Chapter 12

Chapter Ten
That Is A Fantastic Idea!
The rest of the week passed with me not talking to Noah whatsoever. He could tell I needed space which he gave me but he also made a few attempts to talk to me at which I would simply turn around, slam my locker in his face, or walk away.
This probably seems very extra and dramatic but it wasn't to me. Okay, maybe it was a little bit but every time I looked at him now, all I could see was him falling off a cliff which sounds just as messed up as it's making me.
Here I was thinking I'm not attached when clearly I already am.
This was what I was avoiding. Now I hardly know much about the guy, nor are we very close but I'm already attached seeing as his one minor comments has throw me into a fit of paranoia.
I am not an idiot; I know Noah isn't just going to fall off a cliff or the face of the earth but thinking about having to be around him means I will eventually get more attached the further the friendship grows and that means more burden and worry and concern for him and his stupid wellbeing.
This is all very confusing. I'm not saying I'm going to stop making friends and live in an abandoned cottage in the middle of the forest on some deserted island so I don't have to risk getting to know people.
It's hard to explain. Noah... even Luke, they're people I can see myself getting too dependent on and I just don't want to hurt them even if it's unintentional.
"Princess, what's wrong?" Luke asked in Functions, our math class that we had together along with Noah.
Ever since I moved here Luke started sitting with me and Noah would sit in front or behind us. The teacher was very chill so Noah would end up turning his chair around and we would all sit together, finish the work and spend most of the class arguing because Luke would start talking about what Disney show was better and why the earth is flat and other bizarre things.
This whole week however, Noah stayed turned around and facing the front of the class, quietly doing his own work- because he knew I did not want to talk to him -until Luke would start asking him stupid math questions.
Luke whispered but I knew Noah heard because I saw his body tense.
"Nothing, Luke." I mumbled quietly, focusing on my work that I really did not understand at all so it was useless.
"I know you're lying." He responded curtly in a tone that told me I wouldn't be able to convince him otherwise. "You've been extra quiet almost all week, what's wrong?"
I looked at Luke and gave him a small, forced smile, "Really, nothing. I'm fine."
Luke narrowed his eyes, "Then we're all going to go get ice cream after school," he stated firmly.
I scoffed and looked back to my work, "I'm busy after school."
"Doing what?" He retorted. I knew he wasn't buying anything I said to him.
"Functions, Luke. I am going to be doing my functions homework because I suck at this and have no idea what I'm doing." I gave him a tight lipped smile.
"Then you can come to Noah's after ice cream!" Luke quickly exclaimed, smiling brightly. "He's the best at math so he can tutor you." Noah froze in his seat in front of us, pretending he couldn't hear. That was until Luke dragged him into the conversation, "Right, Noah? You'll tutor Tiffany?"
Noah turned around and looked at Luke and then at me. I glanced away from him and gave Luke another forced smile, "Luke, that's okay. I think I can mana-"
"That is a fantastic idea, Luke!"
The three of us looked up to see the teacher smiling at us, standing right in front of mine and Luke's desks. "Sorry to say Ms.Vos but if you don't pass the next test with above 70%, I'm not sure you'll be able to get your credit." The teacher looked at Noah, "Mr.Coates, I've noticed you two are friends so I'm sure you won't mind tutoring Ms.Vos, correct?"
Noah glanced at me and then slowly shrugged, "Whatever Tiffany wants."
The teacher gave me a knowing look that said I can't get out of this one. "Yup." I smiled the most fake smile I could muster because I really wanted to scream. "Sounds good, Mr.Donaldson."
He nodded in approval before walking off.
"Okay, sounds like a plan!" Luke chimed happily. "I'll let the rest of the group know we're getting ice cream after school and then we can go to Noah's. The test is next week so you may want to start the tutor sessions now since... well, you're right. You do suck at functions, princess." Luke smiled his bright smile as he pulled out his phone and started typing a text in a groupchat.
I glanced at Noah who was looking at me, guilty and concerned, maybe even slightly scared.
I refrained from rolling my eyes and glued my gaze to the work in front of me that I couldn't understand for the life of me.
"Luke really, I can meet you guys later. I just want to go home and take a quick power nap before the tutoring, you know?" I gave him an innocent look, hoping he would let me off the hook.
Luke firmly shook his head, "It's ice cream, princess! And it's on me so come on, sleep is for the weak."
Leo gave me an apologetic smile but remained amused, "Trust me, you won't be able to get out of this one. But think of the bright side- free ice cream."
I huffed a breath in annoyance as I followed the two boys to Leo's car. "You know, I have a lot of ice cream at home."
"Boo who," Luke mumbled as we got into the car. "Free ice cream is better."
"That is free ice cream!" I exclaimed, baffled. "My dad bought it, I didn't."
"Okay, in that case, ice cream bought by Luke is better." Luke grinned at me through the rearview mirror as he started driving.
"Not a fan of ice cream, Tiff?" Leo looked at me with a questioning look. Leo was a good kid. He always had my back when it came to Luke pestering me about stupid things. Him and Luke acted like brothers which I thought was nice because Leo would yell at Luke but you would always know he wasn't seriously annoyed.
I crossed my arms over my chest, "I love ice cream."
"That's the least convincing thing I've ever witnessed." Leo laughed. "Does this have to do with Noah?"
"Noah?" my eyebrows pulled together in confusion as I looked at Leo. How did he know? I doubt Noah would go and tell them what happened between us.
"You two aren't the only observant ones, princess." Luke looked at me through the mirror again, smiling lightly. "The past few days you two have been avoiding each other like you're afraid you'll knock over a million dominoes."
Leo nodded in agreement, "It's not too obvious but as people who hang out with you two everyday, it's easy to catch on to the tension."
"Sexual tension." Luke muttered. "Lots and lots of sexual tension between the two of you." Then, Luke's eyes widened in realization, "Wait! Is it post-sex tension? Did you guys like hook up and now you're confused on what it means and it's all awkward because you've seen each other naked and-"
I quickly cut Luke off as Leo started laughing like an idiot, "No, no, no! Shut up, Luke! There was no sex and there is no tension!"
Leo scoffed once he calmed down from the fit of laughs, "Sureeee," he dragged the word out, not believing my words. "Something happened. Sex or not, there's tension."
I chose to ignore them and look out the window. A few minutes later we arrived at the ice cream parlour.
When I got out of the car I was quickly hit with a gust of cold wind that caused me to shiver. I reached into my bag and grabbed a coat, barley seeing it as I was shoving it on because Luke had grabbed me and started pulling me to the store.
After getting our ice creams and meeting up with the rest of the group, we sat down in a booth.
The whole time we were there I avoided Noah's gaze as he kept glancing at me. It was awkward and made me anxious because I knew I was getting dragged to his house right after this thanks to Luke.
Even if I found an excuse not to go, Luke would never let me get out it. As much as I was starting to grow fond of him, he was a pestering little devil that.
"I haven't seen you wear a leather jacket since Saratoga. I thought you left all of them behind." I looked at Ezra and then looked down when I realized he was talking to me. Leather jacket?
Holy fuck.
I am such an idiot.
Like completely out of my mind, bizarre stupid.
The coat I had grabbed from my bag when getting out of the car, I didn't even realize was Noah's coat that Cade had given me that Noah had told me to keep that day after school.
Ezra looked at me with the most flustered expression, confused when I quickly shrugged the coat off. Maybe that's why Noah kept glancing at me.
I felt so stupid it was nauseating me. I wanted to slap myself. I know it wasn't that big of a deal when you look at it but put yourself in my shoes and acknowledge how awkward and weird it is that I'm mad at Noah and ignoring him yet I am wearing his coat while our whole friend group is hanging out together. He's probably confused and I don't know how to explain because an idiot would say 'oh hey, I didn't know I put your coat on because it's not like it's too big for me or something that I wear every single day'.
I felt his gaze on me when I pulled the coat off and let it rest beside me.
The rest of the time at the ice cream parlour went by fairly quickly. I zoned out of the conversation, letting my mind escape into the possibilities of what would happen when Noah and I were left alone until I finally decided it wouldn't happen because Luke was coming over and with his loudness there was no chance of awkwardness. Or so I hoped.
I was pulled into the conversation a few random times but Luke or Leo or Jade but remained quiet aside from that which nobody paid too much attention to because they were busy arguing about stupid things.
I felt Noah glance at me a few times but ignored it the best I could.
We had gotten up to leave when I joined Luke's side seeing as I would carpool with him. I was holding Noah's jacket in my arms, not seeing it right to put it on despite being very cold.
We stepped out of the store, the cold wind hitting me yet again. Thank you Mother Nature, it was cold enough in the ice cream store so thank you.
Luke turned to me, "Hey, I'm going to drop Leo at home and then I'll meet you at Noah's. Catch a ride with Noah, it'll be quicker."
I opened my mouth to protest but Luke had already smiled and wandered off with Leo. I sighed as I turned, surprised when I saw Noah standing behind me. He also heard Luke and knew there was no protesting that could be done.
I looked at him, waiting for him to say something because it would be bitchy to walk past him and just get into his car like everything was peachy.
"It's cold out, you should put the coat on," was all he said as he turned and started walking to his car. I looked down at the coat in my hands, then at Noah's back as he walked away. I sighed and put the coat on as I started following behind him to his car.
The car ride was quiet and very awkward with the music playing on the radio to ease the tension a bit but it didn't work.
When we got to Noah's house, I was instantly greeted by Colton. "Tiffany, you're back! I was waiting for when you would visit again. You did say you would."
I laughed as I bent down and hugged Colton, "Hey Colt, how are you doing?"
"I am good, Tiffany!" He was a very hyper and happy little kid. Savour those moments, kid. "What are you doing here? Are you and Noah dating?"
Noah awkwardly started coughing. I didn't look him but instead gave Colton a small smile as I shook my head, "No, we're going to go work on some homework. You're brother is going to help me with some math I don't understand."
"Noah always helps me with my homework too." Colton grinned a toothy grin, showing a missing tooth.
I ruffled the kid's hair as I stood up, "He's smart, isn't he?"
Colton nodded, "Yeah, he really is. Well, I'm going to my friend Jackson's house because he got a dog so I'll see you later." Colton gave me another hug before he ran off to the direction of the kitchen.
I looked at Noah who was looking at me with a small smile. When I caught his gaze, his face returned to neutral. This was really weird, the whole not talking and being so awkward. We had started to grown into this thing where we could be sitting in silence but it would be comfortable and now things just felt out of place.
Noah cleared his throat, shifting on his feet, "We can go up to my room, if you want." He looked at me, asking me if it were okay with his eyes.
I nodded and then followed as he led me upstairs and to his room.
His room was very large and actually clean which surprised me because Charlie's was a mess. The walls were painted a light grey with white oak hardwood floors. A large bed in the middle of the room, a tv and fireplace on the wall in front of the bed. A dresser and bookshelf against one wall, desk against another. Overall, it wasn't what I expected.
"Uh, make yourself at home." Noah mumbled when we entered his room.
I took my bag off my shoulders, leaving the coat on because I was still cold and he did tell me I could wear it. I tried to stop overthinking.
I sat on the edge of his bed and pulled out my math notebook and textbook. Noah got his things out and dropped them on his bed as well.
"Tiffany, look can we just tal-"
"We should probably start studying." I cut him off, looking at him with a flat look on mu face. I know I said I didn't like this awkwardness between us and usually I was better than everyone when it came to confrontations but right now, for some reason I was chickening out. "Luke's going to get here and start distracting us anyways, so we should start."
I laughed as I leaned my back against the foot of his bed and stretched my legs out straight in front of me. "Oh my god, that makes so much sense."
"I told you it wasn't hard once you got the hang of it." Noah smiled.
Four hours later, it was now 10 pm. The whole time was spent doing math and Noah was actually a very good teacher.
There were a couple of times where I got frustrated and wanted to crumple all of the pages in the textbook but Noah stayed insanely patient with me which was surprising. I didn't know how he managed to keep his cool because I got very annoyed, more than once, but he was really calm and helped me stay patient and try again until I got it.
Luke came over and wouldn't shut up until I finally snapped.
"Luke! Listen, I need this credit so for the sake of me, please shut the fuck up!"
It was slightly harsh but he wasn't mad and only laughed in response, making a comment about my dedication to math. He played video games on mute until he started reading a book that he only got five pages into before getting bored. He eventually left saying he was going to find Cade to play video games or soccer or something.
I shut the textbook, relieved. "I hate math so much, I don't know how you're so good at it."
"Practice and patience." Noah responded, shrugging. There were papers and notes scattered all over the ground in front of his bed where we sat.
"Well, at least I'll get a C now." I smiled, proud and satisfied.
"Uh, no." Noah gave me serious look. "We're going to get you an A in no time. Few more days of this and you're set for the test. Don't worry, you'll nearly master everything by the end of next week."
I gave him a thankful smile as I stood up and started putting my things in my bag, "Thank you, Ace. I really don't think I'd be able to... well, ace this without you."
Noah laughed at my pun as he also stood up and started gathering the papers on the ground.
I swung my bag over my shoulder and exhaled a deep breath, exhausted from the hours of math. "Well... thanks again. I'll see you Monday, I guess."
I headed to the door when Noah stopped me. He gently grabbed my wrist and turned me around to face him, "Can we please talk, Tiffany?" I don't know what got me to agree. Maybe it was because he spent hours teaching me math, maybe it was because I was too tired to even go downstairs to find Luke and ask him for a ride home, maybe it was because I was tired of forcing myself to act like Noah and I hadn't started to become friends but either way, I sighed and nodded.
Noah took my bag off my shoulders and placed it on the ground before taking my hand in his and leading me to his bed where we both sat down, facing each other.
I crossed my legs and waited for him to talk.
"Look, it's been a long day so I'll cut to the chase," Noah did looked drained out, his eyes soft as he looked at me. "I am sorry for what I said, sunshine, I really am." He sighed and ran a hand down his face, "we don't have to go over it and dwell on it but I understand why the comment made you mad. I just... I don't want things to be awkward between us because... well because I like hanging out with you and I don't think our friendship should just be over because one stupid comment. I'm sorry."
I looked at Noah for a moment as I thought before I sighed and took his hand in mine, "I'm tired of this let's be awkward and ignore each other thing too, Ace. I'm sorry too, for yelling at you again and for ignoring you when you tried to talk to me all week."
Noah smiled, "So, we're cool then?"
I nodded, smiling, "Yeah, we're cool."
Part of me wondered if it were a better thing if Noah and I just stopped being friends but I couldn't see that happening. I had known him for a short amount of time but I was starting to get used to his presence. I guess I shouldn't let the fear of possibly hurting him stop me from being friends with him. Yeah, that sounded about right.
I took my phone out of my pocket and saw the time, "It's almost 11. I should get home before Luke falls asleep."
"Are you tired?"
I looked up to Noah and shook my head, laughing lightly, "No, I think that math really woke me up."
Noah analyzed at me for a second before he stood up, "wait here."
I didn't have a chance to say anything because Noah had gotten up and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with... a bowl of popcorn?
"Wha- Ace, what are you doing?" I watched him place the bowl on the bed before he walked into his closet, walking out with a fuzzy blanket that he tossed to me. Then he grabbed the remote and hopped onto the bed, turning to me with a smile. "What?"
"Have you ever watched Prison Break?"
I shook my head, looking at him in confusion and disbelief, not sure what was quite happening. Well, I had an idea but I was more confused as to why Noah was keeping me here to have a movie fest.
"You're in for a ride," he grinned as he moved on the bed so he was leaning against the headboard with his legs stretched out in front of him, turning on the tv. "No way we'll get through season one tonight but we'll start. You'll like it."
"Wait, what?" my eyebrows drew together, baffled. "I need to go home."
"Yeah, yeah," Noah mumbled dismissively, patting the bed beside him, motioning me to come. "Watch an episode first. If you're not hooked, I'll drop you home, whatever." Noah looked anything but concerned about how or when I was getting home.
I looked at him in debate for another minute as he looked at me with his eyebrows raised. I sighed and moved beside him as he put the popcorn bowl between the two of us and started the show.
I leaned my head onto his shoulder as I popped a piece of popcorn into my mouth. Noah kept glancing down, wanting to see my reaction to things that would happen in the show.
Noah was right when he said I would like the show.