Page 73 of Little Do You Know

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Thalia

LAST TIME TOOK so much more convincing, but after witnessing my fight with Sebastian, it didn’t take much for Owen to lend me his truck again for another hike. I quickly reminded him of the deal he struck with our parents, and that I had ended up stranded last time because his car had broken down, not because of my driving. I should have brought my car back after visiting my parents, but Owen bargained to have them pay for gas if he promised to share the truck with me.

Our first frost finally happened. I lucked out picking today to come out here. I can’t stay all day since I have a class later, but I would if possible. I might have complained about the cold at the football game last weekend, but this is a cold I’m willing to sit and wait in for the perfect shot. The sun sure is taking its sweet time to rise today, though.

I let my camera hang from my neck to sip my coffee. I’m not even sure what time I got up this morning, but it probably helps that I never really went to sleep. The ledge I’m sitting on is near a cliff that has always been one of my favorite spots worldwide. I found this place with Mimi and never brought anyone else here. It faces the east, and I can see everything from up here.

I have always preferred sunrise, even if it means getting up early. The colors are softer, and there’s a morning glow where everything seems ethereal.

One of the first photographs I sold to a magazine was of this outlook. I sold a few more, made some contacts, and convinced my parents to let me take a gap year to continue building my connections in France. It allowed me to see first-hand the history I’ve learned about and to study from other photographers.

I wouldn’t trade that year for anything.

I exhale softly, and little clouds of crystals make an appearance. It’s been two days since I spoke to Sebastian. I feel bad for hitting him; it wasn’t right. Still, he shouldn’t have brought Louis into it. He took it too far, and if he thinks the two are comparable…he clearly doesn’t understand where I’m coming from. I know he wasn’t a virgin when we got together, and I’m aware I’m not innocent. I never claimed to be.

I’m upset he had sex with Vera and never said anything. That he probably wasn’t going to tell me. I’m upset that I found out on my birthday. Sure, I recognize I wouldn’t have been happy to hear it, but I would have preferred to listen to it directly from him. I’m upset because I trusted Sebastian enough to tell him about Louis, and he threw him in my face.

Who does that?

Dragging my hands over my face, I sigh. The sky is brightening in subtle shades of pink and purple, signaling that sunrise is near. I steady my hands as I lift the camera to capture a few images of the colors while the light of the last few stars in the sky starts to dim as the biggest one begins appearing.

My fingers are half frozen, but the sight that greets me is worth sitting out here in the cold. The frost glitters at the first glimpse of the sun, and the valley starts to come alive.

A few birds are chirping, and everything out here seems so simple. I want to feel like myself again. The me I was in Paris.

Out here…I do feel like myself. A smile forms on my face, and I wish I could stay here forever. You can see everything from up here on this tiny ledge. From the small little creek hundreds of feet below, the leaves on most of the trees have started to change colors. It’s no longer green but a sea of orange, red, and yellow, as far as I can see, lit by the morning sunlight.

It’s stunning.

This is exactly what I needed to clear my head.

I’ve been to more places in the world than I can remember. I’ve seen countless beautiful things, yet I think this outlook in the middle of North Carolina might be my favorite spot of all. This is home for me.

~

I use my key to unlock the front door, finding Owen on the couch playing video games. He glances at me and smiles. “You’re not going to slap me, too, are you?”

I snort and shake my head. “Sorry, but no. I won’t be doing that again.”

“Are you up for some Mario Kart?” He offers me the controller, and I can’t help but smile, accepting his peace offering.

“Thanks, dude.”

After a few warm-up rounds, he grabs the other controller to compete with me. “Lia, I hope you know I’m not taking it easy on you just because you’re going through something.”

“Bring it on; we’ll see who is crying at the end of this,” I reply, laughing shortly.

“Of course you’re going to pick Princess Peach,” Owen teases, and I bump him with my knee.

“Figures you’d go for Bowser, Mr. Tough Guy.”

He laughs heartily, and I smile as the countdown starts. It feels good to relax and hang out with Owen. There’s no pressure here other than beating him.

I’ve missed this.

So much of my time lately has been occupied with Sebastian, and then with Penelope being here, I was focused on her. I’ve been forgetting that I have a really great brother who’s been here for me.

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