tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61319468945670322732024-03-13T11:02:27.530-05:00Twenty One QuestionsZara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-783785307423590202016-07-15T00:19:00.004-05:002016-07-15T00:29:29.898-05:00That's A Wrap!Hello Love,<br />
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Thank you guys so much for following me on yet another journey. I honestly can't believe how quickly Harper's story flew by. [tear]<br />
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I have to say, I truly miss the New York Dixie days. Not just the cuteness between Lynn and Jonah, or the drama in Kadie and Sarah's world, but mostly the interaction I had with you all. I think the reason that story went on for so long was because you all encouraged me each week with your love and support. I felt a bond between the regular commenters and even grew to learn the difference between the "anonymous"'s.<br />
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Not to be a buzz kill, but I was hoping to get a taste of the old days with the Q&A. Surprisingly optimistic of me, I know. It makes me very very happy to know that you all wanted an epilogue because, well, that means you really did like the story. I think it's a plague amongst writers to never understand the level of their writing/storytelling abilities, lol. Although I truly appreciate everyone wanting to hear more, as the author, it doesn't feel right to me. During New York Dixie I included an epilogue because we had been involved with Lynn since the beginning of her "new life."<br />
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I guess what I'm trying to say is, I want each and everyone of you to believe what happens with Harper and Nolan is true. I'm handing the pen over to you.<br />
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As for the Q&A I received a few questions from a commenter:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: justify;">Questions:</span><br style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: justify;">1. Do you plan on writing any more or is this your final blog?</span><br style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: justify;">2. What part of Dallas do you live in and what do you do for real work? Or are you a student?</span><br style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: justify;">3. Did you base this story on a real book you read?</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. I plan on writing as much as possible! Ending a blog is the most bitter sweet feeling. At first you're relieved then that absent feeling starts to kick in and you realize the joy you once had is gone. It's one of the best motivations to get yourself back into gear and create a new story. I know I'm not active on my personal blog (<a href="http://zarakennedy.blogspot.com/">ZaraKennedy.BlogSpot.com</a>) But, I hope you all are following me or </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at least regularly checking because that is where I will be announcing my next project/blog. I'm still not sure if I will continue writing in "book" style or go back to "blog" style. Both have their pros and cons, but I guess it's really up to ya'll!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. I'm located in a suburb of North Dallas and I'm currently a student! I spent most of my "working" days in the medical field, specifically dermatology, and decided at the time that was where I wanted to go towards. Then I discovered writing and my life became a lot more confusing lol.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Yes! Kind of, sort of. There are many books about the "21 Questions" theory. I read an article a few years ago about an author who had written 36 questions to ask a loved one in order to build a mutual bond. (It's very loosely based on the actual questions and more on the concept. ) Almost immediately the idea came to mind about how the theory would work on two strangers rather than two people who are already in a relationship. Although I had the idea while New York Dixie was still active the details didn't actually fall into place until recently. We had already spent almost two years watching the puzzle fit perfectly for Lynn, so I knew things had to be a little more difficult for Harper. I think it was more of a way to challenge myself as a writer. A while ago I had told y'all I was working on a book. Well, this was it! Of course it would have been more refined and edited with far more "story" to tell, but I didn't feel right making you all purchase an ebook. I know eventually I would like to sell books, but I owe a lot to you all and honestly it felt much better sharing it with you over the last few months. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">This isn't the end! Please stop by any of my blogs from time to time. Nothing makes me happier than to hear from you. I promise I'll have a new project soon! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Xx, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Zara</span></span></div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-73004652002734106652016-07-07T19:17:00.001-05:002016-07-07T19:17:12.689-05:00Chapter Twenty Three<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
“This is amazing, Harper.” Celeste’s attention was diverted as she continued reading my article. She mumbled on and occasionally added in words of encouragement. “Brilliant! Love it! Fantastic!”</div>
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“You really think so?” I spun around in my swivel chair as the curled telephone wire wrapped around me. </div>
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“Harper, are you kidding?” Her voice grew causing a smile to spring onto my face. “This is great! I knew you had it in you.”</div>
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I sighed as I began spinning in the opposite direction to unwind myself. “Thanks, Celeste.”</div>
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“I’m not just saying it to make you happy.”</div>
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“I know, but I mean really, thank you.” I huddled over my desk for privacy. “This wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t push me to try something different. I would have still been stuck in a rut trying to figure out what’s wrong with myself. You really are the best friend a stubborn girl could ever need.”</div>
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“Stop it.” At first she teased, but the light sobbing through the phone quickly changed the tone. “It had nothing to do with me. It was all you.”</div>
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“You know it’s true, Celeste.” A movement across the office caught my attention. I looked up to see Calvin walking. “I gotta go!” The words sped out of my mouth. “I gotta go, bye!”</div>
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Calvin smiled as he nodded his head in my direction. I smiled back and nodded hello.</div>
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His hands were full with one carrying coffee and the other a messenger bag stuffed with papers peeking out of it’s edges. Calvin proceeded to walk through the office as he smiled and nodded at anyone watching him walk into his office. </div>
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“How could you let him go?” I heard Georgina’s voice behind me. I looked up at Elise to see her face light up as she readjusted herself to watch our conversation in entertainment.</div>
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I spun around and smiled at Georgina. “What do you mean?” </div>
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Her hands were palm side up before she folded her arms across her chest. “I mean Rolan was your night in shining armor. You two met and it was serendipity. How could you possibly be okay with him gone?”</div>
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I laughed for a brief second before I realized Georgina was being serious. Plus, the fact that she was calling him Rolan let me know she read the article one too many times. Elise was right about her, Georgina was a hopeless romantic that spent way too much of her time fantasizing about romantic comedies. </div>
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“It’s not that simple, Georgina.”</div>
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“I think it is, Harper.” Her tone was firm, yet soft enough to express her good intentions. “You need to find him. You can’t let a love like that go.”</div>
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I was speechless because deep down I knew she was right. It had been a little over two months now since I’d even attempted to contact Nolan. He had gone from someone I fell in love with, to someone I cried over for weeks, and now just a character in my article. </div>
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“Georgina, I think the phone at your desk is ringing.” I heard Elise’s voice over my shoulder. Georgina furrowed her brows when she didn’t see and incoming call flashing on her land line. She opened her mouth, but Elise cut her off. “You should probably go pick it up…Now!” </div>
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I sighed as I slowly spun back around to my desk. “Thanks.” I mumbled.</div>
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“Don’t mind her.” Elise spoke softly. “She doesn’t realize when she’s stepping over bounds.”</div>
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I opened up my computer screen and pulled up my work for the day. The presidential election has been picking up, so Ricky and I had been collaborating on a few more projects since the success of our last article. As soon as I signed in a ping appeared on my screen. It was a message from Ricky.</div>
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<i><b>Ricky Alvarez:</b> Hope you don’t have plans for lunch. We have a phone interview with a House Rep. @ 12.</i></div>
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<i><b>Harper Stevens:</b> Nice! How’d you manage to make that happen?</i></div>
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<i><b>Ricky Alvarez: </b>You know Latin men and our suave talents.</i></div>
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<i><b>Harper Stevens: </b>Yes, of course, God’s gift on earth.</i></div>
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“Hey,” I whispered to get Elise’s attention. She was typing away on her keyboard, but wiggled her eyebrows to let me know she was listening. Elise was a pro at multitasking. She could be on a personal phone call talking about her weekend while eating and working at the same time. “I’m sorry, but we have to cancel our lunch plans.” She finally stopped what she was doing and rested her chin on her fist. Her eyes squinted at the screen before she hit the backspace key a few times and began typing once again.</div>
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“But that new sushi place just opened.” She whined as she looked over at me with a frown.</div>
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“I know, I’m sorry. I have to be on a call with Ricky for an interview.” I exhaled a slow breath as I opened an inbox full of unread emails. I hated reading emails.</div>
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Elise’s eyes trailed back to her screen just before she gave me another look. </div>
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“What?” </div>
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She didn’t say a word. She continued on with her typing. A few seconds past before she finally broke the silence. “Hey, do you still have a picture of him?”</div>
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“Of Nolan?” I whispered.</div>
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She nodded. </div>
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I pulled out my cellphone from my desk and scrolled through my gallery until I found the only picture the two of us had together. It was from the night we spent with the elderly couple at the bed and breakfast. It was the end of the night when Nolan’s shirt was a little untucked and the curls I worked so hard on were flattened. It may have been our only picture, but it was my favorite.</div>
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I held up my phone and showed it to Elise. She leaned over her desk to get a closer look.</div>
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“Okay, that’s what I thought.” She smiled. </div>
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“What?” I shut off my phone and stowed it away. </div>
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“The guy at the front desk.” I watched as she shut off her screen and turned her chair towards me. “I thought he looked familiar.”</div>
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I laughed unaware of what was going on. “What guy? What desk?”</div>
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“Behind you, you idiot!” </div>
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I turned around and for the first time in a long time felt my heart stop. </div>
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It was Nolan. He was here. <i>At my office. In Boston. </i></div>
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I didn’t know what to do. I felt Elise’s hand push my shoulder push. “Go!” </div>
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“What is going on?” I felt a nervous chill run through my body. “What is he doing here? Wait, is that really him?”</div>
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“Nolan!” I ducked behind my cubicle wall when Elise shouted his name. </div>
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“Elise, what the hell!” I whispered angrily. </div>
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I watched as she waved her hand gesturing for him to walk over. She continued watching him as she spoke through the corner of her mouth. “Harper if you don’t get up in 3…2…1…”</div>
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“Can you tell me where I can find Harper? Harper Stevens.” I heard Nolan’s voice and I almost wanted to cry. </div>
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“Oh, Harper, Harper Stevens? She’s right there.” Elise pointed behind him. </div>
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“Harper get up right now!” She whispered aggressively as Nolan turned away.</div>
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“Where?” He sounded confused. “I’m sorry did you just say something?” </div>
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“Yeah, just there. Right there. You see her?” She kept pointing in different directions hoping he’d turn away.</div>
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"Tell him to wait outside.” I was hoping she knew how to read lips.</div>
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“What?” She whispered back. </div>
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A startled expression came across her face. I looked up to see Nolan peeking into my cubicle.</div>
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“Harper? What are you doing down there?” He looked at Elise then back down to me. “Were you trying to hide from me?”</div>
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I was speechless. </div>
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I tried moving my lips, but nothing was coming out. I sat there like a fool on my knees as Nolan stood over my cubicle.</div>
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“Oh…” Elise’s voice cracked as she tried to divert the awkward moment. “There you are Harper!”</div>
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I stood up and dusted off my skirt. “I wasn’t hiding from you. I don’t know what just happened. I panicked.”</div>
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Nolan didn’t say a word.</div>
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“It’s nice to finally see you.” I fidgeted with my fingers feeling more nervous than before. “I tried calling you, like, a thousand times. I sent texts too, and emails, and…” I stopped myself when I realized I sounded psychotic.</div>
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Nolan leaned off the cubicle wall and unfolded a paper that he’d been holding in his hand. “I read your article.” He stared down at it and continued. “Rolan Gletcher? That was real original.”</div>
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“Yeah, well…” I shrugged.</div>
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“Is this really what happened?” He handed the paper to me, but I didn’t take it from him.</div>
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“I’m sorry.” He finally exhaled and looked back up at me. “I’m sorry I left you the way that I did. It’s been eating at me this whole time.”</div>
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“Don't apologize. I deserved it.” I folded my arms across my chest. “But, you shut me out completely. You didn’t even answer me when I tried reaching out to you for weeks.”</div>
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“Because you're just another person I love that hurt me.” His brows furrowed as a glimpse of sadness raced across his face. </div>
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I took a step closer to Nolan. “Did you just say you love me?” </div>
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He sighed. “It scared me how fast it all happened, but yes, Harper I do. When I found your notebook I thought you were just using me, which I guess you technically were, and it hurt. It hurt bad. But then I read this damn article and I had to hear it from you myself.”</div>
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We stared at each other quietly. Our eyes were locked and the room felt like it was spinning. I knew if I didn’t do anything in this moment, I’d lose Nolan all over again. I reached forward and pulled his face down towards mine and kissed him. </div>
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“I was scared too, Nolan.” I held onto his face. “I was a coward. I couldn’t admit it then, but I love you too.”</div>
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There was a squeal across the room that broke our attention. Georgina stood with her hands cupped over her mouth as she watched us. I couldn’t help but laugh as Elise tugged at her arm to pull her away.</div>
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“Will you forgive me?” I asked as the feeling of guilt rushed over me again.</div>
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Nolan shook his head as he stepped back. “Not for the Rolan Gletcher thing.” His tense expression eased as a smile broke through. “But I think we can try to work through everything else.”</div>
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“I would really, really like that.” I buried my face beneath his chin as we hugged. I'd missed this feeling. “How did you find my article anyway?” </div>
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“I got a call from someone asking to do an article about our store. When I looked up the website I saw your article on the front page. I couldn't believe it."</div>
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“That’s strange. Why would they do that. We’re local to Boston.”</div>
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“Oh, yeah, I guess I should tell you we’re planning on opening a Fletcher’s here.”</div>
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“Shut the hell up.” My jaw slightly dropped as I stared at him in silence.</div>
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Nolan laughed. “Yeah, Gramps gave me a nice little promotion when I got back to South Carolina and asked if I’d take the lead on the project. So, I guess I’ll be here until it’s up and running.”</div>
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I held my hands to my cheeks as I processed everything he was saying. “Where?”</div>
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“Funny you ask.” He took my hand and led me to the window as he pointed to the building across the street with a construction sign in the window.</div>
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___________________________________________</div>
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Hello Love,</div>
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I can NOT believe we're finished with yet another journey together!! I wanted to try something new out with Twenty One Questions by writing it in "book" form rather than an open ended blog. It was fun and I hope you all enjoyed it!! </div>
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Would you guys like to do a Q&A? If so, please comment below and I'll create a post next week answering everyone's questions. It can be about anything! Whether about the blogs or personal :) I miss connecting with you all and thought it'd be a perfect end to this blog!! </div>
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Love you all tons and thanks again for reading!!!!</div>
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Xx</div>
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Zara</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-54623902346037270682016-06-30T12:46:00.001-05:002016-06-30T12:46:46.568-05:00Chapter Twenty Two<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Review: Twenty One Questions For Finding Love</u></span></div>
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Written by: Harper Marie Stevens</div>
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I'm aware that this might be written differently than most book reviews, but I felt it was necessary to tell my story.</div>
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It would be impossible to continue <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">without mentioning the person I once was. An egotistical cynic that didn’t care much about anything except for her own success and career. I was eager to make my mark on the world. I moved to Los Angeles, a busy metropolitan city, and yet I managed to only make a single friend. We just happened to be neighbors, so who knows if she’d actually be my friend if we’d met otherwise.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></div>
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The point that I’m trying to make is I’m not the easiest person to get along with. I have my faults and now thanks to Alexander Nottingham I’ve learned to deal with them. </div>
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When I was first given this book I almost immediately tossed it away. The idea of manipulating someone into falling in love with me seemed a bit out of my expertise. Little did I know I was the perfect candidate. </div>
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At first the reader is given a short excerpt on the fundamentals of Nottingham’s theory. This is where you learn his strategy of asking each question in the designated order it is given. Essentially you’re building a comfort zone between yourself and your significant other. As you proceed through the questions you later find yourself leaving that comfort zone to dig for a deeper connection. </div>
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The first time I read this book I nearly gagged. The thought of someone maybe falling in love with me seemed off putting at the very least. </div>
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When I decided to move back to Boston I ran into some car troubles that ultimately led me to my victim. He was perfect. Talkative, optimistic, single and I’ll admit, easy on the eyes. I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to test out Nottingham’s theory. </div>
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Rolan Gletcher* couldn’t have been an easier target. As we traveled cross country I slowly began to learn about his family dynamics and work ethics. From time to time I’d hear his phone conversations with his nieces. It would always start with screaming laughter from one end of the phone and finish with tears asking when he’d be home. “I’ll be back before you know it!” He’d convince them. Little did they know he was working hard everyday to manage his family business. I would watch as he’d conduct meetings for hundreds of staff members without breaking a sweat and then do it all over again the next day. He certainly had a sense of commitment. </div>
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I hadn’t even made it to the tenth question before I began noticing Rolan’s fascination with me. I knew that my uptight attitude and stand-offish behavior hadn’t exactly lured him in. Instead it was the carefully articulated research from Nottingham that trick Rolan’s mind into seeing a deeper part of me. One that wasn’t verbally communicated.</div>
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I knew what was going on, it was inevitable after all. I didn’t need to finish experimenting with this theory any longer. It had already proven to successfully create intimacy from my "partner."</div>
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I kept it going anyway. At this point my research was turning into a sick obsessive interest. By following a single pattern I was able to charm my way into someone’s heart. My eyes would light up when I would think of using this theory in different situations. Maybe on a potential boss in order to land a job, or maybe to stop a police officer from writing a ticket, I could use this on anyone really.</div>
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Maybe even myself.</div>
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As time went by I began noticing a change in my daily routine. I’d gone from living in Los Angeles and struggling to wake up from the deafening sound of five separate alarms to being on a road trip with a stranger and practically jumping out of bed to see what he was up to. </div>
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I consistently reminded myself that I wasn’t changing. It was just an experiment I was conducting and this new peppy girl I’d become was merely an act to hold up the charades. </div>
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I was wrong.</div>
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By the twenty first question I knew it. I was never pretending. I had in fact transformed into someone I wasn't familiar with. </div>
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I never expected this to be the outcome. I believed that if I was fully aware of how the theory worked I would be immune to it. </div>
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Nottingham has a way of sowing in the depths of your insecurities and then helping you to nurture the growth of this potential reality of a new outlook. His theory breaks you away from those pesky stains in your mind with a simple spritz of a hard acting cleaner.</div>
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Once it’s all over you began to realize that you haven’t tricked your mind into changing. It wasn’t actually the book that made you feel this way. It was you all along. A stubborn soul who was convinced that they needed a book to find love. </div>
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So, to conclude my review, I will give Alexander Nottingham four stars for his research, but I highly recommend not purchasing the book.</div>
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Don’t be a fool like I was. I made myself believe love was nothing but a Ponzi scheme. A fraudulent emotion that rids your mind of productivity and promises to return it with happiness only to have your heart broken in the end.</div>
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It was after I met Rolan Gletcher that I knew everything I’d believed before was just my fear of opening up. He was the first person to make me feel as though my struggles were just a tiny little molecule in a vast growing world. He faced his own set of heartbreaks, but that didn’t stop him from allowing me to explore the feeling of bliss when our emotions became mutual.</div>
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He was a stranger that stole my heart and has yet to return it.</div>
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*Name have been changed to protect the privacy of individual.</div>
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Hello Love,</div>
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Hope you enjoyed Harper’s article! I know this week’s post is short, but I felt that separating the article from my regular post was the best thing to do in order to prepare you for next week. Speaking of… Next week will be the FINAL post of 21 questions!!! Can’t believe we’re already at the end of our journey!!!!</div>
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Xx</div>
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Zara</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-47167227754537976172016-06-23T23:15:00.001-05:002016-06-24T00:47:31.804-05:00Chapter Twenty One<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
How did you get this?” I stared at the papers in my hand. The black ink exposed the words I’d been trying to hide; my story about Nolan.</div>
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I breathe of air escaped between Calvin’s teeth as he sat back in his chair. He was gently rocking, wondering why my reaction wasn’t more enthusiastic. “You emailed it to me.” His brows furrowed and smile faded. </div>
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“Why would I email it to you? This was private.” I looked at him accusingly. “Unless someone logged onto my computer without my permission.” My anger grew along with the accusation.</div>
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“Harper.” Calvin’s chair slightly bounced as he leaned forward. He began typing on his keyboard and turned the screen towards me. “Look.” He pointed at the email from me. “Check the time.”</div>
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I squinted as I looked at it from across the desk. It was time stamped for yesterday morning. “But…” I mumbled. “I was here yesterday morning.” We sat quietly as the memory flooded back to me. “Oh my God.” I covered my mouth. “Tech support! I meant to send the file to myself. Not you!”</div>
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“Oh.” Calvin replied in a dull disappointed voice. “So you don’t want to publish the story?”</div>
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“No!” I almost immediately responded. </div>
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He leaned his elbows onto his desk and clasped his hands together. “Why not?”</div>
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“Calvin…” I leaned forward in my chair and sat my elbows on his desk to mimic his posture. “I can’t do that to Nolan.”</div>
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“You mentioned in the story that neither one of you speak to each other anymore. No harm no foul, right?” His hands unfolded and faced palm side up.</div>
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I thought about what Calvin said as my eyes glided back to the papers in front of me. I mean, after all, I had the intentions of writing this story before I’d even met Nolan. I couldn’t say that I wasn’t tempted.</div>
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“So?” He asked as his hands blinded once again. “Rosie is part of our book review department. I can send it her way and you two can work together to fit it within the guidelines.”</div>
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I sighed softly at first, but ended with a grunt. I didn’t know what to do. Nolan was angry at me for even drafting the idea of the article, but then again Calvin was right, we were no longer in contact with one another. There was no way he’d even know about it. “Okay.” I muttered as I bit my lip.</div>
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“Great!” Calvin leaned back and smacked his desk with the palm of his hands.</div>
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“But!” I cut him off. “I have to change the names in the story.”</div>
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“That’s fine.” He agreed. “As long as we have the review.”</div>
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“And I need to make edits before you send it to Rosie.”</div>
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Calvin gave me a look. “Harper, you better not change what you have written.” </div>
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“Don’t worry.” I stood up from my chair. “It’ll just be a few edits. Nothing major.” I spun around and headed back to my desk.</div>
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“You looked stressed.” I heard Elise’s voice from the other side of my screen. I peeked over to see the concerned look on her face. “Did Calvin say something.”</div>
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I rolled my eyes as I briefly wiped my hands over my face. “He found a story I was writing. It was private.”</div>
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“Wow.” Her full attention was towards me. “I’ve never known Calvin to snoop.”</div>
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“Okay,” I admitted. “Maybe I accidentally sent it to him. But, regardless, it was private and now he’s pushing for me to publish it.”</div>
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“Yikes.” Her eyebrows climbed up her forehead. </div>
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“Yeah.” I sighed. “Maybe I should share it though. I mean it was the whole purpose of my research.”</div>
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She gave me a blank stare unaware of what I was referring to.</div>
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“What would you do?” I rolled my chair out of my cubicle corner and onto her side of the desk. “If you read a book about making someone fall in love with you and decided to test the theory on a stranger you met during a cross country road trip and…” I paused for a dramatic effect. “Plot twist, not only does he fall for you, but you feel a connection with the opposite gender for the first time in…like..ever?”</div>
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She shook her head unable to process my words. “Wait, what??”</div>
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I slumped over on her desk with my head covered by my arms. </div>
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“I don’t get it. This is a made up story? It can’t be real. Is it?” She shook my arms pleading for me to get back up and answer her questions.</div>
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“it is.” My voice was low and defeated. “Only he found out I was using him for a story and left.”</div>
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“Wait, so you thought the plot twist was that you had feelings for him? Oh my God.”</div>
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“My whole life is a plot twist.” I mumbled.</div>
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Elise covered her mouth as realization struck. “Georgina would literally lose her shit.” She repeated herself in a firmer tone. “Georgina would literally lose her shit, Harper!”</div>
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“I’m glad this is all fascinating to you.” I pushed myself off of her desk and rolled back to my side. </div>
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“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” She rolled over to my side as she begged for forgiveness. “This is too much to comprehend.” Her hands swayed in the air as she exhaled a heavy breath. “If you publish it, aren’t you afraid he’s going to see it?”</div>
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“I thought about that when I was talking to Calvin.” I spun back around to face her. “He lives in South Carolina. There’s no way he’d see a book review from a Boson publication.” </div>
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“In that case you should write it.”</div>
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I looked at her questioningly, “you think so?”</div>
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She nodded. “As writers it’s our duty to write by experience. We can’t hold back because we’re gonna hurt someone’s feelings. Our audience relates to us because of our truths, not because we tip toe around them. Plus, if this book helped you find love, don’t you think someone who’s actually looking deserves the chance to experience it as well?”</div>
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“You’re right.” I felt a surge of confidence. “If I can’t have my happy ending, at least some one else can.”</div>
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I pulled up my notepad document and began typing away. The words just came pouring out. I was so lost in writing that I hadn’t noticed Rosie standing beside my desk. “Oh!” I jolted back as my hand flew over my chest.</div>
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“Did I scare you?” She laughed at my reaction. “Sorry, I was just stopping by to let you know I talked to Calvin. He told me you’re writing a story for my department?”</div>
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I waited for my heart rate to stabilize before I cleared my throat and responded. “Yeah, he liked a review I wrote and wanted it published.”</div>
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Rosie nodded her head. She was hardly an inch past five foot tall. I was practically at eye level with her sitting in my chair. Her hair was short, just like her, and slicked behind her ears accentuating her jawline. “Right, right.” She nodded as she mumbled to herself. “The problem is we already have a few reviews that need to be posted.”</div>
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I pushed myself away from my desk and folded my arms across my lap. “Okay.” The word slowly escaped my lips.</div>
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“I’m sorry, Harper.” She sighed and rested the palm of her hands on my desk. “Your article will have to be pushed back two months.”</div>
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I couldn’t help but smirk. If this wasn’t a sign from the universe telling me not to write the story, I didn’t know what was. Rosie picked up on my confusion.</div>
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“Calvin just always gets so excited and even though he overlooks things, it’s each department that has a pre-set schedule and…”</div>
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I waved my hand to stop her from rambling on. “Rosie, seriously, it’s okay. I understand.” I broadened my smile to show her I wasn’t offended. “I didn’t even want to post it to begin with.”</div>
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“No, you have to.” Her resting palms turned into gentle balled up fists against the desk as she leaned her weight on them. Her voice sympathetic and calm.</div>
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I rolled my eyes and pull myself back towards my desk. “We’ll see. I guess I have two months to perfect it.” </div>
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I smiled again reassuring Rosie I was okay. She reciprocated sympathetically before she walked back to her desk. I took in a deep breath with my face cradled between my hands. There staring back at me was my article. For all I knew this was Nolan’s energy transpiring through the air waves preventing this whole thing from happening. </div>
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I hit the delete button on my keyboard and watched as each letter from every word began erasing, one by one and then all at once. Before I knew it the whole thing was gone. </div>
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I closed my eyes and whispered to myself. “You win, Nolan.” </div>
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Exactly five seconds had past when suddenly my eyes flew open. “That’s it!” I whispered again. “That’s it!” My voice grew louder with excitement.</div>
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My fingers raced across the keyboard. I had the story the whole time and I never thought twice about it. It wasn’t Nolan story I needed to write about.</div>
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It was mine.</div>
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I’d fallen in love with Nolan within moments of meeting him. Me, the cynic. The girl that believed love was just a scam being shoved down our throats by mass media. I’ve given into my own fears because of a book written my a physiologist, who despite my denial happened the be right.</div>
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How could I have missed this. </div>
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By the time I was done writing there were only a couple people left in the office. I’d written and rewritten and rewritten again. I was obsessively reading the words popping up on my screen from the swift stroke of my fingers on the keyboard. </div>
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I hit the print button and watched the ink covered paper eject from the printer. My hands covered my mouth as I picked it up from the tray. This was it. </div>
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I walked over to Rosie’s desk and left my paper with a sticky note attached.</div>
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<i></i><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Please reconsider </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i> - Harper</i></span></div>
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<i></i><br /></div>
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I paraded back home eager for the next morning to arrive. I’d even eaten dinner early just so I could fall asleep faster.</div>
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The next morning I walked into the office to find Rosie waiting at my desk. The expression on her face looked surprised. </div>
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“Was this the original story?” She asked me from across the office waving the papers in the air. </div>
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“No.” I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. “It’s been written.” I’d walked up to her by this point. We stared at each other in silence before she broke out in a smile.</div>
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“That’s it, this needs to be posted as soon as possible.”</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-77311581687702867852016-06-16T23:07:00.001-05:002016-07-07T10:26:26.367-05:00Chapter Twenty<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
“Harper!” Calvin’s voice boomed through the open air office and off the concrete floor and walls. “We were just talking about you!” His hands held tightly onto a thin stack of papers as his arms flew out in the air. I stopped like a deer in headlights as a small, fairly young, crowd of people turned around to look at me. </div>
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I hadn’t realized that a week of training flew by. The past week I was coming in each morning to an empty office. A few minutes later Jacob, Morgan and Philip would come in after me. We were all new employees at SocialCircle. Calvin was the last to come in, usually strolling in an hour later. </div>
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Lucky for him all of our training was done over the computer. A few writing exercises to make sure our voices were cohesive, some FaceBook-esque videos on the company and how it started, and legal docs no one really cared about sprinkled in between. </div>
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I wasn’t expecting anyone to be in the office so early let alone a meeting taking place without me. “Everyone, this is Harper. She just moved back to Boston from L.A. She’ll be working in our Politics department.”</div>
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I reached up to grab the bagel between my teeth and slowly smiled. I’d never been so intimidated. This was like high school all over again. I was the awkward mess in a room filled with guys that looked like obnoxiously loud and outgoing jocks and girls that were so well put together it was hard to believe they were real. </div>
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“Hey Harper!” One of the younger, tall framed, jocks called out. “Hi!” Another masculine voice from across the room chimed. “Welcome to SocialCircle,” a red headed preppy girl added. “Hey! Welcome!” said a cheery little blond. “Love those heels!” </div>
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“Thanks.” I felt my shoulders relax and my smile widen. “Thanks everyone.”</div>
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“As you probably have assumed, this is our relocated team from New York.” Calvin reminded me. “I’ll give you a few minutes to settle while we finish up our meeting here before I introduce you to everyone.”</div>
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I nodded my head and proceeded to my desk on the other side of the office. The office had changed dramatically over the weekend. When I’d first came in here it felt cold and empty with not much to distract the eye. There weren’t any cubicle walls, which I hated, but now that the office was filled with people the flow made a lot more sense, It was how I’d imagine any company with a young demographic throughout the outskirt cities of California would look. </div>
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“What’s going on? Am I late or something?” I looked down at my watch. It was a quarter till nine, the time I usually got to work.</div>
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Morgan shook her head and leaned over onto my desk. “The New York team came in early for a briefing before they get started.” She leaned in closer and wiggled her eyebrows. “Did you see those babes!” </div>
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I giggled quietly, rolling my eyes. There was no doubt the New York team had some suave looking gentlemen that would fit in perfectly with the New England preps of Boston.</div>
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I turned my computer screen on and opened up the Internet browser. Part of my job was to skim through news websites and blogs before I officially started my work for the day. What Calvin didn’t know was that behind my browser I hid a notepad document with my story about Nolan.</div>
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I peeked over my absurdly large screen to make sure no one was coming and pulled the browser down. I looked at the words on the notepad document. It was almost like the words were shouting at me . </div>
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<i></i><br /></div>
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<i>“Never expected,” “couldn’t keep my eyes off of him,” “No longer a stranger.”</i></div>
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I sighed as I read the few paragraphs I had over and over again. I wasn’t planning on actually writing this, but something about it helped me to keep Nolan’s memory alive. It wasn’t like he was responding to any of my texts or calls. I needed a way to keep myself grounded. Something that made me believe that for a brief moment in time I was a human with actual emotions.</div>
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I jumped out of my seat when I felt a hand gently land on my shoulder.</div>
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“I’m sorry, Harper, didn’t mean to scare you.” I turned around to find Calvin standing with a tall, olive skinned guy whose dark shiny hair was parted to the side. His stubble beard was neatly lined with edges so sharp it could seriously cut someone. He looked a bit roughed like someone who only speaks from experience.</div>
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I loosened my hand that was tightly pressed against my chest. “Oh, no, it’s okay. I don’t know what’s gotten into me today.” Without being too obvious I minimized the notepad and turned my attention back to Calvin. “What’s up?”</div>
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“I wanted to introduce you to Ricky. He’s going to be covering Politics as well.” Like a proud boasting father Calvin swayed his shoulder back to take a better look at Ricky and a grin grew on his face. “He worked with some major news networks before he left us to work with Brian Williams. Lucky for me I was able to persuade him to come back when word got out about our move to Boston.”</div>
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“Wow, Brian Williams, huh?” </div>
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Calvin held the back of his hand next to the corner of his mouth, “to be honest he wrote all the goof stuff there.” </div>
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“Well, if you were to ask Brian, it was all written by him.” Ricky shrugged casually.</div>
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Calvin erupted into laughter. It was hard to tell who was the editor and who was the writer sucking up to his boss in this scenario. “I get it!” He inhaled a breath and smacked the side of his leg. “I get it!”</div>
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Ricky uneasily laughed along. “Yeah.” he sighed.</div>
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I tried not to laugh at how awkward the exchange was. “Nice to meet you Ricky.” I held out my hand.</div>
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“Yeah, you too.” He nodded his head in the same motion that his hand rocked, up and down, as he shook my hand. “So, L.A huh? Who were you with out there?”</div>
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“I, uh,” I froze for a second. There was no way I could possibly follow up with never having an actual writing position after Calvin had just pimped out Ricky. “I did mostly freelance work.” I nodded my head as I made myself believe what I was saying. “Yeah, mostly freelance on government and economic issues.”</div>
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“Great!” Ricky smiled. It was obvious that he was underwhelmed with my answer. “So, there’s a presidential campaign rally happening tonight, I’m sure you’ve heard, but if it’s not too late of a notice for you we can swing by and scope out the crowd. Maybe even interview some of the supporters?”</div>
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Calvin agreed, “I know it’s a bit quick, but we really need to pick up the pace and steam roll a few pieces to make sure we can meet our first deadline.”</div>
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“Of course,” I nodded along. “I’m down.” </div>
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The truth was I couldn’t find myself interested enough. Normally I would have been ecstatic to even be involved in something like this, but since leaving Los Angeles? Not so much. I furrowed my brows at the realization as I turned back to my computer screen and gave myself a good shake. </div>
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“Hi.” I heard another new, gentle, voice on the other side of my screen. I peered over to see a petite brunette with a messy bun on top of her head and oversized glasses sitting on her nose. She cleared her throat and her voice became louder. “I’m Elise.” She smiled.</div>
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“Harper.” I smiled back. “This feels like the first day at a new school.”</div>
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Elise laughed. “I bet.”</div>
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“What department are you in?” I asked curious to know who my new desk mate was. </div>
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“I cover entertainment, which translates to catty twitter feuds between celebrities no one really cares about.”</div>
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I shivered. “Twitter? Who even uses that anymore?”</div>
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“Right?” She laughed along, but then shrugged her shoulders. “It pays the bills, I guess.” We both laughed. “Have you gotten a chance to meet everyone yet?” </div>
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“You mean besides the awkward introduction when I first walked in?”</div>
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“It wasn’t awkward. Here,” she pulled her chair over to my side. “see that guy there? That’s Brock, don’t talk to him unless your seriously into pumping iron. The guy can talk to you for hours about supplements and curling techniques.” She tilted her chin and widened her eyes to emphasize just how crazy she thought he was. “And the girl to the left of him? That’s Georgina. She’s a hopeless romantic. Total nut job about meeting Mr.Right and is severely obsessed with Romantic Comedies. She used to spend her weekends in Central park hoping she’d bump into the guy that she’d fall madly in love with.” I looked at Elise without any expression. “Tell me about it. Anyway, that group there, that’s Wren, Jessica, and Alex.They were all interns last year, and then got hired after college graduation this year…”</div>
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I cut Elise off, “so you’ve been working here for a while then?”</div>
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“Since day one.” She smiled. </div>
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“Hey Harper.” Ricky was walking back towards me after he was finally able to break free from Calvin. “Change of plans, Just got word that press is going to be allowed in a bit early today, so we should probably head over now if we want a good spot.”</div>
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“Oh, okay.” I frantically grabbed my purse from below my desk and stuck a tiny notebook inside. I tried to keep it cool in front of Ricky, but I could feel my nerves shaking beneath my skin. This was the first time I was actually going out to do something that I’d prepared my whole life for. My first ever attempt at writing a real journalism piece. </div>
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As I was walking away Calvin walked out of his glass walled office and called out for my attention. “Harper, we’re having tech support come by later to load a new system. Make sure to back any files up to your cloud or email them to yourself. Whatever you have to do to make sure they don’t get wiped.”</div>
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“Yeah, sure.” I nodded and turned back to my desk. </div>
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“I’ll meet you in the lobby.” Ricky said as he headed towards the elevators. </div>
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I knew he was in a rush to get to the rally early so I began to feel panicked and instead of backing my files to a cloud, which would have taken some time, I emailed them to myself instead. A few clicks later I shut off my screen and made my way down to the lobby.</div>
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The rally was taking place at a university a few miles away. Ricky and I were able to breeze through security and snag a couple of pretty decent spots. </div>
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The presidential candidates came out briefly to answer press questions before everything officially began. </div>
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“Raise your hand.” Ricky nudged my arm.</div>
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“What?” I whispered aggressively. “No way!”</div>
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“Come on.” He smiled knowing that I’d never done this before. “Ask them what changes they would implement on work equality wages.”</div>
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I looked at him like he were crazy. “There’s no way I’m raising my hand. I’ll just end up embarrassing myself!”</div>
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The room quieted down as the question was asked, “Any other questions?”</div>
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Without a second to fully comprehend what was going on I felt my arm fly up into the air, with Ricky’s hand holding it up. I gasped as I looked at my hand, then him, then back at my hand. and quickly pulled it down.</div>
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“Yes, you, young lady in the purple top.” The candidate behind the podium pointed at me.</div>
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Ricky laughed and I just sat there shocked and in denial that he was referring to me.</div>
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“Hello? Is this mic on? I said you, purple top.” He struggled to read the pin adhered to my chest. “Social….Social Circle.”</div>
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Ricky nudged my arm. “Come on, I know you can do it.” He whispered.</div>
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“Uh,” I looked around the room to see cameras and microphones all turned towards me. I couldn’t feel my face. I was having an outer body experience. Was this really happening? Was I really about to ask the potential new leader of the free world a question? “Uh, If, uh, elected what changes would you, uh….” I took a gulp in mid sentence. I wasn’t prepared for his level of anxiety. I concentrated on a deep inhale and tried my best to finish. “What changes would you implement on work equality wages?”</div>
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“Work equality wages?” He laughed. “I say don’t fix something that isn’t broken. Next question.”</div>
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I turned towards Ricky, confused. “Wait, what did he just say?”</div>
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Ricky couldn’t believe it either. “<i>Oh…my…God.</i>” It felt like he were talking in slow motion. “You just hit a gold mine!” He began laughing in excitement as the crowd of press went crazy. Flashing pictures, aggressively asking what he meant by his answer.</div>
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It turned out to be the highlight and topic for the rest of the night. Every news station plastered the words all over their channels.</div>
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It was half past seven by the time we were able to leave the rally. I was still on my high from earlier that day. Ricky and I both left laughing from sheer adrenaline.</div>
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“How’d you know?” I asked him.“… that I’d never done this before?”</div>
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Ricky’s laughter dulled down. “You were a little reluctant talking about your experience at the office. Plus, your face once we got in there was a dead giveaway.”</div>
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I rubbed the back of my neck embarrassed.</div>
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“My first big break was when my mentor put me on the spot. Did the same thing I did to you.” A slight curve formed at the corner of his lip.</div>
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“Really?”</div>
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“Yup.” He nodded. “Although I can promise you the rush never goes away.”</div>
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We both continued to laugh.</div>
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“I’m sorry. I should’ve been honest about my experience. It’s not exactly fair that your stuck with someone who hasn’t done this before.”</div>
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He gave me a look. “Are you kidding? You single handedly changed the whole conversation of his political career. He’s been outed as a money hungry sexist scumbag.”</div>
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“Well,” I shrugged. “I can’t exactly take the credit.”</div>
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After we left I went back home just in time for dinner. Elizabeth and Mark were over. As soon as I walked in I turned on the TV and put it on the news coverage for the rally. I watched as the anchor sure enough angrily spoke about wage equality and the candidates lack of support. </div>
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I spent all of dinner and the rest of the night telling the story over and over again in every different angle that I could. Each time my family became more and more impressed. This is all I’d wanted since I started my career. To feel like what I was doing was making a difference. I was on a high and there was no coming down. It was exactly the confidence booster I needed.</div>
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The next morning I strolled into work with my shoulders held up high and a smile from ear to ear.</div>
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“Hey!” I ran right into Morgan as I stepped in. “Ricky told me about last night. That’s so awesome! Good job!”</div>
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I smiled. “Thanks!”</div>
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As I sat at my desk I heard Calvin’s voice from across the room. “Hey, Harper, can you come to my office?” </div>
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I continued smiling knowing he was going to ask me about the rally and I would happily relive the whole story.</div>
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“Hey, how’s it going?” He asked, not giving me enough time to answer. “Just wanted to ask what this was.” He handed me a paper and with one quick glance my smile vanished and my eyes widened.</div>
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It was my story on Nolan.</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-52559929085551324212016-06-09T19:28:00.000-05:002016-06-09T19:28:28.114-05:00Chapter Nineteen<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
“Well you don’t look half as terrible as I thought you would.” My younger sister Elizabeth barged in through the front door without even a knock. My mom, who was cooking breakfast in the kitchen, and my dad, reading the daily newspaper in his normal spot on the Lazy Boy, hadn’t even flinched. She must have done this often.</div>
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My face tensed as I stood up from the dinner table. I’d been up since dawn updating my resume and writing samples. Needless to say my papers were spread everywhere with my laptop planted in the middle. I began shuffling the papers into a neat stack. “Nice to see you too?”</div>
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“Oh,” Elizabeth waved her hand in the air as if to dismiss my stale reaction. “I meant because mom said you were a mess when you came home yesterday.”</div>
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“Wow, thanks mom.” I looked over my shoulder into the kitchen, but she didn’t seem too apologetic. She just gave me a shrug.</div>
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“You actually look great!” Elizabeth pranced over and stood next to me with her arms spread wide. </div>
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My expression only exaggerated as I stared at her. “This is so weird.” We’d grown apart since college and hugging wasn’t exactly our thing anymore. Not to mention the peppy behavior coming from Elizabeth’s end. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen her so animated. Once she entered the world of a professional career she’d become a robot. “What’s going on with you?” I asked as I slowly crept into the hug.</div>
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“I’m just happy to see my big sis, that’s all.” She squeezed me tight despite my lack of a response. “What’s this?” She asked as she slipped through the loose grip I had on her and began ruffling through my papers.</div>
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“Hey, don’t mess with those.” I snatched it from her hands and shut my laptop. “I have them organized by company.”</div>
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“So, you’re sticking to the writing thing, huh?” There she was, the judgmental Elizabeth I’d grown so fond of. Note sarcasm.</div>
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“It’d be a waste if I didn’t, right?” I forced a smile so tight my eyes squinted. </div>
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She folded her arms and finally gave up her peppy charades. Her body leaned against the back of the dinning table chair “Harper, I’ve already talked to a few of my colleges about getting you into that class we talked about. Once you have that certification I can find a position for you at my job.”</div>
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I laughed as I began packing my things into my portfolio. “Yeah, so I can work at my younger sister’s company in a position <i>significantly…” </i>My eyes jolted up to meet hers. “lower than her’s? No thank you!”</div>
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“I don’t understand you, Harper.” She threw her hands up in frustration. “We’re all just trying to help you and you won’t take it. How much longer are you going to put us through this? You’re nearly thirty for crying out loud.”</div>
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I stopped packing my things and stood like a deer in headlights. My mom had just turned off the stove vent and the depth of silence in the room only grew. I inhaled a shallow breath, “I’m sorry I’m such a burden on you all.” </div>
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Before Elizabeth could say another word, I walked away. My mom tried to stop me to make sure I ate breakfast before I left, but there was no need. My appetite was gone.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I sat in my car for a few minutes as I looked around at all the junk. I hadn't completely unpacked. There were still a couple of boxes and papers and books spread across the floor. I began </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">contemplating whether I should walk back inside and accept Elizabeth’s offer to help, when I noticed how dingy my dashboard was. The offer wasn't something I wanted, but at least I'd be able to afford a better car.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> I gave it another minute’s thought before I turned my key and pulled out of the driveway.</span></span></div>
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I spent a lot more time than I would have liked trying to find a free parking spot. Apparently since the last time I’d been in town they no longer existed. Which is why I parked half a mile outside of the city and walked. The entire time I thought maybe I’d made a mistake pulling out of the drive instead of walking back inside the house.</div>
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I walked from building to building and floor to floor handing out my resume to every publication I was able to find. At one point I’d seen a sign for a company so small, their name was written in Sharpie on a blank sheet of paper taped to the door. Something about it seemed ironic, so I shrugged and went in anyway. </div>
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“Hi.” I smiled at the first person I saw. I’m guessing the black haired girl wasn’t exactly where she was supposed to be. She looked up at me confused. Her hands were inside of a drawer, completely still, as she stared at me through her glasses. </div>
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“Oh, hi.” Her voice matched perfectly with her tiny body frame. “Can…" she spoke reluctantly, “I help you with something?” </div>
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“I was looking for the Editor?” I peered over her head into the empty office behind her. In the far distance was an older gentleman sitting beyond a glass walled office. “Or maybe an office manager?”</div>
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“He’s not in.” She stood up from her seat hoping to block my view, but I was a good foot taller than her.</div>
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I smiled and looked at her with the same baffled look she’d given me earlier. “Who is that over there?” I pointed to the man.</div>
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“No one.” She wiggled her head around until she’d diverted my attention away from him and back to her. “You can leave a note.”</div>
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“Okay.” I dragged the word out as my brows furrowed. “I just wanted to drop off my resume and a sample in case your company had any openings.” I pulled the papers out of my bag and handed it to her.</div>
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She didn’t even bother looking at them as she set them down on the desk in front of her. “Alright.”</div>
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There was a moment of awkward silence as I watched her go about what she’d been trying to do before I’d interrupted her. “Right.” I whispered to myself. “I’ll just go.”</div>
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I headed down to the first floor of the building when I realized that was my last stop. I’d spent the whole day walking through downtown without a single prospective job opportunity. If I wasn’t regretting walking back into the house to accept Elizabeth’s offer, I definitely was now.</div>
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“Got any spare change?” I was walking through an alley way as a short cut to the parking lot with my car when I heard a grumpy low voice over my shoulder.</div>
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I looked over and at first didn’t see anyone, so I kept walking. “Hey lady!” I heard the grumpy old voice again, except louder this time. I looked down to see a homeless man sitting inside of a tent made with raggedly boxes.</div>
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I stopped in my tracks as he scooted out and limped over to me. His hair was every shade of gray and dirty. Dreads were beginning to form from the lack of hygiene. I’m sure he wasn’t as old as the deep wrinkles on his face suggested he was. I could tell by his darkened tan skin it was due to sun damage. “Change?” He asked again. </div>
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“Oh.” He looked annoyed when I jerked. He knew I was examining his appearance by the look on my face. “I uh…” I dug around in my purse. There was a ten dollar bill sitting at the bottom, but I knew I needed it to get gas for my way back home. “I’m sorry.” I shrugged.</div>
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He shook his head in disappointment. “I haven’t eaten in days.” </div>
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I frowned as I looked down at the ten dollar bill again. I dug around in my purse some more until I heard loose change. I smiled as I found fifty cents and handed it to him.</div>
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“What is this?” He looked at it in disgust.</div>
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“It’s change…like you asked.”</div>
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“The hell am I gonna get for fifty cents?” He said angrily before spitting on me.</div>
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I gasped as I stood back with my arms spread wide. He couldn’t have given less of a shit. He limped back into his little box tent and had the audacity to pull down a dirty used rag to cover the opening.</div>
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“EW!” I shouted. “EW! EW! EW!” I waved my hands over my face as I freaked out. I didn’t want to touch the spit with my hands, but it didn’t matter because it was touching the skin of my face anyway. </div>
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I pulled out an empty gum wrapper I had in my bag and carefully tried to clean it off. I felt my stomach turning. I was going to be sick. I threw the gum wrapper to the floor and ran back into the building. The concierge looked at me funny as I scrambled past him and into the first floor restrooms.</div>
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I couldn’t have pushed the soap dispenser more than I had in that single second. I rubbed the soapy liquid off my face and repeatedly rinsed it with scolding hot water as I flinched in pain each time.</div>
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After a few minutes when I finally felt slightly cleaner I grabbed a handful of folded napkins from a basket sitting on the counter and patted myself dry. As I walked over to the trash can I couldn’t help but lean against the wall to catch my breath. A steady deep inhale and exhale suddenly turned into tears. I covered my face with the wet napkins as my body slowly slouched to the ground. </div>
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This was karma. This was definitely karma, I thought to myself. My luck was only getting worse and why shouldn’t it? After what I had done to Nolan? Just thinking his name made my quiet sobs turn into a loud wailing cry. I gave myself a good five minutes to let it out before I picked myself back up. I walked over to the mirror and splashed cold water on my face. After a few adjustments, I threw my napkins away and walked out of the bathroom.</div>
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“Oh, I’m sorry.” I’d bumped into someone on my way out. </div>
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The man looked over his shoulder at me as he spoke. “It’s okay.” He said as we looked back forward. He quickly looked over his shoulder again. “Are you okay?”</div>
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I tried to casually cover my red face as I walked away. “Yeah, I’m fine.”</div>
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“Hey, weren’t you the one that was just in my office?” I stopped walking and looked at him again. That’s when I realized he was the man sitting behind the glass walled office.</div>
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“Yeah.” I nodded, “I came in to drop off a copy of my resume.” My voice was pitchy, so I cleared my throat. “Sorry, I’m not having such a great day.”</div>
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“My apologies. My daughter was at the front desk when you walked in. I told her not to disturb me while I was on a business call and she assumed I meant everyone and not just her. She told me what happened afterwards, so I came down here hoping to find you.”</div>
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My ears perked up. “You were looking for…me?” I asked shyly.</div>
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“I skimmed over your sample. It was excellent.” He smiled as he tucked his arms across his chest.</div>
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I was at a loss for words. “Thank you.” I managed to mumble. </div>
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“Would you be interested in a reviewer position?” He asked unsure if I’d be interested.</div>
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I took a second to think about it. “Your office, it was empty. Why is that?”</div>
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He laughed. “We just got the office today. Our company is expanding from New York. We review restaurants, markets, independent shops, services…you get the idea. The twist is that our company adds a mix of pop culture, like reviewing fashion trends and discussing the latest craze. It’s like if Buzzfeed and Yelp had a baby. Because we're so in tuned with our audience the places and things we suggest end up with enormous business.” He continued talking when my only response was a blank stare. “That’s why we’re here in Boston. We had so much success it was the only right move.” He smiled at his own accomplishment.</div>
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I smiled back, weakly, still distraught from the events that had just taken place a few moments earlier. </div>
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“So, would you be up for it?” He began rambling again. “I mean, you wouldn’t officially start until next week when the team is here, but I’m training a few people this week.”</div>
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“Yes,” I nodded my head slowly at first. “Yes…Yes, of course yes!” </div>
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He laughed at my eagerness. “I’m Calvin, by the way.” He held out his hand. </div>
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“Thank you, Calvin.” Both my hands engulfed his into a sandwich as I shook it. “You just made my day a million times better.” I smiled.</div>
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He smiled back. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning then?” I nodded my head again.</div>
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I spun around, my mood a hundred percent different than when I’d stormed in here, and walked back to my car…The long way.</div>
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That evening when I’d gotten back home Elizabeth was still there. She was sitting at the dinner table with my parents, eating. </div>
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“Hey, honey.” My parents greeted me as I walked in. “We would have waited for you, but I wasn’t sure how much longer you’d be gone. Come, join us.”</div>
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“It’s okay.” I huffed as I looked at Elizabeth. “I’m not very hungry.” I kicked off my heels and walked past the dinner table to my room.</div>
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I shut the door behind me and spun around, kicking my knees high up towards the sky, as I celebrated. I finally plopped down on the bed when I’d fully exhausted myself. That’s when Elizabeth knocked on my door and asked to come in. </div>
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“You should come eat, Harper. You didn’t even have breakfast this morning.” Her head leaned against the door.</div>
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I sat up and sighed. “I’m fine.”</div>
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She fidgeted with the door knob before she welcomed herself in. “I’m sorry Harper. I feel horrible about what I said.”</div>
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I remained quiet as I watched her close the door behind her and come sit next to me. “I just hate seeing you like this. I want you to have the things that I have. It sucks, you know? When you see your sister, your best friend, struggling and you just want to give her what you have.”</div>
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“Best friend?” I looked at her questioningly.</div>
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“Okay, maybe we aren’t as close as we use to be, but I still love you, Harp. I just hate that you’ve distanced yourself from me. Just because we took different paths doesn’t mean we can’t still be the best friends we use to be. I mean I even took off of work today hoping we could rekindle the old Harp and Liz.”</div>
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“Really?” Elizabeth nodded her head. “Liz, you know I still love you, right? You’re my baby sister. I always felt like you were the one distancing from me because you looked down on what I was doing. I guess that's why I'm always so defensive right off the bat.”</div>
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She reached over and held my hand. “I may not understand why you chose the career you’ve chosen and I admit I give you a hard time about it, but that’s because you moved away from me and I was a little hurt. To be honest I was jealous too because a part of me wish I could have been as bold. I might act bitter but that doesn’t mean I look down on you. It’s like…tough love.”</div>
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I shook my head as I smiled. “I've just been in a tough place emotionally since I've been home, so I might have been a little too aggressive this morning. I mean that was sweet of you to offer help, b<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">ut I don’t need life advice from my little sister.” I said as I playfully pushed her head away. She laughed and pushed my shoulder back. </span></div>
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“Friends?” She held out her arms for a hug. I nodded and leaned in to hug her back. Unlike the morning, this was more heartfelt and healing. It felt right. </div>
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“How did it go today?”</div>
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My brows furrowed as I laughed. “The first half wasn’t so great, but I think I might have found what I’ve been looking for.”</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-26142998222316132002016-06-02T13:41:00.004-05:002016-06-02T13:44:30.711-05:00Chapter Eighteen<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
I heard a faint knock and rolled over on my bed so my back was to the door. My lips curled inwards as I held my breath. The door cracked open and my mom stuck her head in. </div>
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“Harper, honey?” She whispered. </div>
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I didn’t move. I laid there beneath a pile of my oversized blanket and pretended I was asleep. I listened carefully as the sound of clattering dishes moved across the room. There was silence before my mom sighed and gently shut the door. </div>
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A gust of air escaped my lungs and I continued to sob quietly. It was just twelve short hours ago that Nolan had found my notebook and left me for good. I had gone back to my broken down car and had a minor panic attack. I was forced to collect myself when customers leaving the gas station began pointing at me like I was some sort of spectacle. </div>
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Down the street was a small auto shop where I decided to walk. After talking to the shop owner he agreed to tow my car over to connect the wires that had loosened. I could tell he felt bad for me. A lonely girl with a swollen face from crying hysterically and a car full of her belongings. I could only imagine what he thought. </div>
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I could have easily called my dad, but I was too much of a mess. I needed the time alone to calm myself down before I went home. It wasn’t as easy as I thought. I ended up driving around the neighborhood for an extra twenty minutes just to make sure the puffiness under my eyes was gone. </div>
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My parents were surprisingly excited for my homecoming. They greeted me at the door with bear hugs and kisses. Normally I would have been thrilled, but I just wasn’t in the mood to reciprocate. So, instead, I made up an excuse of being exhausted from driving cross country in a cramped little car and spent the rest of the day locked in my room. </div>
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I cried, and slept, and sent Nolan text messages, and then repeated it all over again.</div>
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My parents believed me for the most part. It wasn’t until hour eight rolled around that they started to get concerned. Every half hour or so I could hear them walking up to my door, trying to figure out if I was awake or not. </div>
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I peeked over my shoulder to make sure I was alone. I wasn’t surprised to see a tray with dinner sitting on my desk right next to the tray with my untouched lunch.</div>
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The longer I was falling down this hole of darkness the less hungry I felt. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing. I’d been meaning to lose a couple pounds for some years now. But, I would be lying if I said I didn’t find the fried chicken gloriously sitting on top of a bed of mashed potato and gravy appetizing. I felt my mouth tingle a bit before I began salivating. I caved and crawled out of bed. </div>
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I’d scarfed it down in record time. It might have been the warm feeling of food inside my body, but I felt slightly better and decided to thank my mom for generously leaving the plate in my room.</div>
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“Hey, mom.” My voice was dull despite the energy I’d gotten after eating. </div>
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She peered over her reading glasses to make sure she was seeing correctly. “Harper, honey, good to finally see you.” Her smile grew as she sat up right in her chair. My dad was across the living room in his usual spot. A brown leather Lazy Boy that was way past it’s expiration. My mom had made plenty of attempts to throw it out, but he’d some how found a way to bring it back into the house every time.</div>
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“We were starting to get worried about you.” He remained snuggled into his chair unlike my mom who was now walking towards me. </div>
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Her hands pushed the loose hairs of my ponytail away from my face and behind my ear. “Is everything okay?”</div>
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“Yeah, yeah.” I nudged her hand and took a step back. “I was just coming down to say thank you for leaving lunch…and dinner, in my room.” She stared at me, seeing right throw the fake charades I was putting on. I smiled even bigger to mask my swollen eyes. “I’d forgotten how good mom’s cooking was.” I shouted across the room, trying to divert the conversation to my dad.</div>
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“Sure is a blessing, isn’t it?” The smile had worked on him. He was reassured that everything was okay and went back to reading his book. </div>
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My mom, on the other hand, couldn’t be fooled. She squinted her eyes as she silently watched the uncomfortable look swallow my face. “What’s going on, Harper?”</div>
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I widened my eyes and looked around. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” </div>
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She looked over her shoulder towards my dad, who was now fully distracted. “I heard you whimpering in your room.” She whispered. </div>
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I rolled my eyes. “It’s nothing mom. I was just tired that’s all.” </div>
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“Haley’s mom told me when Haley went through depression she would stay in her room all day and night. You’re not…” She looked around again, “depressed…are you?”</div>
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I took a deep breath in. “No mom. Staying in my room all day doesn’t mean I have clinical depression.” I shook my head as I walked away.</div>
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My mom trailed after me. “Honey I’m just worried. You had a hard time in Los Angeles and now…”</div>
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I stopped walking when I realized that this was exactly what I needed to distract her from what was really going on. I turned around and held onto her shoulders. “You’re right.” Her eyes lightened when she heard the words come out of my mouth, but her smile quickly vanished when she realized what I was agreeing to. “I did have a rough time in L.A. and to be completely honest I’m not sure where I’m suppose to go from here. I’ve never told you this because I’m afraid of the judgmental comments from you and dad about picking a more suitable career. So, yeah, I guess you could say I’m a little depressed.”</div>
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The funny thing was I hadn’t even thought about anything other than Nolan since I’d been home. I relived every moment all over again in a flash of a second. It was how I could imagine overcoming an addiction would feel like. Not having that one thing and constantly thinking about when you did have it, and yearning for it to come back. This was all so unlike me. I was never the type of girl to be so completely immersed in my feelings about a guy. How could I have been so stupid. This exact feeling was why I never let my guard down. </div>
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I snapped back to reality in the middle of my mom’s sentence. “…We know it’s been tough for you, and no matter what your father and I love you, honey. We just want you to be happy.”</div>
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“Thanks.” I mumbled. “I think I’m gonna go unpack some of my stuff.” </div>
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“Do you need any help?” </div>
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“No.” I shook my head as I turned around. “I got it.” </div>
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I sat at the edge of my bed for a while. Most of my stuff was still in the car. I’d only managed to bring in a couple of boxes, but even those few things seemed too overwhelming to rummage through. I sighed as I fell backwards onto my bed. I grabbed my phone for the hundredth time to check if Nolan had responded. Nothing. </div>
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I pulled up our text conversation (or lack there of) and waved my thumbs over the keyboard as I tried to figure out what to say. I’d already profusely apologized, explained myself, begged for him to forgive me, asked if he could just send a simple reply so that I knew he was okay, but nothing. </div>
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I grunted as I pressed the back button. Under Nolan’s text screen was Celeste. I clicked on it and typed, “Hey, you up?”</div>
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A few minutes passed before she responded. “Yeah, I’m three hours behind you, remember. Still pretty early here. Did you make it home okay?”</div>
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“Right, I forgot. Yup, made it home just fine.” </div>
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I watched the three tiny dots dance on the screen as Celeste typed her next message.</div>
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“When are you going to dish about Nolan? I need an update!”</div>
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I rolled over onto my stomach as I read her text. I knew she was going to ask me about him since moment I had texted her. I guess that’s why I’d chosen to message her in the first place. A part of me just wanted someone to vent to since Nolan obviously didn’t want to hear it. </div>
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“Long story short, he found my notebook.”</div>
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I stared at my screen until a call from Celeste popped up.</div>
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“Harper Marie, please tell me you’re joking.” Her voice was filled with anxiety.</div>
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I was silent. Maybe I wasn’t as ready to talk about it as I thought I was. “He left Celeste.” were the only words I could make out before I began wailing. Soft coos vibrated through the phone from Celeste’s end as she tried to quiet me down.</div>
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It took a few minutes of Celeste asking questions before I was able to pull myself together and tell her the whole story. From admitting that we mutually had feelings for one another, to staying at the bed and breakfast, and finally figuring out a way to stay in each others lives before it all came crashing down. </div>
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“I’m sorry, Celeste.” I mumbled as I wiped the last few tears from my eyes. “I just kind of exploded with emotions on you.”</div>
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“Are you kidding? This is exactly the boy vent session I wish you had when you here. A nice big pint of Ben and Jerry’s and a good cry. Besides, you had to deal with so many of my break ups.”</div>
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We both laughed as we remembered how easily Celeste would fall in and out of love. I always knew she wanted me to be the typical girl friend who would comfort her, but it was never really like that. I never experienced what she was going through, so I couldn’t fully be there for her. Instead I’d give her tough love and tell her to get over it, that guys were just a waste of time.</div>
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After we hung up I sat on the floor of my bedroom and I pulled out a stack of books from one of my boxes. They were all economic books that I’d been using to do more research on government spending. I flipped through it and remembered all the time I’d spent writing mock articles in Celeste’s coffee shop. I pulled at a folded paper that stuck out of a random page. It was a list of theories I jotted down as I read through each chapter. Reading it over and over again, I couldn’t stop thinking about how focused I was on my career. I would have never felt a heartbreak like this if I had just stayed committed. That’s when a light bulb went off.</div>
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It was the first time since I’d been evicted from my apartment and forced to move back home that I felt that spark of passion again. The same one I felt when I first moved out to L.A. I had let myself get distracted and now there was no way I was going to let a fling with a stranger stop me from what I’d originally set out to do. </div>
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I reached across the floor for my laptop and began writing.</div>
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Old Harper was back.</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-53792194656988013462016-05-26T12:47:00.000-05:002016-05-26T13:04:59.696-05:00Chapter Seventeen<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
“You know, Harper, the worst part is that I actually fell for it.” Nolan’s hand rubbed aggressively across his forehead just before he squeezed his temple. A pinkish tint began creeping from behind his ear and slowly spread across his cheeks. “God dammit!” He growled as his teeth clenched against one another. </div>
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“Nolan,” I tried to speak softly hoping maybe it would calm him down. We were standing in the parking lot of a gas station getting strange looks from people passing by. I had to divert the situation some how. “What’s going on?”</div>
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His eyes subtly narrowed in on me as if he couldn’t believe what I’d just asked him. Sure, I may have already known, but that’s because I’d been paranoid about it the whole time. A single day hadn’t gone by where I didn’t imagine that this was how it would play out. But, this sudden outrage of his could have been about anything, really. I just had to play dumb until I knew the facts. </div>
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Without saying a word Nolan walked to the passenger side door and pulled out my notebook. </div>
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Okay, so this was really happening.</div>
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I took a deep breath as my mind raced through every excuse I could use. Something that would explain how this whole thing was just a huge misunderstanding. I needed him to know what was really going on in a few short words. Of course, the universe wasn’t on my side. I blurted, “you went through my things?” It was the worst thing I could have said. Almost as if I were confirming his thoughts about how schemingly deceitful I’d been. </div>
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“It makes sense now.” Nolan’s voice dropped down to a calm and collected tone. My tensed brows rose up in confusion. I watched as he took one slow step at a time, wiggling the notebook in one hand as it hit the other. “When I came back here to wait for you, I noticed your purse flipped over on the floor. I didn’t know it was open, so I picked it up and put it back on your seat. That’s when this little guy fell out.” The side of his mouth curled up as if he couldn’t believe what was going on. </div>
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My hands held onto the sides of my temple as my face shriveled into disappointment. I knew I shouldn’t have just ran out of the truck. I felt my purse fall over, why didn’t I just turn around to pick it up. Why??</div>
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Despite my reaction Nolan kept going. “It was open on a random page. It’s not in my nature to be nosy or anything, but I’m human. I couldn’t help that as I was shutting the notebook, my eyes caught my name written on the page. Not once, but a few times. I mean, it is your notebook and I’m sure you’re just writing about your experience. No big deal, right?”</div>
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My eyes trailed up to meet his at the sound of his question. He raised an eyebrow as if he were waiting for a response, but I knew that was the last thing he wanted to hear. “Except then, for some odd reason, I felt the urge to run my finger over the edge of the pages. My name was written on almost every page. You want to know what’s even funnier?” He tucked his hand that was holding the notebook under his arm as his other hand gently grazed his jawline. “At the bed and breakfast when I found that 20 however many questions book, I felt something weird. Like something wasn’t right. I had just gone through those books the night before trying to find something to read and then out of nowhere this book appears the next morning.”<br />
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“Nolan.” I whimpered so quietly he hadn’t even heard me. I knew where he was going and I just wanted this to end already. It was bad enough that I had a guilty conscious this whole time, but hearing him say it out loud made it a million times worse. </div>
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He shrugged his shoulders. “There was only a couple of others staying there, so I told myself maybe it was one of them. It didn’t even take me more than half a second to realize what was going on when I saw my name written in your notebook.” He stopped walking when he was a couple of feet away from me. “I get it, you’re a writer, you wanted to experiment a theory.” He rolled his eyes. “I hope you got the information you were looking for.” </div>
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My eyes were flooded with tears as I watched him hand me my notebook. I didn’t take it at first. I didn’t really want to take it at all. I just wanted to somehow go back to the beginning. I would have done this all differently. If only the new Harper had come sooner I wouldn’t have been in this mess. Maybe if I stood absolutely still and concentrated hard enough I could turn back time. </div>
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“It’s not what it looks like Nolan.” I mumbled between a pathetic sob. “It was a stupid book my friend had given me at a desperate time in my life. I was just testing it out because I didn’t have anything better going on.”</div>
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Nolan squinted his eyes. “So, were you just sitting on the side of the road waiting for some guy stupid enough to come along?”</div>
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“No, Nolan, no.” I shook my head. “I didn’t even find the book until later. Celeste hid it in my bag. I really didn’t want to read it. I thought the whole idea of it was ridiculous. I just wanted to test it to prove it wrong, but, then I fell for you, Nolan, and because of that I wasn’t going to write the article anymore. Please, believe me. I <i>really</i> like you.”</div>
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Nolan’s tensed expression softened. His hand, holding out the notebook, dropped to his side. I stood there with my heart on my sleeve, filled with hopefulness that maybe, just maybe, we could move past this. The darkness that had filled his eyes was now clear. With every slow exhale the electrifying blue tones were restored. The longer we stared at one another the more he seemed sympathetic. </div>
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He shut his eyes slowly as he opened up the notebook. I watched anxiously as he flipped though it. Just when I thought we might have been able to salvage the moment. <i>“I don’t like Nolan. I’m strictly doing this for an article.” </i>He read my words out loud, pausing only to look up at my expression and smile as he called my bullshit. <i>“He is absolutely not my type. He runs away from his problems and is afraid to settle. No wonder he chose to stick with his family business.” </i> The corners of his mouth turned down as he tilted his head and shrugged. “Not sure where that came from, but to each their own, I guess.” </div>
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I felt a sudden burst of rage. I snapped my hand forward hoping to rip the notebook out of his hands, but he’d moved it just before I could.</div>
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“Here’s my favorite part.” He continued. “<i>It’s just a viable excuse …” </i>He read the words slowly as he looked at me. With each passing second his smile disappeared. “…<i>to be like his mother.” </i>He sighed as he handed the notebook to me. “That was a low blow.”</div>
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I snatched it from his hand as he walked away. </div>
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Nolan turned back just when he’d gotten half way to his truck. His hands were tucked into his pockets and the look of heartbreak on his face was so intense it was like staring at the afternoon sun, unbearable. “Tell me something. Is your car even broken?”</div>
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I stood silently. There wasn’t anything I could say to save myself. Everything was a lie. I closed my eyes for a few beats only to open them and see Nolan shaking his head.<br />
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He turned back around and sat in his truck. I felt my lips tremble as his head dropped back against the headrest and his hands covered his face. How could I have done this? How could I have caused someone so much pain. With one rise and fall of his chest he leaned forward to start the engine. He didn’t even bother to look at me one last time. </div>
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I watched as he drove away. </div>
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Just like that he was gone and I was left with nothing but the belongings in the backseat of my Civic, exactly how it should have been from the beginning. </div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-71296644706891950462016-05-19T21:14:00.000-05:002016-05-19T21:14:19.207-05:00Chapter Sixteen<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
“I hope Elizabeth isn’t at my parent's house.” I mumbled under my breath as I buckled myself in.</div>
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Nolan stared intently at the GPS system trying to make sure he was typing in the right address. His eyes gazed back and forth between his cell phone and the screen in his dash.</div>
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“Huh?” His delayed reaction caused my brows to furrow with a questioning stare.</div>
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I sighed and leaned on to the armrest of my door. My chin rested on my hand as I admired the quaint little bed and breakfast one last time before we set off. It wasn’t just the beauty of the cottage style house covered in greenery and blooms, but what had taken place inside. This would remain a pivotal place in my life. Regardless if Nolan and I worked out or not, this tiny little cottage would be where my walls came tumbling down and I, for once, lived.</div>
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“Ah!” Nolan had finally managed to find the right address in his system. “Okay, so why are you so worried about your sister again?”</div>
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“No reason.” I leaned back into my chair and folded my arms. “She’s just a little judgmental, that’s all.”</div>
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Nolan’s brow flinched as he looked at me. “How so?” He turned back to face the road as he switched the gear into drive. </div>
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“Oh, you know,” I began to mock her in a voice that wasn’t even remotely close to her real one. “You’re almost thirty years old with out a job, living off of your parents, and now you’re planning on moving to South Carolina with a guy you just met?”</div>
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Nolan laughed, “she sounds like fun.”</div>
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“Trust me, she is.” I rolled my eyes. “You know she wasn’t always like this. She was actually cool, and dare I say my best friend, before she went off to college.”</div>
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“What happened in college?” </div>
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“The harsh reality of life managed to miss me and smacked her instead.” I sunk into my seat to get more comfortable. There was still a long way before we’d be making a stop. “I don’t know, I guess she’s more of a realist than I was. She did exactly what our parents wanted for us to do. Went to college, got a job, got married, had kids.” </div>
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“I take that back.” Nolan briefly looked over at me with half a smile. “She doesn’t sound like too much fun.”</div>
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“Yeah well, at least she doesn’t have to live with regrets.” </div>
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“Isn’t life all about trial and error?” Nolan’s smile had been replaced with a more serious stare. “You went for a career in something that excites you. You moved out to L.A to find a job. So what if that opportunity hasn’t knocked yet? At least you know you tried. Imagine how many things you’ve experienced that she never will because she chose to play it safe.” </div>
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My eyes grazed from the empty road ahead of us to over my shoulder at Nolan.</div>
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“I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “I just wasn’t raised like that. We were always told to strive for what ever made us happy.”</div>
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“Must be nice.” I huffed. “Do you think we might be crazy for doing this?”</div>
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“Do I think it’s crazy that a random impulse to help a stranger out while driving on an empty highway in the dessert and then spending every waking hour with that stranger only to find out that I’ve never quiet had a connection with anyone in that way? Yes. Do I think we’re crazy for trying to explore the potential? No.”</div>
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I laughed at Nolan’s synopsis. He was right. It was one thing that I felt a certain unexplainable way about him, but knowing he felt it too made it that much more interesting.</div>
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I reached over to grab his hand and smiled. “Well, I think it’s crazy and I’m not gonna lie…” He looked over at me waiting for me to finish my thought. “I’m starting to like crazy.”</div>
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“Welcome to the party.” Nolan smiled back as he squeezed my hand.</div>
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When I lived in my hometown I was always busy with the little things in life. From high school drama to being locked away in my dorm studying all night. I never appreciated the beauty of the East Coast. Ironically coming back home with Nolan as a “new” Harper, it was like I was experiencing it for the first time. I’d never taken the time to really look at the cobblestone pathways, the old English architecture, the way the chilly winter air made the naked trees dance along the road. </div>
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It only made me think about what else I might have missed out on. All I cared about was becoming the best journalist the world had ever seen, and now that I was thinking about it, I’d lived in L.A for years and had only been to the beach twice. Twice. I was so consumed with wanting success that I missed out on the little things. </div>
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The deeper I buried myself into my thoughts the more upset I became. I almost missed out on finding Mr. Right because I would’ve rather written an article exploiting a fake connection I was desperate to make in order to catch the attention of publications. If I hadn’t actually fallen for Nolan, I would still be stuck in that same pessimistic cycle. </div>
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“Do you need to stop?” I heard Nolan’s voice and snapped back to reality. </div>
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It had almost been four hours since we’d been driving on the road. Most days the time couldn’t have gone slower, but today, the closer we got to home, the faster it flew by.</div>
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“No, no,” I shook my head as I stretched and sat upright. “I’m fine.”</div>
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“I’m a little thirsty.” He reached for an empty bottle sitting in the console and swiveled around the droplets of water. “There’s a gas station up ahead, you sure you don’t want anything?”</div>
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I thought about it for a good second before I shook my head. </div>
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Nolan pulled into a parking spot and made his way inside. I sat in the car quietly fiddling my thumbs as I people watched. There was a couple a few parking spots down with a young little boy in the back seat. I watched as he opened up his mom’s bag and pulled out a packet of gum. The sheer look of joy that consumed his face as he stuck the gum in his mouth was enough to make me crave a piece. </div>
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I leaned over and grabbed my bag from the floor and dug around. I knew I had a packet in here somewhere. I continued to dig until finally I opened my bag up and took a peek inside. Crumpled up in the side pocket was an empty package. I sighed in defeat before realizing that Nolan was still inside. I shoved my bag over and jumped out the car. </div>
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By the time I made it to the door, Nolan was already on his way out. “What happened?” He looked concerned when he saw my frantic expression.</div>
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“Nothing, I just wanted to grab some gum.”</div>
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“Let me get it.” He insisted as he turned around and proceeded back inside. </div>
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I stopped him. “It’s okay, I got it. Besides, I want to see what all flavors they have.”</div>
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Nolan shook his head and laughed. “Fine, suit yourself. I’ll be in the car.” He cracked his bottle of water open and took a gulp.</div>
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I perused through the candy aisle marveling at the endless options. I hadn’t seen some of these companies since I was a kid. Most of my gum buying took place at the last minute before checking out groceries. </div>
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My attention was diverted to the front of the store as a crowd of people walked in. I grabbed a random packet of gum in hopes of making it in line before any of them had gotten in front of me.</div>
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I wasn’t so lucky. Five of the family of eight that walked in had already managed to get to the register. They obviously knew exactly what they wanted before they came inside, unlike me.</div>
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The old Harper would have been irritated, but I on the other hand smiled when the remaining family members cut in front of me to join the rest of their tribe. And I continued to smile even when the younger kids of the group couldn’t figure out which candy they wanted even though their parents kept yelling across the store for them to hurry up. Or when the adults of the family chatted up a storm with the cashier for a good ten minutes about a local event taking place that night. Honestly, there wasn’t much that could bother me at this point. </div>
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I patiently waited for my turn, paid for the gum, and pranced out of the gas station. I smiled when I saw Nolan standing against his truck waiting for me. I ripped open the package and held it out. “You want?”</div>
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Nolan didn’t move. He was as still as a statue. I slowly pulled my hand back when I saw his jaw clenching beneath his skin. His mesmerizing blue eyes had darken with anger under his furrowed brows. </div>
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“What’s wrong?” I asked as gently as possible. Almost like my words were tiptoeing around him.</div>
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He opened his mouth slightly, but then shut it almost immediately. His head shook in disappointment as he exhaled a heavy breath. He took another moment to collect himself.</div>
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I watched as he walked over to my car and began unhooking the chains he’d used to attach it to his truck. “Call your dad. Tell him to come pick you up.”</div>
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Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-28734653259227230152016-05-12T11:33:00.000-05:002016-05-12T11:33:40.116-05:00Chapter Fifteen<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
“Harper?” The slight curves of Nolan lips slowly began to fall flat as the concern on his face grew. </div>
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What felt like an eternity to me was actually only a few seconds. In that moment I’d already imagined a hundred different ways in which this conversation was going to end. Unless, of course, I did exactly what I’d been doing this whole trip and lied to Nolan…one last time.</div>
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I exhaled a gust of air from my lungs. </div>
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“Are you feeling okay?” Nolan asked as he set the book down on the window bench and stood in front of me. This was it, if I distracted him enough he’d forget about the whole thing.</div>
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“Sorry.” I took in another breath and exhaled. “I just, I…I had the hiccups!” </div>
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“Oh.” Nolan’s look of concern quickly dissolved. “You looked like you were about to pass out or something.”</div>
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“Yeah, sorry, dramatically holding my breath is the only way I can ever get rid of them.” I nervously laughed as I tugged on his arm, trying to pull him away from the library nook. “Hey, are you sure you got everything from your room?” </div>
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Nolan and I began walking back towards the stairs. Just when I thought I was getting away with the whole thing a spark lit up his face. “Wait,” he turned back around to pick up 21 Questions from the window bench. “I should put this back.” </div>
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I smiled at him approving his good deed, but on the inside my bodily functions had taken another momentary break and they weren’t going to resume until that God forsaken book was back on the shelf. </div>
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I watched in silence as he skimmed through the shelf to find it’s original spot. He glanced at the book one more time. <i>Don’t do it, Nolan. Don’t do it. </i>The voice in my head chanted.</div>
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My eyes shut slowly in disappointment when he did exactly what I didn’t want him to do. Nolan’s finger ran across the pages of the book causing them to flutter open. “I don’t know why I was even reading this.” He laughed. “I guess a couple of the questions caught my attention.”</div>
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I peeked through my lashes. Nolan had stopped on a random page as he read one of the question’s aloud. “Doesn’t that sound familiar?”</div>
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“What do you mean?” I used every muscle in my body to force myself to walk towards him.</div>
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“I mean, some of these questions sound like the ones you asked me.” His eyes questioningly glanced up at me.</div>
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I rolled my eyes as I grabbed the book from Nolan’s hand. “Let me see.” I couldn’t actually make out the words on the page because my vision was hazed from sheer terror. I huffed and skipped to another page, and then another, and then another, making sure to laugh at how ridiculous each one was as I past it. I shut the book and placed it back on the shelf, where it should have never left. “Nolan, these are such typical questions.”</div>
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Nolan shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. It just seemed a little weird, you know?”</div>
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“The only concerning thing is that this guy probably made a killing off of a book filled with all these cliche questions.” I laughed uneasily as I looked over at Nolan. The corner of his lips curved into half a smile as he came to the realization that I might have been right.</div>
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“Come on!” I tugged his hand as I walked away. </div>
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“Why are you in such a hurry to leave?” He stood behind me as his arms wrapped across my body and his chin lied gently on my shoulder. “Did you really have that terrible of a time with me that you’re so eager to go home?” </div>
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I was in such a rush to get Nolan out of the library nook that I’d completely forgotten where our next destination was; <i>home. </i>I turned around and held Nolan’s face between my hands. “I don’t want this to be the last time we’re together.” I didn’t even think about what I was saying, I just said what I’d come to feel. It was weird to be so attached to something I’d only just discovered and yet have such a strong connection with. This wasn’t the same Harper who left L.A. This wasn’t even the Harper I knew growing up. This was a new Harper that had only just found herself.</div>
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The room was silent as we stared at one another. A few seconds went by before Nolan laughed. “Well, of course I don’t want this to be the last time either.”</div>
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“Then?” I asked in all seriousness. My hands gently fell down to his shoulders and rested around his neck. “Why can’t you just make a Fletcher’s in Boston? I’m not just saying that because I used to shop at Fletcher’s in L.A and I’m really disappointed that there isn’t one in my hometown, but really, Boston is a big city you’d be hitting a great market!” My words were spewing out a mile a minute. </div>
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Nolan continued to smile and nod the same way you would when a child is telling a ridiculous story and you’re just trying to go along with it because they’re a child who knows nothing. </div>
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“Nolan.” I said disapprovingly.</div>
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“Not only has staying here with you been more than I could ever expect, but our whole trip together has been a whirlwind. I really like you, hell, you’re the first girl I’ve ever been fascinated with, but it’s not that easy.” He brushed my hair away from my face, resting his fingers beneath my chin to stop my disappointment. “My family is in South Carolina. My business is there. My whole life is there. I can’t just uproot and leave everything behind.”</div>
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I sighed heavily as I looked away. </div>
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Nolan nudged my chin to regain my attention. “Come with me.”</div>
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I leaned my head back to get a better look. </div>
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“I know South Carolina isn’t ideal for you, but just come with me for now until we can figure something out.”</div>
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I hesitated to answer. In all honesty I wanted to say yes a million times over, but that’s when old realistic Harper conveniently made an appearance just in time to crush my hopes. I needed to go back home because it was the financially responsible thing to do. I had to find a job and settle my debts once and for all. I couldn’t just let the suave, handsome, tall, rugged yet sensitive, mesmerizing blue eyed…<i>snap out of it Harper!</i></div>
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I sighed. </div>
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I couldn’t just swoon over Nolan and let him take me away from everything I’d been trying to accomplish my whole life. I needed to hit the restart button and that began with going home.</div>
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“Okay.” I nodded.</div>
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“Okay, you’ll come?” Nolan’s hands were planted on my shoulders as he took a step back.</div>
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“Yes, I’ll come with you.” I heard her yelling at the top of her lungs. Old Harper wasn’t happy. Maybe she was right about going home, but I couldn’t let her win again. She’d been so miserable the last few years that I was slowly convinced that I’d been her the whole time. The truth was, I never was her. She was a pessimistic ego-maniac that slowly settled her way into my soul with every crushing disappointment that came my way. Instead of holding my ground and believing things could get better, I let her become me. </div>
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Nolan leaned in and kissed my forehead. It was almost like a moment of magic. As I closed my eyes and opened them, her voice was gone. All it took was putting my happiness first.</div>
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“Since we’re close enough to your parent’s house maybe we can swing by to drop off your car and stuff.” I held Nolan’s hand that was draped over my shoulder as we walked out of the bed and breakfast. “You can pack the things you’ll need and we’ll head down from there.”</div>
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I looked up at him and smiled, “sounds like a good idea to me.”</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-64321006359752961342016-05-05T15:01:00.000-05:002016-05-05T15:01:05.160-05:00Chapter Fourteen<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
I hesitated to open my eyes. I could feel the sun peaking in through the sheer curtains across from my bed, so I grabbed the extra pillows next to me and covered my face with them. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a hangover, but this was exactly why I never let it happen.</div>
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I inhaled a deep breath and felt the muscles in my body release from their previously tense state. I was just another deep breath away from falling back asleep.</div>
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<b><i>ring!</i></b></div>
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I groaned as the tension I was so desperate to get rid of quickly found it’s way back into my body. </div>
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<b><i>ring!</i></b></div>
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<i>Oh, for crying out loud.</i> I huffed as I lifted the pillow from my face, keeping my eyes closed, and reached towards the sound of the phone.</div>
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“Hello?” I croaked.</div>
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“Hey!” Nolan chirped. He was obviously more accustomed to dealing with hangovers than I was. “You wanna meet me downstairs for breakfast?” There was only silence from my end of the conversation. He continued, “there’s a really nice garden behind the bed and breakfast where we can eat. I thought we might be able to spend some time out there before we head out.”</div>
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I dropped my head back onto the pillow and sighed. “Sure.”</div>
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It took me three times longer to get ready than it normally would have. I was moving at a pace of a sloth. By the time I made it outside Nolan was already enjoying a cup of coffee. The table in front of him was filled with breakfast food.</div>
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“I’m sorry.” I griped as I sunk into my chair. “I had a hard time getting up this morning.”</div>
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Nolan smiled. He didn’t even need to know what was wrong, he just picked up a pitcher of water and poured out a glass for me. “Mint water helps every time.”</div>
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“Thanks.” My eyes widened when a burst of ice cold freshness hit my taste buds. Before I knew it my glass was empty. Nolan hadn’t even put the pitcher down and he was already pouring out more. </div>
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“Whoa, easy there girl.” He laughed.</div>
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“Ugh,” I groaned. “It’s been years since I’ve felt like this.”</div>
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“You barely had anything.”</div>
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“Barely? I was trying to keep up with you.”</div>
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Nolan shook his head. “You shouldn’t have done that.”</div>
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“Yeah, no kidding.” I stabbed a stack of pancakes with my fork and dropped them onto my plate. I watched from the corner of my eye as Nolan opted to go for the bowl of mixed fruits instead. Maybe I should skip buttering my pancakes…</div>
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“So,” Nolan cleared his throat. “Last night I was thinking about how,” He furrowed his brows and sank into a deep concentration as he paused. A second later his eyes met mine again and he continued, “different you are.”</div>
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I stopped mid-pancake cutting and let out a laugh. “Thanks, I guess?”</div>
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The skin between his brows loosened when he realized what he’d said. “What I mean is I’ve never met a girl like you before. To tell you the truth, I don’t think we would have been in each other’s lives as long if we’d met more casually.”</div>
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I slowly chewed my food in guilt. We wouldn’t have been in each other’s lives if I hadn’t forcefully interjected myself. Here Nolan was thinking this whole thing was fate, but little did he know he was just a pawn I was using to win a game in my career.</div>
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“It’s taken me some time to realize it, but you’re not like most girls I’ve met. Just thinking about how I won’t see you after tomorrow makes me feel like I’m going to be missing out on something.”</div>
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I set down my fork and knife and wiped the corners of my mouth. “I know how you feel because it’s exactly how I’ve been feeling. You’re the first guy I’ve had a connection with in a long, long time. You don’t even irritate me anymore.”</div>
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Nolan laughed. “Did I ever?”</div>
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“Yes!” I said without any hesitation. “Definitely in the beginning, but then the more I got to know you the more…you know.” I shrugged my shoulders.</div>
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Nolan’s smile flashed for a second before it was gone. “The problem is that I have a business to run in Charleston and you have a better chance of finding work in Boston.”</div>
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I pushed my plate away as I let his words resonate. </div>
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After breakfast we decided to walk through the garden. It was quiet and peaceful with only the flutters of butterflies and occasional chirping of birds. Most of the plants hadn’t bloomed yet, but it was still a beautiful sight. A dirt pathway weaved in and out of canopies covered in vines. We stopped to sit down at a bench that overlooked the hills beyond the bed and breakfast. It was a shame more people didn’t visit this place. </div>
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Nolan wrapped his arm across my shoulders as a cool breeze sent a shiver through my body. I snuggled in close to his chest and rested my head on his shoulder. “Do I have to go home tomorrow?” I asked as I pretended to whimper.</div>
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“I could always kidnap you.” I felt his chest gently rise and fall as he laughed. </div>
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I smiled as I looked up at him. Nolan’s electric blue eyes stared back at me. It might have been our conversation from earlier or just the way we both hopelessly gazed into each others eyes, but in that moment I don’t think either one of us wanted to let go.</div>
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My arms were covered in goosebumps as Nolan’s hand swept across my cheek and rested on the nape of my neck. His fingers wove through my hair as he leaned forward and pulled me in for a kiss. It wasn’t like any other one that we’d shared. It was filled with passion and lined with regrets.</div>
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Regrets that the spark between us had been there all long, but we were just too stubborn to recognize it. Maybe that’s why Alexander Nottingham had written 21 Questions. For people like us, who needed a reminder to pause their daily struggles just to engage in a simple conversation. </div>
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Nolan’s hand softly ran down my body and gripped onto my thighs. He pulled my body over his and began tugging at my clothes.</div>
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I pulled away from him and froze. He hadn’t gotten the hint and continued to kiss his way down my neck. “Nolan.” I whispered for his attention.</div>
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“You sound so sexy.” He managed to whisper back between kisses.</div>
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“What? No.” I pushed his shoulders back so he could see the concerned look on my face. “I think someone’s coming.”</div>
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He shook his head. “It’s no one.” </div>
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Nolan’s eyes were set on my bare skin beyond the buttons that he’d managed to wrestle open. He bit his lip as he began to undo the rest. Another shiver ran through my body when his skin touched mine. The rush of adrenaline and sheer joy made me lose my train of thought. </div>
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Somehow our clothes had ended up on the bench and our bodies on the ground below. We were so exhausted that just dusting the dirt off one another sent us into a hysterical laughing fit. </div>
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Nolan and I went back to his room to clean up and spent the rest of the afternoon cuddled up in his bed. </div>
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“Today was definitely an adventure.” I smiled </div>
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“Everyday since the day I met you has been an adventure.” </div>
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“What’s been your favorite part so far?” I asked as my finger traced the edges of his ear. </div>
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“You mean aside from today?” He turned his head and playfully bit my hand. “I’d have to say the night we danced in that gazebo.”</div>
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“Really?”</div>
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“Yeah, that pie was totally worth it.” He rubbed his nose against mine as he joked. “What about you?”</div>
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“Aside from today, the day we were snowed into that hotel.”</div>
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Nolan leaned away from me and furrowed his brows. “I thought you hated me then.” </div>
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I laughed when I remembered how hard of a time I’d given Nolan that day. “I didn’t hate you. I just didn’t know you. I tend to put up these walls to intimidate people.I guess I’m too afraid to show everyone the real me. That night you looked beyond the walls and opened up to me. No one’s ever done that before. It changed everything because I knew if you could open up to me after everything you’d been through, I at the very least owed you the same.”</div>
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“You’re beautiful inside and out. You have nothing to be afraid of.” </div>
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Despite our desperate prayers for the day to never end the sun came up right on schedule the next morning. I’d gone back to my room to finish packing before I came downstairs.</div>
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Nolan was sitting on the window bench in the library nook. As I was about to approach him I felt a tug on my arm. I turned around to find Jean with a smirk on her face. “I’m glad you decided to take my advice.”</div>
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I laughed uneasily. “What do you mean?”</div>
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“Don’t act like you don’t know.” She wiggled her brows. “Marty and I saw what you two were up to in the garden.”</div>
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I covered my mouth with my hand as I gasped. “I knew I heard someone.”</div>
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“It was quiet a show I must say.” She laughed as she slowly walked back up the stairs.</div>
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I turned back around and headed to the library nook. “What are you reading?” I asked Nolan.</div>
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A confused look flashed across his face as he let out a slight laugh. “This book is so ridiculous.” He had been leaning his back on the windowsill before he pushed himself upright. “I grabbed it cause I didn’t recognize it from yesterday, but it’s about asking a series of questions to make people fall in love.”</div>
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It’s amazing how something as vital as breathing comes naturally to us. We don’t even have to think about it, it just happens. No matter how much of a stressful situation we might be in, our bodies force our lungs to fill with oxygen.</div>
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“You look pale.” Nolan said as he looked up at me.</div>
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It was only in that second that my body had failed me. I had forgotten to breathe because every last atom in my body had frozen, leaving me paralyzed, when I saw the cover of the book. </div>
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Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-48190160882352608882016-04-28T15:40:00.004-05:002016-04-28T15:40:59.743-05:00Chapter Thirteen <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><strike>Dear Diary,</strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I’m not quite sure what the purpose of this journal is anymore. I’ve frantically scribbled on pages and pages with vital information for my article, but now it all seems so useless. I would be lying to myself if I said I wanted to trash the whole thing. I’m not quiet sure how things with Nolan will turn out. Am I falling victim to temporary feelings or do I actually think this might go somewhere? I guess time will tell. Until then I still have two more questions to finish this shit.</span></div>
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I closed my notebook and laid back on my bed. Nolan and I had stopped at a bed and breakfast earlier this morning. We decided to stay in separate rooms, as we had been doing most of the trip, so we could really understand where our feelings lied. </div>
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There was another couple staying here that we briefly met after checking in. They were celebrating their forty year wedding anniversary. I could have sworn they were on their honeymoon by the way their bodies spoke to one another. </div>
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It’s been a couple of hours now and I still haven’t heard from Nolan. There hasn’t been a knock on my door or a ring on my phone. I figured he was cooped away like I was, afraid to make the first move. I couldn’t quiet understand what was going on. Internally, I mean. I had suddenly found myself attracted to him, nervous to let him know, calm when we finally kissed, and now? Now, I was worried. </div>
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I kept trying to tell myself I was feeling weird because I hadn’t been in this situation in…well let’s not count numbers, but it definitely had been <i>some </i>time. I hadn’t let myself feel any emotions towards the opposite sex and now here I was completely engulfed. Did it scare me even more that this was happening in the moment of time when my life rapidly tumbling down hill? Of course it did. But, maybe this was what I needed to keep my mind off of reality for the time being. </div>
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I guess my problem was that I kept imagining the bigger picture. What would life be like with Nolan after this trip was over? I honestly couldn’t tell you, but I sure as hell had a million and one scenarios of our future already planned in my head. <i>Ugh, the struggles of being female.</i></div>
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A long continuous stream of air filled my lungs as my eyes shut. I kept it trapped within my lungs before gently pushing it out through my nostrils. Just a subtle reminder that I needed to forget about the future and focus on what was happening now. </div>
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My eyes blinked open and I sprung out of bed. I remembered seeing a small library nook as we walked into the bed and breakfast. Maybe I could indulge myself in a book and stop my mind from wandering. </div>
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It was a little strange to see the place so empty. Then again, we were out in the middle of nowhere. I’d never really experienced a real bed and breakfast. It was just like staying in someone’s home, only with a waiting staff. The place was nice and cozy and the Tudor-style architecture really added to it’s charm. </div>
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I walked down the stairs, admiring the intricate carvings on the wooden rails, and around the corner into the library nook. It wasn’t much, just three tall shelves with a sign that read, “TRADING BOOKS IS WELCOMED AS WELL AS DONATIONS. PLEASE ENJOY!”</div>
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My fingers ran down the binding of the books as I tried to find one I’d be interested in. I stopped abruptly when I noticed a sequel to a book Celeste had at her coffee shop. I pulled it out, making sure no one had walked into the room, and hid the cover with my hand. It was one of those gushy chick lit books that I would be too humiliated to actually admit I’ve read. </div>
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I snuggled into the window bench and flipped open the book.</div>
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My mind was completely lost in this fictional world that I hadn’t even noticed someone walk into the room.</div>
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“Hi,” Nolan’s voice carried in from the doorway. I shut the book, held my hand over the cover, and sat up straight. He smiled as he walked over to me, entertained by my unusual behavior. </div>
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“Hey,” I smiled back. My hand crept slowly as I tried to push the book between my leg and the wall.</div>
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The skin between his eyes wrinkled as he squinted. “Is there a reason you always hide the book you’re reading when you see me?” The tension from his face released as he let out a slight laugh. </div>
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He stood with his arms crossed leaning against the post. I exhaled, dropping my chest in defeat, as I picked up the book. “I was embarrassed that you might judge me.”</div>
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Nolan walked over, arms still folded, before he reached forward and took the book from my hands. His lips curled in as he examined it. “Why would I judge you for reading this?” He flipped it over to the back. “Isn’t it targeted for women?”</div>
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“Well, yeah, but…” He had me there. </div>
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“But, you just want to seem like one of those smart girls who only reads smart books?” He raised his eyebrow with a smirk on his face as he handed it back to me.</div>
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“I guess.” I laughed as I shook my head with relief. I was so conceived with the idea of how I was portrayed that I’d let an unreal persona take over. I’d eventually grown adjusted to it hoping people would take me more seriously and that’s where I’d lost myself. It was in between those short words that I realized Nolan saw through the whole act. He saw me for me, something no one had ever really done before, not even Celeste. </div>
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“My best friend in L.A owned a coffee shop that I would go to everyday to work on my writing. She was always bringing in new books to stock up the shop with. It was still the beginning of our friendship, so we were just starting to learn about each other.” I held up the book “She said this series was one of her absolute favorites. I put on this whole charades about how it was garbage and that I’d never waste my time reading it. I think I acted that way because up until that point she’d only handed me non-fictional pieces about the economy and government, and well, you know, ‘smart’ stuff. That’s the validation I wanted when I left home after college and I wanted to do whatever it took to stick with it. Meanwhile, I read a few pages which turned into chapters and before I knew it was finished.”</div>
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“Let me guess,” Nolan sat on the cushioned window bench next to me. “You loved it.”</div>
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“I did.” I nodded my head as I laughed. “I loved it so much I wanted to keep reading the rest of the series. Of course, I couldn’t admit it to her…”</div>
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“Of course.” Nolan jokingly mocked.</div>
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“She only had the first book of the series so I was never able to get my hands on the rest until now.”</div>
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“You didn’t think to go to the library?” </div>
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“They have those in L.A?” I asked sarcastically.</div>
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“Touche.” Nolan’s shoulder bumped against mine. “I think you’re a pretty smart girl regardless.”</div>
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A tingling sensation erupted on the corners of my lips causing a cheesy grin.</div>
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“I mean, you have done some questionable things since I’ve met you, but still a smart girl.” He teased. </div>
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“The only questionable thing I’ve done is fall for this whole scheme of yours.” I smiled as I bumped my shoulder against Nolan’s before I stood up.</div>
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He grabbed my hand to stop me. “You mean <i>your</i> whole scheme.”</div>
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“Oh, come on.” I laughed. “You totally knew this was going to happen when you saw a poor young lady parked on the side of the road.”</div>
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“Bless your heart.” Nolan said as he emphasized a heavy Southern accent. He tugged my arm and suddenly my hands were on his shoulders as he looked up at me. “I was just being the gentleman I was raised to be.” The air filled with silence as we looked into each other’s eyes. Neither one of us was capable of continuing the conversation and the realization made us laugh nervously. </div>
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Our attention diverted to the shuffling of footsteps coming down the stairs. I pulled away from Nolan and grabbed the book. I didn’t want whoever was coming to see Nolan and I having an intimate moment. I walked back to the shelf to put the book away when the couple from earlier walked in.</div>
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“Oh, hey, you two.” The woman smiled at us as she rummaged through her bag. Her blonde hair was done up exposing the string of pearls laced around her neck. She pulled out a perfume bottom and spritz herself causing the room to smell of sandalwood. </div>
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“We were just headed out to have lunch at the country club. Would you two like to join us?”</div>
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Nolan and I looked at each other and shrugged. “Sure, why not.” </div>
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“Great! I’m Marty, by the way, and this is my wife Jean.” They held out their hands.</div>
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After we all introduced ourselves we headed back upstairs to get ready before going to the country club.</div>
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Even though it was quiet a distance away from the bed and breakfast, Marty and Jean had so much to talk about that we didn’t even realize the time passing. After lunch Marty and Nolan decided to play golf while Jean and I enjoyed some sweet tea and lemonade as we watched. </div>
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“So, why aren’t you two together?” She looked at me from the corner of her eye with a grin on her face.</div>
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I blushed. “We’re trying to figure it out. We’ve just barely met. Besides he lives down South and I live up North.”</div>
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“And…” She waited for me to finish.</div>
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“And…long distance wouldn't work.” I shrugged.</div>
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She let out a single, “ha!” before she took another sip of her tea. “You think opposite directions on the same coast is far? Marty and I dated while he was in Seattle and I was in Florida. Our fathers both came to this very country club for a big golf tournament and that’s when we met. We'd only spent the three day weekend with each other before we had to go back home.”</div>
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“Wow,” I looked at her amazed. “So this is where it started.”</div>
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“Exactly. And we didn’t let a little distance get in the way. You kids now and days are just about your iPhones and social media and everything has to be here and now.” She leaned in close as she continued. “There’s a strong energy around the both of you. I wouldn’t just pass on this opportunity because of distance if I were you, darling.”</div>
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She rocked back into her chair when Marty and Nolan walked over to us. Marty decided to sit out for a few rounds, so Nolan took me around the course to teach me how to play. Maybe it was because of how terrible I was, but by the time we made it through the entire course the sun had already set. We decided to stay for dinner and enjoyed a few drinks before. Marty and Jean had a lot of friends there that kept us busy. It was late by the time we made it to the bed and breakfast.</div>
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Nolan and I stood outside of his room. A single goodnight kiss lead to many more. He opened his door gesturing for me to come inside, but I pulled away. “I…I think we should wait, you know, when we’re sober.”</div>
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“You’re right.” Nolan agreed. “I’m sorry.”</div>
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I left back to my room to get ready for bed. I’d left a huge mess earlier and decided to clean it up before I fell asleep. As I crawled into bed I felt something hard beneath the sheets. I rolled over to find 21 Questions. I must have forgotten to put it back earlier. The edge of my thumb flipped through the pages causing a gust of air to blow on my face. It made me think back to when Nolan and I were hiking in the park a few days ago and how he tucked my hair behind my ear. </div>
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Jean might have been on to something. The more I was getting to know Nolan, the more I liked him. I shouldn’t let some stupid book ruin everything. I hopped out of my bed, grabbed the book, and tip toed out of my room. One step at a time, I stealthily walked down the creaky stairs and into the library nook. My eyes skimmed through the rows until I found the book I’d been reading earlier. I pulled it out and replaced it with 21 Questions. It felt liberating. Almost as if I were choosing to leave the heavy weight of guilt behind. </div>
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I smiled as I clenched the book to my chest and tip toed back to my room.</div>
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Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-31388672533479751952016-04-21T12:35:00.000-05:002016-04-21T12:35:08.986-05:00Chapter Twelve<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
“Look, it’s really hard for me to muster up the words to say this, but you were right.” I breathed heavily into the phone as my hand cupped my mouth. “I like him, okay?” I paused for a second as I looked over my shoulder. “We kissed and it made things even more complicated for me and I have no idea what I’m suppose to do now. Oh, and please don’t call me back saying, ‘I told you so.”</div>
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It was three in the morning and I knew Celeste was sleeping, but I still called her anyway. A few times, actually. Of course she didn’t pick up so I resorted to leaving her a voicemail. </div>
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I shoved my phone back into my pocket and paced in front of Nolan’s truck. After the carnival we had set back on the road. I remember Nolan driving and holding my hand as I fell asleep on his shoulder. I hadn’t realized we stopped until I woke up and saw him inside an overly-lit convenient store. That’s when I jumped out to call Celeste. </div>
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“You’re awake.” Nolan smiled as he walked out of the store. He was a little too cheerful for this time of night.</div>
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“Oh,” I ran my fingers through my hair to make sure I looked presentable. “Yeah, sorry. I guess I was a little more tired than I thought.”</div>
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Without any hesitation Nolan’s arm rested around my shoulders and we began walking together. “Don’t apologize.” He laughed. “To tell you the truth, I’m kinda lagging too.” He held up a can of energy drink. “That’s why I had to stop and get this.” Nolan could tell by my half smile that I was feeling uneasy about something. “You want me to grab you something?” He asked as he pointed back at the store.</div>
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“No, no.” </div>
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“Are you sure? We’re pretty far from civilization so speak now or forever hold your peace!”</div>
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My eyes widened when I felt my pocket vibrate. Celeste was calling me back. I needed to get rid of Nolan so I could talk to her. I looked back inside the store to see a long line at the register. “Actually, now that you mention it, maybe you should grab a few snacks for the ride?”</div>
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“Sure. Which ones?”</div>
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I smiled as I opened the car door and sat inside. “Surprise me.”</div>
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I watched Nolan walk a good twenty feet away before I answered Celeste’s call. “Hello?” A high pitched squeal pierced through the phone. I let out a deep sigh. </div>
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“Okay, so fill me in. What happened between the last time we talked and you swore you didn’t like him and now.”</div>
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“That’s the thing. I don’t know, Celeste. I let down my guard for too long and it just kinda happened.”</div>
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“Jesus, I’ve only spent so many years trying to get you to put your guard down and this guy does it in a matter of days.” She laughed. “Well, at least now you’re being honest with yourself.”</div>
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“Yeah, real honest. I’m using a guy to research the theory of a world renowned Psychologist who wrote a book about how to make your partner fall in love with you only to eventually leave him and write an article to further my career.” I smacked my palm onto my forehead. “What am I doing?”</div>
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“How many more questions do you have?” </div>
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I took a deep breath to calm myself. “I don’t know, like, two more.” </div>
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“So essentially the theory worked.”</div>
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“Yeah, unfortunately in more ways than one.” I rolled my eyes. </div>
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“That’s great. That’s all we wanted to know. Alexander Nottingham was right. The most stubborn woman on earth was able to connect to another human life.“ I laughed at Celeste’s description of me. “I say forget the article. Take it slow and enjoy the moment. Maybe you’ll have better luck and find work on the East Coast and you won’t even have to write the damn article.”</div>
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“You know this is literally everything I’m against. A love life over a career.”</div>
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“I hate to hit you with reality, but one of those things didn’t quiet work out. You need to give the other a try.” </div>
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“Wow, Celeste.” I was speechless. That was the first time Celeste had ever even remotely sounded so harsh.</div>
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“Sorry, not sorry. You know I’m right. You even said it in your voicemail. I have it as proof and I’m going to keep it forever to rub in your face.” We both laughed at her sudden change in character.</div>
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“I kinda like this alter ego.” </div>
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A few minutes after we hung up Nolan came back to the car with a bag of goodies. “I didn’t know which one you’d like, so I grabbed one of each.” </div>
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A smile crept onto my face as I thought about how I actually didn’t want any of them. “That was so sweet. Thank you.”</div>
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We headed back on our way again. It was almost spooky how dark it was outside. There weren’t any street lights and the tall trees lining the two-way road blocked out most of the moonlight.</div>
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The lack of visuals gave me a moment to get lost in my thoughts. I kept replaying the moment just before Nolan and I kissed and the moment right after. I didn’t feel anything other than happiness. I wasn’t even thinking of anything at that moment and now suddenly the feels came pouring in. Celeste was right. I needed to scrap this whole thing. It was way more important that I was, for once, tuned in with my emotions and not lying to myself. </div>
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“You’re really staring hard out there.” Nolan laughed as he looked at me. His eyes shot ahead to where my gaze was set. “Are you seeing something that I’m not?”</div>
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I snapped back to reality. “No, there’s nothing. I was just memorized by the darkness.” I looked down to see our hands intertwined once again. Maybe I was new to this whole thing, but it felt so weird that we kept unconsciously linking ourselves to one another without knowing where either one stood. “I know this might not be the best time to talk about it, but…”</div>
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Before I could say anything more Nolan held up our hands, “but, what’s going on here?”</div>
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My eyebrow twitched as I smiled. “How’d you know?”</div>
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“I saw you staring.” He waited a few seconds before he continued. “I…I don’t know. I thought you were one of those pretty chicks that’s actually crazy when I first met you.” He said jokingly. “But then you started to grow on me and now I kinda like you.” He shrugged.</div>
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“Oh, wow, how very romantic of you.” I teased. “It just kinda sucks, you know? Just when we both started to like each other the trip is almost coming to an end.”</div>
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Silence filled the car once again. The realization of not knowing what could be was obviously on both of our minds. Nolan leaned his elbow on the middle console. “Hey,” he whispered for my attention. I turned over my shoulder to meet his nose with mine. Our eyes locked for a brief second before we kissed. </div>
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It was quick, but just what I needed in that moment to calm my nerves. Nolan’s attention diverted back to the empty road ahead of him. I watched through the corner of my eyes as his chest rose and fell with each deep breath. </div>
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There wasn’t much either one of us could promise the other. With each passing minute I felt my eyes become heavier and heavier. </div>
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I felt the car roll to a stop when my eyes shot open. It was like I had only closed them for a moment, but the sign of dawn breaking proved otherwise. “Where are we?” I asked as I stretched my arms. I looked around to an unfamiliar sight. We were parked off the side of the road. The path ahead split into two. </div>
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“We need to go right to go home.”</div>
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“Okay.” I looked at Nolan confused. “So, go right.”</div>
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“But, I thought a lot about what you said and you’re right. I can’t take you home without knowing where things are going between us.”</div>
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“Okay.” I straightened my posture as I waited for Nolan to finish his thought.</div>
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“I saw a sign for a bed and breakfast a few miles back. If we turn left we can spend a day, or two, with each other without any distractions.” He looked at my expressionless face and hesitated. “I don’t know, I was thinking I could push my last meeting back and.." His hesitation grew into anxiousness at my lack of a response. He laughed uneasily, "I don't know what's gotten into me. I sound crazy. Maybe you’re just rubbing off on me.” He tried to joke to lighten the mood. His hand reached for the gear and shifted into drive. </div>
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“Turn left.”</div>
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Nolan looked over at me with furrowed brows. “Really?”</div>
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“Really.”</div>
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Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-43840663088838219712016-04-14T14:22:00.000-05:002016-04-14T14:22:13.598-05:00Chapter Eleven <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
I was anxiously pacing back and forth in our hotel bathroom rehearsing how I would act in front of Nolan. </div>
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I stopped in front of the mirror and straddled my hands over the sink. My wrists were turning a pale white from the pressure of my tight grip. The color rushed back as I stared in the mirror, took a deep breath, and relaxed. </div>
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My eyes drifted off into space and suddenly I was reliving the night before. Nolan and I were snuggled up on top of a hill counting stars. My heart was racing when he pulled me in closer for warmth. Maybe I was the one starting to form these feelings, but Nolan was the one to lean in and kiss me on my forehead. It just complicated everything. Was he trying to tell me that he liked me? He knew I was having a rough day. That could have easily been his way of comforting me. A strange and confusing way nonetheless. </div>
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There was no way I was going to guilt myself into not writing this article. With each passing day I was gathering more and more information and it was actually turning into something. <i>Something good.</i> The only way this would work is if I stayed unattached.</div>
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<i>“This is just an experiment.”</i> I whispered as I stared at myself in the mirror. I turned on the cold water and splashed it over my face.</div>
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There was a knock on the hotel room door. I wiped myself off with a towel and threw on my robe. </div>
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“Hey, there’s a pretty nice breakfast buffet downstairs. You wanna go grab something to eat?” Nolan asked as he stood in the doorway of our connecting room. I was half way hidden behind the door. His eyes slowly trailed down to my robe. “I’m so sorry. Do you need a minute?” He asked as he turned back into his room. </div>
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“Yeah, no, sorry.” I closed the door a little as I spoke through the crack. “Breakfast sounds good. I’ll be down there in a minute.” I shut the door and leaned my back against it. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t deny that a part of me wanted him to come into my room and whisk me away. </div>
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I knew the only thing that would help me was writing it out. I jumped onto my bed and pulled out my notebook and pen. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><strike>Dear Diary,</strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> I don’t like Nolan. I’m strictly doing this for an article. </span></div>
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I tapped my pen rapidly as I tried to come up with things I could write that would make me believe them. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">He is absolutely not my type. He runs away from his problems and is afraid to settle. No wonder he chose to stick with his family business. It’s just a viable excuse to be like his mother.</span></div>
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I held the pen over my last sentence. It was pretty mean and so unlike me. I wanted to scratch it out. I’d taken it a little too far, but writing it did calm the butterflies in my stomach. I hesitated before I dropped my pen and closed my notebook. </div>
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I quickly got dressed and headed downstairs. Nolan was sitting at a table waiting for me. I took another deep breath before I approached him and convinced myself that I was ready to hear what he had to say about the night before.</div>
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“Are you ready to eat?” He asked as he stood up from his chair. He was completely uninterested in my presence and more intrigued by the fresh pancakes the chef in the dining hall was making.</div>
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<i>It was just a comforting kiss nothing more, Harper. </i>A smile stretched across my face as I realized I was reading way too deep into the whole thing. </div>
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Nolan didn’t mention anything about the night before. Not at breakfast or on our drive over to the next city. It was almost a little worrying. This whole time I was assuming the questions were working, but by his lack of attention I really wasn’t sure anymore. </div>
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It was late in the afternoon when we finally pulled over to get gas. I stepped out of the truck to stretch my legs as I waited for Nolan. It was a hipster neighborhood surrounded by a lively city. I wasn’t sure where we were exactly, but it was beautifully busy. </div>
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“Harp!” Nolan shouted from the distance. I looked over to see him gesturing for me to come back. </div>
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He stood next to his truck as he waited. I made a slow jog over when I heard cheers and muffled lullaby-like music from the distance. I looked around to see where it was coming from, but there was nothing in sight. “Do you hear that?” I asked Nolan.</div>
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He looked around confused as to what I was hearing. “What exactly?”</div>
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“Listen.” We stood quietly for a minute before the screams came from the distance again.</div>
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We exchanged the same dumbfounded expression. Nolan turned around to figure out where the noise was coming from. There was nothing in our immediate view. We heard the noise again. This time it was obviously coming from the other side of the gas station. We walked around the back of the building to find a carnival set up in an empty mall parking lot across the highway. </div>
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“It’s a kiddie fair.” Nolan exhaled. “Thank God, I was starting to think we were going crazy.” He laughed as he spun himself around and began walking back to his truck. “Come on, we’re in the homestretch!” </div>
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I stood eerily still when I heard his words. I couldn’t believe our journey was almost coming to an end. This whole trip I thought Nolan was going to fall head over heels for me and that I’d be the one to leave him behind. It wasn’t like that at all. Instead I was battling my feelings and denying that each of his answers to my questions were only drawing me closer. I was desperately trying to find any distraction I could to spend a few moments with him, not because of this stupid article, but because for once I was finally starting to realize that each moment I’ve spent with Nolan so far has been better than any other moment in my life.</div>
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Nolan turned around when he noticed I wasn’t walking next to him. “What’s wrong?”</div>
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“Let’s go.” I nudged my head back.</div>
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“To the kiddie fair?” He gave me a questionable look before he shook his head. “No, no, no, no.”</div>
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“Why not? You said we’re almost home, didn’t you? What’s an hour, tops, at the fair going to do?”</div>
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He looked down at his watch before slipping his hand behind his head. He grazed over his hair and rubbed the back of his neck as he exhaled, “fine. One hour. Anything longer is going to throw us off track.”</div>
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We jumped into Nolan’s truck and headed over the highway to the carnival. It seemed a lot cooler from where we were standing earlier. As we walked up to the gate I realized that Nolan was right. It was geared towards children, or anyone under five foot tall for that matter. </div>
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Nolan gave me a look as if to ask if we were really going to do this. I smiled as I took the tickets from the attendant and pranced through the gates. </div>
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We started off with bumper cars. They were so tiny that I just barely fit inside. Nolan on the other hand was jammed up against his steering wheel with his knees towering out the sides of his car. The other children in the rink and I decided he was an easy target and we made it our mission to solely bump his car around until he’d lost full control. From there we went on one spinning ride to the next. Of course being a children’s ride it didn’t go faster than five miles per hour, but the amusement was more in our uncontrollable laughter at how ridiculous this whole thing was.</div>
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We played some of the carnival games and won so many times that the carnival workers refused to give us our prizes. Something about how the games were designed for children to win and that it was unfair of us to sweep them clean. So, we unwillingly donated them all back and grabbed a stick of cotton candy instead. </div>
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“Okay, I’m not gonna lie.” Nolan said as we sat down at a picnic table. “Despite the sizing issue, this was actually kinda fun.” </div>
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I plucked off a piece of cotton candy and let it melt in my mouth. “It’s just one more adventure we can add to our list.” </div>
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“This has been an adventure, hasn’t it?” Nolan asked himself out loud. </div>
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“Isn’t that what you said when we first met? You travel by road in hopes to take the wrong turn.”</div>
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Nolan laughed. He ate a piece of cotton candy and then laughed again. “Well, that isn’t entirely the reason. I’m actually afraid of flying.” His cheeked flushed pink as he admitted it. </div>
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I sat quietly as I stared at him. “You’re kidding.”</div>
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“It’s not exactly something you share right off the bat.” He shook his head. “But, when I was younger I fell from the second floor of our house and I’ve been afraid of heights ever since.”</div>
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“You’re telling me a guy that looks as manly as you do, is afraid of falling?”</div>
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“Hey, it was traumatizing, okay? I broke, like, nine bones.” </div>
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“That’s it…” I wiped my hands clean and held it out for Nolan to take. </div>
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He was reluctant. “What are you doing?”</div>
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“We still have one more ride before we leave.” I jerked my hand again to emphasize my impatience.</div>
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He knew exactly where we were going. “Harper, it’s been well over an hour, we need to head back on our way.”</div>
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“Uh uh.” I shook my head and grabbed Nolan’s hand the same way an irritated mother would grab the hand of a child throwing a temper tantrum in public. “We’re doing this. We’re going on the ferris wheel. I’m going to get you over your fear whether you like it or not.”</div>
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“Harper.” He pleaded, but eventually I was able to drag him into the line for the ride. I was trying hard to hold in my laughter by curling my lips in. “You’re getting way too much joy out of this.” </div>
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It was finally our turn. I watched him as he tried to play it cool. The expression on his face was completely unbothered. His chest rose and slowly dropped with each breath. After a couple of consecutive rounds the ferris wheel jolted as it came to a stop at the top. Nolan grabbed my hand and squeezed it without realizing. I held my other hand over his to comfort him. </div>
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“It’s okay, Nolan.” I whispered.</div>
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He laughed. “This just striped me of my manhood didn’t it?”</div>
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“It didn’t.” I looked over at him and stared straight into his eyes. “I’m afraid of a lot of things. Bugs, being alone in the dark, swimming in the ocean. The list can go on and on. But, one thing I was really afraid of was letting people into my life. I didn’t want anyone to know the real me. The one that’s filled with doubts and regrets. That’s why I was so mean to you when we first met. I couldn’t have another person pity me for my failures. I was so incredibility scared to open up to you last night, but when I finally did you made me feel, so…” Nolan’s grip on my hand was slowly beginning to loosen. “…comforted, and accepted, and just, like I had been scared for no reason. I finally faced my fears and that was really the only way I could get over the pain of not knowing.”</div>
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Nolan took in another deep breath and exhaled. </div>
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“It’s okay, Nolan.” I looked over our cart and down below us. “We’re literally only, like, twenty feet off the ground.” </div>
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He furrowed his brows and slowly crept over to see the view. “You’re right. It’s not so bad.” He smiled. “It seemed a lot higher when…”</div>
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“When you were afraid?”</div>
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Nolan leaned back over to face me. "Thanks," the corner of his mouth curled up. "I wouldn't have done this if it weren't for you."</div>
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His hand turned beneath mine. We both looked down as our hands met palm to palm and our fingers interlocked. It felt so organic. </div>
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The butterflies in my stomach from earlier were no where to be found. I wasn’t feeling nervous or scared, or anything that I’d felt up until this moment, except that I was exactly where I was suppose to be. </div>
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Nolan brought his face closer to mine. Our foreheads rested gently against one another until I leaned my mouth forward and kissed him. His arms wrapped around me and pulled me in close when he realized this was something that I’d wanted just as much as him. </div>
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We were so consumed with one another that If it weren’t for the carnival worker who repeatedly cleared his throat to get our attention, we wouldn’t have even known that the ferris wheel had jolted back on and brought us down to end our ride. </div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-4847882154511097752016-04-07T23:55:00.001-05:002016-04-08T07:51:05.954-05:00Chapter Ten<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><strike>Dear Diary,</strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Did I just write dear diary? What am I? A 12 year old girl obsessing over her new found love for the opposite sex? Gross. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I don’t even know where to begin. Things between Nolan and I are starting to pick up. Maybe Alexander Nottingham was actually on to something when he came up with these questions. Each new answer is like a brisk wind that’s causing the tides to rise. I have to keep reminding myself that this is just an experiment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Maybe writing it out a few times will help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is just an experiment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is just an experiment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is just an experiment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It’s not like it would even work out between us. He’s a family oriented man from the South and I…I’m whatever the opposite of that is. Then again, this is the first time since I graduated college that I haven’t actually thought about my long term goal. Yet, I imagine myself sitting on a porch swing with Nolan as we stare out at a field of open air.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is just an experiment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is just an experiment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is just an experiment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Oh, God, that was close. It doesn’t help that he’s so easy on the eyes. His rugged features that make him look like he just finished doing some manual labor. His electric blue eyes that reek of innocence…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><i>SNAP OUT OF IT HARPER!!!!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is just an experiment!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is just an experiment!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is just an experiment!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It almost makes me wonder why he isn’t tied down already. Isn’t that like a Southern thing? Getting married while you’re young? </span></div>
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I shut my notebook and opened up 21 Questions. I’d already done this ten times in the last hour, but I just wasn’t thrilled about today’s exercise. I had to spend a whole five minutes telling Nolan about my life story. I was avoiding doing this since day one. The less he knew about me the easier it would be for both of us. </div>
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My eyes drifted off the pages of the book and in the distance ahead of me. Nolan and I had stopped at a rest stop so he could freshen up. We’d been driving all night and decided to pull over around dawn. I sat on a park bench as I waited for him. There was a forest of naked trees filled with fog that closely lined the damp earth. I wiggled my pen as my mind drifted into a day dream. </div>
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“This is just an experiment.” I closed my eyes and whispered to myself.</div>
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“What’s an experiment.” I heard Nolan’s voice over my shoulder. My eyes flew wide open. I scrambled to close the book and stuff it back into my purse.</div>
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“Oh, nothing.” I avoided looking up at him as he walked around the bench and sat down.</div>
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“Are you still reading that psychology book, or whatever it was?” Nolan asked as he pointed to my purse. This wasn’t the first time he’d caught me stuffing it into my bag at the last moment. </div>
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“Yeah, yeah.” I nodded my head. </div>
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“So, what’s the study about?” He turned towards me, interested, as his elbow leaned against the back of the bench. </div>
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I curled my lips in and stared down at the ground for a moment while I tried to come up with something. “Women’s study…” I spoke loudly hoping to lose his interest. “You know, typical, women’s stuff…body functions, patterns, emotional stability. Things of that nature.”</div>
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“Oh,” Nolan’s brows flinched as he turned himself back forward. There was an awkward moment of silence before he stood back up. “Right, so are you ready?”</div>
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I forced a smile on my face even though my ears and cheeks were burning from embarrassment. I really had to be more careful about this book. I picked up my things and we headed back to the car. </div>
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Nolan had another meeting and I decided to wait at a local coffee shop down the street. I didn’t know if I could manage to go through another tour of Fletcher’s by one of Nolan’s employees that didn’t know what else to do to keep me entertained.</div>
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As I walked into the coffee shop the ambiance of the place reminded me of Celeste. It was like I went back in time and I was walking into her coffee shop just like any other morning, but this time her friendly face wasn’t on the other side of the counter to greet me. Instead it was a heavy set man covered in tattoos. </div>
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I ordered a Mocha Latte and snuggled into a corner booth. I knew exactly what I needed in that moment. I pulled out my phone and dialed Celeste.</div>
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“Harper Marie Stevens!!” Her voice boomed through the phone after only one ring. </div>
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I laughed at her quick response. “Celeste, you don’t understand how much I miss you.”</div>
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“You could have called me, you know. If it weren’t for your check-ins on our messages I would be worried sick about you.”</div>
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“I’m sorry. It’s been hard with Nolan around.” I caught her up on everything that had been going on. From being snowed into our hotel to faking car troubles in order to extend my trip. </div>
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“Wait, I am talking to Harper, right? Because this doesn’t sound like you.”</div>
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“I know.” I gripped. “I don’t know what’s gotten in to me. I was rushing to get home to find a job and now I’m worried that this trip might be over too soon.”</div>
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Celeste giggled. “I think it’s working.”</div>
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“What?”</div>
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“You know,” she giggled again. “The questions.”</div>
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“Not really.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m just nervous I won’t have enough material by the time we part ways.”</div>
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“Mmm,” She mumbled. “Or, you’re nervous because you know something is starting to brew.”</div>
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“Oh, wow, nice one Celeste. Nice coffee pun. I’m glad you’re taking this seriously.”</div>
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“I can’t help it Harp. You can deny it all you want, but I’ve never seen you like this. So enthusiastic about a man.” she repeated herself louder, “A MAN!” I couldn’t help but smirk. Celeste was so soft spoken even her shouts sounded like a normal tone. “How many years did we spend together going to bars and dancing and you never once showed an interest in anyone.” She stopped abruptly and then quietly mumbled to herself. “Screw it, I’m just going to say it. Forget the book Harper! Maybe he’s the change you need in your life.”</div>
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“You’re such a hopeless romantic. Can’t you see this is all just part of the story? None of this is real. It’s all fabricated by an old British dude who decided to teach people how to manipulate others into loving them.”</div>
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She sighed a deep and heavy sigh. “Suit yourself. But, don’t come crying to me when you realize you’ve been lying to yourself by prioritizing work over a relationship yet again.”</div>
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A couple hours had passed before Nolan came by to pick me up.</div>
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“Guess what?” He asked as I opened the car door. “My next meeting got cancelled.” He seemed to be thrilled about it. “We’d have to travel 100 miles out of the way, so at least now I can go straight to the next city which is actually closer. I’m sure I can move up the meeting time and we’ll be able to cut this thing a day shorter.”</div>
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I leaned my head back onto the head rest and closed my eyes. </div>
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“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy to be home sooner.” </div>
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“Oh, I am.” What I really wanted to do was just spill the truth, but if I couldn’t even admit it to my best friend how was I possibly going to say it to Nolan? “The coffee just has me feeling a little weird. Do you mind if we take a walk?” </div>
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Nolan switched his car back into park as he gave me an uneasy look. “Sure.”</div>
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We both jumped out of the truck and walked pass the shopping complex to a small park in the distance. I wasn’t sure what time it was, but it must have been early in the evening by the amount of children flocking around the swing sets. </div>
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Nolan and I continued to walk down a paved pathway that weaved in and out of a forest. This one was a little more lush than the one at the rest stop. It even had a small creek that ran through it. Occasionally a runner, or two, would pass us by.</div>
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“Sometimes I wonder how different my life could have been if I’d just listened to my parents.” Nolan looked over his shoulder at me. I could tell I had caught him off guard. We’d been walking in silence until this moment. As much as I didn’t want to tell him about myself, I felt a sudden urge to let it out after talking to Celeste. He could tell I was frustrated and just needed to vent, so he walked quietly next to me as he listened. “I was never really a popular kid growing up. I mean, I wasn’t unpopular either, but I guess you could say I kept to a smaller crowd. I always felt a little left out. Especially in middle school when everyone around me was changing.”</div>
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I stopped walking and held my hand in front of Nolan to stop him too. Off the pathway that we were walking on were large stones planted in the dirt leading up a hill. “You wanna see where this goes?”</div>
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“Sure.” Nolan shrugged.</div>
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We walked up the path, pushing low hanging branches out of our way. “Anyway, it wasn’t until Freshman year of high school that I began writing. It was a way to express myself when I had no one to talk to.”</div>
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Nolan was already at the top of the stone steps holding out his hand for me to pull myself up with. The makeshift pathway curved around the hill and lead in to the forest and ran along the creek.</div>
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“My parents encouraged me at first, but then senior year came around and suddenly they realized I was taking this whole thing too seriously. They wanted me to take a more practical path. I went to one of the best colleges in the country and graduated from one of the most intensive writing programs, and you know what? They still think I wasted my money.”</div>
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I knew Nolan wanted to say something, I could tell by the look on his face, but he stopped himself and continued to listen.</div>
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I sighed heavily as I was about to say the words I’d been avoiding for so long. “That’s why I moved to L.A. It wasn’t for a better opportunity. It was because I thought if I moved across the country they would take me more seriously. I’ve spent my entire college and post college life pushing people away just to keep myself from getting distracted. For what?”</div>
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We’d come to a dead end. The dirt path that we were following was no longer there. Nolan nudged his head and I looked over in the distance to see the creek. There were large stones lines up next to it. We walked through the mulch and tip toed onto the rocks.</div>
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“They were right. This whole time they were right. It wasn’t a suitable career. It was a waste of money. I’m in more debt than I was after I graduated college.” My hands gripped onto my temples as the realizations began to flood my mind. “I couldn’t even prove them wrong.”</div>
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I felt a single tear roll down my cheek. </div>
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Nolan stopped on a flat rock and turned around to face me. His hand gently wiped away the tear on my cheek. “Things happen for a reason.” He spoke softly. “If it’s something you enjoy doing then don’t stop just because of the naysayers. You never know, this journey might be the one that leads you to success.”</div>
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My stomach tightened hearing Nolan’s words. I was on an honest binge and I just wanted to tell him my intentions, but I couldn’t muster up the courage to do it.</div>
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Instead I continued to lead the way. A ten minute walk to clear my brain had turned into almost two hours. I was determined to make it to the top of the hill even if the sun had already set and all of it’s orange hues were out of sight. If it were up to Nolan he would have turned around a long time ago. I could tell he was just doing this for my sake. To prove to me that I could finish something that I’d started.</div>
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“Look!” Nolan pointed up ahead. “We made it!” He smiled and held my hand as he pulled me along the way. </div>
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“This is amazing.” I admired the view of the city.</div>
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“That was a tough hike, but this was so worth it.” He hinted at me as he plopped himself on the ground and laid back. He rested a hand behind his head as he pointed up towards the sky with his other. “Look, Orion’s belt.” He smiled. I looked up to see the stars twinkling just as bright as the city below. “Come here.” He gesture for me to lay next to him. I hesitated at first. “I’m not going to hurt you.” He laughed. </div>
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Nolan extended out his arm for me to lay my head on. We stared up at the stars and connected the constellations. </div>
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“Look a duck!” He pointed. </div>
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I laughed. “I don’t see it. You’re just making things up.” I turned to look at Nolan. His eyes met mine just before he kissed me on my forehead.</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-89596738020369455902016-03-31T21:20:00.000-05:002016-03-31T21:20:02.215-05:00Chapter Nine<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
“A little to the right…A tiny bit more…There!” Nolan shouted from a distance. </div>
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We stopped in the middle of our drive to take a picture with the a structure of the world’s biggest cowboy boot. It was odd yet intriguing and completely unnecessary, but Nolan insisted we pull over so I could take a picture with it. Something about having a physical memory from our trip.</div>
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We were four days into our cross country drive and we’d only made it to the Midwest. Of course stopping from city to city for Nolan’s meetings and our nightly hotel stays were causing us to lag a bit. Sure, I could have been back at my parent’s place already with home cooked meals and a nice warm bed, but I wasn’t complaining. I was right on track with writing my article. I’d even picked up a notebook from a gas station along the way. I needed to write down all my encounters to make sure I had enough juice for this thing.</div>
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I felt like Kady Herron every time I wrote a new detail. <i>“On February 23rd Nolan Fletcher stared into my eyes.”</i></div>
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“Got it!” Nolan waved his hand. There was a good fifty feet between us. </div>
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“Great!” I huffed as I did a slow jog over. “Now it’s your turn.” I took the camera from his hands and waited for him to switch spots.</div>
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He stared at me questioningly before laughing. “What do I look like? A child?” </div>
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“Very funny.” I rolled my eyes. Nolan was already crossing the road over to the tiny restaurant where we’d parked our car.</div>
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The place looked like it was owned by the couple sitting at the hostess booth. They were an older couple. Maybe in their 60’s. “Welcome to Aubrey’s!” The older woman chirped. She was a lot more animated than I was expecting her to be. “Table for two?”</div>
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“Yes, please.” I smiled. </div>
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The older gentleman struggled to bounce off his raised chair. He grabbed a couple of menus and guided us, “right this way.” He smiled. “Some privacy for the couple.” He winked.</div>
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“Oh, no.” Nolan and I both shook our heads. The old man looked at us with squinted eyes as his smile grew. He nodded and quietly left.</div>
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We opened up our menus and with drool filled mouths looked over our options. </div>
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“You said you have a sister, right?”</div>
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I looked up from my menu interested in why Nolan was asking such a random question. “Yeah, why?”</div>
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His eyes were still glued to the menu. “Nothing. You just haven’t had much communication with anyone.”</div>
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Great. Nolan could see right through me. Aside from the occasional text from Celeste I’d only used my lifeline to call my mom. On the other hand Nolan spent most of our driving breaks yapping away on his. Whether it was business or family, at least he had someone to talk to. “Yeah, we aren’t as close as we use to be, I guess.”</div>
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He set his menu down and looked at me. “Is it because you moved?”</div>
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“No,” I shook my head. “We just grew apart when she got married. Her life is like a perfectly wrapped gift box.” I went back to grazing the menu. I couldn’t decide between a steak and the kid’s meal.</div>
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“So you think you’re more of a free spirit than she is?” He was a lot more interested in this conversation than I was. </div>
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“I don’t know if I’m free spirited.” I furrowed my brows as I thought about it.</div>
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“You joined in on a road trip with a stranger, didn’t you? I think you have some potential.” </div>
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“Are you free spirited?” </div>
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“Of course I am! It’s why I love to travel.”</div>
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“I don’t know, it just doesn’t sound like me, you know? Maybe I’m a Type A…and a half. Almost there, but not really. Law abiding citizen that occasionally breaks the rules.”</div>
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Nolan’s eyes narrowed as he looked over my shoulder. His attention was no longer with our conversation. “Wait a second.” He whispered as he lunged out of the booth.</div>
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He walked around to the other side of the restaurant and pulled a flyer off the community bulletin board. I watched as a smile crept on his face. He swiftly paced back to the table. “We should do this!” He proclaimed as he slammed the flyer onto the table. </div>
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I picked it up as I read it out loud. “57th Annual Founder’s Day Festival.” Below the title was an outlandish cartoon of old men in southern attire. “Come one come all. Join us as we celebrate the birthday of our beautiful little town. Plenty of food, games, and fun for everyone. Don’t forget your dancing shoes. The couple to stay on the dance for the longest will win a mega prize.”</div>
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I laughed as I pushed the paper away, but Nolan’s expression remained serious.</div>
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“Wait, you actually want to waste your time with this? You have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning. There’s no way you’re going to make it in time if we stay here all night.”</div>
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“Come on.” He pushed the paper back towards me. “Aren’t you curious to see what the prize is? I mean it’s not just a prize according to the flyer it’s a “<i>mega</i>” prize.”</div>
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“I don’t know how to dance.”</div>
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Nolan sat back in his seat and looked me dead in the eyes. “You don’t know how to dance? Or you don’t know how to have fun?”</div>
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I sighed. It wasn’t like I had much of a say. After all Nolan was driving. “I guess I’m a little intrigued.”</div>
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“Great!” He smiled. “It starts in a couple of hours in the center of town. Where ever that is.”</div>
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After dinner we drove around aimlessly trying to figure out where we needed to go. There weren’t many people out. The streets were dead silent and all the shops along the road were closed. It was eery yet charming at the same time. the quaint architecture of the town almost looked like a movie set. There was no way a place this cute and tiny actually existed. </div>
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“Look!” I pointed to a family crossing the dark street ahead of us. “People!” </div>
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Nolan followed behind them to figure out where they were head. A slight turn in the road and our scenery completely changed. There was a huge park lit so brightly I could only imagine why the rest of the town was dark and shut down. </div>
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Just about everyone was here. It was mostly families, but a crowd of people nonetheless. Nolan and I looked at each other amazed. This almost looked unreal. A giant gazebo was set in the middle of the park. It was as large as a two bedroom home. There were people dancing inside while others stood around socializing. Two large barbecue smokers were off to the side. There was a long line behind it. The sound of laughing children filled the air as they ran weaving in and out of the crowds.</div>
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“Shall we?” Nolan asked as he stepped out of the car. I followed behind him. Every person we past in the crowd stopped and looked at us. It was almost as if they knew we weren’t one of them.</div>
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“Well, hello!” An energetic voice from behind surprised us. We turned around to find a rather tall looking gentleman. He was skinny with big teeth and an even bigger smile. “I don’t think I’ve seen you two around town. I’m Jesse.” He said as he stuck out his hand.</div>
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“Harper.” I smiled and shook his hand.</div>
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“Nolan. We were just passing through the city.”</div>
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“Oh, what a great night to pass through!” He clapped his hands together in excitement.</div>
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“I have to say, I’ve never seen anything like this.” Our eyes looked up at the hundreds of twinkling stringed lights above us.</div>
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“We have neighborhood parties like this almost every weekend. We just need any excuse really.” He spoke through the side of his mouth as he held his hand up to his cheek. “If you stay till Saturday we’re celebrating National Ice Cream Day.” He laughed.</div>
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Nolan and I watched Jesse with pure joy. He was springing with life and it was almost impossible to look away.</div>
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“Clarissa! Clarissa!” He hissed to get her attention. His hand frantically waved. “Come here!”</div>
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A young woman, maybe in her mid-twenties, came prancing over. She had silky blonde hair and envious long lashes. Her A-line dress hugged her nicely. </div>
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“This is Nolan,” He talked slowly as he introduced us. “And Harper. They were passing through town and decided to stop for the fun.”</div>
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She smiled and introduced herself. “Hi, I’m Clarissa, Jesse’s wife.” She tugged on Jesse’s arm. “Come on honey bee, the dance is about to start!”</div>
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“You two should join us!” We formed a train as Jesse grabbed Nolan’s arm and Nolan grabbed mine. “I heard the prize is the best one yet!”</div>
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We stood in the gazebo and watched as an older man explained the rules. No leaving the dance floor and no stopping. <i>Simple</i>, I thought.</div>
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There were about thirty other couples participating. Jesse, Clarissa, Nolan and I all wished each other luck and began. </div>
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The first hour was the easiest. The music was fast paced and Nolan and I certainly had enough energy from all the excitement to keep up. </div>
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The second hour things slowed down, including the music. My spastic dance moves were no longer useable. </div>
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“You weren’t kidding when you said you couldn’t dance.” Nolan joked.</div>
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As time went by we lost a few couples and were down to eighteen. Clarissa and Jesse were still in the running.</div>
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It wasn’t until the third hour when things were getting a little uncomfortable. The music died down with each couple that bowed out. There were only three of us left. We slowly waddled around as a crowded gazebo full of people watched. </div>
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That’s when I remembered my next question. I cleared my throat to get Nolan’s attention. Ironically as close as we were standing he was looking around at everyone else. “What do you think a perfect day would be?” </div>
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There was silence as we let the music sway our bodies.</div>
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“I’d say this was a pretty perfect day, don’t you?”</div>
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I laughed and nodded. “I guess you were right.” I lifted his hand and spun beneath it. “Maybe I do have the potential to be a free spirit.”</div>
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“I can’t, Jesse, I can’t do this any more. My legs are jello!” Nolan and I looked over to see Clarissa and Jesse forfeiting the competition. </div>
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We were one couple away from actually winning. The last couple looked like they were holding strong, but it was just a matter of time. </div>
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“Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?” Nolan whispered so quietly that even standing so close to him I just barely heard him.</div>
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I looked in the distance to see what Nolan was talking about. There wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. I looked up to see his eyes on me. I fell silent as I was caught by surprise. Nolan quickly looked away.</div>
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I felt an arm pat me on the shoulder. “Congratulations! You won!” </div>
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We looked over and notice that we were the only two left on the dance floor.</div>
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“Here’s your prize!” The old gentleman from earlier handed us a couple of baked pies. “Two baked pies from Anna’s Bake Shop!”</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-89620466727709893692016-03-24T23:54:00.001-05:002016-05-17T11:05:57.446-05:00Chapter Eight<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finding Common Ground</span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Opposites do attract, but it is also important in relationships to build a common bond. Knowing where your partner is coming from in their past life and understanding which path they are choosing to take for the future is key. No matter how different two people may be it isn’t until we truly find common ground that we embark on a journey that ultimately binds us together. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<ol>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span>Have a three minute conversation with your significant other examining your current similarities. Then continue the conversation and explore where the similarities lie in your future.</span></i></li>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span>Break down the walls of vulnerability and tell your partner what you like about them. Don’t be shy. </span></i></li>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span>It is important to understand your partner without verbal communication. Spend the next minute staring into each others eyes in silence.</span></i></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Gag.” I mumbled as I tossed the book back into my purse. Celeste never mentioned anything about exercises in this book. It was intimidating enough trying to naturally weave these questions into a conversation, but now this Nottingham guy wants me to physically put in work?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I sat in the passenger seat of Nolan’s truck as I watched as he </span>exited<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> the gas station and walked towards me. His grin turned into a full on smile as he opened his door.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Ding dongs!” He exclaimed as a package of snacks came flying at me. I yelped as I protected my face with my hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Excuse me?” I peeked through my fingers and carefully picked it up by it’s corners.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I haven’t seen these in years! I use to eat them all the time when I was a kid.” Nolan excitedly ripped open the packaging as if he were looking for The Golden Ticket. His attention diverted to me after he’d taken a bite and realized I wasn’t reciprocating the same pleasure he was obviously feeling. “Don’t tell me you’ve never had a Ding Dong before.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“What are these things?” I looked at them in pure curiosity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Harper.” He took the package from my hand and opened it. “It’s the cheapest form of happiness you can buy.” He took one out and handed it over. “It’s a tiny chocolate cake filled with goodness. How have you never had this before?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Oh my God.” I covered my mouth as I chewed an embarrassingly huge bite. I stared at Nolan with wide eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“You’re welcome!” He laughed as he shifted his gears and headed back onto the high way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The weather seemed to be clearing up the further we drove into the Midwest. It was astonishing to see dead brittle trees slowly growing into life every hour that we continued to drive down the road. Once we’d gotten to our next destination, er, I mean Nolan’s next destination, it was early in the evening and the sun was just a couple of hours away from saying it’s goodbye.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nolan had another meeting at his family’s store. We both went inside where he introduced me to the team and then disappeared behind closed doors. I waited with a few of the ladies that worked in the bakery. They seemed to be a bit older and definitely a chatty bunch with a lot to say about Nolan. Of course I pretended not to listen only to have my ears glued to the conversation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Such a shame he won’t settle down.” A tall red headed woman shook her head as she kneaded a slab of dough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A shorter, more stubby, woman carrying a tray of unbaked bread walked behind her and said, “would you blame him after…her?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who ever “she” was didn’t seem too popular around here. The other women contributed a rumble of grunts in an agreement of how annoyed they were by the thought of this girl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I didn’t realize the expression my face was making until the youngest looking one of the old lady bakery gang noticed my amusement. “Oh, not to say he wouldn’t settle down with you. It’s just he’s been through some things. Really though, you seem like a great fit for him.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“No, no,” I shook my head vigorously as I laughed. “Absolutely not.” I hesitated to explain our situation at first, but decided to go with, “we’re just friends. He’s helping me move.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They all nodded their head as if I were telling a horrible lie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Well whatever the situation is…” The tall red headed woman shrugged, “we’re just happy she’s no longer part of the picture.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I smiled and turned towards the younger looking woman. “So, what’s the story on this girl?” I whispered. To my surprise she didn’t answer. I didn’t want to come off as desperate for information, but I kind of needed something to work with if I wanted my article to have any sort of substance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I stared at her blankly as I waited for a response. Instead her eyes moved up and over my shoulder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I turned around to see Nolan standing behind me. He smiled, “ready?” I took a gulp of air hoping he hadn’t heard me and nodded my head. Nolan thanked the team again before we left.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once we were on the road again I decided to give into the exercises from Nottingham’s book. Maybe they could help me break down Nolan’s walls a little bit more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Isn’t it funny that <i>we</i> both have sisters that are married with children?” I wasn’t sure why I placed such a heavy emphasis on the word <i>we</i> as if Nottingham were here listening to our conversation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nolan’s lip curled in as he nodded. “It seems pretty normal for people our age to have siblings that have already settled down, don’t you think?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Alright Mr. Sass, I really need you to cooperate with this exercise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Yeah, no, for sure.” I stumbled on my words as I tried to find a way to recover. “I just meant, you know, we’re both career orientated, we’re both family people, we aren’t focused on finding a significant other…” This wasn’t actually as hard as I thought it would be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nolan cut me off before I could continue the list. “Are you referring to what the ladies in the bakery were talking about?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I tried to play dumb.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“It’s okay, you don’t have to spare my feelings. Besides the acoustics in the bakery are a little more intensified. I’ve tried telling them that before, but they already have a hard time hearing.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Look, I wasn’t trying to snoop in your business.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“It’s okay. It’s human nature.” He sighed. “If you must know, my last girlfriend was a bit of a… control freak. She would come on these drives with me to make sure nothing else was going on, and trust me I’m not that type of guy. She just didn’t understand why I chose to drive instead of fly.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Wow,” I whispered. “Was she not aware of…” I wasn’t sure how sensitive of a topic Nolan’s mother was. It had taken a lot for him to finally open up to me about it, and I didn’t want to push any buttons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I guess I never built that foundation with her.” He paused for a moment before he continued. “Anyway, the ladies think I should settle down, but it’s unsolicited advice really. I’m just trying to step up in my career. I guess it isn’t off the table, but maybe when I meet the right one, you know?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Yeah.” Weirdly I knew exactly how Nolan felt. Finding my significant other wasn’t a priority, my career was. I may not have been comfortable in the murky water of L.A’s dating pool, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want what my sister seemed to happily have. Timing was everything. “I know.” I sighed as I looked out of the window.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A few stars twinkled in the sky as the sun was finally gone for the day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“You know what I like about you, Nolan?” I asked as I kept a heavy gaze on the stars. “I like how honest you are.” I heard a slight release of air through Nolan’s mouth almost like a muted laugh. I turned towards him to catch half a grin on his face as he drove. “You aren’t closed off. You tell it like it is. It’s refreshing.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I looked ahead when I felt the car slowing down to a stop. We must have been approaching a big city. Traffic was backed up and at a stand still. <i>This is my moment,</i> I thought to myself. I was one awkward stare-off away from completing the exercise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Hey, I think I have an eyelash in my eye.” I lied. ”Do you mind checking it?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He leaned in as he turned towards me. My eyes were glued to his. I almost felt like I was violating him by how deep I was able to look into his eyes. I wasn’t expecting this to be so hard. Knowing the little bit I knew about him made me question the reflections bouncing back at me. How could his ex girlfriend look into these eyes and not see it’s purity? How could someone bring life to these eyes and then abandon them? How could…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Oh shit</i>. I blinked my eyes quickly before I pulled away. “I think it’s out.” I lied again. “Thanks anyway.” I mumbled as I sunk into my seat. I shut my eyes tightly and turned away. There was no way I was actually starting to form feelings for a man I hardly knew. </span></div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-79121630282727264272016-03-17T21:35:00.003-05:002016-03-17T21:35:49.805-05:00Chapter Seven<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
“I’m fine, Mom.” I leaned my body up against the wooden beam in the entry of our hotel lobby. It stopped snowing overnight and the city was finally able to sand their roads. The minute we heard the news Nolan changed into his business suit and packed his bags. His meeting was about a half an hour away and he still had an hour to make it in time. </div>
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I looked like the Vivian Ward to Nolan’s Edward Lewis. Okay, maybe I didn’t look like a prostitute, but I definitely looked like a slob with my layers of over-sized jackets, gloves, and beanies next to Nolan’s suit and tie. </div>
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My mom called just when we made our way down to the lobby to check out. I hadn’t updated her on my trip since leaving California and she was growing concerned for my well being.</div>
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“Harper, your father is saying to stay where you are. He’ll fly out there to get you.” </div>
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“Mom, it’s okay.” Nolan nudged my shoulder to get my attention as he walked towards the car. I picked up my bag and trailed after him. “I’m on my way to a car shop now. They’ll have it fixed in no time and I’ll be home in a couple of days. No worries.” I breathed heavily between each sentence. Running in the cold wasn’t something I was accustomed to.</div>
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“Are you sure, dear?” I could clearly hear my dad in the background talking about how horrible my car was and my mom repeated it as if it were her own words. “How many times have I told you to get rid of that piece of junk? It’s not fit for a single female living across the country.”</div>
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I closed my eyes and shook my head. “Mom, I gotta go. The tow truck is here.” She hesitated at first and then finally said goodbye. I exhaled a long and irritated breath when I jumped into Nolan’s truck. </div>
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“So, is that all you see me as? A tow truck?” He laughed. </div>
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“Sorry.” I tossed my phone into my bag and buckled myself in. “If I told them I was riding along with a stranger who picked me up off the side of the road…” I looked at him with wide eyes. “I should have never told my parents my car broke down in the first place.”</div>
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Things between Nolan and I were still a little weird. After our late night conversation at the hotel bar we went back to the room to sleep and that was the end of that. Nolan had a moment of vulnerability and I chose not to open up quiet as much as he did. I knew he was thinking about it just as much as I was. </div>
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I’d never spent the night alone in a hotel room with a stranger, so I was awake most of the night skimming through chapters. I memorized a few of the questions hoping I had enough time to seamlessly incorporate them into our conversations. I didn’t even know if I’d get through all twenty one questions. We were on our way to the next city where we were planning on splitting ways. That would be the end of that.</div>
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I leaned my elbow on the arm rest as I stared out at the soft white snow on the sides of the road. There had to be someway I could extend our time together. </div>
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“Do you mind coming to my meeting?” Nolan asked. His concentration was on the slippery road ahead of him. He only glanced over when I hadn’t responded. “I was going to drop you off at a car shop before my meeting, but that was before this whole thing,” he waved his hand around referring to the snow storm. “…happened.”</div>
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This. Was. Perfect. I could go with Nolan and it would give me more time. Maybe not enough time, but I could figure that part out later.</div>
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“I’m not sure,” I pretended to be uneasy about it. “I’m not exactly dressed for the part.” </div>
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“It’s fine, don’t worry. It’s not like a corporate thing or anything.” </div>
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“Oh.” I sat back relieved. </div>
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“If you don’t mind I’ll just go into the meeting and you can wait…around…maybe do some shopping in the area.”</div>
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I shrugged my shoulders. “Sounds good to me.”</div>
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“Hey, so, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.” My lips tensed as I turned from the window to face Nolan. He looked over at me again, briefly. “I just thought I’d ask since we’ve, you know, gotten to know each other a bit. Why are you moving back to the East Coast?”</div>
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I waited a few seconds to answer. I still hadn’t figured out the proper way to say it without sounding bitter.</div>
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“I moved to L.A after college hoping to land a job, but the market was a little more shallow than I was hoping it would be. Unfortunately, no job equals no money.” It was the first time I talked about my struggle and didn’t completely break down in tears or have an urge to rip something off the wall. “I guess going back home is the safest bet right now.”</div>
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“Sometimes the safest bet is the best bet.” Nolan smiled reassuringly. </div>
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A spark went off in my brain as I remembered one of Alexander Nottingham’s questions. </div>
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“Yeah, yeah…” I muttered and proceeded to clear my throat. “I guess I’m grateful for my family…I’m sure you’re just as grateful for something too, right?” I was smiling on the inside. Practicing the questions a night before really helped.</div>
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“Of course, family.” Nolan looked at me like he had no doubt about his answer. “I guess my mom skipping town was a good thing in a weird and twisted way. It knit us a little bit tighter.”</div>
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“Knit us a little bit tighter.” I laughed as I mocked his drawl. “You sure are from South Carolina.”</div>
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“Mhmm,” Nolan shook his head. “If you weren’t going home to the East Coast I’d think you were from the Valley.”</div>
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My jaw dropped just before we both laughed and I playfully smacked his arm. “Oh come on!” </div>
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The funny thing about Nolan was that I thought I had him figured out, but his colors ran deeper than the surface. With each new shade I was discovering I noticed something different about his physical features.</div>
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When he talked about his nieces and nephews I couldn’t help but envy how light and soft his hands appeared. They were large with long fingers, just like any man’s, but something about them told a story of how gentle they touched. It was only after he mentioned his mother that I noticed how deep his blue eyes really were. Almost hypnotizing. </div>
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And now, knowing that he was a family man I realized how his face sat on a perfect structure. A clean cut jawline speckled with stubble.</div>
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“What’s wrong?” He looked back and forth between the road and me. His brows were furrowed and his smiled crooked. He’d caught me staring at him.</div>
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“Nothing.” I shook my head. My cheeks flushed with a burning sensation as I turned back towards the window.</div>
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It almost took us the full hour, but we made it to Nolan’s meeting just in time. The city we drove into was lively despite the weather. Crowds of people walked around in winter coats completely unbothered. </div>
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I was a little confused when Nolan pulled into a shopping area. It seemed like a strange location to have a business meeting. </div>
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“Fletcher’s?” I stared up at a large sign above the neighborhood market place. “Wait.” I gripped his arm as he shifted the gear to park the car. A smaller sign in front of the parking spot read:</div>
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<i>Reserved for Nolan Fletcher.</i></div>
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“Hold on one fucking second.” I stared ahead at the store and then back at him. “You’re Nolan Fletcher? As in Fletcher’s?”</div>
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Nolan laughed. “No I’m Nolan Fletcher the third, grandson of Nolan Fletcher…as in Fletcher’s.”</div>
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“You have to be kidding me.” I let go of Nolan’s arm and sat back in my seat. “I use to shop at Fletcher’s in L.A. I was genuinely devastated when I realized I won’t be able to shop there anymore. Wow, Nolan Fletcher picked up a woman off the side of the road.”</div>
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“No, no, no.” He shook his head. “Don’t you go and think you can just write an article about me.” </div>
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If only he knew.</div>
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“Oh,” I tried to look appalled. “You’re not anyone famous. You just happen to be related to an American tycoon.”</div>
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Nolan narrowed his eyes at me. “He’s hardly a tycoon. Who uses that word any way?” He rolled his eyes as he pulled the keys out of the ignition. “Tycoon.” He laughed. “Gramps would love that.”</div>
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Nolan stepped out of the truck and slipped on his sports coat. </div>
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“So, is this what you meant by management?” I asked as I jumped out of the truck and followed him inside. “You manage a chain of neighborhood marketplaces that just happen to be owned by your family.”</div>
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We were interrupted by a group of people saying hello as he entered the store. He waved, smiled, and nodded to each one. “Since I’m the only one in the family without anything tying me down,” he spoke through the side of his mouth. “I’m responsible for traveling to each of our stores to get updates and make sure everything is running smoothly.”</div>
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“So pretty much you’re the Prince Harry of the family.”</div>
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“I guess you could say that.” </div>
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“Mr.Fletcher!” A broad shouldered man walked out in front of us. “So good to see you. How was the drive?” </div>
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Nolan shook his hand. “Great!” He turned to the woman next to him. “Do you mind showing my friend around while I’m in the meeting?”</div>
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She nodded and pulled me away to the main store area while Nolan and the man went into a back meeting room. </div>
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“I’m Jenny.” She stuck out her hand to shake. “You must not be from around here.” She giggled as she looked at my attire. </div>
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“No,” I smiled. “Just passing through.”</div>
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Nolan’s meeting lasted a little over two hours. I knew this because I stared down at my phone every ten minutes until he walked out. Jenny made sure to tell me every last detail imaginable about every section of the store. That wasn’t it. She went on to tell me how she landed the job and how it’s changed her life in the last three years. </div>
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“Oh God, Nolan.” I practically yelped when I saw him. “I never thought I’d be so happy to see you.”</div>
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Nolan looked at me then Jenny and then back to me. “Isn’t Jenny such a doll?” He smiled knowing full well she’d talked my ears off. </div>
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“Mr. Fletcher, you’re so kind.” </div>
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Nolan and I headed back to the car. </div>
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“Well, that was something, huh?” I gave him a look.</div>
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He shook his head. “I didn’t exactly tell you because I didn’t want this to happen.”</div>
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“Okay, okay, that was the last time. I’m sorry.” I held up my hands in defeat. </div>
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“Let’s try to find an auto shop.” He tapped at his GPS screen. I felt my heart beat stop for a brief second. I was hoping by now I would have found a way to extend my trip with Nolan. I was finally getting a vibe that this whole twenty one question thing might actually work. “Perfect! There’s one down the street.”</div>
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He switched the gears on his truck and drove over. </div>
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We pulled into the auto shop lot where a mechanic came and unhooked my car. He was an older African-American man that couldn’t possibly be taller than five foot seven. He introduced himself as Al and took my car back into the garage. Nolan and I waited for the diagnosis in a tiny little room attached to the shop. </div>
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It had been about half an hour when Al finally came into the waiting room. Nolan had stepped away to take another business call, so I was by myself. </div>
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“Ma’am it looks like there’s a few loose parts. A couple of wires came undone, but we’ll have it fixed and oiled up in no time.”</div>
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My eyes widened. This couldn’t be the end of my trip with Nolan. I looked over Al’s shoulder to see him hanging up his call and walking back towards us. In a panic I reached into my purse and pulled out any loose dollar bills I had and handed it to Al.</div>
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“Please Al, please tell that man that my car can’t be fixed.”</div>
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“What?” He looked confused by the cash pressed up against his chest. “I’m sorry, you don’t want me to fix your car? Why bring it in?”</div>
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“I don’t have time for questions Al! Just take the money for your time and tell the man my car can't be fixed!”</div>
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Al mumbled under his breath as he collected the money and shoved it into his overall pockets. “Well, okay then…” </div>
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Nolan walked in and noticed the devastated look on my face. “What’s wrong? How long will it take?”</div>
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“I’m sorry sir, but it looks like the car can’t be fixed.” Al did a horrible job at sounding convincing if you ask me, but Nolan seemed to buy it.</div>
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“What?” He looked at me confused and then back at Al. “There has to be something you can do?”</div>
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“I don’t know what you want me to say.” Al looked at me and shook his head before he walked away.</div>
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“That was weird.” Nolan stood motionless. </div>
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“What am I going to do?” I sat back down and held my head in my hands. “How am I suppose to get home now? My parents were so right.”</div>
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Nolan walked back and forth until he came up with an idea. “Hey, you said your dad would be able to fly here right? Maybe he can come and you could box up your stuff to ship there?”</div>
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Thankfully my hands were covering my eyes as I rolled them. Nolan wasn’t as stupid as most guys I knew. Damn him for being logical.</div>
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“Wait, you said you have a stop in New Hampshire right?” </div>
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Nolan nodded. </div>
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“You think you could swing a state over to drop me off?”</div>
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He laughed uneasily. “I have quiet a few stops to go before I get there. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to wait that long. Your family will be worried.”</div>
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“It’s no big deal.” I brushed off his comment. “Besides having my dad come out here would be a waste. Not to mention how expensive shipping these boxes would be.”</div>
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“Yeah, you’re right.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I guess if you don’t mind the long trip than I don’t mind the company.”</div>
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“Deal.” </div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-11577550760544303302016-03-10T19:49:00.001-06:002016-03-10T19:49:35.735-06:00Chapter Six<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
I stood at the front door of our hotel. I would have stormed out, but the weather was only getting worse. Instead I folded my arms and angrily stared outside. I’d never felt so violated before. To think that another human being had gone through my things as I sat inches away in a death like slumber. It made my skin crawl with discomfort. I couldn’t help and snarl my lips just thinking about it. </div>
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I inhaled a deep breath when I heard Nolan behind me. </div>
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“Harper.” His tone was low as if he were testing the waters. Maybe he thought I would have calmed down by now. I mean he did wait a good fifteen minutes before he came down here. “Look, I know you’re mad, but I didn’t mean to piss you off.”</div>
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I spun around with my arms still folded. “You didn’t mean to piss me off?” I growled. “You didn’t have my consent, Nolan.”</div>
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“Whoa!” He held up his hands with an uneasy look on his face. A young, slightly chubby, blond woman and a scrawny brown haired man who were sitting nearby in the lobby turned their ears towards us. “You’re making it sound a lot worse.”</div>
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The blond woman rose from her seat with furrowed brows and walked towards us. She was wearing a low cut t-shirt over sweat pants that were tucked into her boots. The closer she was walking she no longer looked as young. The harsh spotlights in the lobby shined on her revealing slight wrinkles around her eyes. She grabbed my arm and gently turned me towards her. “Is this man bothering you, miss?”</div>
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I was pleasantly surprised to see a woman coming to the side of another woman in distress. I unfolded my arms and grabbed her hand back and with the most sincere look responded, “Thank you for asking, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”</div>
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She lifted her brows and gave me a good look. I nodded as if we were speaking in some secret silent language. “Okay,” she let go of my hand and began to slowly walk away. “We’re in room 805 if you need anything.” Our eyes were locked for a couple of seconds. “Anything.”</div>
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I smiled and nodded again. She went back to sitting in the lobby with her husband. Or at least I assumed he was by the chunky rock on her finger.</div>
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“See,” Nolan whispered hoping the couple couldn’t hear us. “I told you you’re making this into a bigger deal.” His anger and frustration was slowly building until we were equally irritated. “I was just trying to help you out. If you can’t see that by now, then I’m sorry. We can just part ways from here.” He stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out the hotel room key. </div>
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I never thought I was an emotional person, until Celeste proved to me I was. There were so many times I could have broken down and cried back when I was trying to make it in Los Angeles. Instead, I would roll my eyes and rant about how annoyed I was. “For someone who claims to have a dark soul, you’re pretty emotional.” She said to me one night when I waltzed into her apartment after an interview had gone bad. “You would think it wouldn’t bother you.” I spent the next five minutes explaining that I really didn’t care, that the interviewers were stupid, and their publication wasn’t worthy of my work. They were the ones missing out, not me. Celeste looked at me and smiled. “Think about what you’re saying. Before your interview you were excited and said this was your dream company. Now, they’re the worst people ever? Why? Because they took something away from you and it sparked an emotion. You’re so consumed with it that you can’t think of anything else.” Of course I rolled my eyes. “Just because you aren’t crying or showing your sadness in a more traditional way doesn’t mean being annoyed, irritated, and angry aren’t valid emotions.” This all happened around the time Celeste was reading Dr. Phil’s new book. Let’s just say I got a lot of unsolicited advice. </div>
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Celeste’s words didn’t really resonate until this moment. I was so consumed in my anger and annoyance I hadn’t even realized how our conversation might have sounded. I watched as Nolan pulled out the hotel room key and handed it to me. Maybe he was just helping out like he said he was. Why was it so hard for me to believe that there are good people out there? </div>
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My lungs let out a burst of air that filled my closed mouth and ejected through my nostrils. Nolan’s brows tensed as he looked up at me. I bit my lips to stop them from curling up, but I couldn’t. They quivered rapidly as my cheek muscles spasmed. An unattractive rumbling escaped my mouth. I could feel my face burning with embarrassment. I inhaled sharply as I covered my face with my hands.</div>
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“Are you…crying?” Nolan sounded confused.</div>
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I really couldn’t help it now. I tried to stop myself, but it backfired. I snorted with laughter until my eyes watered.</div>
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Nolan’s confusion turned right into a frightful concern. “Are you laughing? This really isn’t funny.”</div>
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I couldn’t answer the question because I didn’t know why I was laughing. Everything that had built up inside of me was finally pouring out. From my eviction notice, to my car breaking down, to being stuck in a hotel room with a complete stranger. This could only be my life.</div>
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“I’m sorry.” I gasped for a breath and tried to calm myself down as I wiped the tears from my cheeks. “I just realized what our conversation must have sounded like.”</div>
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Nolan’s fingers ran through his hair as he tried to understand what was going on.</div>
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I inhaled a long breath this time and composed myself. It was really taking some distance from Celeste to realize just how much of an affect she had on me. So, I did exactly what I didn’t want to do. I let my frustration go. “I’m sorry, Nolan. I let my anger get the best of me. Even though I still don’t know you that well I’m sure your intentions were good.”</div>
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It was Nolan’s turn to start laughing. His was more of an uncomfortable laugh. “Wait, are you being serious?” I forced the corners of my lips up and nodded my head. “You are bat shit crazy, woman! My God, you were just yelling at me five minutes ago, burst into laughter, and now you’re apologizing?”</div>
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“I’m trying to be the better person.”</div>
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“Well, okay then.” He tensed his lips and shrugged his shoulders. </div>
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“Okay then.” I mimicked his stale expression. “I’m just gonna go to the hotel bar now. I could really use a drink.” I handed the hotel room key back to Nolan and walked away.</div>
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By the looks of the empty bar room it was hard to believe the hotel was fully packed with guests. There was a few people scattered around, but the bar itself was empty. There wasn’t even a bartender in sight. I grabbed a stool and sat down anyway.</div>
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As I waited to order my drink I pulled out my phone. There weren’t any messages or missed calls. No, “How’s the drive, Harper?” Or, “haven’t heard from you in a while. Is everything okay?” I sighed as I shut the screen off and laid my phone down. This was only the outcome of being antisocial all those years. Putting my career, or lack of, before everything else. Now, when I’m feeling the most vulnerable, I have no one to check up on me. </div>
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“Can we get two Old Fashions over here?” I spun around surprised to see Nolan pulling up a stool next to me. His knuckles knocked the wooden bar so loudly my eyes began to squint from the noise. Just like magic a bartender popped out of the back, “sure thing,” he nodded and proceeded to make our drinks.</div>
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“Wow,” I mumbled as I slumped back into my seat, “wish I knew that trick.”</div>
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“You learn a thing or two when you have to travel for work from city to city and bar to bar.” He smiled and winked. Nolan must have sipped on the same realization I had earlier. He came here as a completely different person from ten minutes ago. I heard him take a long drag of air in through his nose. “I apologize for going through your things. I was only trying to find something that could help me help you.”</div>
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“I know.” I pushed my hair that was falling along my face behind my ears to see him better. “I’m just a hot head. I can't stand to have my privacy invaded. I guess I'm a true Scorpio. I like to do this thing where I explode and then think and rationalize after the damage is done.”</div>
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Nolan’s eyes widened as he looked away. “Yeah, no kidding.”</div>
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We both laughed. It wasn’t like the forced laughs we’d been sharing. More of a genuine, I’m putting my guard down, type of laugh. </div>
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“So, if you're traveling for work, why drive everywhere?”</div>
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A few seconds of silence passed before the bartender handed us our drinks. We clinked our glasses and took a sip. My face cringed as I forced myself to not spit all over the place. </div>
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Nolan laughed at my expression. “What, you’ve never had an Old Fashion before?” </div>
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I grunted. “I usually like my alcohol masked with fruit flavoring.”</div>
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“Ah, like most women. I should’ve guessed.” He proceeded to drink as if it were water. His glass was empty by the time he set it back down on the bar. “I grew up in a small town in South Carolina. It’s just like how you hear where every body knows each other. I don’t know much about my birth mother except that she was a beauty queen. Every one in town talks about what a sight she was. She married my dad when they were still pretty young. Anyway, three children and some years later she realized life as a housewife wasn’t for her, so she packed up her stuff and left. I was two at the time and it wasn’t until after my seventh birthday that my dad married someone else. She’s the only mother I’ve known. But, when things around me become too consistent I begin to close myself off and suddenly I understand why my mother did what she did. I’m sure she’s a lovely woman, but it feels like I’m siding with the villain. Like, maybe one day I could do the same.” Nolan waved his hand to catch the bartenders attention and gestured for another round of drinks.</div>
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“I’m sorry to hear that, Nolan.”</div>
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“I’m not telling you this for your sympathy or anything.” He smiled shyly as he stared down at his empty glass. “I’ve been giving you the short end of my answers for all those random questions you’ve been asking me and it looks like we might be here a while." I shrugged uncomfortably as I realized I wasn't so sly with my investigative skills. "When I travel for work flying from place to place makes things so easy, so routine. I drive because one wrong turn can lead to a new adventure. Something that let’s me appreciate the highs and the lows. I guess, in more cliche terms, I travel to break out of the norm.”</div>
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The bartender brought us over a new set of drinks. I knew exactly why Nolan was opening up to me. He knew I would catch on eventually and I did. We were two vulnerable souls sitting in at an empty bar. I held my drink in my hand and looked over at him. Maybe, it was the bourbon, but something made me feel like I was doing this for more than just to test a stupid theory.</div>
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We clinked our glasses as I whispered, “to new adventures.”</div>
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Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-58942692731420229492016-03-03T16:12:00.000-06:002016-05-17T10:34:09.772-05:00Chapter Five<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
I sat in a tiny arm chair in a quiet hotel lobby. My eyes were pacing back and forth as I watched a very stressed Nolan walking from one corner of the lobby to the other. His hands occasionally made wide gestures as he talked on the phone. Talk is too calm of a word. He definitely wasn’t talking. Maybe aggressively speaking to someone on the phone would better describe the type of conversation he was having. </div>
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It had already been an hour since we’d gotten here. An unexpected winter storm had shut down the city closing the main highway through town. I couldn’t help but wonder if this would have happened had I not been here. So far I seemed to have been bringing all the bad luck from California with me.</div>
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I walked up to the lobby desk to see how much progress they’d made. “Excuse me,” a young women looked up at me surprised. Although, the longer I stared at her the quicker I realized she wasn’t surprised, but that her French braid was tied a little too tight. “Do you know if the room is ready yet?”</div>
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She nodded her head and raced her fingers crossed the keyboard. “Not yet, ma’am. We’re still trying to find available rooms. It looks like most of them booked up just before you came in.”</div>
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I huffed as I leaned my elbows onto the desk defeated.</div>
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“I guess everyone's taking caution of this storm. We haven’t had any extreme weather like this in years.”</div>
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“You don’t say.” I rolled my eyes realizing that it was in fact my horrible luck that landed us in the position. “Thanks anyway.”</div>
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“No problem.” A soft smile stretched across her cheeks as she continued on with her work. </div>
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I took my bag and went back to my arm chair. Nolan was sitting on a couch now on the other end of the hotel. He seemed to have relaxed a bit more than before. I took this opportunity to pull Twenty One Questions out of my purse. I skimmed through the first few pages and found the next question. </div>
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<i> Do you ever practice what you’re going to say before talking on the phone? Why or why not?</i></div>
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The question couldn’t have been more perfect. After my last attempt of asking a random question I needed a good leeway into this next one. </div>
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I glanced up when I heard the noise of shoes against the floor. Nolan had finished his conversation and was walking towards me. He sighed heavily as his body plopped down in the arm chair across from mine. I hurried to close my book and toss it back in my bag.</div>
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“Any updates?” He asked. </div>
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“Not yet.” I shook my head. “Most of the rooms booked up before we got here.”</div>
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“Great.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose as he stared at his phone. “There isn’t another hotel for ten more miles. I doubt we’ll be able to leave now.” We both looked over our shoulders out the window. “It looks like it’s getting worse.”</div>
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Just then the young woman from the front desk called for our attention. “Excuse me, mister, your room is available now.”</div>
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“Room?” Nolan asked as he made his way to her. </div>
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“Yes, I’m sorry we only have one room available at the moment. It’s a double occupancy room if that makes any difference.” Her brows furrowed with anticipation of Nolan’s reaction. </div>
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“We need two rooms. One isn’t going to work.”</div>
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“Yes, but this is the last room we have available.” Her voice was becoming softer with each word. “We’re at full capacity for the night.”</div>
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Nolan closed his eyes for a couple of seconds before he turned to me. “Are you okay with sharing a room?” </div>
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“I would prefer not to,” the expression on his face seemed exhausted. “But if it’s our only option.”</div>
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“Okay, here’s your key card. It’s on the fifth floor. Our elevators are out of service, so you’ll have to take the back stairwell up.”</div>
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Nolan and I exchanged a single glance. A simple act of kindness from his end was turning into a major regret, or at least I could assume it was. </div>
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It took us a couple of minutes, but we finally made it up five flights of stairs with our overnight bags. I was embarrassingly out of breath. Looking over at Nolan the travel up didn’t seem to wind him as much. I made sure to stay a few steps behind him as I inhaled a deep breath to bring my heart rate to a normal range. I was hoping Nolan wouldn’t turn around because this wasn’t a pretty sight. I really should have taken Celeste up on all those attempts of trying to get me to workout with her.</div>
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Our room wasn’t as big as I thought a double occupancy room would be. It was small and severely outdated. Nolan pulled the window curtains and a smoke cloud of dust erupted. We both coughed covering our mouths. </div>
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“Do you mind if I open up the window for a bit?” He asked in between gasping breaths. I nodded my head trying hard not to open my mouth. </div>
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He struggled at first, but then pulled the window all the way up. A gust of freezing air filled the room. My fingers crawled up from my mouth to covering my whole face. I reached down to grab my coat and threw it over my shoulders. </div>
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“It took them over an hour to find us a room that looks like it hasn’t been used in this century.” Nolan mumbled. </div>
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The sun had already set by the time we dusted out our room and closed the window. The cold air still lingered through the room and beneath my skin. I sat on my bed wrapped in layers of scarves and my blanket, as dirty as it might have been. We couldn’t get very far outside so we decided to order room service.</div>
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“I’ll have the rib eye steak, a side of french fries, a slice of chocolate cake, oh maybe I should order a Cesar salad to balance it out. Yeah, yeah, definitely add a Cesar salad.” Nolan turned to me. “What do you want?” He asked. My eyes were bulging out of their sockets realizing all of that food was just for him. </div>
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“Just the chicken Alfredo is fine.”</div>
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Once he hung up the phone I debated on when I should bring up the next question. It almost seemed a bit ridiculous. What did this Alexander Nottingham guy think when he came up with these random questions. How was knowing when the last time Nolan sang or how he prepared for a phone call suppose to make him fall in love with me? </div>
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“So, is everything alright?” I asked Nolan. He looked at me unsure. “You seemed a little stressed when you were on the phone earlier in the lobby.”</div>
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“Oh.” He brushed off my question and went back to whatever it was he was doing on his laptop. “Just business. You know how it goes.”</div>
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This was my chance to casually bring it up. “Do you ever practice what you’re going to say on the phone?” I tried not to look at him when I said it. I noticed him look up at me for a second and realize that the level of importance for the question wasn’t very high.</div>
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“I guess sometimes.” He shrugged.</div>
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“Like when?” </div>
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He turned towards me completely this time leaning his chin on the palm of his hand. “Maybe when I’m talking to someone in a higher position than myself. That isn’t very often though.” His eyes looked up at me again. “Do you ever do that?”</div>
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I stayed quiet for a moment. “I guess If I know I’m going to be called for an interview.”</div>
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“What is it that you do again?”</div>
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I furrowed my brows suddenly remembered this morning at the diner when Nolan let it slip that he knew I was a writer. “I’m a writer, but how did you know that?”</div>
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“How did I know what?” He looked away.</div>
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“That I was a writer. I mean, it isn’t very obvious when someone is a writer.” I slung my legs over the bed and stared at him.</div>
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“I…I…” He stumbled on his words as he tried to figure out what to say. He shut his laptop and finally confessed. “When I found your car on the side of the road I tried tapping on the glass. You didn’t move so I tried opening the doors. The only one unlocked was the back door. A few of your things fell out, so I just looked over them to see if I could find anything out. You know, maybe some personal information in case I needed to call someone. The papers were some that you had written. Plus, all the books and the nagging questions. I figured you were a writer.”</div>
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“Nagging questions?” My eyebrows were half way hiked up. “I’m sorry I don’t just jump on road trips with random strangers.” I huffed as I crossed my arms.</div>
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“Well” Nolan shrugged. “We don’t exactly know each other and we’re in a hotel room together.”</div>
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“I could say the same about you.” My patience was wearing thin. “I can’t believe you opened up my car door and went through my things. Do you not understand how violating that is?” I grabbed my head as my thoughts spun around. “Oh my God. What am I doing here?”</div>
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“Okay, take it easy. I was just looking out for you.”</div>
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“Looking out for me? How do I know you didn’t do more than that? How do I know this wasn’t your plan all along? How do I know you're really taking me where you said you're taking me” I felt my breath becoming shorter with each realizing thought. “I need to get out of here.” I grabbed my bag and shuffled past Nolan.</div>
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He stood up trying to stop me. “Wait!” He held out his arm, but I ignored him. </div>
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I flung the hotel door open and ran right into the bell hop’s tray of our food. </div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-72573199502859317812016-02-25T22:39:00.001-06:002016-02-26T01:05:10.172-06:00Chapter Four<div style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: justify;">
“You think you’re so sly, don’t you?” </div>
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I had to hold my phone away from my ear as Celeste laughed uncontrollably. </div>
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She caught her breath and finally spoke. “Well, you wouldn’t take it other wise.” Her voice whimpered as she tried to stop herself from laughing again. “I mean honestly Harper how perfect is this? All I had to do was secretly drop the book in your bag and the universe took care of the rest!”</div>
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“There is no way I’m actually going to do this.” My eyes jolted up to the bathroom door that flung open. A woman came in escorting her food covered toddler to wash his hands. I stepped back and turned my face to the corner of the room for more privacy.</div>
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Nolan and I decided to stop by a diner before heading out of town. I made my escape to the restroom to call Celeste while he looked over the menu. He was taking his sweet time. How hard is it to pick out what you want to eat for breakfast? The choices are pretty limited and I’m guessing there’s a reason for that. Who wants to make such a big decision so early in the morning?</div>
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“You can’t deny this.” Celeste’s tone grew more serious. “You’ve done the whole planning thing and it’s just not something that works…”</div>
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“Wow, too soon, but thanks.” </div>
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“I’m sorry.” She sighed. “Promise me you’ll let this play out naturally. Don’t push it away and don’t pull it too close. Just go with it.”</div>
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I fumbled with my lips as I watched the woman and her toddler walk out. The door slammed shut behind them. I was alone once again. I stood quietly as I let Celeste’s words resonate. She wasn’t entirely wrong. </div>
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I mumbled in gibberish.</div>
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A shrieking squeal came from Celeste’s end of the phone. “That means you’ll do it?”</div>
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After we ended our conversation I pulled the book out of my purse. I stared at the cover wondering how I would ever pull something like this off. Not that I was a big believer in love or anything, but maybe Celeste was on to something, maybe this was the article I needed to write to finally make my big break.</div>
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I put the book away and splashed a handful of cold water onto my face. I mindlessly stared in the mirror as I wiped myself with a rough brown napkin. I took a deep breath in and walked back into the diner. </div>
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“Everything okay?” Nolan asked as I sat at our table. He’d only just put the menu away.</div>
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“Yeah,” I nodded. “Sorry, I just had to call my girl friend.”</div>
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Nolan’s attention diverted to the waitress that approached our table. “Are you two ready?” She asked as she pulled out a pen and pad.</div>
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“Do you need a minute?” Nolan looked at me. I could tell he was ready to eat and couldn’t wait a minute longer.</div>
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“No, I’m ready. I’ll have the scrambled eggs with toast, please.” </div>
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“I’ll have the same, but with a side of sausage, bacon, and a cup of fruits.”</div>
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The waitress smiled and took away our menus. “I’ll have that right out for you!” She flashed us a corny grin.</div>
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I looked over at Nolan. He was so preoccupied with his phone he didn’t even know that the waitress had already pranced away. I watched as his fingers sped across the screen, occasionally dragging them up and down to scroll on what ever it was he was doing.</div>
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His eyes slowly peered upwards and stared at me questioningly. I released the tension from between my brows as my cheeks flushed with pink. I hadn’t realized how hard I was concentrating on his screen until he caught me. </div>
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I rubbed the back of my neck and let out a soft pathetic, but mostly embarrassed, laugh. “Sorry.”</div>
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“No, I’m sorry. This is rude.” Nolan clicked the side button of his phone, shutting off the screen, and laid it down on the table. “I was just trying to get some work done. It’s barely 9 AM on the East coast and I’m already swamped.”</div>
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“Please,” I waved my hands gesturing for him to continue. “Don’t let me stop you.”</div>
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He smiled exposing his perfectly straight teeth. “It’s alright.” The drawl in his voice was so subtle I had only just now picked up on it. </div>
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Seconds felt like hours as we both avoided eye contact. It was clear that neither one of us knew that this acquaintance would last longer than those couple of hours it took to drive here. </div>
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“So-” I looked up just in time to see Nolan’s lips moving. </div>
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“Are you-“</div>
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We obviously had the same threshold for awkward silence.</div>
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“Go ahead.” Nolan nodded his head forward.</div>
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“I was…uh…I was…” I couldn’t exactly remember what I was saying. “You know what, you go first.” This feeling felt so unfamiliar. I was never flustered like this. I could only imagine Celeste’s reaction. Her mouth would be gaping open wondering how a woman so stubborn and opinionated, and certainly filled with many words, could ever let the sight of a man distract her train of thought. </div>
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And then suddenly it came back to me. “I was just saying-“</div>
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“Are you-“</div>
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We did it again. Or maybe I did it this time. I don’t know what had gotten into me. Why couldn’t I compose myself? I shouldn’t have called Celeste. Everything was going just fine until she had to put the idea in my head that meeting Nolan was basically fate. </div>
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“Here’s some coffee while you wait.” Our waitress stood at the end of our table with a pot and mugs in hand. She poured some out and skipped back to the kitchen.</div>
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Silence had taken over again. We quietly maneuvered around each other pouring sugar and creamer and stirring our coffee. </div>
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Nolan’s phone buzzed and caught both of our attention. He stared down at it for a few seconds with furrowed brows before clicking it off again.</div>
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“If you need to work please don’t let me stop you.” </div>
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“It’s nothing.” He shook his head as he held his mug up to his mouth. “Not anything they can’t take care of themselves.”</div>
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“Are you a manager or something?” I couldn’t help but connect the dots. </div>
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He shrugged his shoulders, unamused by the question. “I guess, something like that.”</div>
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“Well, your office is on the East coast, somewhere Southern considering your lack of pronunciation of certain words, and you mentioned you’re here for business, so you must be someone important at work.”</div>
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Nolan laughed nervously and leaned into his chair. He seemed taken back that I had so quickly picked up on him. “You must be a writer.” </div>
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“How did you know?” If Nolan didn’t have my attention before, he certainly had it now.</div>
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He laughed again, this time entertained by the bewildered expression covering my face. “Lucky guess.” He winked and suddenly I had forgotten everything all over again.</div>
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Our waitress came with our food. </div>
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I mainly stabbed at my eggs while trying to sneak glances of Nolan. His golden brown hair swayed gently as he leaned forward to shovel a mixture of everything on his plate into his mouth. Either he had a big appetite or it had been a while since he’d eaten.</div>
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“You’re not hungry?” He pointed to my plate with his fork. I’d taken a few bites, but it was still full compared to his.</div>
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I shrugged my shoulders, “I’m not really hungry anymore.” I said politely. What I really wanted to say was how unattractive it was to watch him inhale scrambled eggs.</div>
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Nolan looked down at his watch and took one last bite of his sausage. “We should really hit the road.”</div>
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It seemed like the weather had gotten colder in the last hour. I felt goosebumps on my arm as the cool air grazed it. I grabbed my jacket and threw it over my shoulders.</div>
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As soon as we pulled out of the parking lot a call came in for Nolan. Guessing by the way he didn’t say much except for an agreeing hum every so often and a casual, “okay,” I figured it was business. I was hoping it would be a more revealing call from his mom, or sister, or maybe even his wife. Something that wasn’t as boring as it actually was.</div>
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Wait a second, I thought to myself. I held my breath as I casually looked over pretending to admire the scenery through his side of the window. Nolan’s left hand was resting on top of the steering wheel, sans wedding ring. I exhaled a sigh of relief. I may not have been into the idea when Celeste first presented it, but I was starting to get a little too attached to the idea of this actually working out. </div>
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Nolan’s attention was divided between the road ahead of us and the conversation he was having on the phone. This was the perfect opportunity to pull out the book and try to get in as many questions as I could.</div>
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I flipped through the pages reading parts of the introduction. I hadn’t heard of Alexander Nottingham before this, but he sounded like a total snooze. Then it dawned on me, was this how my writing was perceived? Is this why I was never able to land a job with a reputable publication? I shook my head. <i>No way.</i></div>
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I grabbed the last few pages and let them fall from beneath my thumb. It stopped on a random page with a question that read, ‘do you remember the last time you sang to yourself?” </div>
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“Sorry, I just needed a quick briefing before my meeting.” I jumped from my seat when I heard Nolan’s voice. “Hey, look it’s snowing.”</div>
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I looked up to see tiny droplets on the windshield. It was barely visible, but still enough to keep Nolan’s eyes away from me. I closed the book and slide it back into my bag. </div>
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“What are you reading?”</div>
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My eyes widened “It’s a psychology study some professor wrote. It’s nothing exciting, but my roommate recommended it.”</div>
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The corners of Nolan’s lips curved downwards. “Sounds…like a good read.” He joked. </div>
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I was hoping he wouldn’t ask any more questions about the book, so I tried to change the subject. Unfortunately the only other thing I could think of was the last thing I read. “Hey, so when was the last time you remember singing to yourself?” </div>
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Nolan looked at me and laughed. “That’s a really random question.”</div>
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I shrugged my shoulders trying to play it off. “I was just thinking about the last time I was in my car. I would always sing along to the radio.” </div>
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“Huh,” Nolan exhaled. “I don’t know.” He fell silent trying to recount the moment. “I don’t think I’ve ever sang to myself.”</div>
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“Come on!” I turned towards him a little surprised. “Everyone sings to themselves once in a while.”</div>
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“Okay, okay, the last time I sang was with my nieces at a book reading.” He said matter of factly.</div>
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“That doesn’t count.” I laughed. “It wasn’t to yourself.”</div>
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He grunted as he strummed his fingers on the wheel.</div>
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“How many nieces do you have?” From what I saw of Nolan I couldn’t possibly imagine him playing with children. He looked too stiff and proper to cut loose and relax. </div>
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He smiled as he spoke. “Two. They’re six year old twins. Love them like they were my own, but I’m glad I can go home at the end of the day.” He laughed. “How about you?”</div>
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I shook my head, “no nieces or nephews…yet. But, my sister is a total cookie cutter type. She’s accomplished just about everything, so the next step would be children.” The snow flakes on the window were becoming larger and falling faster. </div>
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“So weird.” Nolan mumbled to himself as he picked his phone up again. “I don’t remember seeing snow in the forecast.”</div>
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A few hours had past and Nolan and I had only started breaking down the barriers. So far, I’d gathered that he’s from South Carolina and has one older brother. He’s in management for some business that he didn’t bother to explain and felt a little shy even talking about it quiet frankly.</div>
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That’s as much as I could get out of him before he’d gotten another phone call. I took the opportunity to slip out the book again. I was just about to turn the page when Nolan’s car began to slow down to a stop.</div>
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I looked up to see a couple of trucks and a police car all with their lights flashing. </div>
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Nolan dropped his phone, hoping the officer that was approaching our car wouldn’t see. “Is there a problem?” He asked as he rolled his windows down.</div>
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“All main roads are closed until they’ve been sanded.”</div>
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“You gotta be kidding me.” Nolan’s head rolled back as he covered his eyes with his hands. “How long will that take?”</div>
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“Considering that the city wasn’t prepared for the snow storm the roads probably won’t be opened until tomorrow morning or until the ice melts.”</div>
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That’s when I heard Celeste’s voice in the back of my head. “Just go with it.”</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-45940436584604310882016-02-18T11:21:00.002-06:002016-02-26T00:42:35.218-06:00Chapter Three<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
**NEW POSTING SCHEDULE: Future post will be up on Thursdays! Also, please make sure to follow Twenty One Questions on BlogLovin by clicking the button above!**<br />
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“How do I know you’re not going to kill me?” I stared anxiously at the mysterious man standing outside of my car window. I must’ve fallen asleep and to my surprise woken up to the loud banging of his hands against my poor little car.</div>
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"Look, I'm just trying to help, okay?" He held up his hands accusingly. "It looks like you're having car troubles. I have a truck..." he said as he pointed to the charcoal gray F150 parked across the road. "I can pull you into the next town if you need."</div>
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"I'm not having car troubles." I smiled smugly. "Thanks anyway!" I waved my hand hoping he'd walk away. </div>
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"Okay." He sighed in defeat. His hands grazed the back of his head as he began to walk away. "But, I guess I can't say I didn't try to help."</div>
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I watched as he slowly began disappearing into the darkness. My eyes glanced towards my side view mirror and then in front of me. There were no signs of life out here. Maybe I was making a mistake by letting him go. Who knows when I'd see someone again. </div>
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I struggled to roll my window down. "Wait!" I narrowed my eyes to see him better. "What's your name?" The noise of shuffling gravel stopped when he turned to look back at me.</div>
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"Nolan...Nolan Fletcher."</div>
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"<i>If</i> my car did happen to die, do you know where the nearest auto shop is?"</div>
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I heard a faint sigh. If it weren't for the lifeless desert setting I'm sure I wouldn't have heard it otherwise. </div>
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"The next town is 30 miles ahead. I know a guy who's about 10 minutes further out. This looks pretty costly, so I can ask him to help you out."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
I would be lying if I didn't think this all sounded too tempting. What did I have to lose any way? Just my broken car, a backseat filled with my belongings, and oh, my life. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
I stuck my head over my window that I could only manage to roll half way down. "Okay."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
There was silence for a brief second.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
"Okay, what?" Nolan asked. "I thought you weren't haven't car troubles."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
"Well, maybe I am." I admitted. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
I watched as Nolan shook his head and jumped into his truck. It roared to life as he revved the engine.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
I gasped, mildly offended. "Wait!" I waved my hand. "Aren't you going to help me?" I wasn't sure who I was talking to, Nolan clearly couldn't hear me over the racket.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
I watched as he looked at me and shook his head. His truck jumped forward as he switched the gears and began driving. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
"Oh my God," I whispered to myself. Was he seriously about to leave me here after that whole spiel about how unsafe it was?</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">
I watched as he pulled onto the highway and drove away. My jaw was still hung open from what had just happened. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
That's when his break lights turned on. Either he was stopped in the middle of the road, or reversing his car. I couldn't exactly tell. I opened my car door and walked towards the middle of the road. I could hear rocks being crushed under his tires. I sighed with relief knowing that he was backing up his truck. He moved slowly as he parked it in front of my car.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"That wasn't funny." I angrily pouted with furrowed brows. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
Nolan laughed at my expression and rolled his eyes as he walked to the bed of his truck. "You were giving me a hard time, so I had to return the favor." He leaned forward as he pulled out some chains. "You mind coming here?" He asked as he held the chains in his hands. He squinted one eye as he looked at me. "I want to see if this'll fit around your neck." He continued to laugh as I stood there with my arms crossed. "Oh, come on, I'm just yanking your chain." He laughed louder this time. "Get it?"</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
I remained silent as I watched him entertain himself. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
After Nolan was done hooking the chain to my car he walked around to open the passenger side door to his truck. "After you, Miss..." His eyes looked at me questioningly.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"Harper."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"Harper..." He waited for me to finish</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"Just Harper."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"Alright Just Harper." He smiled knowing full well that he'd figured out exactly how to irritate me.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
By the time we finally made our way into town the skies had lightened in preparation for the morning sun. I stared out of my window for majority of the ride watching as the horizon sprung into ombre shades of orange with occasional breaks of mountains obstructing the view.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"So, where are you moving to?" Nolan asked after an uncomfortable moment of silence.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
I looked at him confused. "Who said I was moving?"</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"No one." He shook his head and looked in the rear view mirror. "I just figured you were with the amount of stuff piled up in your car. Either that or you have a problem."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"The latter." I lied. "I like to keep my things with me."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
Nolan looked at me with a smile, unsure of whether he should laugh or not, but it quickly vanished when he saw the straight look on my face.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"You do have a home, right?" He asked nervously.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"Not really." I smiled to myself mischeviously. I mean technically I was evicted from my apartment and I was on my way to my parent's house, but he didn't need to know that. It was my turn to mess with him. "Are you weirded out that you picked up a homeless woman?"</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"I mean..." He cleared his throat. Suddenly his tone was a lot more serious. "Do you know where you're going, you know, after you get your car fixed? And how exactly are you going to get your car fixed?"</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"I thought you and your buddy with the auto shop were going to help me out?" I clasped my hands together as I begged. "Oh, please mister, please help this lil ole lady out!" </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
I couldn't help but burst into laughter after seeing the squimish look on Nolan's face. "Oh man, I really needed that laugh. Now, I get why you were being so weird back there."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"So, you're not homeless?" He asked unsure by my manic episode.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"No, I'm moving back East." I wiped the tears from my eyes and went back to staring out of my window. The orange hues had turned to pinks and blues the further the sun rose. "L.A didn't exactly treat me too good."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
The traffic began picking up once we were near civilization. I didn't feel so threatened by Nolan any more. The more time that passed the more he began looking like an average guy than a serial killer. Maybe it was just the harsh shading of the night that gave him such a smoldering look. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"Fuck." Nolan whispered under his breath as we pulled into the empty parking lot for the auto shop. I looked at him confused. "What day is it?"</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
I wasn't sure myself. "...Sunday?"</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
He jumped out of his truck, grabbing his cell phone from the console, before he walked a good distance away. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
I watched as he paced back and forth anxiously with a concerned look on his face. After a few minutes he came back inside, shut his door and started his car.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"There might be a problem." He finally spoke. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"Okay..." I leaned in on my elbow turning my full attention to him. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"I forgot today was Sunday. All the shops in the city are closed. I just called Alex and he won't be able to come in either."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
I swallowed empty air. "What does this mean exactly? You're just gonna abandon me in a random city?" </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"This isn't really my problem." </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"Wow," I mumbled under my breath.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"What were you going to do if I didn't pick you up?" I thought maybe be might be kidding, but the expression on Nolan's face said otherwise. "I got you this far didn't I? Maybe we can try finding a hotel for you close by here."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
He wasn't entirely wrong. I didn't exactly want to hitch a ride with him, but after being in this nice clean truck that still had a new car smell, I was pretty upset I had to go back to my dinky broken down trash mobile. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"You're right. This isn't your problem. Can you please unhook my car?" I huffed as I flung my door open and hopped out of the truck. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
All I heard was a heavy sigh before he walked out and began pulling the chains off both of our cars. I looked around realizing how run down the area was. Maybe it was because today was Sunday and half the city was shut down, but this place really looked like a post apocalyptic scene from The Walking Dead. I shivered as I imagined zombies emerging from around the corner. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"You can just leave your car here." Nolan dusted off his hands as he walked towards me. "Look," he pointed down the street to a motel. "Get in the car I can take you there."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"You've done enough. Thank you kind stranger, but I can walk." I gave half a smile and began my trek down the street.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
By the time I made it to the first stop light I looked over my shoulder to see Nolan slowly inching his truck in the same direction I was walking. He rolled down his windows and shouted. "Can you just get in the car so I can take you there?"</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"It's literally one street over." </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
The signal turned green and Nolan began driving at a normal speed only to slowly down and turn into the motel's parking lot. I rolled my eyes and crossed the street to meet him there. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"This place doesn't look too safe." He was still sitting in his truck with the windows rolled down. I looked around and I couldn't even maintain a normal expression. Unsafe was an understatement. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
We watched as a woman in metallic shorts so tiny they looked like underwear, stepped out of a rusted Camaro. She scratched the bird nest that was her hair as she chugged back on her beer and stumbled slowly and eventually to her motel room.</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
Nolan and I exchanged glances of concern. "I have to drive north of here for work. It's gonna be out of your way, but at least that city is more..." He fell silent trying to figure out the right word. "Lively."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
"Oh God," I quickly scurried to the passenger side of his truck and jumped in. "I thought you'd never ask."</div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
Nolan laughed as he reversed his car and went back towards the auto shop. He went out again to chain our cars together again. I began shuffling through my purse as I waited for him. The weather was really drying out my hands and I needed some lotion. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
My hand hit something hard and rectangular. I flinched not remembering putting something with it's texture in my bag. I pulled it out wondering what it could possibly be. </div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
<i>21 Questions For Finding Love written by Alexander Nottingham</i></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: arial;">
I sighed and rolled my head back. "Celeste..."</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-82882653177555979092016-02-04T23:06:00.002-06:002016-02-26T00:42:57.221-06:00Chapter Two<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Maybe driving
cross-country in my current state wasn't such a great idea. I knew
the road in front of me was empty, so my eyes couldn't help wander to
the enormous hills in the distance. A thin layer of fog gave them a
beautiful hazy blue shade. It was only when I drove closer that their
natural brown color revealed itself. I sighed a slow pathetic sigh.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A million things were
rushing through my mind. When I finally came to terms with moving
back home, I didn't realize it would be this hard. I was so fed up
with overdue bills and my failure to tie down a job that I couldn't
have been more ready to make the trek home. But, something had
happened. Celeste. Celeste happened. Damn her! Every other song on
the radio clouded my eyes with tears as I thought about my best
friend that I was leaving behind. Was I really making the right
choice?</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Of course Celeste
supported my decision, but she thought I could have stuck it out a
little longer. She didn't understand though. As determined as I was,
I wasn't like her. I couldn't just wiggle my way into any situation.
I mean, maybe I could have taken any odd job, but I didn't spend
thousands of dollars in loans to attend the college of my dreams just
so I could be a barrister. I knew the right job was out there for me
somewhere. It just wasn't in Los Angeles as I'd originally hoped.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My eyes jolted back to
the road when a Mercedes whizzed past my car. There was a faint sound
of the driver's angry curses. I threw up my hands, as if he could
still see me. There wasn't much I could do about my slow speed. My
car was over ten years old and filled to maximum capacity. It was
dangerous enough that I was even on the highway.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I rolled my eyes and
continued staring at the scenery around me. Of course the East Coast
had it's own beauty, but nothing could compare to these California
hills.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Ka-thunk.</i></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My
car shook in mid drive. I gripped both hands onto the steering wheel.
What was that? My eyes instinctively darted to the gas meter. Of
course I still had gas, I just filled up before leaving L.A. There
was no way I could be out so quickly. Maybe I ran over something on
the road? I looked in the rear-view mirror, but there was traffic
coming up behind me so I couldn't tell. That must have been it. I
shrugged my shoulders and went on.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A few
seconds of honking cars and trucks zoomed past me before I was left
on an empty road again.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
vigorously cranked the handle to lower my window. My arm rested on
the sill as the muggy air drenched my face. I reached for a hair tie
sitting in the console and tied my hair into a messy bun. I might as
well look the part.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
shouldn't have stayed at Celeste's as long as I did. I could already
see the sun getting ready for it's descent in my side view mirror. I
had planned to be a hundred miles further than I actually was. My
calculations were all wrong and now I didn't know where I would be
staying for the night. As I picked up my cell phone to Google nearby
hotels an incoming call popped up on my screen.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
hesitated to answer the phone. “Hey Liz.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Hey
Harp!” My little sister, Elizabeth, immediately chirped back.
“What's going on?” She asked suspiciously.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
hadn't exactly told her about my move back home. I'd already gone
through enough. I couldn't bear to sit here and listen to one of her
lectures. I mean the nerve she had to scold me when I was clearly the
older one.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Elizabeth
was more of the cookie cutter daughter that any parent would pray to
have. She aced all her classes, went to a great college and graduated
with a combined Bachelors and Masters. I mean, who does that? Anyway,
she landed her dream job and shortly after settled down with her
dream guy. To say she has a picture perfect life would be an
understatement.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Nothing...What
are you up to?” I tried to divert the conversation.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Oh
nothing...” Her voice sounded annoyed, “Just wondering why you
didn't tell me that you're moving back home?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
grunted for a good five seconds. “Mom! I can't believe she told
you!”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What
I can't believe, Harper, is that you told<i> mom</i> and not me!”
She was talking in a low and firm voice. Mark, her husband, must have
been home from work.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Can
you blame me Liz? Let me guess, you're calling me to tell me how much
time I've wasted out in L.A, right?” I rolled my eyes and shook my
head. God, I wish she could see how annoyed I was.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
heard her inhale a deep breath and sigh. “Harper, you're my sister.
I just want the best for you. I want you to be able to support
yourself, get married, and live a happy rest of your life.”
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Liz...”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I
don't want you to be worried about where your next pay check is going
to come from.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Liz...”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Look,
I even found a class you could take. It's a community college course,
but I know a few people who know a few people that have taken it and
had success finding a stable job.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“LIZ!”
I finally had enough. “This is exactly why I didn't tell you, okay?
I've had the shittiest last few days, I'm having to pack up my life
and move back home to my parent's house, and I'm driving at least 30
miles slower than everyone else because my car is a piece of junk. So
please, please for the love of God spare me this one time!”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For
the first time Elizabeth was silent. She wasn't always like this, the
nagging I mean. We were inseparable at first. Even when she was the
cheerleader in high school and I was the nerd hiding out in the
journalism lab. Even when she was invited to all the cool kid parties
and she had to drag me along because our parents wouldn't let her go
out alone. Somewhere in between her graduating college and landing a
job with pretty figures and me still broke and looking for work she
became an annoying concerned mother.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You
know, Mark and I could have come out there to help you move back. I'm
worried that you're still driving that thing.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
sighed when I realized by Elizabeth's tone that she had given up on
her reproach. “I know, I know. I just needed the time alone I
guess.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“When
do you think you'll get here?”
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
watched as another set of cars raced past me. “To be honest it
might take me a month driving this thing.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We
both laughed.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Ka-thunk!</i></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
car jolted forward again. My eyes widened as I gasped loudly.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Harper?!
Is everything okay?” Elizabeth's voice grew louder</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yeah,
yeah!” I lied. “I almost hit a squirrel.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Really?
There's squirrels in the middle of the desert?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Shit,
I thought to myself. “Maybe it was an armadillo...”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Are
you sure? That's quiet a bit of a size difference Harper.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Oh,
hey, I gotta go. I'm getting another call!” I lied again.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What?
Uh, okay. Drive safe and don't push your limits with that car! Make
sure you get a hotel before sundown and call Mark or me if you need
anything...like money or anything. We can always wire it to you.
Okay?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Okay,
okay! Bye!”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Ka-thunk! Ka-thunk!</i></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My
car was starting to slow down. Please don't die, please don't die! I
whispered to myself. I banged my hand against the steering wheel in
desperation. To my surprise it worked! The odometer began picking up
speed even going faster than I originally was. I clapped my hands in
excitement. For once something went right.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
made it past two stinking exits without any luck of finding a hotel
sign. There had to be something. A tiny sliver of the sun was still
showing and if I didn't find a place – Oh no...No! No! No! No! No!</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
lights on my dashboard shut off as my car declined in speed. I shook
my steering wheel. Nothing. I gave it a couple of good punches. Nada.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's
when all the tears I'd been holding back the last few days finally
exploded all over my face. It wasn't a normal sob, it was more of a
violent-screaming cry. The kind where you almost instantly get a
leaking nose with snot hanging out, but you could care less because
you're experiencing one of the worst cries on the cry meter.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Why!
Why did this have to happen to me?” I shouted. “Haven't I been
through enough?” I stared up at the sky. The sun had already set
and night fallen. I had never been out of the city to see such a
sight. The sky looked so beautiful filled with layers upon layers of
stars, but even that couldn't distract me. I felt so alone and
scared.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
punched my steering wheel again, this time with anger. The car shook
and I thought by some miracle it had turned on again, but then I
realized it was just another car passing me by at a totally
unacceptable speed.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
looked out of my window and saw nothing. It was so dark outside and
there wasn't even a single street light. I shivered wondering what
could have been out there. I picked up my phone and went back to my
attempt of Googling a place to stay.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Okay
Harper, woman up!” I whispered. “You can do this. You made it
this far in the shit-show. You can totally do this.” I stared at my
phone waiting for the screen to refresh. A few seconds had passed.
Come on. An error message popped up: No Service.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
wanted to throw my phone out of the car. How can the Taliban send
videos from a cave in God knows what country and I couldn't get
service at the California border?</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
tossed my phone to the ground and exhaled. My hand wiggled down
between my seat and pulled the recliner lever up. I pushed my back to
move the seat, but it didn't move. When I turned around I realized
the junk in the backseat wouldn't even allow me to move an inch. I
pulled the lever and repeatedly slammed the seat until it fought back
and hit me in the face.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This
was how I was going to die. I just knew it. The article practically
wrote itself. It would be titled, “Hoarder Found At Border.” and
it would read, “A woman was found cuddled up in the driver seat of
a broken down Civic near the California border. Her car seemed to be
filled with literary work holding on to it's binding by a single
thread. Eye-witnesses claim they saw her violently beating her
steering wheel and smearing a mixture of nostril fluid and mascara
over her face. Investigators are still shuffling through the endless
pile of her belongings to locate her ID. They have reported her as a
young woman that could possibly be in her late forties by the deep
bags under her eyes.”
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
How
ironic. I spent my whole life trying to get my name published and yet
a story would be written about the unfortunate events of my death. I
smiled to myself. At least I could finally be recognized for
something.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Maybe
it was the hypnosis of the dark zen sky, or maybe it was just my body
giving up, but slowly I felt my eyes drifting as my breathing slowed
down into a slumber.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
***
*** ***</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Hello?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
gasped for air when a pounding shook my car.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Hello?
Are you alive?” I heard the deep voice again. “Hello?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
rubbed my eyes and looked out of my window. There standing in front
of me was a tall man with a nervous look on his face. His piercing
blue eyes hidden under his tensed brows radiated in the moonlight.
His lips were moving, but I couldn't make out what he was saying. I
was too busy wiping the drool off of my face.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Did I
actually die and go to heaven?</div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131946894567032273.post-13467321714910706142016-01-27T12:34:00.000-06:002016-02-04T23:32:36.154-06:00Chapter One<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Dear Ms. Harper Stevens,</i></span></b>
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Multiple warnings have been issued in regards to late
payments. Your contract clearly states that rent must be paid before
the 31<sup>st</sup> of each month and failure to do so will result in
eviction from the premise. </i></span></b>
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Due to the lack of cooperation on your part to uphold
the agreement of your rental, Los Rios Valley Apartments has no
choice but to submit this letter of eviction. You must vacate the
property before: 12 PM on February 19<sup>th</sup>.</i></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>You have
been granted a total of 3 (three) days to submit your payment,
totaling $1,940 dollars. Failure to submit payment within the
allotted time will result in legal action, including physical removal
of all tenants from the apartment and the property.</i></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>If you
have any questions regarding this issue, please contact the rental
office and ask for Linda Benson. </i></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Sincerely,
</i></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Linda
Benson</i></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Property
Manager</i></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> This was
just what I wanted, rain on my last day in Los Angeles. I'd spent so
many relentless years trying to make it in this city and yet here I
was standing in front of my beat down Civic waving a white flag. I
couldn't have looked more pathetic with my car practically bursting
at the seams with my belongings. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> It took a
while, but I finally came to terms that we just weren't meant to be.
“Fuck you, L.A!” I crumpled up my eviction notice and tossed it
over my shoulder. The sky lit up as a shard of lightening raced
across. It was enough to send me to my car in a scramble. The low
rumbling of thunder ending in a piercing crack was like some sick
twisted metaphor. This bitch didn't play.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Harper!”
I heard a muffled shout from outside. I peeked through the fog
covered windows to see Celeste, my best friend, standing across from
my apartment in her doorway. “Harper!” She shouted again. Celeste
was wrapped up in a fleece robe frantically gesturing for my
attention.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">No time,”
I shook my head and tapped my wrist. She furrowed her brows and put
her fists onto her hips. I've never seen her so angry. I held up my
hands in defeat. “Okay! Okay!” I sighed as I took my key out of
the ignition, covered my head with the hood of my jacket and ran out
of the car.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Harper
Marie Stevens” It almost made me laugh to hear Celeste's soft
melodic voice so firm and filled with rage. “Were you really about
to leave without saying goodbye?” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It wasn't
that I was trying to avoid her. I was just really bad at goodbyes,
especially to those that meant the most to me. Celeste had been by my
side the moment I met her three years ago. Literally and
figuratively. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I still
remember the day I drove into L.A. I was so young and hopeful and
ready to make my mark on the city. That morning I grabbed the keys to
my apartment and ran right into Celeste. We shared the same porch
that led to our apartment doorways. She was a little too chatty for
my taste, but it eventually grew on me. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It turned
out that Celeste was leaving that morning to go to work at a local
coffee shop that she owned. Needless to say, I took full advantage of
the free Wi-Fi and coffee offers, spending most of my days posted in
the corner of her shop. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Celeste shut
her apartment door before I could even answer her question. “No,
no, no!” I tried to stop her. “I can't stay long. I have to go,
Celeste.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">You're
not going anywhere in this rain.” She firmly planted her hands on
my shoulders as she turned me around and sat me down on her couch.
“Vanilla or hazelnut?” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Celeste</i>.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Vanilla
or hazelnut?” She asked again this time with her arms folded.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Hazelnut,”
I sighed. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">She smiled
and pranced into the kitchen with a twinkle in her eye. I unzipped my
wet jacket and shimmied it off of my shoulders and onto her coffee
table.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">That's when
I noticed the book flipped over on her table. Celeste was always
buying books for her coffee shop. Sometimes she'd leave a few at her
place to read beforehand. I never really paid attention to the
copious amount of books overflowing from her shelves, but this one
caught my eye. I picked it up and ran my finger over the binding. It
was still firm and bound which meant it was a more recent buy. <i><span style="text-decoration: none;">Twenty
One</span></i> <i>Questions for Finding Love</i>,<i> </i><span style="font-style: normal;">I
grimaced as I read the cover. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Here
I was spending my days and nights writing about the growing effects
of Global Warming and the downfall of the American dollar without any
interest from a single publication and yet an entire book dedicated
to something so...so </span><i>ridiculous</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
seemed like such a waste of paper.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
tossed the book back onto the coffee table when Celeste walked into
the room. She was holding a couple of mugs in her hands. The rich
aroma of fresh coffee beans and hazelnut filled my nostrils. Don't
get me wrong, I may have been hesitant to stay at first, but I love
Celeste's coffee. Her shop's most generous Yelp! review was written
by me, after all. I was eager to whisk the mug from her hands and
take a big gulp of my scorching hot drink with zero regards for the
taste buds I was about to lose.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">It's
about Alexander Nottingham's 21 questions.” I looked up at Celeste.
Her eyes were set on the book with a crooked smiled on her face. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Alexander
Nottingham?” </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Her
crooked smile quickly turned into a full grin causing the slightest
indentation of dimples on her cheeks. After years of rolling my eyes
at her poor choices in books I had finally expressed an interest. I
wasn't sure why I did it, maybe it was because I knew that this was
all she wanted. To somehow distract me from leaving. Or, maybe, I
just wanted to have one last pointless conversation with my best
friend. Either way, I really didn't want to leave, but I had no
choice. My bank account was drier than the San Fernando Valley and I
was shit out of luck. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">He's
a psychology professor at Columbia University. Most of his work is in
intimacy of interpersonal relationships.” She continued as she
snuggled into the corner of her over sized couch. “Basically, he
used the popular game of 21 questions and combined it with his
extensive research to create a way for couples to build mutual
vulnerability with one another.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
stuck my finger in front of my mouth and made a gagging noise. “You
aren't seriously buying into this bullshit, are you Celeste?”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">The
man is a Brit with a PhD, of course I believe him!” </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">What
a waste of an education.” I mumbled. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Come
on, Harper. You can't possibly be that shut off to the idea of love.”
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">And
you can't possibly be that naive to believe that the idea of finding
love isn't just a way for main stream media to subliminally project a
false necessity in order to fund a billion dollar market.” </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
immediately regretted my words as they left my mouth. I had done it
again, unintentionally killed Celeste's spirit. I didn't mean to, but
we were two completely different people. She always saw the glass
half full while I saw it completely empty. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Maybe
that was the reason she was able to score more dates than I was. Not
that I was counting or anything. She had a charismatic charm about
her. I noticed it the first time she dragged me away from my laptop.
There was a new bar in town just west of Hollywood that we decided to
check out. I remember how every guy that sat next to me at the bar
ended up on Celeste's side by the end of the night. I couldn't help
it, cheeky pick up lines make me question a guy's intelligence. So
what if it hurt their feelings? Sure, I could have played dumb like
Celeste did just to score a casual hookup, but I didn't have time for
such foolery. I moved to L.A for one reason and that was to build my
career as a journalist. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Or
maybe I was putting up walls because I knew I couldn't be as
charming. I won't lie, watching a man's attention divert from me to
another women is a major blow to the ego, even if I pretended like it
didn't bother me. Why couldn't I just find someone who liked me for
me...sarcastic personality and all?</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I'm
sorry...” I sheepishly whispered as I stared down at my coffee. I
tried to bring the conversation back around hoping I hadn't
completely brought her down. “Has any one even tested his theory?”
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">She
gave me a half smile. “I was thinking maybe you could.” I cocked
my head and gave her a look. “I know you better than you know
yourself. I know you try hard to pretend these things don't matter to
you, but you're never going to find The One if you don't open up
more.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Okay,
okay!” I swatted my hands around as I set my empty mug on the
coffee table. “Enough about that. Right now I just need to focus on
getting back home and figuring out where the hell my life is going.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harper,”
Celeste grabbed my hand from across the couch. “If money is the
issue, I can help you out for a while. Just until you can get back on
your feet. You could even stay in my apartment if you wanted.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
sweet, but I'm pretty sure Linda would evict you too if she found out
you were harboring me.” We both laughed as we imaged our old,
smoker voiced landlord poking her head around Celeste's apartment.
She really had it out for me.“Besides, I already owe a hefty loan
to my parents for these last few years. And, I'm hoping the East
Coast has more to offer in the career department than L.A did. Who
knows, maybe a change in scenery may bring me some better luck.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Or a change in mindset.” She shrugged. “What?
Trust me, your life will change the moment you change your mind.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Zara Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02761332048513303962noreply@blogger.com13