PUMPKIN CARVING

Saturday the 28th of October

George rocks out to his electronic playlist while Percy focuses on finding the right driveway to turn down. Further along the road, there's a gravel driveway that leads to an old faded blue house. Annika, Samantha, Noah, Lea and some other people are gathered near the house.

"We're here." Percy proudly smiles.

We hope out the car and Percy races over to hug an older woman.

"Hi Granny."

She peers to the side and smiles.

"Who are these faces?"

"This is Charlie and Elle."

"Charlie?" She frowns and Noah coughs to hide his laughter.

"We're good friends now."

"Welcome to our annual pumpkin picking tradition. We love it when new people join us. You can call me Granny, everyone else does." She chuckles.

"Thanks." I tug on a smile.

"Let's find some pumpkins to carve," Lea shouts.

Everyone scatters into the small pumpkin patch behind the house. George and Elle wander away together, while Annika and Samantha stare at Noah while they pretend to look at pumpkins. I take a deep breath and wander into the field.

There's a good variety of sizes and shapes but I have no idea what to look for. I've always wanted to carve a pumpkin but never got around to doing it. I don't know why, perhaps because I had nobody to do it with.

I wish I could do this with Noah. We'll be near each other which is better than nothing.

There's a rustle of leaves and Granny appears beside me. I slap my hand over my heart and take a deep breath.

"I'm sorry to scare you."

"It's alright."

"Can we walk and talk?"

"Um, sure." I nod.

"I had to pry it from Noah but I know about you two."

"Oh." I look at the pumpkins and pretend to be interested to stop myself from looking scared.

"I'm worried about my son. This relationship could ruin his career. If the circumstances were different, I would feel different about the situation. I hope you understand where I'm coming from."

"I do understand and I can assure you, I would never do anything to ruin his career."

"Perhaps you'll consider pausing this relationship until you've graduated from school."

"I hear what you're saying and I'll take it under consideration."

"Noah is an adult and he can make his own decisions, but a mother never stops worrying about their children."

I know what I should do but I don't know if I can do it.

Granny sighs and points to a pumpkin.

"This is a good pumpkin for carving."

"Thank you for all the advice, but I'll keep looking."

I keep walking around until I bump into Percy who's struggling to carry two large pumpkins.

"Have you found one yet?"

"Um, what do you think about that one?" I point to a pumpkin and Percy shakes his head.

"Hey, Uncle Noah," Percy shouts. "Can you help Charlie find a pumpkin?"

Noah practically leaps over the pumpkins to get to us. Percy wanders away with the pumpkins while we smile at each other.

"I saw you talking to my mother."

"She wanted to talk about you and me."

"Don't listen to her. I want to be with you and I know the risks I'm taking."

"She's right."

"Let's find you a pumpkin and we can talk about it later."

"Okay." I nod.

We wander further along the pumpkin patch until I find a medium sized pumpkin which is the perfect shape. Noah pulls it from the vine and carries it back to the house. Now that everyone has a pumpkin, we pile into the cars and head to Percy's house.

* * * * *

The outdoor table is covered in pumpkin seeds and skin from our carving adventures. Samantha and Annika carved heart face emoji's while George and Elle's pumpkin lay on the floor in a broken heap because it fell off the table.

Percy's pumpkin is, well, I don't know what it is. Since this is my first pumpkin carving, I decided on the classic look which is much harder than I anticipated. I finish carving the eyes and grab a tea light candle and pop it inside.

"I can't wait to light these tonight." I smile.

"I keep forgetting you've never experience Halloween," Samantha comments.

"I'm so excited!" I bounce with excitement.

When Percy finishes destroying his pumpkin, we take them to the garden for a group photo. We stand in a line with our pumpkins while George and Percy lay on the ground. Lea takes heaps of photos and I end up with little black dots in my vision.

Once the photos are done, Lea brings the pumpkin pie out and Percy nabs the biggest slice for himself.

"I don't usually eat pie but Lea's pumpkin pie will always be the exception." Annika smiles.

"I've never had pumpkin pie."

"Have you even lived?" Samantha gasps.

"I regret saying that." I chuckle.

I taste a small bite and smile at the pumpkin and cinnamon flavour swirls across my palette. My eyes go wide and I moan with delight.

"This is freaking amazing."

"Welcome to the club." George laughs.

"Did you finally pick the movie for tonight? I'm not spending hours waiting for you to decide!" Samantha sighs.

"I picked a movie." He nods. "Is everyone staying over tonight? I have some alcohol saved from the last party I threw."

"I'm going home," I comment.

"No way!" Annika frowns.

"I don't have any pjs."

"You can borrow mine, I always pack a second set."

"I should really go home."

"Don't be a party pooper." Percy frowns.

"Please stay, it'll be so much fun," Elle adds.

I raise my hands which silences them. "Fine, I'll stay."

Once we've eaten, Percy and George are in charge of setting up for the movie while we're left cleaning the mess which isn't too bad since the table is covered in plastic.

We head inside and Samantha leads the way to Percy's bedroom so that we can change. As we pass the kitchen, Lea and Granny go quiet which makes my stomach churn.

"Thank you for the pie, Lea, it was amazing as always." Samantha smiles.

"Thank you." Lea grins.

If Granny knows, then I assume Lea does as well. I don't think she'll ever like me now.

I follow them upstairs and into Percy's bedroom. Samantha, Elle and Annika throw their bags onto Percy's bed and shuffle through the content. I figured the no pj thing would mean I could go home but I'm stupid for believing that'll ever work.

Samantha tosses me a set of mint silk pjs with white lace. I hold up the booty shorts and internally groan. Granny and Lea are going to think the worst of me.

"They're my summer set, but the fire will be going and there's blankets."

"Thanks, Samantha." I force a smile.

I change and sigh because I'm the only one in mini shorts and a singlet. I feel so exposed. I do my best to hide behind the girls as we walk past the kitchen. However, the mint green isn't a subtle colour.

Thankfully Noah is in the kitchen.

"Hi, Noah." Samantha waves.

Our eyes meet and Noah almost chokes on his slice of pumpkin pie. Samantha grins while I zoom outside and into the freezing cold.

"Charlie come back, we need help with the food."

I slowly backtrack and take a bowl from Elle before racing outside. It's just Noah but I don't want Lea or Granny to walk out and see me like this.

As we're walking through the garden, Samantha curses under her breath.

"I forgot the drinks in the fridge."

She looks at me and I reluctantly nod. I spin around and head inside. I wish Granny and Lea weren't here so I could sneak some time away with Noah.

I open the door and Granny and Noah look at me.

"Samantha left her drinks in the fridge."

She grabs them from the fridge and slides them across the table.

"Thanks."

With my head hung low, I run away with the drinks. I could do with some alcohol right now.

* * * * *

The killer jumps from the bush and a scream rips through the air. It's only when Annika passes me another shot of vanilla flavoured vodka, that I realise it was me screaming. I take a deep breath and knock the shot back.

Poor George, he's had so much to drink, he's no longer phased by Percy's attempts to scare him. Now he's turned his attention to me since Annika doesn't scare easily and Samantha threatened to chop his balls off.

My stomach churns and roll off the bed and stagger away.

"Where are you going?" Percy laughs.

"To make friends with the bushes and a bottle of water."

"Do you want company?" Elle offers.

"I'd prefer to die alone, but thank you for the offer."

I take a bottle of water and my phone and leave them be. Somebody screams while I empty my stomach behind a bush. I wash my mouth with water and message Noah. Within minutes, he's standing in front of me with a blanket.

He wraps it around my body, then pulls me to his chest. I wrap my arms around his warm body and snuggle in.

"How much have you had to drink?"

"Far too much." I groan.

Noah leads me through the garden and we sit on a wooden bench. He kisses my forehead and I snuggle into his chest.

I wish things were different. Why does he have to be my teacher?

"Should we talk about what your mother said?"

"We could wait until tomorrow."

"I don't want to wait anymore."

"Then tell me this is what you want."

"I know that I don't want to hurt you. If Granny knows, then who else? What happens if the wrong people find out? What happens if this ruins your reputation, your career? Will you still want me if I'm your downfall?"

Noah's olive green gaze pierces me with such intensity, my stomach churns.

"I will always want you, Charlie."

"Perhaps we could wait until the end of the school year? We could treat this like a long distant relationship?"

Noah shakes his head, then cups my cheek.

"I can't wait that long."

"Perhaps this is the universe telling us we're not supposed to be together? I'm moving back to Australia at the end of the year."

I take a deep breath and huddle deeper under the blanket. I wasn't supposed to fall in love with anyone, just be here long enough to know that Dad will be okay.

"We'll work it out when the time comes."

"Noah."

"Charlie."

"We need to be practical."

He cups my face and turns it back to him.

"Just say yes, Charlie."

Our lips inch closer and his warm breath fans across my skin. A tear trickles down my cheek and he wipes it away with his thumb. I press my lips to his and sniffle. His arms wrap around my body and I melt in his grip.

"Yes," I mumble. "Yes."

Noah's grip tightens as he hungrily kisses me. I'm consumed by his passion which fuels the desire roaming within me. I slide my hands under his jumper and press them against his warm skin.

Something smashing and we jump apart. Noah pulls me to his chest and we peer into the darkness. Lea is standing at the end of the pathway with her mouth wide open.

"Is it too late to say no?"

"Yes."

Noah pulls me to my feet and we walk inside with Lea. She paces the length of the dining room while Noah keeps an iron grip on my hand.

"Please tell me you're not dating your student."

"I am."

She dramatically drapes her arm over her forehead and mutters something under her breath.

"Do you understand how dangerous this is? What is someone else caught you?" She freezes mid-walk. "Shouldn't you be watching a movie?"

"It's fine."

"Nothing about this is fucking fine, Noah!" she shouts.

"Shut your mouth otherwise it'll be a fucking problem."

"I can't watch you destroy your life, Noah."

"Then close your eyes because nothing you say will change my mind."

"How could you do this to Percy?"

"It's complicated, Lea."

Lea turns to me and my heart races.

"If you care about my brother, you'll stop sneaking around."

Noah's hand tightens and I wince.

"You're so judgmental, Lea."

"Am I the only rational one in the room?"

I sniffle and Noah pulls me to his chest. He runs his fingers through my hair and strokes my lower back. His heart is racing against his chest.

"It'll be you who takes the fall for this."

"Noah, I need to go."

His arms tighten around me and he shakes his head. Noah nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck and his breath tickles my skin. He inhales a deep breath, then turns to Lea.

"I understand the risks of exploring the feelings I have for Charlie, but leaving the house every day is a risk. I have many regrets in life, but this will never be one, even if it explodes in my face. I understand you can't support me, but I ask that you don't tell anyone else."

Lea sighs as she nods.

"For your sake, I hope things don't end badly."

Noah wraps his arm around my waist and holds me. He kisses my forehead and smiles.

"I have a feeling everything will be fine."

"Said the lovesick fool." Lea rolls her eyes.

"If you're done, can I have a moment with Charlie alone?"

Lea leaves the room and I exhale and collapse against Noah.

"I can't tell if that went good or bad."

"Please don't listen to them. I want you – us."

"I want you too." I sniffle.

"That's all I need to hear."

I hook my arm around Noah's neck and lose myself in his warm embrace. His hands explore my body while my tongue explores his. He squeezes me and I inhale that intoxicating scent of chamomile and peppermint.

"I should make an appearance otherwise they might think I've died."

"You should."

"I can't handle anyone else finding out." I sigh.

"Goodnight, Charlie."

Noah opens the back door and I head back to the others.

I should say no, I should put some space between us, but I'm in too deep now and I don't know if I can break my own heart.