"Your wedding will be the best day of your life," they say. I've dreamed of that day since I was five. The older I got, the closer that day came. I'd imagine myself in a white dress with beautiful sunflowers in my hands because I love them more than roses, walking along the sea while holding the hand of the man I chose over everyone. I'd imagine my handsome husband with our kids. His face would always be blurred, though. I've dreamed of being a mother since I was twelve. I'd act as if my twin brother Noah was my son. I'd sometimes talk to him as if he were a little baby, and he would give me the "Girl, what the fuck?" look. In a way, I get him. He probably thinks I'm pretty weird. Yet, he loves me. And I love him.
I was listening to romantic music while dancing the waltz alone and spinning around, imagining the blurry man twisting me around when I suddenly got tickled from behind. I'd recognize that tickling anywhere. I pulled out my earbuds.
"COME ON, STOP, NOAH!"
"Nah uh, not happening."
"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, WHAT DO YOU WANT?!"
I couldn't stop laughing, and my dumbass brother loved that. He loves to tease me and destroy my delusional world, but I guess it's better that way.
He stopped, looking serious now. That was a talent of his too — switching from a laughing face to a serious expression.
"May I borrow your car, sis?"
"Again? What are you up to these days?"
"Just a little date here and there," he said teasingly.
I know my brother is lying. I always know. I bet he's going to one of those illegal races as always.
"Why don't you try telling the truth for once, hm?"
"Because I know you'll say no otherwise," he winked playfully.
"Fine, but I want it back the way I gave it to you, got it?"
"Yes, of course, ma'am," he chuckled, and I couldn't help but chuckle along.
Noah chose to be a biker, but for those races, he needs a car. I love bikes too, but I would rather marry a biker and be his taxi when we need the backseats. And again, I'm in my own world. Noah steals the keys from my desk and kisses me on the cheek.
"By the way, Nory, you dance terribly alone," he had to add.
"SHUT UP!" I shout back at him, but he's already gone.
Right when he went off, someone else got into my room. My mood immediately changed, and I wanted to put my earbuds back on, but he grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.
"Now, now, is that how you greet your future husband, my dear?"
I pull my wrist back. Now I'm really pissed off.
"What do you want, Lucas?"
"Mainly you," he says with that ugly grin that always pisses me off.
Lucas and I have known each other since we were kids. He was my neighbor. I hated him from day one. He is a bully, a hater, and a killer. I just know he kills. His hands can't be hands that haven't been covered in blood at least once. That thought makes my stomach churn. He tried to grab me again, but I stepped back.
"Leave me alone, asshole. I'd rather die than marry you. Even if you were the last man on earth, I'd kill myself if you were the one I had to spend the rest of my life with," I said, looking him dead in the eyes.
I couldn't bear the thought of having his hands on my body or having kids that would grow up like the asshole in front of me. Lucas wasn't even my type. Sure, he had muscles, but he was blond and looked like one of those high school heartbreakers.
"Oh, don't worry, sweetheart. I'm gonna make you mine soon enough, you'll see."
I just rolled my eyes. Why is that ass always sticking around in my house? He stole my parents' hearts, and I hate that. They are so blinded by his poker face. He acts all nice in front of them, but I know Lucas has bad intentions. He just wants to prove to himself that he's the man I should marry.
Lucas looked at my bed, finding my dresses all spread out on it. He took my hand and kissed the back of it.
"You'll look beautiful in those, princess. I can't wait to see you in the ballroom," he said with fake charm in his voice.
I pushed my hand away.
"Fuck off," I said, pissed at him. "There's no way I'll dance with you at the masked party."
"Who else would you dance with?" he asked seriously.
I could see the desire to kill someone in his eyes. If I lied and said I'd dance with my boyfriend, he would make fun of me. I know he stalks me. He probably wouldn't believe it for a second.
I put on my tough face and said, "Anyone, just not you. If I had to choose, I'd even dance with Noah."
He snorted. "Oh, come on, Nora. You would rather dance with your twin brother than with a prince?"
"Hey, watch what you're saying," I warned him dangerously. "Noah is a thousand times better than you'll ever be, got it? And I'd choose him in every universe over you or anyone else."
"Chillax, honey."
"Why did you come up here, huh? And why didn't you knock? What if I was naked?"
"I'd love that view."
"Just fuck off already."
"Your dad invited me for dinner, by the way," he said with a smirk.
"Great, just what I needed. A reason to vomit every time I take a bite."
He just chuckled and went out. Finally. I love my parents, but they are stupid enough to believe that this man is the right one for me. I'm not marrying him, even if he did the lovey-dovey things I dream of at night.
—————————————————————————
The next day, I went to the library, my favorite place. I love reading and being teleported into a completely different world. I'm such a daydreamer. I was in the dark romance section, picking up the new books that got delivered. Oh, finally, my favorite author dropped her new book! I've been waiting for it all year long. I bought the book and a few others that were on my list for quite a while. Now that I was finished with school, I had a lot of free time for my books.
While humming happily and dancing around, I bumped into someone.
"Sorry," a deep voice said.
I turned around, wanting to apologize, and saw the most handsome man I've ever seen. He had sparkling ice-blue eyes filled with kindness, not like Lucas's blue eyes full of rage. He had black hair that was a bit long but parted in the middle. His nose was small but perfect, and he had freckles—not a lot, though. I was lost in his eyes when he grabbed the book that fell from my hand.
"Here, you dropped this," he said with a charming smile, and I melted.
"You are so damn hot," I said bluntly without thinking.
I immediately regretted it and covered my mouth with my hands. He chuckled. God, even his laugh is cute.
"Fantasy fan?" he asked, pointing at the book, he just picked up, with his eyes.
"Huh? Me? No, I actually hate fantasy, but for Kai, I would read even fantasy."
"Oh, I get it. Yeah, Kai's an awesome character."
"You read?" I asked him curiously.
I was really interested in that man. He gives me such a good aura. He just chuckled. Did I say something wrong? I surely did; otherwise, he wouldn't laugh at me, right?
"I'm sorry, I just—" He cleared his throat. "Never mind, I don't read, no. It's my sister that reads. She talks a lot about Kai, especially. She's head over heels for him."
"She has great taste! And why don't you read?"
"We, uhm… well, I can't afford that. We aren't exactly rich…" he said. His voice didn't sound ashamed, though. He just sounded sad or in pain. "My parents give us only $10 for each month. They can't give us more. My sister Maggie uses all her money for books or makeup. She saves for months for one single thing. I do so too. But I spend my money on useful things. Books that will actually help me in life, not some fantasy books."
"Ouch… And you really never had a book of your own?"
He shook his head. I thought about how life would be for me without money. I probably would be dead. I'm not a spoiled brat, but having money is awesome. I have everything I need at any time. I thought about how life would be if I didn't have my books. Now I'm really dead. I shook my head and smiled. An idea crossed my mind.
"You know what? I'm your savior. You can buy any book you want or need, and I'll pay."
"What?! Are you insane?! I can't accept that offer!" he said, panicking and shaking his head heavily.
"Okay, fine, but don't be surprised if I knock on your door at 3 AM with all my already-read books."
At first, he just looked at me with wide eyes, then burst out in laughter.
"What?" I asked, confused. That boy always manages to make me overthink what I said.
"Okay, okay, Ma'am, I'm accepting the offer."
"Awesome!" I said cheerfully. Then I added, "Oh, and call me Nora."
"Nora?" he said as if he were thinking. "Hm, pretty name."
I snorted. "You think so? Well, my brother got the better half, actually."
He just looked at me with confusion.
"Oh right. I have a twin brother. Noah's his name. I wish my name was Noah."
"Well, Noah is basic, isn't it? I think you got the better name, actually," he said with a smile.
That smile looks so kind, like he never even hurt an ant. God, I'm melting. I clear my throat, focusing on the task at hand.
"Thanks. So, any books for you or your family. And new rule: there have to be at least ten books you wanna buy."
"Hell no, that's too much!"
"Fine, seven?"
"You wanna end up broke, don't you?"
"I'd love to if I could see those eyes happy," I said, lost in my mind. He just chuckled.
"Nathan."
"What?"
"I didn't introduce myself. I'm Nathan. Twenty years old."
"Oh, why can't you be older?"
He chuckled again. "Why?"
"Age gap, you know?"
"Can it be that you are too deep into that book world?"
"Yep, I am, 100%. I'm 18, soon to be 19."
"Well, I'm in less than a month, 21."
We talked a lot. Nathan picked up seven books. Two dark romance books for Maggie. He chose "The Sinners Duet," which is a great series I read. And from one of my favorite authors! Sophie Lark writes the best books, to be honest. No book will ever make me cry as hard as "Bloody Heart." That's why I hate second chances because secretly, they both love each other and suffer. I never know which side to take. For example, in "Bloody Heart," I damned Sophie for letting Simone suffer so much. But on the other hand, Dante didn't deserve it either.
Nathan and I talked a lot about anything and everything. We have some things in common, but mostly, we are different. I love how he talks about his sister Maggie as if she were an angel, knowing she's a troublemaker for sure. Just like me, Nathan has one sibling. Maggie is four years younger than him, so only two years younger than me. When we paid for the books, I paid $463.79. I usually pay around $300, so I'm satisfied, while Nathan looks guilty as hell. I tsk at him.
"Just so you know, probably $400 were my books."
"Yeah, sure…"
"I'm disappointed you just bought four actual books."
"Hey, I needed three for university!"
"Sure. You wanna go to a café?" I asked, hoping he would say yes.
"Uhm, well, I came with the bus…"
"And? I will drive us."
"I have no money either. Well, just $30," he said, looking a bit uncomfortable.
"I can pay. Come on, Nathan, pleaseee."
"Fine, but I owe you money."
"If you give me just a dollar, I will burn it."
"Fine."
Right when we buckled up, Noah called me. I answered the call, unbothered by Nathan's presence. My phone connected with Bluetooth to my car automatically.
"Hey, sis, uhm, just wanted to let you know some dresses just got delivered."
"YEAH?! IS THE WINE RED DRESS THERE?!"
"Hold on a sec, let me unpack."
I was literally acting like a little baby that is about to get ice cream.
"Yup, there it is."
I couldn't help but scream in happiness and honk. Nathan held his ears shut. I hung up and looked at Nathan with a big smile.
"So, what do you want to listen to?"
"Anything you want."
"GREAT! THEN WE'LL LISTEN TO 'START ME UP'!"
"Alright, whatever you say."
_🎵 "Start Me Up" – The Rolling Stones
I sang along. I love that song. It never fails to make me happy. Nathan laughed at the way I seemed so carefree. He probably thinks I'm crazy, but that's what makes him feel comfortable with me. Lucas could never. I wouldn't even let him into my car. I love my car, and only Noah is allowed to drive it because I trust him with it. He's an awesome driver who makes you feel like you'll die any second, but you actually survive.
My car is a red Ferrari Daytona SP3. Inside, it's decorated with small strawberries and a red bracelet my brother made when we turned 15. My wrist has gotten a bit bigger since then. I love strawberries, I love red, and I love my brother the most. That's why I love my car. It represents me, Nora Mellish.