As Elliot studies the picture, I study his face for a sign of approval. I so badly want him to like Noah and to be supportive. He gives a curt nod. “Very nice,” he says, but I can detect a slight undercurrent of tension. “He looks kind of familiar. Must be those Johnny Depp cheekbones.” He hands the phone back to me. “So, listen, how do you fancy coming into town with me tomorrow? I’ve decided to buy a plaid shirt, to go with my new cowboy hat.”
And that’s it—conversation about Noah, over. As Elliot carries on talking about how it’s time to “Americanize his look,” I feel so disappointed. Surely your best friend should be happy for you when you meet someone? Surely they should want to hear all about them? I just don’t understand what Elliot’s problem is. Especially now that I’m home and thousands of miles away from Noah.
I’m thousands of miles away from Noah.
Just as I’m about to be engulfed in a wave of sadness, my text alert goes off. While Elliot is still talking, I dive for my phone and open the message.
Hope you’re home safe. But wish you were still here. I miss you, Inciting Incident
I grin with relief.
“Should I go?” Elliot says, looking pointedly at the phone.
“What?” I say, distracted as I start composing my reply to Noah in my head.
“Do you want me to leave?”
“Oh. Well, I am pretty tired—from the flight.”
Elliot gets up. ‘“OK. See you tomorrow then.”
“Sure.”
As soon as Elliot has gone I send a reply to Noah.
Yes, home safe but miss you too and wish I was there too. Just about to play your CD xx
I light the orange-and-cinnamon candle that Sadie Lee gave me for Christmas and put on my fairy lights. My text alert goes off again.
Gulp! I hope you like it
I open the case and take out the CD. I suddenly get an attack of nerves. I’ve been imagining it as a heartwarming ballad but what if it’s something jokey and silly? What if it’s about how much I love crunchy peanut butter? Get a grip, I tell myself as I put the CD into the stereo and press play. I needn’t have worried. Right from the very first gentle strum of the guitar, I know that it’s going to be beautiful. As I lean back against my bed, I spot a little folded-up note inside the CD case. I open it as Noah starts singing. At the top of the page is the title “Autumn Girl.” Beneath it are the lyrics. I read them as Noah sings.
AUTUMN GIRL
Autumn Girl
You changed my world
You made my winter golden
When I was lost
You made me found
Your loving smile
Turned my life around
Autumn Girl
You changed my world
You made the moon shine amber
And now you’re far
Away from me
I close my eyes
And still I see
Your sunset hair
Your glowing skin
The arms I long
To be held in.
Autumn Girl
You changed my world
You changed my world
You changed my world
By the time the song’s finished playing, my entire body is glowing like my cinnamon candle. Noah wrote that for me. He wrote those beautiful words for me. About me. I grab my phone and send him a text. I go overboard with kisses at the end, because I know he won’t mind.
I love it! Thank you xxxxxxxx
Straightaway he replies.
Seriously?
Yes!!! It’s beautiful Xxxx
So are you
I’m about to reply when he sends another text.
The most beautiful inciting incident in the history of inciting incidents
Ditto xxx
That night, when I go to sleep, I play Noah’s song on repeat and I imagine myself back in the tent, surrounded by the warm glow of fairy lights and with Noah’s arms wrapped tight around me. For the first night in ages I don’t have any nightmares.
2 January
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Hello!
I hope you all had a great Christmas.
So, I’m back home. And as it’s the start of a whole new year I thought it would be fun to do a post about new year’s resolutions.
On the plane on the way home I read a magazine article that said you should only choose three new year’s resolutions because that way there’s way more chance of you actually achieving them.
This is so true!
I used to be so into new year’s resolutions I’d write pages of them and then, by February, when I’d only done about one of them (and never the one about eating less chocolate) I’d feel all crap about myself and not bother anymore.
So this year I’m only going to have three and I think it would be really cool if you guys each chose three too and posted them in the comments below and then we can keep up-to-date with each other’s progress—just like on the fear post.
So I’ll start. This year my three resolutions are:
Number One: To be happy
Number Two: To face my fears
Number Three: To believe in myself
OK, I just realized something as I was typing.
If it wasn’t for Brooklyn Boy I wouldn’t be posting those resolutions at all.
The truth is he’s already helped me to start achieving all three of them.
I’m missing him SO much right now but your comments on my previous post have really helped me.
Thank you so much to everyone who said that things will work out between us. If I could add on a sneaky extra resolution it would be to believe in that too.
And thank you to everyone who posted about the fun people who’ve made the weirdest places interesting. I loved hearing about them.
And to all of you who have asked me to post a picture of Brooklyn Boy, I’m really sorry, but some things just need to be kept private. I hope you understand.
Happy New Year, everyone—I can’t wait to read your resolutions!
Girl Online, going offline xxx
Chapter Thirty-Six