The Art of Falling in Love

Chapter Eight

❝Cause Sundays last forever when I got you.❞ -Sigma, Anywhere

"You and Joshua Williams dated?" Noah asks in disbelief, his jaw dropping. "But you're so sweet and innocent...Joshua parties and hookups with new girls every weekend. The guy is a tool."

I frown. "Unfortunately, we did date and he cheated on me, but I guess I should have seen it coming. I was naive and thought I was in love."

Noah ponders for a moment, "still, I think you're the only girl he's ever dated."

I shake my head, the sad and twisted memories crashing down on me. "It's because I knew his game. I didn't fall for it at first and he liked the challenge."

It was the typical push-and-pull game that every player knew. He would flirt charismatically then kiss another girl. He would call you at night then pretend it never happened. He would tell you you're the one then have a new girl on his arm the next day. It was a perfectly executed plan that would have any girl wanting more, yet I saw the pattern within the other girls he played. I was determined to not be like them; heartbroken.

Noah frowns, crossing his legs on the couch. The soft music from the movie credits is still playing in the background as Noah sits silently, analyzing me like a painting he finds endlessly fascinating.

"You're more than just a challenge, Diana." Noah says softly.

"Josh got what he wanted and then dumped me by cheating," I sigh out. "Why do I fall for the wrong boys?"

Noah grins. "Don't worry, Diana, the right boy could be closer than you think."

I roll my eyes. "Let me know when you find him for me."

"It's more fun when you figure it out yourself." Noah's eyes twinkle with amusement.

I lean my head back against the couch. "I'll get hurt again."

Noah shakes his head gently. He gets up from the couch and begins looking through his pile of blu rays, searching for a final movie to watch. He holds up Beauty and The Beast with a smile, looking for my approval, which I wholeheartedly give. It is one of my favourite Disney movies, for the character development and the soundtrack.

"Everything worth living for starts with a risk," Noah says easily. "I'm not saying you have to force yourself to date or meet new people if you're not ready to, but I am saying that having your mentality right now only hurts you."

"You say that like it's an easy thing to get over."

"Of course it's not," Noah reassures me. "I can't imagine how much it would hurt if someone I love cheated on me. All I'm saying is that Josh just isn't worth your suffering. You're letting him win by fearing new relationships. The biggest 'fuck you' you could possibly give him is by acting like he didn't have an impact on your life."

I think about this for a moment, and recognize that there is truth in Noah's words. Josh really isn't worth my hesitations, my unhappiness. I have to learn to separate new relationships from my old ones. I feel a wave of gladness for my past self, for talking to Noah that day on the bleachers.

"Where did you learn to be so wise, Guru Noah?" I ask in a light tone.

"I'm actually sixty three. Dermatologists hate me." He sends a smile my way, a light appearing in his eyes as I laugh.