I was jittery as I walked to the lunchroom. The novelty of Noah Sylvan hadn't worn down completely even after the events of last night. And I was invited to sit with him and his friends... or more likely ordered.
These guys so needed to learn some manners.
As I entered the lunchroom I felt the familiar feeling of being watched. My eyes slid to his table but I saw only Elijah and Gordon sitting there. Looking around for him I headed toward the lunch line when I almost bumped into someone. Tingles erupted throughout my body and my breath hitched finding the emerald green eyes looking down at me.
Noah's hands were on my shoulders to stable me and I could feel their heat piercing through my woolen sweater and warming my skin. This was the first time I was seeing him since last night, and now just a simple look at him I felt my whole body charge. He filled me up with energy I didn't realize I was drained off.
"Watch where you're going Martin," he said, his eyes glinting playfully. "Or is the alcohol still to drain out of your head?"
My face heated. All my embarrassing shenanigans of last night swarmed into my mind.
He leaned down and the corner of his kissable lips lifted up in a smirk. "If you're still dizzy just say the word and I'll carry you."
The way his intense eyes took me in made me want to run away and throw myself at him at the same time. I was very much aware of his thumbs rubbing my shoulders. "I'm fine," I sighed.
"If you are done flirting with her then can we get our lunch," Silas, who was standing next to Noah, spoke. I hadn't noticed him earlier, too consumed by the other boy. "I'm starving."
My cheeks flamed further.
Noah's fingers lightly squeezed my shoulders before he let go of me. I almost whined at the loss of his touch. "No one's stopping you, go get your lunch," he told Silas, not looking away from me.
"Come on lover boy, you can gawk at her later. Giselle needs to feed too," Silas said before he walked away to stand in the lunch line.
Noah grabbed my hand like it was the most normal thing and pulled me with him to follow Silas. I entwined my fingers with his as we moved and saw a shy smile gracing his lips.
"Do you want a muffin?" He asked when we reached the counter.
"Sure." I smiled and he let go of my hand to grab the sweet treat from the lunch lady.
Silas was ahead of us chatting with some other people. I suddenly noticed that some of them were throwing curious glances at me. In fact now I realized many pair of eyes in the room were on Noah and me. Perhaps it was to be expected when a girl like me was hanging with one of the most coveted boys of school.
But the realization made me only more apprehensive. People's hushed whispers and finger pointings fueled my insecurities. I felt as though I wasn't deserving of Noah. Even Jason had said this morning that I wasn't his type.
A banana muffin dropped on my tray, bringing my attention back to the boy responsible for my pacing thoughts.
"I got myself chocolate chip if you want to share." Noah grinned and I swooned.
His cheeky grin lightened my mood instantly. It was so easy to ignore everything negative when he was beside me. When we were together it seemed that the whole world ceased to exist.
"Didn't peg you for a guy who shared his food." I raised my brows.
"I don't," he replied. "I never share what's mine." Something flashed in his green eyes and I had a feeling this was more than just about food.
"Then am I supposed to be special or something?" I asked, trying to keep my tone lighthearted.
"You're supposed to be mine," he announced blatantly and took my hand in his before I could react.
He was so composed guiding us to the table as if he hadn't said what he said, whereas my heart was pounding, replaying his words in my mind on repeat.
Silas had already joined Elijah and Gordon when we reached the table.
"Welcome to the group Giselle," Gordon chirped. "We were waiting for you to join us," he added dramatically like he was waiting for months.
"Now that you're here we should commemorate this moment," announced Elijah taking out his cell phone and before I knew we all were posing for a selfie. When Elijah showed me the picture, surprisingly I didn't feel out of place with the guys. Moreover, I liked how I looked next to Noah, like I belonged with him. Belonged with them.
Chit-chat on the table ensued. Boys were little rowdy, especially Silas and Elijah, but they were welcoming too. They made me feel included. Gordon had an amiable and easy-to-talk-to personality. Elijah, though being good-natured, had the same air of haughtiness like his twin, but luckily Gordon kept him in check. Despite their contradictory characters they made a beautiful couple. Small kisses on lips and cheeks, holding hands, and the way they looked at each other as though worshiping the other person, it was obvious they were very much into each other.
Silas was cryptic and annoying as always yet he was starting to grow on me.
Noah didn't say much, just some snide remarks or single sentences here and there, but his presence next to me made me feel comfortable. And the small touches of our hands calmed and excited me together.
It was hard to believe that these guys were the same people who were unreachable to so many. And having the taste of their wonderful company I didn't want to go back to sitting alone near the trash bin.
"Look who's panties are in a bunch," Silas said, looking over at the other side of lunchroom. I followed his gaze to find Jason and his friends staring at us. Abigail was with them too, her sharp eyes unnerving me.
Noah scoffed. "After last night he still has the guts to glare at us. Stupid Jock." His arm came to wrap around my shoulders possessively. "He really thought he had a chance with her."
"He was pestering her this morning," Silas supplied.
Noah's eyes narrowed at Jason.
"He was just there to apologize," I immediately defended Jason. "He's not a bad person either. He's just not very... outspoken when it comes to his friends."
Noah's glare turned to me. "You seem to have a soft spot for that jock," he accused me.
"I'm just clearing the air." I met his eyes head on, miffed at his tone. "I don't want any trouble."
He scowled before getting back to his food and biting down his chocolate chip muffin.
"Not even a day and you guys are already fighting," Gordon commented.
"We are not fighting," I said. I didn't know what came over me as I split my muffin, took the half-eaten from his hand and replaced it with my half.
Other three gaped at me like I had grown two heads. But Noah's arm around my shoulder pulled me closer to him and I didn't miss the tiny quirk of his lips as he took the bite of my banana muffin.
******
I searched for my little brother in his elementary school's playground. There were other kids playing around but he was nowhere in sight.
Since Gabriel's school was on my way I dropped and picked him up. We traveled by the bus. He got off an hour earlier than me but he didn't mind waiting. Like him many other kids too stayed behind to wait for their elder siblings in middle or high school.
Today Noah had insisted to drop us home but I refused him and unlike the other time he listened. I was already carrying so many favors from him, I didn't want to add more. He shouldn't have to act like our caretaker. I guessed Noah understood my perspective without me saying it.
I called one of Gabriel's classmates playing on the sand and asked her about him.
"He said he's going to the forest because you aren't taking him anymore," Kelly told me.
I groaned. Not again.
This brat was in serious need of some good whooping. He was getting out of hand. Barely a couple of days had passed when Gabriel was lost in woods until the boys found him. With the way he was bawling his eyes out, you'd expect he learned his lesson. He didn't.
I thanked the little girl and immediately rushed to the bus stop. Gabriel was smart and I knew he must've memorized the whole way, from bus number to the bus stop where he had to get off. He also carried changes with him for any emergencies or the lunch. He could get there if he wanted.
I decided against telling on Gab to Mom. She was already upset about me, didn't want to add on her worries, at least until I did my part.
I asked the bus driver if he saw any stupid seven-year-old and he nodded in affirmative. The driver had found it little odd to see a kid alone, so fortunately he remembered where Gabriel got off, Robeck Road that lead to the forest land. Throughout the journey my feet kept tapping on the bus floor anxiously, each minute felt heavy. Just when I thought I was having a good day this had to happen.
I swear once I get my hands on that brat, he is in so much trouble.
******
You can read two chapters ahead on inkitt. Link is in bio.