Hey gorgeous, he whispered back, dropping down beside me.
He didn’t touch me, or try to talk to me. He just sat there ; looking at my father’s grave like I was. After a couple of minutes, I looked at him. Why are you here ? I asked.
And as he turned towards me, I was surprised to see a small smile on his face. Because I want to be, he whispered, reaching out and entwining his fingers with mine.
Nodding, I squeezed his hand and pulled it in to my lap. I felt the tears welling up and I tried my hardest to stop them, but I couldn’t. As they fell down my face, Noah scooted over and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in close. It’s okay Lily, he whispered, It’ll be okay.
And the strange thing was, I believed him.
……………………………………
Noah :
As I stared at Lily, I noticed that her tears had stopped. She was just staring at the headstone, emotionless. It hurt me to see her looking like that, and not the warm, sarcastic girl I had come to know. A thought hit me square in the chest, and I realized that she shouldn’t be here. She should be somewhere where she could let go of the memories, and just live for the moment. Well that settles it, I thought, standing up and pulling her up with me.
Come on gorgeous, I smiled, when she looked up at me. We need to do something.
Noah, she whispered, shaking her head at me. It’s Sunday. And I have an assignment due in this week that I haven’t even started.
I walked up to her side and swung my arm over her shoulders. Smiling, I nudged her gently. Just for a few hours, trust me Lily.
And to my surprise, she looked up at me with a sincere look. I trust you, she nodded, looking in to my eyes.
Good, I whispered, ignoring the feeling of happiness that swelled inside me. Well that settles it then, let’s get going.
Where ? Lily asked, as she walked alongside me.
Well first, we need to go back to the apartment, I shrugged, turning on to the path and aiming for Lily’s Harley parked at the side.
Umm, the apartment ? She cringed, looking up at me with a sceptical look on her face. Really ?
I laughed, squeezing her hand gently. Just for a pit stop. After that, we’re going to Pacific Beach.
When her smile grew in to a huge grin, I chuckled softly, glad to see that beautiful smile of hers again. As we both stepped up to the Harley, Lily looked up at me expectantly. Where’s your old rust bucket ? She laughed, glancing around.
I took the bus here. And excuse me ? I asked, cocking my eyebrow at her. How dare you call my baby a rust bucket !
Well, that’s what it is ! Lily smiled, walking past me and leaning on her bike, a gleam in her eye.
In truth, I didn’t care that Lily had called it a rust bucket, I was just glad that she was smiling. Lily, you never learn, I grinned, stepping up close to her so our bodies were just an inch apart. But I’m afraid I’ll have to punish you later.
Really ? She whispered, a strange gleam in her eye. I’ll hold you to it.
Laughing, I stepped away and dropped my gaze to the bike. It was coloured black and silver and it looked very sleek. Damn, how I wanted to ride that Harley ! I walked around it, admiring it from all sides. All of a sudden, I heard Lily clear her throat from opposite me, Would you two like some time alone ? She smiled, switching her gaze from me to the bike.
Now you mention it…. I mumbled, running my fingers over the paintwork.
What is it with boys and their toys ? Lily muttered, shoving her hand in to her pocket and pulling out her keys.
Smiling at me, she waved them in my line of sight, dangling them right in front of me. I stared at them, trying to stop myself from reaching over there and grabbing them straight out of her hand. But as I looked, Lily threw the keys straight at me.
Woah, I cried, reaching out and catching the keys. Why did you
You’re driving, she smiled, raising her eyebrows at me.
Oh hell yeah ! Running around to her side, I swept her up in to a bear hug and squeezed her tight. And as she angled her head to look up at me, I crashed my lips against hers, barely containing the smile. This is gonna be awesome !
Jeez ! Excited much, she laughed as I put her down.
Hell yeah, I whispered, eyeing up the Harley with delight.
Lily just shook her head and stepped past me. I watched as she swung her leg over and straddled the bike. Seeing her sitting there, with the sun shining down on her, and her hair being whipped around by the slight breeze, I smiled softly. She looked beautiful, and she was all mine.
You coming or what ? Lily laughed, motioning me over.
Uh yeah, I mumbled, realizing I must have been standing there, staring at her like an idiot for over a minute.
Walking up to the bike, I shifted my weight to my left foot and swung over my right leg, being careful not to hit Lily in the process. Once I was sitting, I looked back over my shoulder at her. I smiled and nodded, motioning her forward. When she scooted closer, a questioning look on her face, I just dipped my head forward slightly and pressed my lips against hers, kissing her lightly. She kissed me back for a second, before pulling away.
Let’s go, she whispered, wrapping her arms around my waist.
But as I put the key in, I felt Lily take her hands away and put them under my shirt, wrapping them around my bare chest. I gasped as she started stroking me gently with her thumb, just above my belly button. Squeezing the handles tightly, my knuckles almost going white, I grit my teeth.
Honey, you can’t do that, I whispered, closing my eyes.
Do what ? Lily replied innocently, not realizing what she was doing to me.
You can’t stroke me like that, I murmured, dropping my head forwards. Because if you do that while I’m driving, we’ll probably crash in to a brick wall.
She laughed against my back, and the sound sent pure waves of happiness through me. Sorry, I didn’t even realize I was doing it.
As she stopped stroking my chest, I opened my eyes and let go of the handles. Yeah well, I muttered. I guess you just have that effect on me.
Don’t worry college boy, she said behind me. The feeling’s mutual.
Smiling, I turned the key and listened to the engine roar to life. Pressing the pedal, I couldn’t help but yell in delight as we shot forward along the path and out in to the traffic, leaving the cemetery far behind. With the wind whipping through my hair and Lily’s arms wrapped around me, life was good.