Present Perfect(58)

To celebrate all the graduates from my neighborhood, the parents put together a party at the neighborhood park. Younger brothers and sisters ran around playing as moms and dads congratulated each other on their graduate’s achievement. Sitting at “our spot” looking out toward the pond, I couldn’t help but flip through all the memories I had of this spot, both good and bad.

Remembering my dad pushing me and Emily on the swings, and him being at the bottom of the slide ready to catch me because he knew I was scared of falling off at the bottom. Of course, most of my memories were of Noah. Of how much fun we had on the playground and feeding the ducks as kids when my mom brought us here. I remember feeling so grown-up the first time we were allowed to walk here by ourselves, it was the first time Noah and I held hands. We had our first date and kiss here. I experienced my first heartbreak and healing here. Over the years, this became our spot to be alone with each other, to share dreams, talk about problems, to listen to each other, and on more than one occasion, eat cake.

“Earth to Tweet.” Noah waved his hand in front of my face bringing me back to the present.

“Sorry.”

He sat next to me. Both of us looked out over the pond.

“What do you have rattling around in that beautiful head?”

“Nothing much, I was just thinking about all the time we’ve spent here.”

“You’re not getting all sentimental and mushy on me, are you?”

“Maybe just a little.” I gave him a slight smile.

“It’s going be hard not having you around.” There was an undercurrent of sadness in his voice.

“It’s going to be hard not having you around. You’ll come visit me, right? Columbia isn’t far, only about an hour and a half.”

There was only one university in South Carolina that offered a degree in journalism, USC. Since receiving my acceptance letter, I had asked Noah everyday if he would come visit me while I was there.

“Nothing could keep me away from my girl. I’ll be up there so often you’ll get sick of me,” he said.

“Impossible.”

He picked my hand up and placed a sweet gentle kiss on the back of it. We sat, quietly enjoying our spot before the silence was cracked by the shrill sound of his name being called.

“Noah!”

He dropped my hand and stood as Brooke walked up to us. I was still on the fence about how I felt in regards to her. She had always been pleasant to me in a fake kind of way. I wanted Noah to move on and find someone, but that didn’t mean I had to like it or the person. Let’s face it, Brooke could have been Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny all rolled into one and I still wouldn’t like her dating my Noah. I tried not to show my petty ugly side when she was around. Noah seemed to like her and as long as he was happy, so was I.

“Hey, baby. I’ve been looking for you,” she said, wrapping her scrawny arms around Noah’s neck and giving him a kiss right on the lips. The kiss lasted an abnormal amount of time, I thought. We were after all in a public place with impressionable children running around. I cleared my throat reminding them that I was still sitting there.

Brooke released Noah’s neck. My eyes followed as she slid her arms down around his waist. “Sorry Amanda. I love kissing my fella. I just never want to stop.” I looked away to hide my eye roll. “Congrats on graduation,” she said.

Brooke had also graduated this year. She and Noah were staying in town and attending the College of Charleston for their undergraduate degrees. Noah would then attend the Medical University of South Carolina for his doctor’s degree in Sports Medicine. I didn’t know what Brooke’s educational plans were and I didn’t give a shit.

“Thanks. Back at ya.” I was monosyllabic when it came to Brooke. I couldn’t think of anything to say to her other than, “get your slimy hands off my Noah”. She probably wouldn’t want to hear that, so I kept it short and sweet.

“You hungry?” Noah asked Brooke.

She looked adoringly up at him and waggled her eyebrows. “I’m always hungry when you’re around, No-No.”

“Oh my god!! That’s your nickname?” It was out of my mouth before my brain had time to stop it. The laughter burst out of me with such force it caused me to jump back a little. “Oh man, that is rich.” I couldn’t seem to help myself. This was the most I had ever said to Brooke and it was all snarky.

She narrowed her eyes at me, her lips forming into a flat line. “I think it’s cute and Noah loves it when I call him that, especially followed by a moan.”

A cough flew out of Noah as if a bug had just flown into his mouth and down his throat. He rubbed the back of his neck and glanced over at me with a slight smile. Brooke giggled as she hugged his arm tighter.

“Did I give you the impression that I didn’t think it was cute? I’m sorry. It’s as cute as a Smurff*cking button,” I said.

Now would be a good time to SHUT UP, Amanda.

An awkward pause fell over us. Somebody needed to leave. Noah glanced at me, as he put his arm around Brooke’s shoulder and said, “Well, let’s get you fed. See ya later, Tweet.”

As they started to walk away Brooke said over her shoulder, “See ya, Tweet.” Her sarcasm was evident. What a bitch.

Several yards away, they stopped. Noah whispered something into Brooke’s ear then jogged back to me. I couldn’t tell if he was mad or amused. Once he reached me, he leaned in close to my face.