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.
Just before I’m about to win, Owen knocks the controller out of my hands, causing Princess Peach to fall way behind, allowing Bowser to catch up to her, ultimately winning. Instead of shoving him like he most likely expected me to, I lean back into the couch cushions and laugh.
“You’re a sore loser.” I roll my eyes, still smiling at him.
Owen motions to the television. “It looks to me like Bowser beat Princess Peach, so who’s the sore loser?”
“Only because you cheated! I’m pretty sure there’s a good chance you broke your controller. I want a rematch if it still works. No cheating either.”
“I don’t need to cheat to win.” He smirks triumphantly. “No promises.”
The remote still works, and we play best out of five. I don’t want to let Owen’s first win count since he technically cheated, but when Princess Peach crossed the finish line three times in a row, I have no problem gloating. That smirk has been wiped clear off his face. “Damn, when did you get so bad at this? I thought you were supposed to be good at video games?”
“Maybe because I spend all my time practicing for football. There’s hardly any time left for video games!” Owen defends himself quickly.
“Excuses! You’re a sore loser. I’m not great at them, either, but I’m certainly better than you at Mario Kart. You just didn’t want to lose to me.” I stick my tongue out at him, dutifully playing my role as little sister. “You never bothered spending much time in the basement playing video games once you were introduced to football.”
“Video games will always be there.” Owen shrugs, tossing the remote down. “I love football. I don’t know what I’d do without it.”
“I hope you never have to find out.” I mean that. Owen loves every aspect of the game; it’s clear when he plays. It’s not the same as watching Sebastian. Owen revels in the attention, the glory, the game entirely. They balance each other out well.
“I won’t. I’ll be playing in the pros for a very long time.”
I laugh because it’s such an Owen thing to say. “How does Blake put up with you?”
“Well, she’s not putting up with me. She’s mad at me right now. Amelia texted me looking to hook up, and I never responded. Blake couldn’t find her phone earlier and wanted to check with you to make sure the truck started, so I let her use my phone. Blake saw it in my recent texts because I forgot about it,” he admits sheepishly, his ears tinging pink from embarrassment. “I wasn’t going to take Amelia up on it. I like Blake, and I need her to believe that I was going to say no.”
“For how smart you’re supposed to be, you’re an idiot. What were you thinking?”
“I don’t know what I was thinking. I know I shouldn’t have started fucking around with Amelia again. I just…I didn’t think Blake would break up with her boyfriend. I’m glad she did, but I don’t want her to feel like she had to break up with him because of me.”
“Yeah, you shouldn’t have started fucking around with Amelia again.” I snort before shaking my head at him. He’s an idiot. “Blake didn’t break up with Thomas for you; she broke up with him for herself. She said something about them outgrowing each other. Blake has feelings for you, but she needs time. Do you even want a girlfriend right now? It’s football season,” I remind him, and Owen’s brown eyes widen as he realizes how he sounds. Typical stupid boy.
“I don’t know. I don’t want to put the rest of my life off for football. Is it bad to want someone you can always talk to? All the success in the world doesn’t mean anything if there’s no one to share it with.”
Owen’s words almost stun me into silence. He has a point. “When did you turn into such an adult?” I tease, pushing a smile on my face so he doesn’t notice how deep they strike.
“Somewhere along the same time you turned into a raging bitch. What’s going on with you?”
His tone is teasing, but my cheeks still flush with embarrassment. I have been a raging bitch.
“I think I’d call it more of a slow-burning bitch instead of raging,” I attempt to joke, but it’s a weak attempt. “I just haven’t been sleeping well, and it’s having a shitty impact on my temper. I promise I’ll do better to control it.”
“Have you thought about going to a doctor? Maybe they could give you something to help you sleep easier? Your insomnia or whatever has been worse since your birthday.” He’s trying to slide into it subtly, but there’s nothing subtle about it.
“Even though I shouldn’t have hit him, Sebastian deserved it if that’s what you’re working your way toward asking about,” I say flatly, fighting my remorse.
His hands go up in defense. “It wasn’t. I’m sure he did deserve it.”
The fact he doesn’t immediately jump to his best friend’s defense makes me lean over and hug him tightly. Owen’s arms wrap around me as I rest my chin on his shoulder. “Thank you for being the best brother.”
“You won’t say that after I beat you again in Mario Kart.”
I pull back, laughing as I do.