Noah kept apologizing for getting upset about his parents last night. In the end I had to remind him that I’d ended up blubbing all over him within an hour of us meeting so it just meant we were even. But, actually, it feels like so much more than that. When you cry in front of someone, when you show them your most vulnerable side, it shows that you really trust them. It’s so strange because, even though I still don’t really know very much about Noah, on some deeper level it feels like I’ve known him forever. Is this what it means when people talk about meeting their soul mate?
I get the sudden urge to write a blog post. Creeping down from my bunk, I go over to my suitcase and take out my laptop. Bella is curled up on her bed fast asleep, hugging the new teddy that Santa brought her. I gently pull her cover over her, then take my laptop back up to my bunk and log on to my blog.
25 December
Do You Believe in Soul Mates?
Hey, guys!
Happy Christmas!
I hope wherever you are, and whoever you’re with, you’re having a great one.
Loads of you have asked me to write more about Brooklyn Boy and I could really do with your advice, so here goes.
I’ve always thought that the idea of soul mates—the idea that there’s someone out there especially for you—sounds so cool and romantic, but I’ve never imagined it happening to me.
Like, I could imagine that somewhere in the 7 billion people on the planet there may be a boy who’s just right for me, but knowing my luck he’d be living in the middle of the Amazon rain forest or a desert in Ethiopia and our paths would never meet.
But then I met Brooklyn Boy.
And the weirdest thing has happened.
Even though I’ve only known him for a few days, in many ways, in important ways, it feels as if I’ve known him forever.
So, I still don’t know who his favorite band is, or his favorite flavor ice cream, but I do know that I can tell him anything.
And I know that I can cry in front of him and show him my weak side and I know that he won’t judge me at all.
And I know that he can cry in front of me and show me his weak side and I won’t judge him either—it just makes me like him even more.
It’s so hard to try to describe how I’m feeling. The best way to put it is that when I’m with him I feel like I’ve met my matching person.
Like Cinderella and Prince Charming.
Or Barbie and Ken. (Hmm, not sure that’s such a great example but you know what I mean.)
Can any of you relate to what I’m saying?
Have any of you felt this way before?
Do you think he might be my soul mate?
Could I really have been lucky enough to meet the one for me? And not have to go trekking through a rain forest or desert to find him!
Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Lots of love,
Girl Online, going offline xxx
PS: If you haven’t already worked it out, I’m still here—in New York! We’ve been able to stay until New Year’s Day. And we’re staying in Brooklyn Boy’s house!! Fairy tales really can happen
Chapter Thirty-One
After posting my blog, I’m just starting to drift off to sleep when I’m woken by a text alert. My first thought, as I fumble for my phone, is Elliot. But the text’s from Noah.
Did Santa come . . . ?
Oh yes, Bella and I were up at 5:30 emptying our stockings!
Man! I can’t believe you opened them without me! Meet me in the kitchen
Evidence that Noah is my soul mate
1. I am able to cry in front of him.
2. He is able to cry in front of me.
3. Every time I see him it feels as if another part of us is slotting into place
4. It’s like we’re a “matching pair.” (Kind of like curtains but way more romantic!)
5. When he asks me to meet him in the kitchen first thing in the morning, I don’t panic about what I look like with zero makeup and bed-hair. I just pull on my snow leopard onesie and head straight down there.
In the kitchen, Sadie Lee and Dad are combining cooking forces and it smells amazing. Noah is seated at the round pine table in the corner, wearing a baseball top and sweatpants. As soon as he sees me, he gives me an extra-dimply grin and pulls back the chair next to him.
“Merry Christmas, Penny!” he says as I sit down. “Cute outfit.”
“Thank you. I thought snow leopard would be a good Christmas Day look.” I laugh. “Merry Christmas.”
“Penny!” Dad and Sadie Lee chorus, turning from the huge stove to greet me. “Merry Christmas!”
If today were a Christmas movie, then this morning would be the bit where it cuts to a soft-focus montage of super-happy scenes, while “Jingle Bells” plays in the background. All of us laughing and joking and comparing stocking gifts around the breakfast table. Noah and I building a “snow princess” for Bella in the back garden. Dad joining us for a snowball fight. Mum and I helping Sadie Lee peel about a million Brussels sprouts. The only thing that stops it from being totally perfect is that I still haven’t heard anything from Elliot. When I tried calling him earlier, it went straight to voicemail and I’ve sent him four texts. It’s now two o’clock in the afternoon New York time, which means it’s evening in London. Why has he gone all day without wishing me a merry Christmas?
As Noah and I set the dining-room table for dinner, I check my phone for the umpteenth time.
“Is everything all right?” Noah says.
“Yes. I’m just a little bit worried because I haven’t heard from Elliot today.” I put my phone back in my pocket and carry on laying napkins at each place setting.