Chapter 26
Nora takes me out for the day, the paparazzi finding us at every stop we go to. We spend the day together, secretly exchanging kisses every moment we get, just like in Santorini. Spending these moments with her reminds me just how much I love her. Our two souls fit together perfectly, like a puzzle, although I think this puzzle is missing one piece. Nora’s here, living it up as a famous rockstar and I’m in London, publishing my poetry book. I’m finally living my dream, a quiet little life, reading and writing. I’d love to be made for this life Nora is living, but I’m just not. That’s why we’re just not quite right for each other.
“Nora.”
I say, my voice echoing in the closed off exhibit in an art gallery Nora thought I’d like. I do.
“Yeah?”
Nora’s hand clasping onto mine.
“You know I care so deeply about you and I love you, but I don’t think we can be together after this trip.”
Nora’s face saddens.
“You see, our lives and dreams right now are so different, and although it may work for a bit, in the long run we will clash. I love how well you’re doing, but it’s not the life I want to lead. I’m finally getting my work published, and I’m happy with my life back at home. Which feels so good after feeling stuck for so long there. I don’t want to start a new life all over again, not yet.”
“I understand.”
Nora says.
“Maybe another time, or another life?”
Nora adds.
*
“Another time, another life, Nora, for sure.”
“Just for the last couple days you’re here, can we act like we’re never letting each other go?”
Nora asks.
“I’ll never let you go Nora, I’ve just got to let both of us flourish.”
Then I kiss her, inhaling every part of her, addicted to her taste. We continue to sit silently, hand intertwined and grazing my thumb on top of hers.
“That tickles.”
Nora gently pulls her hand away, itching the ticklish sensation away.
“Sorry. My mum used to do it to me when I was younger. I always found it soothing.”
I place my hands together and begin stroking my thumb. When I was younger, I was an anxious child, especially before meeting Coco. Always avoiding school, meeting new people and any social interaction, really. No matter the crowd, the place or time, I’d always be searching for my mum’s hand, latching onto it and not letting it go until my heartbeat went slower. No questions asked. My mum would stroke my thumb, giving me something to focus on other than the world around me. Nora pulls my hand back to hers and strokes her thumb in circular motions on the back of my hand.
“I’ve got something for you.”
I say, rummaging through my handbag. Pulling out a badly wrapped present. Nora takes it and shakes it next to her ear.
“Is it a car?”
Nora asks. I roll my eyes. She carefully unwraps the paper, gently peeling the tape away. Inside is my poetry book, of course, signed. That was more for my enjoyment. Once Nora opens it, her face fills with glee and she skims the pages.
“You even signed it? Boy, am I going to sell that for a lot of money when you are a famous author.”
Nora winks at me.
“But really, thank you, Ophelia. This is amazing.”
“You haven’t even read any yet?!”
I chuckle.
“I don’t need to read any of the words to know how amazing it is to get your book published.”
We spend the rest of the day cozying up in Nora’s hotel room before her last gig in Las Vegas. Nora reads every poem in my book. We share tears and laughter as we read through it. It feels like a whole healing process going through my book, but that’s exactly how I wanted it to feel for the readers.
BEYOND THE BLUES
At the end of my book is, of course, the acknowledgements, it includes my agent, family, and all that. But little does Nora know I wrote a little about her.
Nora, a little thanks to you. Falling in love with you by chance on our holiday made me realise there is so much more to life. I felt grief had stolen everything I had, and you helped me realise I am still me. Without you, this book probably wouldn’t have made it into the world for many more years to come.
“Ophelia this is-”
I interrupt.
“You don’t need to say anything. It’s the truth.”
Without another word, Nora burrows into my chest, her breathing heavy.
“I best get ready for the show.”
Nora says, pulling away from me, her cheeks flushed.
“Me too.”
“Wear something bright so I can spot you in the crowd.”
I stand up and pick out a red dress. I once read that wearing red makes people fall in love with you. Although I already know Nora is, I want tonight to be unforgettable for her. Noras wearing a white shirt, buttons undone at the top, black trousers and Doc Martens. She really knows how to dress, even without a stylist guiding her. I put on my red lipstick, carefully lining my lips. Nora walks over to me and taps a finger on her cheek.
“I’ll get lipstick on your face.”
“Exactly.”
I place my lips on her cheek, firm, pulling away and leaving a perfect lip print on her cheek, the red contrasting with her skin.
“Perfect, I think I’m ready”
Nora stares at herself in the mirror. We head down in the elevator, being stopped every minute for a photo. I think they only include me because one, they don’t know who I am, meaning I could be famous one day and two, they feel bad for me. Watching Nora take these photos, her face immediately drops into a photo ready pose. She’s clearly practised it many times. When we arrive at the stadium, it’s even more wild, more screaming people and a lot more flashing cameras.
“Nora, who’s the lovely lady in red?”
A paparazzi man asks, completely ignoring me.
*
Nora pauses in her step and turns to face him.
“Maybe if you asked her instead, she could tell you she is an upcoming author, Ophelia Greene, pre order her book.”
Nora winks at the camera, clasping onto my hand and dragging me into the arena. We see Scarlett in the distance, pulling off a fantastic sparkly catsuit, her hair once again perfect. Scarlett notices us and comes over, energy clearly pouring out of her.
“You’re here Ophelia!”
She yells, embracing me in a tight hug.
“Thank you, Nora needs it.”
Scarlett continues to whisper in my ear. I get to meet the rest of the bandmates, a lot more laid back compared to Scarlett.
“Ten minutes to show time.”
A voice of the intercom calls.
“Right baby,”
Nora turns to face me.
“Brian here, my security guard, will take you to the front section. You’ll be fine. I’ll see you after the show.”
Nora places a kiss on my lips. When she pulls away, my lipstick has smudged. I lick the tip of my thumb and wipe it up, giggling. Nora runs off, guitar pick in her mouth. I walk through the darkened halls and then into the totally opposite, a crowded, loud arena filled with people. I wait at the front, the VIP section filled with a few familiar faces. Natasha Goodman, a famous actress. Kian Brown, a folk singer. So many influencers I could barely count all of them. I feel a bit out of place, but I’m here for Nora. The music starts and the crowd screams electrify. I feel like any second the roof could raise. Everyone walks on and my eyes only focus on Nora. I look at the crowd and see the many signs directed towards the band, some inappropriate and making me cringe. Don’t people realise they are still humans? Once the music starts, I dance along, ignoring everyone and everything around me, letting the music take me away.
“Hello you lovely people!”
Scarlett shouts into the mic.
“Our guitarist, Nora, has a little something to say.”
Scarlett glances over at me and gives me a subtle wink.
“Hiya everyone, so the next song is a new song, unreleased. It’s about a girl I met on holiday and fell hopelessly in love with, but unfortunately we can’t work. But my heart is off the market, because no one will ever compare to her. This is called ‘Uncomparable’”
Nora makes eye contact with me and begins strumming on her guitar. This song is a lot gentler than their other
BEYOND THE BLUES
ones. Scarlett sings, and the lyrics already cause an automatic tear to fall down my cheek. I look around the crowd, and it’s clearly not just me who finds this song beautiful.
I don’t know if I can stay the rest of my days here in Las Vegas. I’m scared I won’t be able to leave. Now I feel okay too, but will I after a couple of days? I’m so in love with her, but I feel with Nora I’ll never stop falling. At this point my eyes are pouring with tears, everyone else in VIP is definitely noticing that this song is about me. Despite knowing that what I’m about to do is awful and a rash decision, I have to do it for myself. I navigate the crowd, pushing past the people in my path. I turn around once more to the stage and see Nora furrowing her eyebrows. She pulls away from the mic and mouths at me, “Where are you going?”
I turn back forward and keep going. I run out into the street, the cars beeping and the air smelling of money and fame.
“Taxi!”
I stick out my hand, and a yellow cab pulls up next to me. I get in the taxi and start scrolling through the next flights back to London. There is one in four hours and I know I can do that. My finger hovers over the book button. My mind is arguing whether to just stay, let yourself fall or to go home, make up with my parents and continue my dream of being an author. Could I do both? I hate to say it, but I don’t think I’m strong enough to see the hurt in Nora’s eyes again, leaving to get on that plane. If I do this now, it will be easier for Nora. If anything, she might resent me a little, which will make it easier for her to move on. My finger pushes down and I make my decision.