CHAPTER 13. Developing feelings

  He followed her finger and overlooked the beautiful country. The mass of forest, and he even caught sight of a lake—it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

  “Wow,” he said.

  “It’s pretty awesome right? Bird watchers come here, hikers, and photographers alike. They all love the view, and it’s so magical.”

  He saw it. Noah saw it all. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

  “I come here to think about the world, and what I’d like to be. This, the beauty, the nature, it puts everything into perspective.”

  Noah stared at her, and he was struck by how beautiful she was. “Yeah, it really does.”

  **

  “Where are you going?” her mother asked.

  Elsa glanced across the kitchen island to see her mother staring at her.

  “To a friend.” She tapped her bag. “We’ve got to work on our English assignment.”

  “Oh? you didn’t say anything about going out today.”

  “I’ll be back for dinner.”