noahhawthxrne

[noahhawthxrne]

WHERE: Dolly’s Diner WITH: Open

It's crazy to him that even after twelve years away, everything about Great Falls feels exactly the same to Noah Hawthorne as he sits in Dolly's Diner, enjoying a slice of his favorite pie. The only thing that's changed, perhaps, is the way Noah looks in the sleepy Montana town. Over a decade ago, he left as a quiet, dejected teen who always had his nose in a book and dreamed of one day blasting off to outer space with NASA. Now, he's back as a successful defense attorney looking to open his own practice in the very place where his passion for law started— and he’s far from quiet. "It's been twelve years, and this pie still tastes exactly the same,” he says to no one in particular as he stabs his fork into another piece, "Place looks the same too."

[noahhawthxrne]

WHERE: Willow Creek Ranch WITH: @junebug-hawthorne​

It’s a quarter to midnight and Noah is still perched in the bed of an old pick-up, eyes turned towards the big, Montana sky. He’s been out there for hours, passing the time with his younger sister and catching up without hardly uttering a word. That was simply how the dynamic always was between them— in many ways, they said everything without ever saying anything at all. But when his stomach gives a low rumble, Noah finally breaks his silence and glances over at June, “Got any rice krispies left?” He asks, setting his camera and telescope aside with a sigh. Though it’s been two weeks, it’s still odd being back home after twelve years. He’s hardly the same person who left all those years ago, but his love for the night sky hasn’t dwindled. If anything, he’s itching to get back into astrophotography— it’s why he’s dragged June out here when she literally could have been anywhere else. Squinting in the dim moonlight, he catches a glimpse of what he now considers a museum piece— the tiny, cheap telescope he bought June years ago when it was all he could afford. Snorting a laugh, Noah reaches for it, “I can’t believe you still have this thing.” Pointing it up at the stars above, he squints into the eyepiece and chuckles, “Can barely see shit.”

[noahhawthxrne]

WHERE: Sawyer’s Office WITH: @sawyerdecker​

Although he’s been back in town for two weeks, he has yet to venture out too much on account of getting settled into his new apartment and piecing together his law practice. But today he’s finally ready to take a break from all the preparations and drop in on arguably one of his best friends, Sawyer Decker. Dressed in one of his usual suits and armed with a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of roses, he makes his way to Sawyer’s office. He's being extra, per usual, but it's part of what makes their friendship work so effortlessly. Once he chats his way past Sawyer’s assistant, Noah doesn't bother knocking and lets himself inside, “You know, there’s just something about the smell of cow shit that really makes this place feel like home," he muses aloud, his voice taking on a sing-song quality as he announces his presence, “Surprise.” Shrugging his shoulders, Noah grins wide and steps deeper into her office, “I would have called, but catching you off guard is way more fun.” He holds out the roses and champagne, and gives a small, polite bow, “For you.”

[noahhawthxrne]

REGE-JEAN PAGE ( 2021)