Read Online Marked. Part II: Becoming Noah Baxter by J. M. Sevilla - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: J. M. Sevilla
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distract our neighbor.”
My brothers rush to the door.
“Wait, guys. We need a reason for you to go over there,” I holler after them.
Cody opens the door, “Relax, Lily. We've totally got this. Wasting peoples' time is what we do best.”
Very true.
“ Okay, but text Naomi when you're safely back inside and if the neighbor gets in his car to follow.”
T hey nod, pausing to look each other straight in the eyes and share some kind of silent conversation that has them nodding and fist bumping before opening the door and joking around like they always do. I just hope whatever just happened between them doesn't make me regret involving them.
I wait a few minutes before exiting, heading to the trunk of my car like I'm looking around for something in it while waiting for Naomi to arrive, making it easier to immediately take off.
I can hear my brothers enthusiastically telling the neighbor all about the scary guy who lived here before and if the landlord told him about the old man who died inside a decade ago and how they believe he's still haunting the place. They could go on and on like this, taking truths and twisting them into crazy stories.
The familiar sound of Naomi's motorcycle comes around the corner and I shut the trunk. My brothers' arms are moving wildly around as they inform the new neighbor all about our mysterious, paranormal cul-de-sac.
Noami goes to turn off the engine but I stop her, “We're leaving.”
I pull the extra helmet out, put it on, and hop on the bike.
Noami speaks at the first light, “What's this about, Lily? You've got me worried.”
“ I'll explain more when we get there.”
We don't hit any traffic and make it to the airport with forty-five minutes to spare.
I swing a leg off and put away the helmet, “Thanks Naomi, I really appreciate it.”
“ Does this mean we're done fighting?”
“ Please, I hate it.”
She jumps off her bike to bear hug me.
“Naomi, I don't need you taking care of me,” I say into her curly hair. “I'm a big girl, I can do things on my own.”
“ This must be what it feels like when a parent realizes their child doesn't need them anymore.”
“ You're one of my best friends, I will always need you. I just don't need you to handle my problems anymore.”
She nods, letting me go, “I know, I think it's left over guilt from not stepping in last time.”
I don't respond, because I'm glad she didn't; I wouldn't have met Jay otherwise or discovered the strength I had within me.
I stop her before she turns on the engine to leave, “C an I ask you something?”
“ Anything.”
“ You know you've been breaking Stevie's heart, right?”
The look in her eyes is the only answer I need.
“Do you feel the same way? Honesty here, Naomi. You owe me that.” Where is this assertiveness coming from? I hardly recognize myself.
“ I've had a crush on her since the third grade,” she reluctantly reveals. “That's why I stood up for her at school, besides what they were doing being wrong. I was so pissed and wanted to protect her. Those feelings have only gotten stronger since then.”
“ I'm not going to step in, it's not my place.” I pause to give her a look because that's what she would do, “But you need to talk to each other. Share what you're really feeling and figure out where to go from there, because what ever is going on right now isn't working. I'm not losing my two best friends because one of them doesn't know how to express what's going on inside of her. For once in your life Naomi, open up to someone.”
“ Jesus, Lily. When did you grow up?”
I shrug, not really sure, feeling like I still have a lot of growing up to do.
She gives me a one-dimpled smile, “When you get back, you better still have this attitude you've acquired.”
I wave a finger at her, “When I get back, you better have your shit together.”
Naomi gives a curt nod, “Deal.”
I do the same, “Deal.”
Then she gives me a huge two-dimple smile
My brothers rush to the door.
“Wait, guys. We need a reason for you to go over there,” I holler after them.
Cody opens the door, “Relax, Lily. We've totally got this. Wasting peoples' time is what we do best.”
Very true.
“ Okay, but text Naomi when you're safely back inside and if the neighbor gets in his car to follow.”
T hey nod, pausing to look each other straight in the eyes and share some kind of silent conversation that has them nodding and fist bumping before opening the door and joking around like they always do. I just hope whatever just happened between them doesn't make me regret involving them.
I wait a few minutes before exiting, heading to the trunk of my car like I'm looking around for something in it while waiting for Naomi to arrive, making it easier to immediately take off.
I can hear my brothers enthusiastically telling the neighbor all about the scary guy who lived here before and if the landlord told him about the old man who died inside a decade ago and how they believe he's still haunting the place. They could go on and on like this, taking truths and twisting them into crazy stories.
The familiar sound of Naomi's motorcycle comes around the corner and I shut the trunk. My brothers' arms are moving wildly around as they inform the new neighbor all about our mysterious, paranormal cul-de-sac.
Noami goes to turn off the engine but I stop her, “We're leaving.”
I pull the extra helmet out, put it on, and hop on the bike.
Noami speaks at the first light, “What's this about, Lily? You've got me worried.”
“ I'll explain more when we get there.”
We don't hit any traffic and make it to the airport with forty-five minutes to spare.
I swing a leg off and put away the helmet, “Thanks Naomi, I really appreciate it.”
“ Does this mean we're done fighting?”
“ Please, I hate it.”
She jumps off her bike to bear hug me.
“Naomi, I don't need you taking care of me,” I say into her curly hair. “I'm a big girl, I can do things on my own.”
“ This must be what it feels like when a parent realizes their child doesn't need them anymore.”
“ You're one of my best friends, I will always need you. I just don't need you to handle my problems anymore.”
She nods, letting me go, “I know, I think it's left over guilt from not stepping in last time.”
I don't respond, because I'm glad she didn't; I wouldn't have met Jay otherwise or discovered the strength I had within me.
I stop her before she turns on the engine to leave, “C an I ask you something?”
“ Anything.”
“ You know you've been breaking Stevie's heart, right?”
The look in her eyes is the only answer I need.
“Do you feel the same way? Honesty here, Naomi. You owe me that.” Where is this assertiveness coming from? I hardly recognize myself.
“ I've had a crush on her since the third grade,” she reluctantly reveals. “That's why I stood up for her at school, besides what they were doing being wrong. I was so pissed and wanted to protect her. Those feelings have only gotten stronger since then.”
“ I'm not going to step in, it's not my place.” I pause to give her a look because that's what she would do, “But you need to talk to each other. Share what you're really feeling and figure out where to go from there, because what ever is going on right now isn't working. I'm not losing my two best friends because one of them doesn't know how to express what's going on inside of her. For once in your life Naomi, open up to someone.”
“ Jesus, Lily. When did you grow up?”
I shrug, not really sure, feeling like I still have a lot of growing up to do.
She gives me a one-dimpled smile, “When you get back, you better still have this attitude you've acquired.”
I wave a finger at her, “When I get back, you better have your shit together.”
Naomi gives a curt nod, “Deal.”
I do the same, “Deal.”
Then she gives me a huge two-dimple smile
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