but unlike me and always like her, she was direct.
“What if those stars represent all of us? Stars are born, stars die, just like people. Maybe there are two stars out there for both of us.” I grabbed her hand, swinging it loosely with mine. The dirt crunched under our feet as we continued to walk.
“And in a few months, one star will be at one end of the sky, and the other will be alone at the opposite end.” Her words were thick, full of unshed tears.
I gathered all my courage. She’d either say yes or say no. Whichever answer it was, I’d move forward, figuring out what was best for us—long-term. The thought was overwhelming, but one I was prepared to deal with. “Or they could be right next to each other, like we are now.”
She stopped walking and I turned to face her.
“Blue, I want you to come with me. I know you finished your portfolio, and I don’t know if you sent it anywhere, but I took pictures and sent it off to this art school there and—”
“What? When?” She clutched my hands, bringing them closer to her.
“A month or so ago. Tim helped me. I know it’s too late to make the fall semester, but I got a letter from them. Noa, they’re willing to give you a full ride, starting in the spring. You can get settled with me in Massachusetts before you start, but you’ll need to contact them soon. And theylovedwhat they saw, Blue. You’re amazing.”
She was sniffling.
Why is she sniffling?
It was getting harder to see her clearly under the stars.
“You aren’t mad at me, are you? I promise I had the best intentions,” I rushed out.
She grabbed my face, running her thumbs over my cheeks. When we drew closer, I could see her smiling.
“No, Dexter. I’m so happy. And I love you too much for it.” She threw her arms around me and pulled me tightly to her.
“I love you too, Noa. I can’t imagine you not being there with me.”
I felt her laugh, and when I noticed the fire dying down on the other side of the lake, I grabbed her hand and led her back toward the house.
We made our way, nearly running, her giggling behind me. Something about the night felt magical, felt like we were eternal. Nothing could take this away. Not when it was this right.
