Chapter 11 : Lincoln (Past)

Dexter's house was a pandemonium.

It was packed with guests, music played in the background and he could hear laughter and muffled noises. Lincoln had been to so many parties but this is the first time he'd organized one. He could hardly move through the crowd, but gently pushed people as he tried to get to the spot where the others were.

He finally got to the terrace, this was one of the many balconies and terraces Dexter's mansion had. Since this was the smallest only their club members were allowed here. When Lincoln entered, he realized someone was missing. Ash leaned against the railing admiring the mountain scenery Dexter's place had. Sally, Destry and Dexter were talking to each other, seated at a table. The table was like the ones he'd see in parks and gardens, the bottom was covered in artificial grass, it must've cost a lot to buy. Dexter wasn't like other spoiled rich people; Lincoln didn't let him be. He wouldn't flash his money around but is always there when money is needed.

Dexter waved at him once he spotted Lincoln. He waved back and made his way to the table. He gave Ash a greeting, which he returned and took a seat next to his childhood best friend. "Sorry I was late. Today is my parent's anniversary dinner, so I had to help my mum with a few things. She kept apologizing for taking my time, but I didn't mind. I kept telling her it was fine and that she always comes first." Lincoln said with a chuckle.

Dexter nodded. "Ah so very true, not everyone is lucky to have parents like yours. They always come first." He spoke. Sally and Destry nodded in agreement. "I wished I was that lucky..." Destry said while looking down. It was true, Destry's parents don't deserve to be called parents. He's always alone at home and is never acknowledged even if they are around. He keeps feeling as if he was their mistake, and is only fed by them, which orphanages are successful at doing too.

"I can't argue with that," Lincoln said referring to what Dexter had said about his parents. Destry didn't misunderstand what Lincoln had said. He then remembered what happened an hour before coming here.

"Ah, I'm done," Destry exclaimed as they put in the last decoration in Dexter's living room. He stretched and smiled. "This party is going to be a blast." He said and Lincoln nodded in agreement. "Well, I should be going now, I promised I'd be home early today. We should get ready too, we can't be going to the party like this." Lincoln said with a chuckle. "Yeah, let's go, I should give these keys to Dexter before doing so. Catch you later!" Destry said as Lincoln left the house.

His house was just across Dexter's so it'll barely take a minute to reach it. He entered the house and announced, "I'm home." "Welcome back Lin" His mother called out from the kitchen. Lincoln rushed to the kitchen and hugged her. He then gave a kiss on her cheek and wished with a smile, "Happy Anniversary."

Lincoln's mother beamed with joy. "Thank you, sweetie. I'm happy you came on time. Your dad and sister went shopping, they'll come to pick me once they're done." His mother told him excitedly. "Awesome," Lincoln said, reflecting her excitement.

"You have a party today, right?" His mom asked. "Yes, in an hour. I need to get ready quickly." Lincoln answered. And moved to his room. "Was I the first who wished?" Lincoln called out. "After your dad yes!" Lincoln's mother replied. "Good, I thought Kate beat me!" Lincoln replied. Lincoln's mother laughed. "You're nineteen yet you act just like a kid." His mother replied.

Kate was younger than Lincoln by a year. She is his sister and best friend. They argue a lot but still, look out for each other. "Honey after your done getting ready can you help me with something? I'll try to make it quick." His mother asked. Lincoln smiled, "Of course mum."

"So where is Naomi?" Lincoln asked, snapping back to reality, taking a sip of water. Dexter rubbed his chin, "I think she said something about getting herself a drink. Could you go check on her? Maybe she's lost." He spoke. Lincoln chuckled, "Typical Naomi." He replied. "Yeah, which is why she would need you to always be with her so she isn't lost," Dexter said, and the others laughed. Lincoln blushed and got up. "Let me get her then."

He then briskly made his way out of the terrace. Naomi may just be hanging out in one of the balconies alone as she liked it.

The house had about fifty people which made it hard for one to locate who he wanted. Lincoln, however, kept his theory in mind and went to look for the balconies in the house. On his way there he found a table with glasses and drink dispensers, he went ahead and got two glasses of soda and continued his search for Naomi.

After what seemed like hours, but in reality, just ten minutes, he finally found Naomi, all alone, leaning against the railing of a balcony and staring into the night sky.

He couldn't help but admire the scenery, especially the woman inside it. The moonlight reflected off Naomi's gorgeous green eyes, her purple hair shined too, blending into the night sky. Her shoulder cut out blue dress matched her look; he just couldn't take his eyes off her.

"I figured you'd come to look for me," Naomi said, breaking the moment. Lincoln looked away, "What do you mean? Dexter made me get you, so here I am." He replied. He wondered why he was being so defensive. After all Lincoln liked Naomi no more than a...

Friend...

He could keep telling himself that, but was it true? He didn't know the answer to that. But as he found himself admiring Naomi's beauty, he thinks, maybe there was more to his feelings for her than he thought.

"Oh, I see," Naomi replied, she took the drink in his hand and went back to watching the scenery. Was she disappointed? Lincoln's drink remained untouched. "Yeah..." He said and joined Naomi near the railing. She didn't turn to look at him, her eyes fixated on the stars. Lincoln wondered what she was thinking about.

He was so close; a million thoughts ran by his mind. Her beauty overwhelmed him, "So beautiful." He whispered and instantly regretted it. I said that out too loud. It slipped from his mouth before he had the chance to take it back.

Naomi remained calm but turned to him. "What was that?" She asked finally making eye contact with him. "Nothing," Lincoln spoke quickly, his heart pounding against his chest. She looked away and started playing with her hair, it was so cute. Suddenly he was surprised by his thoughts. Why was he thinking like this all of a sudden?

Lincoln looked almost calm on the outside but struggling inside.

"Thank you," Naomi whispered, interrupting Lincoln's train of thoughts. It took him a while to register what she said before he smiled a little. He made no move to respond, he didn't know what to say, he didn't intend to ruin the moment.

"Dexter didn't send you to get me, did he?" Naomi asked, breaking the silence. What did she want to hear? Should he lie? "No." He found himself saying anyways. "No, I just came to see you because I was worried you might be alone," Lincoln added. He didn't know why he was saying all this. But it might be what she wanted to hear. Naomi didn't turn to him, "On your own will..." She muttered in a volume he would normally not be able to hear.

What? He thought to himself. Suddenly he could hear the conversations from inside the house. The gossiping of girls, people saying how much they loved each other, he also heard some complaints about how there were no alcoholic drinks in the party.

He turned to the mountains, and Naomi followed his line of sight. "The hideout should be somewhere around there." Lincoln pointed, and he saw Naomi nodding from the corner of his eyes. "Second Home. That's what we'll call it. A group of friends now a family." He said, trying his best to ignore all the voices and sounds he could now hear. "And we'll always be with each other, no matter what. Protect each other. Help each other..." Lincoln added but was cut off when Naomi chuckled.

"Where are you getting all this from?" She asked. Lincoln turned to her, smiled and shrugged. "You need to smile more often; it beats the scenery." He spoke, his heart racing at his own words. "Uh-huh, sure," Naomi said while nervously playing with her hair. "It's true," Lincoln said with another smile.

She then turned and looked directly into his eyes and his heart skipped a beat. "Family huh?" Naomi asked, smiling again. Lincoln nodded, "It'll be fun." He said with a sigh, imagining it in a different context. "I don't do fun," Naomi spoke, but before he could say another word, her lips met his, brushing against them softly. His eyes went wide, his heart raced again as he tried comprehending what was happening.

His chest warmed with love, he places his arm in the back of her head and kissed her passionately. Music played in his ears as his heart wouldn't stop pounding in his chest. He slowly realized, the feelings he was having towards Naomi, were the same feelings she had towards him. The kiss told it all.