4
Noah: Love Life
I go on a run every evening, but today it feels urgent. My feet pound on the pavement, my breathing staggered, the dark water of the lake beside me.
Eve Knightly knows.
“I won’t say anything, I know it’s your own business—”
For the rest of Health class, I tried to convince myself that she didn’t know about Henry, that she was talking about something else. She didn’t witness anything. But she can make inferences.
I spent lunch in a daze, annoying Kaito and Declan because I wasn’t in a state to play footy like they wanted. Henry made a sly comment that some girl distracted me, and Kaito and Declan needled me about her.
Henry wasn’t wrong. Eve Knightly was on my mind, and I was freaking out.
I spent my last double period of the day wondering if I should tell Henry. But what would I say? I didn’t want to cause drama out of nothing when Eve said she wouldn’t tell anybody. There weren’t any rumours yet, and I believed her, though I didn’t know her. There was an expression on her face I’d never seen.
Another reason I’m reluctant to tell Henry is because I don’t want to scare him. The first time he suggested meeting at the sports shed, which is always open and empty, I couldn’t believe it. Henry’s already paranoid enough as it is, and to take a risk like that was strange. He must have been as desperate as I was, must have felt stolen moments on weekends and after school weren’t enough. But if he knew Eve found out, I don’t think he’d touch me again.
I glance at my fitness watch and force myself to increase my speed. I’ll stop running at this bridge, located on the south end of Heller Lake. Tall trees surround the path around the lake, providing hints of shade from the late evening sun.
Faster, faster, faster —
Once I step onto the clattering wood of the bridge, I slow down and press the stop button on my watch. My time is better than my average due to all the nervous adrenaline running through me.
I stretch and the breeze cools the sheen of sweat covering my skin, then walk back to my house.
Of course, as soon as I step off the bridge, thoughts of Henry and Eve flood my brain. I try to distract myself with the landscape — the fancy homes that line the lake, the shrubs and pebbles on the banks, the dark blue-black of the water — but fear gathers in my throat.
What if people found out about Henry and me? Would I have to tell everyone that I’m —
A figure in front of me freezes, catching my attention. Blonde hair in a ponytail, light skin, athletic shorts and a baggy T-shirt.
“Eve?” I ask as I approach.
Her mouth is open. “I swear I’m not a stalker,” she blurts out.
That’s not suspicious at all.
I stare at her. She stares back.
“Hi, Noah. What I meant is that I didn’t seek you out or anything. I mean, I knew you lived around here, but I didn’t think I’d run into you. I’m saying this because of what happened today—”
“You live on Heller Lake?”
“Yeah. Since I was born.”
“Oh.”
After an awkward beat, she tries to diffuse the situation and points to the north of the lake. “I live there. You?”
I point to the west.
I’m not surprised she lives here. Most of the students at Easton Grammar live in a few concentrated areas of town: Heller Lake, Esther Boulevard, Victoria Park. Areas with expensive real estate, trendy cafes and beautiful views.
“Are you on a walk?” Eve asks. Her tone is awkward, as if she’s not used to making polite small talk.
“Just finished a run.”
