The Next Door Boys

by Jolene B Perry

  I felt my cheeks warm up, and I looked away quickly, not wanting him to notice.

  “I'm sorry, did that make you uncomfortable?” He leaned forward, almost a tease in his voice, trying to see my face.

  “I don't know.” I let myself look back toward him. “I guess I like being around you too.”

  “There you are guessing again.” He laughed. “Just like you guessed we'd run into each other back at school.”

  I smiled with him; he was referencing our conversation on Christmas. “Yep, I'm guessing again, just like that. And here we are, running into each other.”

  “Well, you can't call it running into each other when I drove to your house for the express purpose of seeing you.” His eyes quickly looked my way before returning to the road, watching my reaction.

  “I guess you can't.” He'd come to me, my first day back at school. Did that say what I thought it did? That Noah liked me?

  Noah walked me to the door after our cocoa and drive. It was past midnight, and both houses sat dark. Just like at my parents’, he gave me a soft hug and turned away. I wasn't ready for him to go.

  I watched him walk back to his car as I slid my key in the lock. Noah had this quality about him that made him seem like he was floating. He walked and moved with confidence, but he was so relaxed and smooth that it didn't come across as anything but genuinely happy and comfortable. Throughout our night, I looked around and saw that people noticed him. Watched him. I generally blended into the crowd. I wondered what people thought of me, standing next to him? Or if I was making something out of nothing?

  It was addictive, the happy floating feeling he seemed to carry with him. I couldn't wait to run into him again.

  twenty-two

  I sat down at my machine in the costume shop in the theater building. I immediately slid on my headphones. It made it easier to tune out whatever was happening around me. I started on one of the long tunics for “A Man for All Seasons,” a period play about Thomas Moore. The costumes were boring, with natural colors and long robes. It made me even more thankful for the music.

  My costume class turned out to be my favorite, and not just because I always seemed to run into Noah in the theater building. I finally felt in my element and had something to contribute. In the two weeks since classes started, I'd been a teacher's aide more than anything else, and it made me realize how much I knew about garment construction. I'd taken my skills for granted because it came so easily.

  Noah's face came into my line of sight, startling me. I almost ran over my fingers before I remembered to take my foot off the pedal to stop the machine.

  I jumped back in my chair and had to take a few slow breaths to slow down my heart. “Hey.”

  “Hey.” He laughed. “A little overfocused, are we?”

  I shrugged. It was embarrassing to be caught like that, so absorbed in what I worked on. Noah had invited me out every evening last week. We'd gone to the bookstore, out to eat. We'd done nothing of consequence, and while he made me laugh, I had no idea what to expect from him. Was he interested? Not interested?

  “Leigh?” He leaned over the table, smiling at me. He looked at me more intently than he ever had.

  “Yeah?” I swallowed. My nerves suddenly made it hard to breathe.

  “I just wanted to tell you something before I head off to class.”

  I stared into his eyes that always seemed to be wrinkled at the outer edges from his smile. I waited for him to continue. He leaned over the desk and motioned for me to come forward. Apparently he didn't want anyone else to hear.

  “I like you, Leigh,” he whispered. Our faces nearly touched. So close I could feel the warmth from his cheek. We both supported our weight with our elbows on the sewing table.

  “Thanks. I like you too,” I whispered. My heart raced.

  He stopped smiling and touched my chin with his hand, immediately sending butterflies into flight. He leaned in just enough to kiss me softly on the lips. I closed my eyes and didn't move. He kissed me again. It had been close to two years since I'd kissed someone, and I suddenly felt as though I couldn't get enough. Noah just kissed me. It hit me again. I kept my face next to his, waiting to feel his lips again.

  “I have to get to class,” he whispered. “I hope to see you later today.” He touched his lips to my cheek, stood up, and disappeared up the stairs.

  I sat still and stunned before my face broke out into a smile. I realized I'd been holding my breath when I nearly had to gasp for air. The room was silent. When I glanced around, two girls sitting at sewing machines stared at me. My cheeks went red, embarrassed that our moment had been watched. I stuck my headphones back on. I looked down at the seam I was in the middle of and continued. His kiss played over and over in my head—the smell of him, the warmth of his face, his soft lips so careful against mine.

  The basement of the theater felt quiet. I'd been sewing all afternoon.

  “Good.” Noah smiled. “You're still here. I was worried you'd take off.”

  “Still here.” I stood up. The excitement of our first kiss was still the only thought running through my head.

  “I want to show you something. Will you come with me?” He leaned toward me, sending my insides into another flurry of butterflies.

  “Yeah.” As exciting as it felt to be getting that kind of attention from him, I also felt nervous.

  I followed him up the stairs. The hallways were dark.

  “In here.” He held open one of the back stage doors for me to go through.

  I stepped in, and everything went black. I stopped. “Is this some sort of trust exercise or something?” I laughed a short nervous laugh. My heart hammered. I was alone, in the dark, with Noah.

  “That wasn't my intention, no.” I felt his hand on my arm. “Follow me.”

  “Can you see?” I tried to tease.

  “I'm backstage in the dark a lot. I can see.” His voice was calm and sounded sure. He slid his hand down my arm and laced our fingers together.

  I followed him and took a deep breath in an attempt to relax. I was only partially successful, but it felt so fun and adventurous that I didn't mind the nerves. I enjoyed them.

  “Just a sec.” Noah touched my shoulder as an invitation to remain where I was. He walked away.

  I stood in the dark for what felt like an eternity. “You're not just leaving me out here, are you?” I teased. I tried to take a few relaxing breaths before he came back to me.

  “Definitely not.” His voice came from somewhere behind me.

  Suddenly I stood in a pool of soft, warm light.

  “Wow.” I breathed out. The whole theater was dimly lit by the yellow light surrounding me. I was in the middle of the stage, looking out at the rows of seats.

  “I just wanted you to understand this part of me a little.” I jumped when I felt his hand touch my back.

  “Sorry,” I apologized. “I didn't hear you.”

  “It's fine.” He stood next to me, facing me. “All I can think about is kissing you again.”

  I stepped forward and put my nose on his cheek. “Me too,” I whispered. It felt safer to say something like that when I couldn't see his face.

  His head turned, putting our lips together again. His arms came around me, pulling me toward him and deepening our kiss. I was very close to new territory for me, and I stepped back. I didn't want to break contact, just lessen it.

  Noah picked up on my movement. “I bought a huge salad for myself for dinner, would you like to share it?”

  “Love to.”

  He sat us both down on the edge of the stage where a bag sat, waiting for us. “Thank you for trusting me to come out here.”

  “So it was a trust exercise?”

  “Not intentionally, no.” He opened the bag and pulled out a large salad and two forks. “I just wanted you to know how much I like you, how much I want to spend time with you. That's all.”

  I felt flattered beyond words, but a bit overwhelmed. He scooted toward me and slow
ly put his arms around me. I didn't feel as if I deserved the look of admiration on his face.

  “Too much, Noah.” I shook my head.

  “Am I making you uncomfortable?” He leaned his head away from me and tried to look in my eyes.

  “I don't know.” I let myself look at him. Could I let myself believe he felt that way?

  He leaned toward me and just as softly as earlier, he kissed me. I felt every small movement as his lips slowly slid against mine. “I'm so glad you followed me out here in the dark.” His hand reached out and rested on the back of my neck. He pulled us together again.

  Races of electricity shot through me at every touch. His lips, his hands. After a year of sickness and seriousness and the kind of intensity that someone my age shouldn't have to deal with, I found myself in yet another amazing evening with Noah, and he'd done it all for me. I leaned toward him as he pulled away. I rested my hands on his sides, and then I put our lips together. What I really wanted to do was throw my arms around him and thank him for giving me a happy place of excitement, nerves, and butterflies to escape to. But I settled for another kiss.

  Megan walked in the front door just as I turned on the TV and slumped into the couch.

  “What's with you?” Her expression was one of amusement.

  “Noah's gone all weekend. His brother just got home from his mission.” I didn't know what to do with myself without Noah. We'd been spending all of our spare time together.

  “Leigh, you two have been nearly inseparable for a month. I'm sure you'll survive a weekend. Maybe we can have an actual Relief Society presidency meeting!”

  “What?” I looked over the back of the couch at her.

  “I've been trying to get us all together for over a month.”

  “You have? A month?” Had it been that long? Noah and I had been together that long? It seemed impossible. Time was flying.

  “Yes!” She laughed a little as she wandered into the kitchen. “Maybe Sunday after church?”

  “Sure,” I nodded. Megan was right, she and I had sat and talked about church stuff a few times, but I couldn't remember the last time the whole presidency had gotten together.

  “I'll see when I can get the other two together. I know Vanessa is pretty busy, but June is usually free. She's the secretary. We need her.” Megan was simply thinking out loud.

  “Okay,” I responded anyway, turning back toward the TV. Wow, a month.

  Megan, Vanessa, June, and I all sat down together in the living room.

  “Awesome.” Megan looked around. “Check us all out!”

  I heard a knock at the door just as Vanessa finished the prayer.

  “I'll get it,” June said. “You guys get started. It's probably just your next door boys, anyway.”

  “So, we need to pick a new teacher. Rachel is getting married,” Megan started. “Does anyone have any thoughts along those lines?”

  I ran through the girls’ names in my head. “Maybe if we went over a ward list?” I suggested.

  “Great idea.” Megan slid her list out of her binder.

  “Leigh, it's for you.” I heard June call.

  I looked over my shoulder to see Noah standing in my doorway.

  “Noah!” I jumped up, ran over, and threw my arms around him.

  “Been napping this afternoon?” He joked as he leaned away.

  I looked down. I was still in my sweats, cozy socks, and long sleeved tee from earlier in the day.

  “Yep. It was nice.” It felt so good to have him close again.

  “I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had a meeting going on in here, I just hoped to see you for a few minutes,” he shrugged.

  I bit my lower lip. I really wanted to spend a few minutes with him too. I looked back at Megan.

  “Just go, Leigh. You'll be worthless to us anyway, knowing Noah's waiting for you.” She gave me a dramatic, wide-eyed stare but then winked and continued on through the list.

  “Thanks, Megan!” I ran over and kissed her on the cheek. “You can catch me up when I get home.”

  “If I'm still awake.” She looked up at me.

  “Yeah, if you're still awake.” I grinned. After a weekend away, I knew I'd be in no hurry to cut our evening short.

  I looked back at Noah. “Should I change?”

  “Just throw on jeans.” He shrugged. “And maybe run a brush through your hair.” He laughed a little.

  Ugh, my jeans. Whatever. I ran back to my room and frantically looked around. I had to lie on my bed to zip them up. I grabbed the blouse I'd worn to church and a small fitted jacket and then headed back out.

  Noah slid his arm around my waist and half pulled me out the door. His lips were on mine as soon as it closed behind us.

  “Impatient, are we?” I teased. “You were only gone two days.”

  “Yes, but they were long days with my parents and my brother going on and on about Spain.” He rolled his eyes.

  “He's just excited, that's all. It's a big deal coming home from a mission.” Noah had done it. He should understand.

  “Yeah.” He kissed me again. “So, I was thinking… maybe we could go grab a shake or a dessert or something?”

  “It's Sunday, Noah.” Why would he ask?

  “Yes, but I just got back from vacation, and so it's still kind of like I'm on vacation…” he trailed off and looked down at me with his gorgeous green eyes. I couldn't say no.

  Jaron caught up to me on my walk home from school Monday afternoon.

  “How're things?” He smiled.

  “Are you my brother? Or my church leader?” I teased.

  “Just Jaron.” He bumped my shoulder with his.

  “Things are good. I'm glad I changed my schedule this year, I'm feeling less stressed. I have a lot more free time.” I watched my boots shuffle through the fresh snow on the sidewalk, leaving a trail of fresh Leigh footprints behind.

  “Do you still feel good about the switch?” he asked.

  “Yeah. I go to class, and I have something to contribute. I've taken my sewing talent for granted. Not everyone gets it the way I do. It took me a while to realize that.” I looked up at Jaron.

  “I'm happy for you, Leigh. And now with Noah… looks like things are going well.” I could see his dimples as he tried not to smile.

  I actually blushed a little. “Yeah, Noah's a lot of fun.”

  “How serious are you guys?”

  “What?” What was Jaron trying to ask? Or was I being para-noid? It felt nosy—too personal.

  “You're spending a lot of time together. I just figured it was getting serious.” He rested his arm comfortably over my shoulders. “I just want to know the guy a little if you think you two might get married.”

  “Wow. Well, right now we're having a lot of fun together. We haven't known each other that long.” How else to explain… “He's fun, Jaron. He makes me laugh, and it's been so long since I've spent time around someone who's relaxed and just wants to have fun.” We took a few steps in silence. “You and Megan?” They'd been out a few times, and I didn't know what else to say about Noah. It seemed safer to change the subject.

  “I really like her.” Jaron nodded. His face shifted from mine to his boots. His cheeks reddened. It was cute.

  “Good.” I felt happy for him.

  “I just want you to be careful, Leigh. Sometimes when you're not sure what you're doing or you're just having fun, that's when you get into trouble.” I could see Jaron staring at me out of the corner of my eye. I kept my gaze straight ahead.

  “So, now you are my church leader.” Why did he have to be watching so closely?

  “No, now I'm definitely your brother.”

  “Well, a little trust then, okay?” I knew he'd done a lot for me, but I was tired of feeling bad that his life had been rearranged for me. I could have come up to Provo all by myself, and then I wouldn't have to answer any of his questions. Jaron wouldn't see me out with Noah every night because I wouldn't be living next to him. I had just started to fe
el some delightful independence with Noah, and one simple comment reminded me of how closely I was watched. My phone rang, and I snatched it from my pocket, grateful for the interruption.

  “Guess who?” My brother laughed.

  I nodded.

  He took his arm back as we hit the end of our driveway. “Don't forget to be prayerful, even if you think it's silly and maybe not worth praying about.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” I rolled my eyes.

  Jaron jogged down the stairs to his apartment.

  I flipped open my phone. One missed call. Was Noah worth praying about? Was everything worth praying about? Jaron shouldn't worry. Noah and I were still in the beginnings of having fun together. We weren't serious.

  twenty-three

  “Ready, Leigh?” Megan called.

  “Ready.” I stepped out of my room.

  “You know how your brother is about starting on time.” She rolled her eyes but she also smiled. “I just wanted to warn you, you know, since you haven't spent a home evening with us in so long.”

  “I remember.” I partly wanted to be irritated over the comment of me being absent, but Megan's smile was genuine, as always, and I couldn't bring myself to be angry.

  I pulled my coat more tightly around me as we stepped outside and walked across the backyard to Stuart and Julie's place.

  “So, can you manage a presidency meeting sometime this week?” Megan asked as she opened the Rileys’ door.

  “Yeah, just let me know when.” Megan seemed to pick the most inconvenient times, so it seemed silly to try and give her my schedule. I didn't even know completely what it was yet. Wait. “Didn't we just meet?” We'd been interrupted by Noah, but it hadn't been that long ago.

  “You weren't there, Leigh.” Megan laughed a little, but it sounded forced. “And it was two weeks ago.”

  “It was?” I slid my coat off and set it on the pile. Everyone else must already be here.