Page 37 of The Girl I Once Loved

“Okay then. I’ll wait for you downstairs, sis.” She smiles, planting a kiss to my cheek before skipping out of my room.

But instead of getting ready like I should, the masochist in me has me turning towards my window again, just to watch Noah with my mother. My brows furrow when I see that their prior light conversation has turned serious, my mother saying something to him that has them both looking lost and upset. Curiosity gets the best of me as I find myself inching closer to the window, silently opening the latch, hoping that their voices might be loud enough to carry up to me so I can eavesdrop on their conversation.

Unfortunately, it’s a futile attempt since they keep to their hushed tones—so no such luck there.

But then my shock of seeing them together increases tenfold when they both stop whatever they are talking about to stare up at my window, making me drop to the floor like a thief caught with their hand in the cookie jar. My heart drums in my chest, so loudly that I’m positive they can hear it all the way outside in the yard. It’s only when I hear the familiar sound of a bike’s throttle speeding away from the driveaway that I bravely rise from my hidden position.

Am I losing my mind, or did I just catch Noah and my mother talking about me?

I mean, why else would they simultaneously look up to my room, mid conversation?

If I want answers, then the logical thing to do is go straight to the source. And seeing as I want to limit any, and all, interactions with Noah, having a stern word with my mother will have to do. I’m not sure how I’ll bring the conversation up with her without causing a fight, but I’ll think of something.

Unfortunately for me, it will have to wait.

I promised Daisy I’d spend the morning with her, and seeing as today is the Fourth of July, I’m sure my mother will also be busy for most of the day. Though she doesn’t need a national holiday as an excuse to always keep herself busy with something or other. It hasn’t been lost on me how she hasn’t been eager for us to have some mother-daughter quality time together since my return.

Then again, neither have I.

Until now, that is.

Now, I want answers.

And my mother is going to give them to me.

* * *

“Why is everyone staring at us,” I mumble uncomfortably, holding onto the crook of my sister’s arm for protection against the wandering eyes on us as we stroll through the market situated in Town Square.

“Can you blame them?” she laughs. “I mean, look at you. This is a farmer’s market, not a fashion show.”

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I ask, insulted.

When I left the house in my white buckle belted flare pants and dark blue top that fell to the left side with golden imprinted roses trickling down on it, I thought I looked pretty good in my chosen ensemble, but now with everyone staring at me, I’m wondering if I didn’t make the wrong choice.

“Don’t get me wrong. You look like a million bucks. It’s that usually people who look like you live on the other side of the island and never come down here to do their own shopping,” Daisy explains, giving my arms a comforting squeeze.

“Hmm. I think you might be right. I forgot how divided Thatcher’s Bay is. Maybe while we’re here in town, I can drop in on a few shops and buy some new clothes that have more of the island’s vibe.”

“You don’t have to change to please anyone, Sky. Just hold your head up high and own it. You’ve come a long way from that shy, awkward girl you used to be. No shame in showing everyone how much you’ve grown. You shouldn’t let anyone dim your light just because it’s too damn bright for them. If anyone gives you a hard time and has a problem with it, then they should just buy some fucking shades, or look the other way.”

God, I’ve missed her.

Daisy always has the right words to say to get me out of any funk.

And right now, her words mean more to me than she’ll ever know.

“What? Why are you looking at me with that goofy face of yours?” She giggles.

“It’s nothing. Just glad to be home, I guess.” I smile meekly.

“Well, thank fuck for that. It will be easier to convince you to help Derrick and me volunteer at the corn booth tonight. You up for it, squirt?”

“Sure.” I laugh. “But if I’m going to do that, then I’d really like to buy a few things. Maybe a few T-shirts and shorts. Just to be more comfortable.”

When her brows begin to furrow, I quickly ease her protective concern.

“The new clothes will be for me, Daisy. Not for them.” I add assuredly.

---