After the hang out with Noah last night I was pretty happy today. I just hope nothing ruins my mood like yesterday. I pick out a book from my locker putting back some into it. I was going for my third period class now and I'm honestly not psyched about it. Our algebra teacher is so boring and she makes every class seem like its the end of your life.
I get into class a little late not that the teacher's here or anything it's just that the window seats are taken. I sigh taking a seat in one of the middle rows. I notice Noah and his friends already at the back seat and I can't help but over hear Loren complain about someone spray painting her house with words like bitch on it. I look behind me catching Noah's eyes. He winks and I smile looking forward.
Mrs Hart walks in and everyone pipes down taking their seats.
"Now class..", she trails flipping her note book. I sigh this is gonna take a while.
When the bell rings it's like the fire alarm went off because the whole class starts running out of the class. I don't blame them. If you can survive an algebra class without feeling sleepy, gosh you're an idol.
I step out of the class yawning. God, I barely made it through. I head to my locker to drop off a few books. Today I'm not eating at the cafeteria. I brought my own food. I'd rather just eat in a class instead of facing what happened yesterday. I know I can't run forever but sometimes it's nice to have your own space.
With my lunch in hand I get into a class. One I close the door I turn around and I'm faced with preps and jocks. Oh my God this is not where I'm meant to be. They all stop what they're doing and look over to me. My heart starts racing and when I spot Noah it races even more.
"I'm sorry I'll just go-",
"Princess?", Noah calls out and they turn to him.
"You know her?", A guy whose also in the football team asks him and just as I say no, Noah says yes. He frowns at me. Oh good grief.
"Seems like she doesn't know you", the guy says and they all laugh. Noah sighs then walks up to me.
"What are you doing here?", He asks.
"Nothing, I was just leaving", I say moving towards the door but he stops me with a hold of my hand.
"You're already here, eat with us", he says and I take a peek at the 'us'. The class is full of popular kids where I obviously wouldn't fit. Even Loren is here.
I shake my head, "No Noah, I don't fit in here", I say trying to break free from his grasp but he doesn't let go.
"And why not?", He asks as I pull away from him.
"Look around", I say and he literally looks around, "No one here is like me. I'm not meant to be here Noah", I say and he sighs with a frown.
"Doesn't your friend wanna join us Noah?", Someone asks from behind and I give Noah a warning look.
"I guess not", he says and I mouth a thank you to him before leaving the class. That was for the best. If I had stayed then maybe they'd just make fun of me. I end up eating on the bleachers for lunch.
When I get home I meet Mrs Kushner having a conversation with my mum.
"Hi sweetheart", Noah's mum says kissing my cheek. I smile. She was always nice to me and I honestly appreciated it. Not a lot of people are like that with me.
"Hey Mrs Kushner", I say and she gives me a look.
"I always tell you to call me Carmen but it's like there's no use", she says with a shake of her head and I chuckle a bit. She's been telling me that since Noah and I became friends but I prefer calling her Mrs Kushner.
"It's been a while since we baked together Abby", she says and my smile falters. I used to love baking. It was like a hobby that I did everyday but eating muffins and cupcakes weren't helping me get slimmer they only helped me gain more weight.
"Um yeah I've been off baking for a while now", I say then quickly add, "Majorly because of school work". That's a lie though. I'd still ace my grades if I baked everyday.
"Oh but what about today? Are you that busy?", She asks and I contemplate. This is a tempting offer. It's been a while since I ate a muffin or even a cupcake.
"Um..",
"C'mon hunny do it, tomorrow's a Saturday after all", my mum says and I give in.
"Okay.. I'll do it".
**
I've been to Noah's house alot so I'm quite familiar with their house. Mrs Kushner passes me an apron and I take it putting it on.
"I've put out all we need", she says arranging the ingredients properly before looking up at me, "So should we stick with chocolate or milk?", She asks and I put a hand on my chin.
"Hmm, I say we go with chocolate", I say and she smiles.
"Great let's start".
We weren't really making much just two dozens. We usually go the extra mile and make four but just not today. I help out mostly with the mixing while Noah's mum makes sure the cookies are all the same. I have a problem in making sure their all of the same sizes. We put them into the oven afterwards and let them be for about fifteen minutes. We take a seat on the kitchen stool while we wait for the cookies.
"So Abby I've noticed you and Noah haven't been getting along like you used to", she says.
"Um.. we.. we've both been busy. He's been busy with school and football and I've been busy with school work too", I say and she nods with an oh.
"But you guys could at least hang out sometimes. Silence breaks relationships dear. If you don't talk and the other end doesn't you'll seem like strangers", she says and I know she's right. We might all be busy with one thing or the other but contacting a friend shouldn't be a bother. And if we both stop talking to each other we'll lose the friendship we once had.
"You're right", I say just as the front door opens.
"Go check if Noah's back while I check the cookies", she says and I nod walking to the living room. It was Noah for sure but he was with two guys. I don't know the one at the left but I remember the one by the right. He was in the class they were hanging out in earlier today, specifically he was the one who asked Noah if he knew who I was.
"Since when did you guys get a maid?", The unfamiliar one asks and he gets a nudge from Noah. "Ow", he winces rubbing the place he got hit.
"She's not our maid", Noah says then glares at me, "Just our neighbor".
You've gotta be kidding me. Neighbor, really? I'm just a neighbor how lovely. I glare back. So childish of him to hold a grudge over something I said a long time ago. Okay maybe not too long but it's still a long time.
I take off the apron and walk up to him. He raises a brow at me. I stop when I'm a feet away.
"Bye. Neighbor", I say shoving the apron to his chest. I walk out of his house and straight to mine. I know it was kind of mean of me to say I didn't know him in school today but he should understand that we're different and he's friends can't be my friends.
I get into my house and my mum comes out of the kitchen. "Hey sweetie how did the baking go?", She asks as I head upstairs.
"Fine, had a great time", I say in a rush just so I can get out of there. I'm not in the mood for any confrontation.
I go straight for my window because where else would Noah, oh sorry my neighbor and his friends go to if not his bedroom. I close the curtains then walk over to my bed.
I lie down with my headphones on, closing my eyes, just humming to Harry Styles' falling.
I'm in my bed..
And you're not here..
I open my eyes. When I look out the window I realize I fell asleep. It's dark outside now. I'm so glad tomorrow's Saturday. A break from all the school work.
I get up from my bed with a new acquired energy and put on an outfit for night jogging. Time to lose some weight. I put my hair in a ponytail and with my headphones on I go downstairs.
My mum's with a proud smile when she sees me. I haven't really had much time for exercise or perhaps I wasn't putting much effort into it. The latter's the good guess.
"Have fun with the jogging dear and when you come back dinner will be waiting for you in the microwave, don't want it to get cold", she says and I nod.
"Thanks mum", I say then walk out of the house. Just as I get down the curb I see Noah coming out of his house with a jogging outfit as well. He's wearing a tight gym shirt which makes his rippled features more pronounced, Makes me wonder if he's going jogging or to a strip club, He has some shorts on and a towel around his neck.
I hide behind a shrub to see what way he chooses to stroll into. He stops just as he steps down onto the road. He takes his phone out of his pocket and then puts it over his ear. Great his answering a call. Like he answers mine. Please note the sarcasm.
When he's done taking the call he goes back into his house with a look of anger. I guess he had change of plans. I resume my walk down the road and soon I start jogging. When Lizzo's song starts playing I find myself running. I think it's that feeling you get when you think you're in a music video.
Am I ready?
Am I ready?
Am I ready?
To be loved .