Silence

Chapter 3

Noah's POV

I stared out the window, watching the green go by.

So this was Michigan.

I was moving from California to Michigan and to be honest, I wasn't very excited.

At all.

I knew I was going to miss a lot of people and places I was moving away from. Most of all, my friends, surfing, and the beach.

I pinched my eyebrows in defeat for the millionth time when surfing crossed my mind. Surfing has always been my escape and medicine. Being without it is going to suck ass to say the least.

At least there was football at Michigan Waters High (my old school had more water next to it, just saying) but the season already started. I didn't know if the coach would let me on. The image of Coach Mac's disappointed face when I broke the news to him that I would be moving popped in my mind.

'Really? I'm losing my main quarterback in the beginning of the season?' Coach Mac's incredulous voice flooded my head.

I close my eyes, trying to not think about the fact that I disappointed my team, my friends back at home, with the simple words of 'I'm moving'.

I played with the thread coming off of my seat in our rental car, bored out of my mind. Mom and Dad were chatting in the front while my little sister, Laylie, sang some sort of strange song she made up about monkeys and unicorns in her car seat. I just sat there quietly taking in the scenery passing by my window.

I gotta admit, I was pretty excited to see our new house. In Solana Beach, California we had a pretty small house but here we're able to afford a bigger one and I was excited to have more of my own space.

But that was the only thing I was excited about.

I knew I would always love my old house more. Because that place had memories. That place has memories of Noen.

I love those memories. I know moving away from that house doesn't make the memories go away but still. That place was his home. That place is my home. I don't ever want to move away from our home. From the people who knew him. Knew his light and his heart. Michigan doesn't know Noen. California does.

"We're almost there!" Mom's voice rings out, excitement oozing out of her. My little sister, Laylie, squeals with delight, excited for this new adventure. Dad reaches to the back seat and tickles Laylie's leg softly. Laylie giggled and my lips pull up slightly.

Honestly, Laylie is probably the sweetest little sister an older brother could get.

After a minute, we pulled into a driveway of a creamy tan colored house. It was much bigger than our old house.

"This is it!" Dad said.

We walk into the house, Mom grasping Laylie's hand. The long hallway had white walls and the floor were brown tiles. It was an average size home but it was laid out perfectly.

As far as I knew.

"I love it!" Laylie squeals, jumping up and down in her sparkly pink shoes, her blonde curly pigtails bouncing with her.

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The next day was school and I found Laylie jumping on me, waking me up, causing me to let out a groan. Then she crouched beside me, her grin falling into a pout.

"Nohee, I'm nervous for a new school," Laylie whispered with a worried expression, using the nickname she calls me.

I push myself into a sitting position, crossing my legs as I grab her small hands in my palms. "Hey, you're going to meet all kinds of great friends, ok? Don't be nervous, Lay," I encouraged, wrapping my arms around her tiny body. She curled up in my chest like she always does whenever she needs comfort. I kiss the top of her blonde head, a silent promise to always keep her safe.