Immediately, I begin just that. I clumsily throw the bottles of paint in their tub and run it to the back.
When I come back out, Noelle is holding two of the paintings. “Let me help. Where do you want these?”
Feeling all warm and fuzzy inside again, I grab two paintings myself and say, “Follow me.”
She does, and we repeat this process, quickly getting all the paintings set up in the back to finish drying. They will stay there until I get back after the trip to bag them up for their owners.
Noelle helps me wipe down the counter, and I question if I should have her help me every class because this has saved me so much time.
“Now what?” she asks with a stare that reminds me of one thing—vulnerability.
There are no walls up in her eyes, no masks protecting her from the world. She lives openly, not afraid to get hurt. It’s beautiful.
“Now, I have to go pack. How much time do we have left before we need to leave?”
Glancing at her phone, she says, “Two hours.”
“Perfect. I’ll meet you at your place in an hour and a half. We should leave early and get snacks, and you can start telling me how much your family knows about Katy, so I can memorize it.”
She stares at me with soft eyes. “You are so amazing for doing this. Thank you. It means a lot to me. I owe you.”
I shake my head. “I get to spend Christmas with a family and have a custom stocking with my fake name and a bunch of presents. It sounds like I owe you.” I laugh and sadness flashes in her eyes for a second before it vanishes.
Feeling rushed, I walk her to the door, so I can get home and pack. “I’ll see you shortly.”
She smiles at me and turns and walks out the door to her car.
Shutting all of the lights off, I lock up, get in my car, and speed off for home.
It takes me longer than I thought it would to pack. But an hour and a half later, many decisions have been made, and I’m walking down my stairs to my living room with two stuffed suitcases for the time I’ll be spending at the Evergreens’.
I type out a text to Noelle.
Kat: On my way to you. :)
With nerves pulsing through my body, I slip my coat on and grab my luggage. I wonder what Nic would say right now. How irresponsible and stupid this is. How his wife should not act so reckless. But lucky for him, I don’t plan on being his wife much longer.
With pride dancing in my chest, I walk out my front door, feeling as if this moment is the culmination of my life, the turning point that will thrust me into the path I am meant to be on. The one where I am living forme.
4
Noelle
December 14
SHE’S ON HER WAYover, and I’m starting to wonder if she’s insane for agreeing to do this. By God, I’m not going to question her for a second. We can just be crazy together.
A moment later, my doorbell rings, and Muffin barks like a maniac.
“Coming!” I shout.
Opening the door, I usher Muffin back so that she doesn’t try to get outside.
All of Kat’s attention is immediately on Muffin. “Oh my goodness! Look at you!”
Immediately, she throws her suitcases down and is on Muffin’s level. Muffin, who usually doesn’t take too well to strangers, is on her back, accepting belly rubs. It’s more shocking to me than the fact that Kat agreed to be my fake girlfriend.
Deciding to join this lovefest, I sit on the ground next to Kat and introduce this fluffball. “This is Muffin. She is three years old, and she thinks she’s a total princess.”
