Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty
Very Immature
"Tiffany?" I turned around to see Cade walking up to me with a smile. I was sitting at the bleachers with my functions textbook opened in front of me as I went over my notes to ensure I would be ready for the test later today. I really needed to get good marks on it so my grade goes up.
"Oh, hey Cade." I gave him a soft smile as he walked over and took a seat beside me.
"Functions," he cringed as he looked down at the work. "I hate math."
"Ironic, your brother is the one tutoring me." I chuckled lightly, looking down at the notes.
"Really?" Cade sounded surprised. "Noah isn't really... well, the tutoring type."
My eyebrows pulled together in slight confusion as I looked at Cade, "Really? Hm, he makes a good one and doesn't seem to mind." I shrugged before looking back down to my notes, not dwelling on what Cade said.
Cade nodded his head slowly, "So... anyways, are you going to the party tonight?"
"There's a party?" I mumbled distantly, my eyes not leaving the notes although it was hard to focus on them when Cade was trying to have a conversation. I wasn't too interested in whatever he was saying about this party so it probably wasn't hard for Cade to hear the detachment in my voice.
"Yeah, Dave Beller is throwing one because his dad's out of town for work." Cade told me, his voice light. "Do you think you're going to go? I remember you said they aren't really your scene but Leo and the others don't miss out on parties."
I scoffed, "Who hosts a party on a Monday night?" Really, I wasn't interested in that because I knew this was how high school was and parties on weekdays were the least surprising.
Cade chuckled, "Stupid, I know. What's more stupid is that everyone goes too. Seems like people at this school are real suckers for parties."
I shrugged lightly, still attempting to scan my notes as if that would keep it permanently in my mind but unluckily for me, I did not have a photogenic memory. I wasn't very interested in this conversation because obviously there was no way I was going to go to this party and I appreciated that Cade was trying to talk to me but I was really stressed about this math test - as much as I hate to admit that. Cade was also too nice of a guy for me to tell him to just leave me alone which I would've done to any other person but something held me back from showing Cade my colder side. "People in Saratoga were the same..." I looked up, my eyes narrowing at the soccer field. "Actually, I was one of those people too."
"I thought you weren't a party person?" Cade mumbled in question, looking at me confusion but amused.
I shrugged and looked back down, "I'm not. I'm just saying, I've witnessed suckers for parties. I guess S.S High wasn't much different than Grove High."
Cade nodded his head slowly as he processed my words, "So... uh, I assume you won't be going?"
"Nope." I answered dryly, popping the 'p'.
Cade nodded again. He now seemed slightly awkward. "Right."
"Are you going?" I finally looked at Cade, raising my eyebrows. I realized I may be coming off like a bitch. The least I could do what have the decency to make the conversation less one sided since he was going out of his way to come talk to me... although, I didn't understand why.
Cade laughed, "Not sure. Probably not but I may end up being the designated driver."
"Why do you go, then?" I laughed in confusion. "I mean, your friends must know you don't like going so why would they make you come just to drive them?"
Cade smiled softly as he understood where I was coming from, "I much rather go and make sure they all get home safely rather than something bad happen when there's a way to prevent it."
I couldn't help but give him a small smile. Now I felt even worse for being distant and not interested when he first came here and started talking to me. He was just... too nice and not someone who I deserved to be friends with.
"Well," I finally said. "That is very selfless of you, Cade."
Cade's cheeks tinged pink as he shrugged his shoulders lightly, "It's nothing. So... you don't think Luke will end up dragging you along?"
I scoffed, "He can try but I won't give in. I think he doesn't realize how stubborn and strong I can be. But yeah, no. I'll pass."
"He's a hard guy to say no to so big props if you manage to." Cade chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. I had forgotten that Cade grew up with Luke just like Noah so he knew Luke very well too.
I smiled as I started to put my books in my backpack, "I deserve ice cream for saying no to him because I know I can."
"Well, then I'll be sure to buy you ice cream."
I looked at Cade, midway into putting my belongings away. I was taken aback, my eyebrows raised.
Cade awkwardly coughed and sat straighter when he saw my reaction. His cheeks grew more and more pink, "I uh... I just meant that-"
"Sounds good," I cut him off, sitting up and smiling. "ice cream is on you." I spared him the awkwardness he probably felt because in a way, he asked me out on a date... I think. What?
Maybe I'm wrong but his reaction when I looked him says otherwise. If it was a casual hangout then he wouldn't have gotten flustered and embarrassed.
I didn't want to go on a date with Cade... or anyone at all for that matter but something about Cade made me want to be nice and unlike myself. I wasn't tearing down my walls for him but I was sure as hell more vulnerable around him - in a sense. He was oddly easily to get along with and hang out with and I could see that he was interested in being my friend. Something in me compelled me to get along with him unlike I did with Noah when I first met him.
Maybe it was just because Cade was a nice guy with good intentions and was always genuine. I don't know what about me made him want to hang out with me because frankly, I'm nothing near good.
Cade gave me a wide smile, seeming relieved and happy. "Uh, wow. I mean, great, that's great. So I'll see you tonight?"
I smiled lightly and nodded my head before Cade said goodbye and headed off.
"Tiffany. What a pleasant surprise," Adriel smirked when he walked into the living room and saw me and Cade sitting on the couch with a big tub of ice cream and a movie playing on the tv.
I quirked an eyebrow, "Adriel, don't know if I can say the same about you."
"Don't kid yourself, love. You have no idea what you're missing out on. I could give you a quick tour if you'd like." Adriel wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, peering at me with amusement.
I shuddered. I knew he was only joking but his cocky and very sexual manner still made me uncomfortable.
"Oh God, do you ever shut up?" Cade groaned, giving his older brother a tired and unamused look as his cheeks tinged pink in embarrassment. "Sorry about him." Cade gave me a sheepish look.
I shook my head, smiling, "Don't worry about it. And thank you for the very tempting offer, Adriel, but unfortunately for you, I am the least bit interested so please try again elsewhere... or, here's a bright idea! Try to keep it in your pants."
"Your loss, darling," Adriel laughed and shot me a wink as he walked out of the living room. I knew he was only kidding but still, he was a weird guy.
"Christ sake," Cade grumbled, running a hand down his face. "Adriel really doesn't know when to stop. Sorry about him, again."
I chuckled, "Don't worry. Really, it's not a big deal."
Cade and I were watching the movie but not fully paying attention to it because we were too busy criticizing it and making fun of every small detail - like how the green screen usage was way to obvious.
"Would you ever become an actor?"
I scoffed and looked at Cade who watched me with amusement and a bright look in his eyes as he ate the ice cream and raised his eyebrows. "No. I mean say I made it as a successful actor, I would have no privacy. Paparazzi everywhere, people making scandals out of my daily life. It's too much drama."
"You're saying you're not a fan of tabloids and Twitter feuds?" Cade looked surprised. "I understand what you mean. But what about the money and fame and attention and get super dressed up for red carpets? Oh! And you'd get to work with a bunch of other celebrities. Isn't that worth it?"
I scrunched my noes up and shook my head, "Nope. Maybe it's because my mother was someone who was very well known in her own profession. She was the red-carpet and magazine cover and guest on a talk show person. I was dragged along to enough big and fancy parties with a bunch of rich people to know very well that I wouldn't want that life."
"It's that bad, huh?" Cade grinned lightly, amusement seeping through his tone as he listened to me explain my perspective.
I shrugged lightly as I took a spoonful of ice cream, "Not for everyone because some people would find that life ideal. I'm not one of those people."
"So what do you want to do?" Cade asked as he reached for the remote so he could lower the volume on the tv. "When you're older, I mean. Are you one of those 'go with the flow' people or do you know what you want to do?"
I looked at him in thought for a moment before answering, "I am a go with the flow type of person because I don't even know if I'll be alive a day from now so I much rather focus on now rather than plan out my whole life... because things can change all the time." I was oddly honest with Cade but I didn't mind because he never questioned me further. It was like he just knew when to not ask further questions in case they got too personal. That was something Noah didn't understand.
Noah asked me things because he wanted to figure me out. When Cade asked me these things, he was just curious in general - not because he wanted to figure out what was written between the thin, thin lines.
"What about you?" I raised an eyebrow. "Do you know what you want to do?"
Cade shrugged lightly, "I'm into a bunch of different things. I like music and art but I also really like chemistry and science related things so I'm not sure what I want to go with just yet. Although, I think I might want to figure it out soon."
I smiled lightly, "No rush. If you ask me, I just say go with what you're more passionate about. If you want to think long term, look at it this way - picture yourself doing something for 40 years. Would you much rather that be music and art or science?"
Cade nodded slowly, grinning, "That does make sense. It's a good view on it. I still think I'd need a few days to debate, though."
"Hey," I tilted my head. "Like I said, no rush."
"How was your mat-"
Cade was cut off when the front door was loudly pulled open followed by a grunt. I looked at him I confusion before we both got up to see what was going on.
"Noah? What the fuck, man." Cade grumbled in annoyance. There in front of us was a very, very drunk Noah who struggled to get into the house.
"Please tell me you did not drive yourself." I said slowly, scared to hear the answer. I helped Cade as we both went to either side of Noah and each swung one of his arms around our shoulders to help him walk.
Cade pushed the door shut with his foot as we started to head up the stairs.
"Why the hell are you wasted?" Cade asked, his jaw clenching. His mood went from 100 to 0 real quick. I understood that. Nobody wants to be the sibling that has to babysit their other siblings when they're wasted.
"I didn't drive," Noah's words slurred together, his eyes barely opened as Cade carried most of his weight up the stairs. "I got an Uber. I'm not that stupid, sunshine."
"Sunshine?" Cade asked under his breath, confusion taking over his features.
I sighed once we reached Noah's room and dropped him on the bed.
"He usually doesn't drink this much. Actually, he hasn't gotten this wasted in a long time." I looked at Cade worried as he shook his head, looking at his brother who was struggling to get comfortable in bed.
"Hey," I mumbled softly as I noticed Noah's arm bleeding. "Is there a first aid kit in the bathroom?"
Cade gave me a confused look, "There should be."
I helped myself to the bathroom where there was a first aid kit. I came back into the room with it in my hands. "The ice cream is going to melt," I sighed as I sat on the bed beside Noah and frowned at Cade. "Sorry this got cut short. I'll take care of Noah though, don't worry about it."
Cade shifted uncomfortably on his feet. He looked at me as he debated for a whole two minutes before finally he sighed and nodded his head, "Okay. I should go put the ice cream away and make sure everyone else got home okay. Call me if you need anything."
"I will," I mumbled as he left the room.
Noah looked... well, his eyes were squinted as he laid on the bed and looked at me with a childish grin. His complexion looked more tan than usual which only made his hazel eyes stand out even more. He was wearing a black v-neck and black jeans, the shirt tight enough to make his biceps stand out.
"What are you looking at, sunshine?" He asked softly, words slurring together.
I ignored his comment as I grabbed his arm and looked at a cut that wasn't deep enough to need stitches but was still slowly gushing more and more blood.
Opening the first aid kit, I started to clean the cut before I would bandage it.
"Aren't you curious as to what happened?" Noah asked as I kept my gaze on the wound and fixed it. "I fell, that's what happened. I'm not even clumsy so I'm not sure how I fell. Wow, maybe I am clumsy. If I fell it's because I'm clumsy, right? Wait, I just remember I drank so maybe I'm not clumsy and it was just the alcohol. Yeah, that makes sense. I play soccer, there's no way I'm clumsy."
I let Noah ramble on and on, muttering to himself in amusement as I started to put a bandage on him. I could feel his gaze on me as he watched me but I didn't look at him - well, I didn't look away from his arm that I was busy tending to.
"Sunshine," he said, trying to get me to talk to him.
I didn't say anything.
"Tiffany, talk to me." Noah said softly as I stood up and grabbed the first aid kit after I was finished fixing what I could.
I was headed back to the bathroom when Noah had quickly sat up and grabbed my arm, pulling me back which caused me to fall on the bed right on him.
My hands were on his chest as I looked at him.
I only got lost in his gaze for a second before I pushed myself off of him. However, the alcohol didn't weaken Noah. He held onto my wrist so I couldn't leave.
I groaned before sitting on the bed in front of him and giving him a very tired and unamused look, "What, Noah?" I snapped.
Noah narrowed his eyes as he tried to analyze me, "Why are you mad at me, sunshine?" The alcohol made him give up trying to read me quicker than usual.
I tilted my head, "I'm not mad at you."
"Yes, you are." He stated firmly but his words slurred together which took away the factor of me taking him seriously right now.
"I'm no-"
"My judgement might be slightly impaired due to the use of alcohol but I am not an idiot, sunshine, I can see you're mad at me." Noah cut me off, his voice firm even though he was speaking slowly and words were all garbled.
I sighed, giving him a blank look. "I am not mad. You can do whatever you want, Ace."
Noah squinted as he looked at me, "Nope, you're mad at me. Is it because I am drunkened?" His voice was soft but words were all grumbling together, still, obviously.
"You're drunk, yes." I stated firmly, a blank face. "But that's your choice."
"So you are mad because I'm drunk!" Noah exclaimed, raising his arms in the air like he just won a soccer game. His face gleamed with joy like figuring this out was a big victory.
"I'm not your mom," I retorted. "You can get drunk. I just... you're wasted and could do something very stupid and you know I'm not a fan of these things so yes, I'm a little mad." I crossed my arms over my chest. I couldn't argue with him because he was drunk. I could be honest with him though, because he would not remember what I'm saying right now.
To be honest, I wouldn't really say I was mad. I'm disappointed by his actions and wish he hadn't gotten drunk. I'm also just worried which combines all of these emotions and leads me to seeming mad.
But like I said, I'm not his mom. Sure, I don't like drinking and wish people didn't drink but it's not my choice and I wasn't going to be his mother and lecture him on the dangers of drinking. It wasn't my spot to even be mad in the first place.
"Aw, sunshine, you're worried about me." Noah smiled like a little kid who just found out he's going to the zoo. Before I knew it, his arms were swung around me as he hugged me but his arms were just hanging around like cheese strings.
I pushed him off of me causing him to fall back on the bed. "Stop."
"What?" Noah frowned. "I am okay. I haven't done anything stupid and I got home safely so it's okay, sunshine."
"You hurt yourself." I noted. "And, you'll be hungover at school tomorrow so wheres the benefit in that?"
Noah licked his lips, speaking slowly, "It was just a little scratch not a big boo-boo. I am okay, I am like superman actually. I am strong like superman and the hulk and both of them combined," Noah grinned foolishly. "Yup. That sounds right. And I'll see you at school so that will make me feel better."
I gave him a flat look, "You're stupid and could've gotten more hurt. You..." I sighed in frustration, shaking my head because this was pointless. "Just go to sleep, Ace."
I got up and went to the bathroom to put the first aid kit away. When I came back, Noah was pulling his shirt over his head before he flung it across the room. I clenched my jaw as my eyes fell onto his abs and v-line but snapped back into my senses and looked at Noah with my eyes narrowed.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Wait!" Noah stopped me. I raised my eyebrows in question, wondering what his drunk ass wanted now. "Can you... stay? Just stay the night, you're already here."
My eyebrows pulled together, "It doesn't matter if I'm already here. We have school tomorrow, Ace, I need to go home."
Noah groaned dramatically, sitting up in his bed and looking at me, "Come on sunshine, stay the night and we can stop by your house before school in the morning. I need... superman doesn't want to sleep without supergirl here." He gave me a bright smile, as if that would convince me.
"Fine," I muttered dryly. I only agreed because he was drunk and wasn't going to shut up until I gave in. I would stay until he passed out and then would leave.
Noah smiled brightly as he scooted over in bed, "You make my night, sunshine."
"I think I'll just take the recliner..." I mumbled softly as I walked over to the couch in his room.
"Oh come on," Noah rolled his eyes like a sassy little girl. "Don't be extra like extra like extra like that," he rambled like an idiot, not wording things properly. "Just come in bed. I'll keep you warm and safe from boogie man."
I gave him a flat look, "You're very immature when you're drunk."
"I am charming," Noah retorted, not fazed by my comment. "Now can we sleep, or what?"
I sighed before getting into bed with him. I turned to look at him, "Go to sleep, Ace."
Noah shot me another wide smile, his pearly white and perfect teeth coming into vision. He scooted closer to me, wrapping his arms around me and burrowing his head into the crook of my neck, "Goodnight, sunshine. Thank you for staying."
"Goodnight, Noah." I mumble softly, hearing his breaths even as he had already passed out.