NOAH'S MISTAKE

SALVADOR-SAL

I finally go out with Sal and it was fun but it just cemented what I already knew.  He picked me up at my house and we drove to this dinner across town where all the students from UCLA hang out.  We sit at a table and I glance at the menu and order my usual meal from my dinner the triple cheeseburger, large fries, and large strawberry shake.  He looks at me "Are you sure you can eat all that he asks?"  After ordering the same thing but with a vanilla shake instead.  "Yeah, Noah and Lee always freak out with how much I eat."  "How do you stay so fit?"  "Oh, well between soccer practice and my laps in the pool I burn it all off."  "Oh, that's right you play soccer.  I can't believe I forgot."  I laugh "Don't worry about it people always forget I play it also shocks them when I tell them I am the Captain of my team and am considered the aggressor"  He shakes his head "Really, nice so how many laps do you do and why"  "Oh, I have myself up to 20 laps and I do them to help keep up my leg muscles.  It helps me have more powerful kicks."  He laughs "So, that is why you were able to break that guys nose."  I shake my head "Yeah, but he deserved it.  He can't seem to take no for an answer.  Plus he is a complete perv." "Really that bad."  "Yep, last year he tried to drag me off to go skinny dipping at his beach party.  I don't know what would have happened if Noah hadn't shown up."  I chuckle "What's so funny?"  "Noah broke his nose then too.  So, I guess you can say his nose was broken twice because of me."  "So, you and Noah are close."  "Well you see he is my best friends older brother."  "Yeah but how does that make you close."  "Oh, that's right you don't know my whole story concerning the Flynn's."  "nope"  "Ok, Well my mother and Lee's mother were best friends.  Now before you ask my mother passed away when I was 15.  Before you say your sorry don't worry about it I have accepted it and yes I do miss her but I have moved passed it thanks to my Flynn boys."  "OK."  "Well Noah is a year older than Lee and myself  the two of us were born on the same day at the same time.  Kind of weird right."  He just nodded.  "Well since our mom's were best friends and our dad's became friends all of our birthdays were celebrated together like twins.  Hence why we call ourselves twins.  We usually have costume parties for our birthday and dress up as a duo.  Well both my family and Lee's family were always together so Noah was always around.  He has been watching over us since our birth."  "Wow, you guys are like one big family how did everyone take it when you two started dating."  "Well, my dad wasn't too happy nor was Lee."  "Why?"  "Well up until me Noah was considered a player.  He would date random girls and even have make-out sessions with them."  "Wow, so you changed him"  "Well I should say he changed because he realized his true feelings for me and no longer wanted to deny them."  "So,how exactly did you two get together."  "Oh, that a kissing booth."  "A kissing booth how."  "Lee and I were running it.  I kind of fibbed that Noah would be doing it by simply saying that yes Flynn would do the kissing booth.  See only the family calls him Noah everyone else calls him Flynn.  When in reality we got Lee to do it since technically he is a Flynn."  Sal laughs "you are a little minx."  "Well anyway three of the most popular girls in school decided to play a prank on me so they didn't have to kiss a nerd and pushed me up on stage.  Unfortunately for them, Noah decided to at least pay to get a kiss to show his support for me and Lee.  He ended up kissing me.  Well actually twice once blindfolded and when I recognized his cologne I pulled off the blindfold and next thing I know he is crashing his lips to mine and kissed me deeply.  It was shortly after that he changed everything to make sure he had his chance with me."  "sounds like he really loved you."  

We continued talking and having a grand old time.  I kept thinking about that night when I received my first kiss and how it felt.  How I felt every time Noah was in the same room let alone touching me.  Yet, I couldn't let go of the fact he still made a life-changing decision without me that affected us both.  How could I be with a man that didn't respect me enough to include me in that decision.  All of a sudden I hear "Earth to Elle"  I look up "oh, sorry Sal I was just thinking."  "you know what I know when to bow out gracefully.  It is very obvious you love Noah.  You need to let him in and give him the chance to make peace with you."  "Oh, I know and he does too.  He needs to learn that I understand he wants to protect me but I am a big girl now and what he thinks is best is not always the case."  "True but for him to go from always protecting you without you knowing it to have to discuss things with you first can be hard.  I know if I had you waiting for me at home when I was away at school I would hate it and would wonder if I was holding you back."  I smile "Thanks, Sal."  "Let's get you home."  He drove me home and all I could think of after he dropped me off was Sal was right I had to really forgive Noah and let him know I loved him with all my heart.  Just then my phone goes off and when I looked at it there was a message from Noah.  Will you do me the honor of going out with me tomorrow night?  I smile and text back Yes, Noah where are we going.  I waited for his reply and all I got was Pick you up at six wear last years prom dress.