Page 134 of After All This Time

Why did Noah leave me? Did I do something wrong that made him upset or angry with me?

When I’m with him, I don’t feel alone. It’s a strange feeling to have because I’m used to being on my own.

I don’t like this feeling of loneliness because it’s making me feel unwanted.

Here’s the thing about anxiety.

No matter how hard you try to have the mindset of not wanting something to happen, anxiety will always convince you that it will happen. It will screw with your mind so much that you start to believe it.

Blinking my eyes rapidly to take myself out of my thoughts, I find a folded piece of white paper sitting on my bedside table. “I don’t remember this being here,” I mumble to myself.

I stretch my arm, grabbing it with my hand and opening it.

Good morning, Sunshine.

I didn’t want to wake you because you looked so peaceful. I did want to leave you a note and tell you I’ll be back soon. I promise.

Noah

Rushing over to check my phone, there’s a text from Noah lighting up my screen. I press on the preview, so I can read the entire text.

NOAH

NOAH

I wanted to text you in case you didn’t read my note. You’re probably freaking out right now because you woke up and noticed I wasn’t there lying next to you

ME

i did read your note

you did scare the shit out of me

NOAH

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare the shit out of you. Please don’t hate me

ME

i don’t hate you

NOAH

Okay, good

I can’t stop thinking about last night

ME

oh, really?

NOAH

Uh-huh

ME

you’re very lucky

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