Page 2 of Remember Us This Way

Scrambling off my bed, I go and stand in front of him, knowing that when it comes to Noah Ryan and apologies, he sometimes needs a little help. At least, that’s what his mommy says. “You broke my heart,” I tell him, pouting out my bottom lip. “My kisses are special.”

Those dark eyes stare back at me. “I didn’t mean to make you sad, Zozo,” he says, the ring I’d lost in the long grass now looped over his finger. “I just don’t like kisses, but maybe I might like them when I’m bigger.”

My heart booms with happiness. “Really?”

He nods, a wide smile stretching across his face. “Yeah,” he says before something flickers in his eyes. He steps into me, taking my hand just like he did out in the yard, and pushes the too-big ring onto my finger. “Zozo,” he says, squeezing my hand as he leans in to whisper in my ear, a wave of goosebumps spreading over my skin and making the butterflies start to roam again. “You know I love you, right?”

Tipping my head up, I meet his stare, his dark eyes locked so tightly on mine as my heart thunders in my chest. My whole world revolves around this boy, and I’ve never been so happy. I don’t ever want this to change.

“I’m sorry I hurt your heart,” he whispers. “I don’t ever want to do that again.”

“I don’t want you to do that either.”

A soft smile pulls at his lips, and the way his eyes sparkle has me already forgetting how it hurt. “Can I still marry you?”

I laugh, pulling him into my arms and squeezing him tight, my every dream coming true. “Yes,” I tell him. He beams back at me, and then surprising me, he takes my face in both his hands and presses a big kiss to my lips, making my heart beat faster than it ever has in my whole entire life.

And I realize this is exactly what Aunt Maya meant. This is what it means to blow me away, and I swear to myself that every day of forever and ever, I want Noah Ryan to blow me away.

When Noah pulls back and meets my eyes, the look he gives me makes me feel as though I could burst right up into space. “I guess girl kisses aren’t that bad.”

I laugh again and pull him back in for another hug, loving how happy Noah Ryan makes me. “You’re my bestest friend in the whole world,” I remind him.

“I’m your only friend, Zozo.”

“Nuh-uh,” I say, pulling back. “Tarni Luca is my friend.”

“Tarni Luca is not your friend,” he says, with a huff, his brows pulling down. “She has a face like a butt.”

My jaw drops, and I stare at him in shock. I’ve never heard such a mean thing come out of his mouth, but the second the shock wears off, I laugh. She kinda does have a face like a butt.

“I’m the only friend you need,” Noah tells me before walking past me to my bed, grabbing my iPad off the end, and settling against my pillow, already searching for his favorite apps. He pats the space beside him, and I carefully climb up and sit next to him, leaning over to watch what he’s doing. “Check this out,” he says. “I finally learned how to get past level fourteen.”

My eyes widen, watching how amazing he is. He’s one year older than me, and I’ve always been amazed at the things he can do. I’ve never seen anyone ride their bike quite as fast as he can, and when he plays football, he’s the best one on the field. Every time. I love going and cheering at his games. Our moms always let us get a treat afterward.

Noah teaches me how to play, and when I finally get the hang of it, he gets quiet. “Zozo,” he murmurs, a strange tone in his voice. He stops playing and looks up at me, his brows scrunched. “Why was your mom crying?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know,” I tell him in a small voice, shrugging my shoulders. “Mommy and Daddy have been crying a lot lately.”

“Do you think something’s wrong?”

“Maybe,” I whisper, trying not to worry about it. They always tell me I have to be a big, brave girl for my baby sister, and be her protector. I’m not the baby anymore. I have to be a grown-up girl.

“It’s okay,” he tells me, slipping his hand into mine. “As long as they don’t take you away from me, then it’s going to be alright.”

I trust his word entirely. I always have because he’s the smartest person I know and a whole grade ahead of me.

Another knock sounds at my door, and I hear Aunt Maya’s voice. “Noah, sweetheart. Are you in here?” she asks, creeping into my room with my parents behind her, finding us on my bed. Noah’s mom gives me a wide smile, her gaze lingering on me for just a moment longer than usual before glancing at her son. “It’s time to go. Zoey’s mommy and daddy need to have a chat with Zo, so we need to scram.”

Noah groans. “Really? We were just about to get past level fifteen.”

“You can FaceTime each other tonight and finish your game then,” she says before stepping up to the edge of my bed and crouching down, placing her hand on my thigh. “Have I ever told you that you’re the most beautiful girl I know? You’re so brave and strong,” she tells me, blinking back tears. “You’re my little warrior.”

I give Aunt Maya a wide smile, always loving it when people tell me how great I am.

Noah scoots off my bed, and when he gets to his feet, he turns back and looks at me before practically pushing his mom out of his way. He leans in to whisper in my ear. “Don’t tell anybody how much I like your stupid girl kisses.”

A wide grin stretches across my face, and I beam back at him, making a show of crossing my heart. “Promise.”

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