lake side

Nancy took a step closer to the lake, a gentle breeze whispered through the air, caressing her skin with a cool and refreshing touch.

In the distance, the soothing sound of lapping waves could be heard, creating a rhythmic melody that harmonized with the symphony of nature. She also heard the rustling of leaves, the chirping of crickets, and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures.

Nancy turned back to Nolan who had his eyes fixed on her.

"I think this is my favorite place now…", she said while giggling and walking back to him.

Nolan smiled and nodded in agreement.

"How many girls have you brought here", Nancy teased.

"None… I often come here on my own, I am too selfish to bring anyone to witness all of this, so yeah no one" " he answered.

"I am the first", she asked, smiling at him.

"And I am glad you are… you seem to see what I saw the first time I discovered here, you understood nature and felt it", he said and took a quick glance at her.

Nancy blushed and leaned on his car.

If she was not being stupid then it is clear Nolan might feel what she feels towards him. Not just the way he looks at her now, but also making her feel special, which no guy has ever done.

She could not stop herself from smiling.

The thought of getting caught by Tara disappeared from her mind at that moment.

"Looks like we are hiding from reality right now… and this is paradise and just the two of us is in it", Nancy said and immediately felt his eyes on her, "oh and the cricket are in it too", she added.

Nolan laughed, "agreed…", he glanced at her and then away.

"You can always come here if you are down and there is nowhere to go, not even your home… you can always come here and stay as much as you want to", Nolan said.

"Are you okay?", Nancy instantly asked.

He turned his face and saw her worried eyes searching into his.

Nolan smiled and looked away, he hesitated at first but looking at her worried eyes made him even more vulnerable.

"Do you ever get pressured because of college? I mean thinking about what college to end up in is stressful on its own but getting pressured by your parent is even far worse than I thought".

Nancy looked away, she exhaled sharply, and folded her arms.

"Yeah, I get it…. Wait a minute", she turned her face to him, "Are you also graduating in a few months, I thought you would be waiting one more year to do that, why are you getting pressured?", Nancy asked.

"Because my dad wants me to graduate with Tara, he once said I should try passing all my classes and sitting for the final exams so I can also graduate and he knows the principal so it is a bit possible to do", Nolan answered, he shook his head in disappointment.

"I mean I am not even ready… I feel so pressured and it is unfair", he stated to Nancy and continued, "All my life he has always compared me to Tara, now that she is leaving school, he is doing everything in his power to make sure I leave too. I need time, I need to finish with my friends and not rush out of high school, but no matter what I say… he would not answer".

Nolan looked away and inhaled sharply.

There was a short time silence among them.

The loud chirping of the crickets was the only sound being heard.

Without looking, Nancy said. "You know… if I could pay a huge amount of money to bring back my dad so all he can do is pressure me into going to college or some other things like getting a boyfriend, which he always mentions".

Nolan turned his gaze at her as she continued.

She chuckled, "he is always wanting me to bring a boy and introduce him, but he never gets to see that there was so much pressure at that time".

Nancy looked at Nolan and their eyes met, she smiled and kept her gaze.

"I know this is so different to yours and I understand you have felt so less when he compares you to Tara and wants you to be your best, probably because you are a guy and blah blah, but it is your life Nolan… do not allow your Dad tell you what to do with it… and I know how hard feeling pressured can be but you should tell him what you want and let him think about it".

"This is your life… you are the writer, and I am sure you can't write bad things in it", Nancy looked away and smiled, "So I am sure you would make the right decision, but hey at least it is your decision".

Nolan remained quiet and his eyes were still on Nancy, her calming words seeping into her ears and making him feel much better. At that moment all he wanted was to pull her closer and hug her for understanding him and making it better.

"So many kids out there are being pushed to do what they don't want to do, now they are stuck living their parent's life and not theirs… that is not fair, I think everyone should do what they want to do and own up to their decision", Nancy added.

Nolan nodded.

When she noticed he was not answering, she turned back her gaze at him, and instantly he looked at her and smiled.

"You…", he said in a soft voice and paused, while his eyes searched her whole face, admiring every inch of her, "You are not just so beautiful Nancy, you are also a good listener and give the best advice, you are amazing".

Nancy's heart almost stopped, it was the first time she would hear him call her beautiful and it felt so good and special, she had been called pretty by a lot of boys but hearing it from Nolan was different.

She never thought what she was feeling existed until meeting Nolan, it was weird and at the same time felt so good that her heart would not stop beating fast.

Looking into his eyes and at the same feeling the gentle breeze on her skin, Nancy forgot all the chaos in her world and felt safe.