Chapter 31

Chapter Twenty-Eight
Did We Win The Game?
I woke up in a familiar room.
Right when I came into my senses I groaned, shutting my eyes again, tightly. I sucked in a deep breath as pain shot through my whole body. My whole upper body felt sore and weak and almost lifeless.
"Tiffany," Noah exhaled, coming over to his bed that I was laying on.
I squinted my eyes open as I looked at him. His hair was a disheveled mess, concern all over his face. "Hey, Ace." The words came out in a weak croak. I grinned at Noah who couldn't look more like a worried, sobbing mess even though he wasn't sobbing.
I wondered why the hell I was at Noah's house as I tried to sit up but failed when the pain shot through my all my limbs again.
"Woah, take it easy." He said softly but in panic at the same time. "Let me help." Noah put one of my arms around his shoulders as he gently lifted me up so I was in a sitting position. He put a pillow behind my back before taking a seat on the edge of the bed beside me.
I smiled, "Please tell me you won the game."
Noah gave me flat look, not amused at all which was new. "What the fuck happened?"
I shrugged lightly, giving him a nonchalant look, "Not much. Saw your first goal though, it was really good. Be flattered, you know I'm not one to compliment."
Noah ignored my cheeky grin and attempt at a light conversation as he gave me a serious, stern look. "Tiffany, Leo and Luke found you passed out on the ground with blood on your clothes. What the hell happened? Why did you leave alone and who the fuck did that to you? Do you have any idea ho-"
I raised a hand and put it over Noah's mouth to shut him up. I didn't have it in me snap or yell at him to be quiet because my voice was hoarse and coming out in croaks.
"Say, do you have any water?" I asked calmly as I let my hand fall from his lips. It was my fault I walked off alone when everyone said I should not do that. What happened was messed up but it was my fault and nobody else got hurt so that was all that mattered. I didn't want to turn this into a big thing.
Noah, again gave me a flat and very unamused look. He reached over to the side table and handed me a water bottle.
"We brought you here because we were afraid your dad would be home. Luke, Charlie, and Ezra stayed over, they're all in the guest rooms or something." Noah explained as he watched me chug down half of the water bottle.
I nodded as I put the lid back on, "What time is it?"
"Almost four am." He told me tiredly.
"Did you stay awake this whole time to wait until I would wake up?" I looked at Noah with narrowed eyes, a small grin playing on my lips.
For some reason, I was in a very good mood. Must've been the nap I had from passing out.
Noah shrugged lightly to answer my question, still a dull look on his face.
"Did we win the game?" I asked before he could speak.
"Is that really-"
"Yes, it's important!" I cut him off, my tone clearly eager to know.
Noah exhaled through his noes, "Yes, Tiffany. We won, 1-0. Most of us left the game after we found you just before second half started so the other boys filled out spots. Still won, though."
"Could've found me earlier, you know, when I was getting the life beat out of me." I rolled my eyes jokingly, my voice light and a grin on my lips but clearly Noah was in no mood for jokes and my attempt to lighten the mood failed. "Oh, come on! You guys won the game and I'm alive and we're all good."
Noah looked at me with wide eyes in disbelief of what I was saying, "How is any of this humorous to you? You practically were dead on the ground. Do you know how fucking scared you got me- how scared you got all of us?"
I was going to make another sarcastic, joking comment about how they were the ones who didn't stick by my side but chose not to because that would only anger the storm even more.
I sighed and took Noah's hand in mine which seemed to instantly calm him down. "Look, I'm fine. I am sorry for joking and being so airy about this but I much rather do that rather than cry." Although, crying seemed like an okay idea because my whole body was pulsating with pain and soreness right now.
I pushed through it. Wasn't the worse I had dealt with.
"What happened, Tiffany?" Noah asked softly, voice barley over a whisper. "We couldn't find you anywhere. We had no idea where you went."
I sighed and looked down at his hand in mind. I started rubbing circles over the back of his hand with my thumb, it bringing both of us some comfort. "I went to the bathroom when these two dimbledicks grabbed me and... you know. They got in a few hits before leaving."
"A few hits?" Noah asked in disbelief. He wasn't speaking in disbelief that I had gotten hit, he was speaking in disbelief at how lightly I was telling him all of this.
Truth be told, I didn't want to dwell on this. I wish they hadn't found me passed out because that way we could pretend it never happened.
Now, Noah and the other guys are going to want to get back the the Herbrooke guys who beat me up which would continue the feud and have the Herbrooke's coming back for more.
I just wanted this fight to end.
I also didn't want it revolving me.
"Yes, a few hits." I stated firmly, looking Noah in the eye.
"What did they-"
I cut Noah of, already knowing what he was going to ask. I pulled my hand away from his and lifted my shirt for him to see for himself.
"Tiffa-" Noah was speechless and stunned in both anger and guilt as he looked at the very bruised and discoloured stomach of mine. His jaw and fists clenched as he looked at my stomach that hardly held any normal skin colour anymore.
I pulled my shirt back down, bringing his gaze back to my face.
"Hey," I exhaled. I reached over, trying not to strain my stomach as I placed a hand and cupped one side of Noah's face. His jaw unclenched under my hold. I lightly stroked my thumb across his cheek, "Relax. We are not going to get mad. Let me make it very clear that there is no fighting back or anything. It's all even now so the truce can hold."
"Even?" Noah sputtered, his eyebrows pulling together. I dropped my hand from his face. "They jumped you and you're saying we're even?"
"Look, Noah." I said sternly, locking his gaze with mine. "They won't stop if you go at them again. Please, for the sake of me, just don't."
"Who was it?"
"What?"
"Who was it?" He repeated, voice cold. "Who were the two guys that jumped you?"
"Noa-"
"No," he cut me off. His voice was strict and I knew he wouldn't let up until I told him the truth. "They don't hurt you and get away with it. I'm going to make sure they don't-"
"Noah, please," my voice cracked as I once again took his hands in mine. His features softened as he looked at me. "Please, I'm literally begging you here and I don't beg people. I get where you're coming from and would be just as mad if it were any of you in my spot but please, trust me on this one."
Noah took a moment to think. Then, it was like something in his head clicked. "Fine, I won't. I'm not going to ask their names because if I know, they won't be alive next week. I'm letting it go only because I don't want them hurting you again."
I gave him a soft smile. "Thank you," I exhaled.
I had seen what these types of things could turn into and I did not want to go through something like that ever again.
It was best we leave this rivalry like this even if that meant Herbrooke got the last 'win'.
I was positive that I didn't want to go down a darker road with them continuing to get more violent. They weren't mentally unstable enough to kill us but I wouldn't put it past them either.
It was best we drop it now before things got even more out of hand.
"Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes softening as he exhaled a deep breath. "I mean, it must hurt, right?"
I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. "No, I'm fine." I lied easily but didn't want him to worry more. There was nothing more any of us could do.
Noah just looked at me, a longing look in his eyes. He looked worried as his eyes scanned my face.
"Want anything to eat? You must be hungry?" He finally asked, breaking the silence.
I shook my head, "I'm okay."
"Do you nee-"
"Let's just sleep." I cut him off, sending him a warm smile. "I just... I want to sleep. It's late anyways and you must be worn out from your game."
Noah shook his head as if to tell me he were okay but then stood up, his hands leaving mine.
Noah grabbed a throw blanket and headed to the recliner, thinking I would probably want some space considering all the things that have happened lately.
"Noah," I called out softly. He turned to look at me, eyebrows slightly raised. "Um..." I ran a hand through my hair and awkwardly looked away from him and down at the bed.
"What's wrong?" He asked as he took a few steps back towards the bed.
I looked up to meet his gaze, a slightly worried look still resting on his face.
I cleared my throat, "Just... take the bed - I mean, not like we haven't shared it before, right?" I bit my lip, feeling awkward and stupid.
Noah looked confused for a moment until he nodded and gave me a soft smile before walking over and around the bed, getting in beside me.
He reached over and put an arm behind my back, helping me lay down seeing as my bruises and sore body were making it difficult for me to make any movements without wanting to wince or cry out in pain.
"Good?" Noah asked, his voice quiet and gentle as he looked at me.
I pulled the blanket further up my chest and nodded, "Yeah, I'm good." The words were coming out in a whisper. I gave Noah a soft, reassuring smile as I he reached over me to close the lamp on my bedside table.
Noah moved over on his end of the bed and shifted a bit. In the dark room, I sae his silhouette sit up and pull his t-shirt over his head to leave him shirtless before he laid back down and closed his eyes.
I laid there awake with my eyes open as I stared into the dark of the room.
Before my brain could comprehend what my body was doing, I gently moved over, closer to Noah.
"Ti-"
He was confused for a moment until I rested my head on the side of his upper chest and shoulder and wrapped an arm around his torso. His body relaxed and he snuggled closer to me, leaning his head down onto mine and wrapping his arms protectively around me.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there earlier, Tiff." His voice was quiet in a whisper and I could feel his breath on the top of my head.
"Don't be. I feel safe now." I responded, whispering as I shut my eyes and let my body feel the warmth from his. It was true; I did feel safe now, in Noah's arms. My body that was hurting and aching now felt comfortable and warm.
Noah lifted his head off mine and placed a soft kiss on my forehead before placing his head back down to lean on mine.
Soon after that, I fell into a deep and peaceful slumber.