Nodding, she squeezed my hand and we walked up the beach. All of a sudden, a kid ran in front of us and we had to stop abruptly, otherwise we would have crashed straight in to him. Whoa, watch it kid, I laughed, turning my head to watch him as he ran towards the underside of the pier.
As my gaze swept under the pier, I had to do a double take when I saw something. It looked like a man, but I couldn’t be sure. It was just a shadow, but whoever it was, they were standing behind one of the wooden pillars. All of a sudden, a flash came from that direction. They obviously had a camera, and I had a weird feeling that the camera was aimed towards me and Lily.
Hey, there’s an ice cream stall over there, Lily said, pointing to the left and up the sidewalk.
Glancing over there, I saw it and grinned. Great, ice-cream it is then.
Taking one last look over my shoulder, I stared in the direction of the pier, where the shadow had been. But whoever it was, they were gone.
****5 minutes later*****
So what do you want honey ? I asked, looking down at Lily.
I’ll just have a vanilla cone.
Make that two, I smiled at the gawky teenage guy behind the counter.
A couple of minutes later, the guy came back with the ice-creams and I handed over the money. Passing one to Lily, I smiled and nodded over to a table a couple of feet away. As we walked over and sat down, I grinned.
So, it’s been a pretty good day, right ? I said, taking a huge lick of the ice-cream.
It has, Lily nodded. Thank you Noah, for helping me to uh- well, to take my mind off of things.
I lowered the ice-cream and nodded, noticing the soft tone to her voice, like she was nervous. Every time we even get close to talking about her past, she always shuts me out. But I didn’t want that, I wanted to know her, to know all of her. And that included her past.
Why do you go to your father’s grave Lily ? I whispered, looking across the table at her.
I don’t she whispered, stopping mid-sentence and shaking her head at me.
Abruptly, she stood up from the table and grabbed her bag. I watched as she started to walk away, shaking her head slightly. Lily, I shouted, getting up from my seat and running to catch up with her. Wait !
What do you want from me ? She murmured, throwing her ice cream in to a trash can nearby and staring out towards the ocean.
As the wind whipped her hair, I just walked up to her and slipped my arm around her waist. She didn’t say anything, but I felt her lean against me slightly. I want to know you, I said, kissing her on the top of the head.
She sighed and leant her head on my shoulder. You know, you’re not who I thought you were, Lily whispered, still staring towards the ocean.
It’s just part of my charm, I smiled, pulling her in closer.
She laughed softly beside me, but it didn’t sound like the laugh I loved to hear. The reason I go to the grave, is to remind myself that he’s really gone, and that he can never hurt me again. That he can never make me feel like I’m worth nothing.
Closing my eyes, I turned around and wrapped my arms around her. She came willingly, and placed her arms around my waist. And as she clung to me, I stroked her hair, not ever wanting to let her go. But after a couple of minutes, something caught my eye and I couldn’t help but smile. Gently pulling away from her, I brushed my thumb along the curve of her ear.
There’s something we need to do, I grinned, lowering my hand and dragging her to the amusements that were across the road.
What ? she asked, walking behind me.
This, I laughed, letting go of her hand and sweeping my arm over the photo booth.
It was one of those where you get a line of pictures, and it was perfect. It looked just big enough for the both of us to fit in, and it was currently empty. So dragging Lily in with me, I sat on the seat and pulled her on to my lap.
Crap, I muttered, realizing I didn’t have any money left. Do you have some change ?
Yeah, Lily laughed, reaching in to her bag and pulling out some money.
She handed it over to me and I put it in the slot, grinning when the machine came to life. And when the instructions were given, I ignored them completely. Grabbing hold of Lily and kissing her on the cheek, I smiled when the flash went off. As soon as it did, Lily shifted and looked towards the camera, a goofy look on her face. I just laughed and put my thumbs up beside her. We pulled as many faces as we could before the time ran out. And when it did, we both stepped out of the booth with huge grins on our faces. I looked at Lily as the photo’s came out from the slot and chuckled. Holding them up for the both of us to see, I cringed when I saw the faces we had pulled.
Ha ! Look at that one ! Lily laughed, pointing to the middle photo.
I had puffed up my cheeks, and one of my eyes was shut. Lily had stuck her tongue out and her eyes were open wide. We did not look good. Laughing, I looked at the top photo and I couldn’t help the feeling that swelled up in my chest. Lily was on my lap, and she was kissing my cheek while I was looking at the camera, a dazed look in my eyes. It was perfect. Turning over the strip in my hands, I carefully tore off the top photo and put it in my pocket. That one belonged to me.
Here you go, I smiled at Lily, handing the rest of them over.
She took them out of my hand and stared at the ripped end, knowing I had taken the top photo. I expected her to say something, but she just slipped the photos in to her bag and looked back up at me, a small smile on her face.
Just as I opened my mouth to explain, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Quickly pulling it out, I sighed when I noticed the caller I. D. One sec gorgeous. It’s my sister, I have to get this.
Sure, she smiled, turning around and walking over to a dance mat where a couple were currently battling it out. I’ll wait over here !
Waving, I turned the other way and put the phone to my ear. Hey bridezilla, how’s it going ? I said, knowing it would piss her off.
Up yours ! She replied, sounding slightly annoyed.
I laughed, loving how I get her riled up so easily. So what’s up sis ? I asked, wondering why she was calling.
Well, I have to run something by you.
Okay, well spit it out.
So, the wedding preparations are pretty much done, she said happily. So I know it’s only a couple of weeks until the wedding, but Richard and I were thinking of having a little break away…
Okay, but what does that have to do with me ? I asked, glancing over my shoulder to see Lily cheering on a little boy that was on the dance mat.
Smiling, I turned back around, only just realizing that I had completely missed what Jackie had just said to me. Sorry, could you repeat that ? I muttered.
Noah ! She huffed. You have the attention span of a spoon. I was saying that Richard and I are flying out to California in two weeks, and we’re coming to see you for a long weekend.
Really ? I smiled, That sounds cool. It’s been a while since I’ve hung out with Dick.
Oh God, I’ve told you a million times, do not call him Dick. He hates that.
Whatever sis, I chuckled, So shall I pick you up from the airport ?
Yeah if you could, we’ll be flying in on the 3rd October at 4pm.
Sure, I’ll be there, I grinned, excited at the prospect of seeing her (and Dick).
Sooooo… I heard Jackie whisper on the other end of the phone, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Soooo… I mimicked, wondering what she was going on about.
Will I get to meet this girl that you’ve been nattering on about for the past couple of weeks ?
In truth I hadn’t really thought about it. I mean, Lily meeting my family was a big step. But as I looked over my shoulder to see Lily on the dance mat with the same little boy from earlier, I didn’t have to think about it any longer.