I'll take care of you.

Noah

As soon as I laid eyes on Lily, something shifted within me. It was like the world around us dimmed, and all I could see was her. Her presence was magnetic, drawing my attention like a moth to a flame. We were at the dinner table, my mother, my brother Ethan, and me. But as hard as I tried to focus on the conversation, my gaze kept drifting back to Lily.

"Pass the salt, Noah," Ethan said, breaking through my trance.

I nodded absentmindedly, handing him the salt without tearing my eyes away from Lily. She was chatting animatedly with my mother, her smile illuminating the room. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to hear her laugh, to see her eyes light up with joy.

"Is everything alright, Noah?" My mother's voice brought me back to reality.

I blinked, realizing I had been staring for too long. "Uh, yeah, everything's fine," I replied quickly, hoping they hadn't noticed my distraction.

But deep down, I knew that everything was far from fine. Lily had captivated me in a way I couldn't explain. It was like I was under some sort of spell, unable to tear myself away from her.

"So, Noah," my mother began, "did you hear about the new neighbors moving in next door?"

I seized the opportunity to subtly inquire about Lily. "No, I hadn't heard. Who are they?"

"They're a young couple," my mother replied, glancing at Lily briefly before continuing, "I think their names are Rielle and Mark. They seem quite nice."

Riells and Mark. The name echoed in my mind absent-mindedly. I wanted to know more about Lily, everything she did. But how could I without seeming too obvious?

"Are you interested in meeting them, Noah?" Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "No," I said, bluntly.

My mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of Lily. I knew that I had to find out more about her, to unravel the mystery behind those enchanting eyes and as the evening wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was meant to be a part of my life in some way.

An hour later, As I stepped into the laundry room, my heart quickened its pace. Lily, the woman who had captured my heart, was here. I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mingled with a hint of nervousness. I had been searching for her for what felt like an eternity, and now, here she was, right before my eyes.

I watched her from the corner of the room, hidden in the shadows, as she gracefully folded clothes. The soft glow of the overhead light illuminated her features, highlighting the delicate curve of her jawline and the way her hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves. She was truly a sight to behold, and in that moment, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe wash over me.

As I observed her, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was intruding on a private moment. Yet, I couldn't tear my gaze away. There was something mesmerizing about the way she moved, each motion deliberate yet effortless, as if she were performing a delicate dance.

Lost in my thoughts, I almost didn't notice when she spoke, her voice breaking the silence like a gentle melody.

"Is someone there?" She asked, her tone soft yet tinged with curiosity.

Startled, I hesitated for a moment before stepping out from the shadows. "It's me, Noah," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she turned to face me, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks.

"Noah," she repeated, her voice barely more than a breath.

I took a step closer, unable to resist the magnetic pull that drew me to her. "I've been looking for you," I admitted, my heart pounding in my chest.

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she continued to fold the clothes in her hands.

"I've been here all along," she said, her gaze meeting mine.

I couldn't help but feel a surge of relief wash over me at her words. For so long, it had felt like I was searching for something elusive, something just out of reach. But now, here she was, right in front of me, as if she had been waiting for me all along.

Without another word, I closed the distance between us, reaching out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from her face. She leaned into my touch, her eyes sparkling with emotion.

In that moment, as we stood there together in the quiet solitude of the laundry room, I knew that I had finally found what I had been searching for all along. And as I looked into her eyes, I knew that I never wanted to let her go.

“I… I should go.” She stuttered out suddenly.

I released her, watching her go. As I stood there, watching Lily walk away from me, a sense of emptiness settled in my chest. It was like a piece of me was being torn away with each step she took, leaving behind a void that seemed impossible to fill. I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret and sadness at the thought of her leaving my side.

"Wait," I wanted to call out, to beg her to stay, but the words caught in my throat, choked by the weight of my own insecurities and doubts. Instead, I stood there silently, watching as she disappeared into the distance, her figure growing smaller and smaller until she was nothing but a distant memory.

But even as she left, I made a silent promise to myself. A promise that no matter what happened, no matter where life took us, I would always look out for her. Because in that moment, I realized that she wasn't just someone I cared about; she was a part of me, woven into the very fabric of my being. And I would never let her go.

"I'll always be here for you, Lily," I whispered to the empty air, hoping that somehow she could hear me, even though she was miles away.

"No matter what happens, I'll never stop caring about you. You're a part of me now, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect that."

And with that silent vow, I turned away from the empty laundry room, knowing that no matter what the future held, I would always hold a special place in my heart for Lily.