Page 27 of Beyond the Blues
CHAPTER 14
to her. My hand is already swollen and bruised. I try to wiggle my fingers, but my pinky is stiff with pain. Thankfully, my mum forced me to get travel insurance.
“It’s sore, but I’ll get it checked out tomorrow.” I shrug, keeping my focus on Nora. Reading her face, trying to figure out what she’s thinking and feeling. I can see tears in her eyes. She’s biting her thumbnail, trying to repress crying in front of me. I debated telling her ‘it’s okay to cry’, but she knew that. She told me that, so instead I wriggle onto the bed and pull her head into my chest. I feel her cry into me, her body shaking and my skin becoming damp with tears. Her breath hitches and then she looks up at me. Her bloodshot eyes match the tint of red on her cheeks.
“I just wish this didn’t happen to me,” Nora cries. Hearing her so hurt and vulnerable made me want to hurt any person who has ever hurt her.
“Has this happened before, Nora?”
“Last year, in Ireland, when I was visiting home.” Nora stops for a minute, trying to find the words to continue the story.
“I was walking home from seeing a friend, and a group of guys followed me, and before I knew it, they bloodied and beat me, leaving me on the pavement.” It’s how I got this scar.” Nora lifts her hair off her forehead, revealing a faint white scar on the edge of her hairline. I stroked it gently, showing the thing that was produced by so much hatred, love. She closes her eyes at my touch, her breaths deepen.
“I know I shouldn’t, but sometimes I wish I were different, I didn’t choose to be this way. I just hate dressing feminine. When I wear those clothes, I feel like I’m in someone else’s skin, not mine.” Nora sits up a bit on the bed off my chest.
“I can’t help that I like women, I can’t and it’s just hard when my home, my hometown doesn’t accept me. Not even my fucking family.” Before I know it, Nora falls into a deeper cry. Her hands covering her eyes like she’s trying to push the tears back in. I lift her head to face me and I look at her, trying to think of the right words to say. I haven’t been in this situation.
“Blood doesn’t mean family. There are people out there who will accept every single part of you, the good and bad. Those horrible people who did
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that to you that night, and that man tonight, they live their life full of hatred. They must be miserable. Not you though, you’re off to America. You’re off to be the best guitarist the world has seen.” Nora scoffs at my words. Although she thinks I’m just hyping her, I’m being serious. Not only are her guitar skills godly, she, as a person, is the kindest thing to have graced my life since Coco left. I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that this has only happened now. We met once and barely spoke, somehow bumping into each other on the morning flight to Santorini, and sat right next to each other. I feel as if there were an invisible string pulling us together, whether it was to be together or to just teach each other a lesson. I am grateful. For the rest of the night, me and Nora lay together in a comfortable silence, occasionally sharing a kiss, drifting in and out of sleep.
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Chapter 15
I spent the morning getting my knuckle checked out by the doctors. I left Nora in bed to sleep, especially after the night she had yesterday. The doctors said that my knuckle was fractured and applied a big embarrassing blue splint to it. This is the second injury of the holiday and I’ve only been here for a week. I walk back to the hotel, petting every stray cat I see, making my quick journey about fifteen minutes longer. I would be riddled with guilt if I didn’t pet every cat I saw, thinking if I didn’t pet them, who will?
I walk in the door and Nora is on the balcony smoking her morning cigarette, wearing just her sports bra and shorts. Her back is broad and smooth, making me want to jump on her immediately and spend the entire day in bed. I walk on out to the balcony and kiss her cheek, making her jump a little.
“Where have you been?” Nora asks, before noticing the big splint on my hand.
“Oh, Christ Ophelia.”
“It’s fine, just a minor fracture. I’ve got to ice it and relax it.” I reassure her.
Nora pats her lap, inviting me to come sit on it.
“How’s your head?” I ask.
“No complaints.” Nora winks at me with her cheeky smile back on her face. I’m glad to see her happier this morning. I knew that laying in would do her good. I roll my eyes.
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“No, no, it’s grand. That medication they gave me knocked me right out,” Nora says, tucking my hair behind my ears. Her other hand on my bare thigh. Whenever this woman touches me, I just want to lie down and let her do whatever she wants.
“I like this.” Nora pulls on the hem of my skirt. Nora compliments me so often I feel like a schoolgirl with her first crush. I kiss Nora, for which it feels like the first time in ages. Her breath is warm and minty. Her hand wraps around my waist, pulling me in closer, and all I can think about is how I never want this to end. I never want us to end, but there’s a tender ache in my heart knowing this has to. I mean it when I say I feel ridiculous falling for Nora so quickly, but I truly think this invisible string tied us together. We are supposed to be here together, falling for each other. Or at least me falling for her, even if this meant I’d be leaving my heart here in Greece. I may have come here because of losing the best connection I’ve ever had in my life with Coco, but I’m leaving with a new connection, one to remember for a lifetime. One to remind me there are plenty of good people to meet out there, just you may not have met them yet.
We decide to head on down to the markets; the stalls filled with handmade jewellery and a range of delicacies. We walk side by side, hands occasionally grazing past each other. I come across a stall run by a mother currently yelling something at her two children running around. The market is full of evil eye jewellery, with the blue colour pouring out overthe table. I pick one up. It has a silver-plated evil eye with baby blue and pink thread wrapped around. Reminding me of Coco, I give the woman five euros and continue walking along.
“I’ve noticed you like blue quite a bit.” Nora points out, pointing to the bracelet I just bought, my blue tote bag slung on my shoulder and blue socks poking out my trainers.