Breathe

sixteen

[ nora ]

He takes my breath away.

Or at least I thought he did.

At 4:04 am, car lights flashed in my window. I yanked myself out of bed to see what all the commotion was about. It was a mistake on my part. 

There he was, crawling out of a shiny vehicle that contained a group full of giggling teenagers. 

I noticed a few people from school. My heart sunk when I saw Derek as the driver. It dropped even farther when I watched Tiffany jump out of her seat into Cole's arms. She kissed him and laughed. 

He looked happy.

I backed away just as Tiffany raised herself up again. It was too painful for me to bear. 

The shards of my heart soared in different directions as my memories shattered into pieces. Why had I ever thought I was special just because he kissed me? His lips have touched thousands. 

It didn't take long to sink under my covers, trying to get as far away from the world as I could. However, I never could go back to sleep. 

----

I composed myself sometime in the early afternoon.

Well, it wasn't so much of composing as it was just my inability to stay in bed all day. I needed air. 

"Nora?" 

My mom grabs my arm just as I open the door to leave the house. 

"Where are you going?"

There's a hint of suspicion in her eyes, and I know what she's thinking. The whole neighborhood would have heard Cole's arrival last night. 

"I just need a walk." The reassuring look on my face seems to calm her a little. Almost as if she understands, but I don't think she ever could. 

She nods and I step on to the porch. 

My journey begins. 

I was always content with walking down boring streets alone until I actually had someone to walk with. Now being by myself didn't feel quite right.

"Oh, Tina, I'm so proud of him." 

A high pitched voice startles me out of my thoughts. 

I hide behind a bush before peeking out to see her again.

Cole's mother.

"Yes, and the best part is that he's getting rid of that horrid little thing he was always with."

Was she talking about me?

Her heels click against the pavement as she strides towards her car.

"Yeah, that Norma girl? She was such a drag on him. I'm so glad Tiffany is back."

She mumbles a few other things, but the words are lost as soon as she hops in the vehicle. 

A few tears fall down my face while she drives away.

"Mother!" 

I glance up in time to see Cole burst out of his house. He's too late, though. His mom is gone. 

He kicks a column on his porch and lets out a deep groan. 

I stare in shock. He paces back and forth in frustration. 

I stand upright, no longer hiding behind plants. He falls on his porch, letting his head fall in between his legs. 

I take in his messy hair, his baggy clothes, his distressed posture, and I know it's his problem to deal with. I shouldn't involve myself with him anymore simply because I know he doesn't want me.

I've always loved running into my downfalls headfirst, though. 

"Cole." I go up to him. 

He jerks his head up quickly. His eyes are alarmed and his cheeks are covered in tears.

I never thought he would ever cry.

He begins mumbling, jumping to his feet almost instantly. 

I reach out to touch his arm, and he flinches slightly. 

"I'm sorry." He chokes.

"What's going on?" I search his murky eyes, but they only roam the floor. 

"Will you go to dinner with me?" He dodges the question, and I'm not exactly sure he's in his right mind.

"No, Cole. I won't."

He nods sadly, seeming to understand. 

"Can we talk then? Later?"

I want to say no so badly. I want to let go of him and walk away. But it's not so easy. 

Besides, something inside of my soul tells me that this is the last time. I won't do it anymore.

"Of course."

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[A/N]

                                   THIS BOOK IS GOING DOWNHILL

                        I CANNOT WRITE !!!!!!!!!!!!!