7

Chapter Seven - Mend

"Come on mom! I'm ready!"

I find myself standing before the house I grew up in back in California and watching as my younger self bounds down the steps and onto the driveway excitedly. A deep sadness envelopes me when the sweet sound of my mother's laugh echoes in the air as she steps outside and waves goodbye to dad.

Naomi West was a beautiful woman. I got most of my features from her and was always proud when people told me that I was almost a copy of my mother. Her skin was much deeper than mine though, a darker brown color, thanks to her Nigerian heritage but there were areas such as her cheeks and lips that were lighter to display hues of pinks and reds breathtakingly.

I always told her how beautiful she was and how I wished that I didn't have the green specks in my eyes from dad that made my eyes look muddy, or how I didn't have her body or how I couldn't tame my hair as perfectly as she could. She'd always laugh it off and tell me how important it was to love and be kind to yourself. Naomi West was a strong woman, a loving mother, a sweet angel. She was perfection in my eyes, my whole world.

She's also six feet under the ground because of me.

I want to scream at her not to get in the car, not to fulfil my wish to spend some time with her, to go back inside our home where it's safe. But in the blink of an eye, I'm sitting in the backseat spectating the beginning of a nightmare. One that never ends. One that revisits me every few months to remind me of what I had done.

"I'm so excited! Can we get ice cream too mom?" Younger Faye bounces in her seat as she beams up at the woman.

"Of course, sweetheart. It is a girl's day after all." She replies and my heart hurts from hearing her soft voice. It felt like a warm, comforting hug that I'll never have the pleasure of receiving anymore.

"Yay!" I watch myself cheer as mom stops to turn onto the busy main road. "Abel's going to be so jealous!"

She laughs and I feel frozen from my position in the back. I'm unable to speak, to warn her of what's to come. I couldn't help her then and I can't help her now. There's a wedge of emotion blocking my throat as hot tears well in my eyes, slipping down my cheeks as I feel the car lurch forward only for my mother to gasp.

I look to the right and see a car speeding through a red light heading straight for us. My mom jams the stick in reverse but it's too late. The car hits us violently and my world tips on its axis as we're flipped over and over and over until we come to a slow stop with metal screeching and groaning in protest.

"Mom!" Both me and my fourteen-year-old self scream and reach out for her.

"Faye..." Mom breathes and a pained sob breaks free from us. Mine more heartbroken. "Faye...are you..."

I watch as she trails off simply because she's lost consciousness. There's blood on one side of her face and her body is mangled in a mess of broken limbs and the tight seatbelt holding her in place. Younger Faye cries because she knows something isn't right, she can feel dread creep up her spine as she shakes her mom who doesn't respond. I wish I could comfort her.

"M-Mom? Mom, I-I...wake up! Wake up please! I'm scared!"

"Faye!"

I frown at the masculine voice but disregard it as I shift forward to caress her hair. It all feels so real that I find it had to breathe. I place a lingering kiss to her head and whisper that I love her.

"Faye! Wake up!"

"I'm sorry momma." I whisper as younger Faye cries her eyes out while the sirens wail in the distance. "Not a day goes by where I wish it were me instead."

"Faye!" The voice becomes desperate and I frown when everything starts to blur. I clench the seat unwilling to let go so soon. "Faye! Goddamit! Wake up!"

My eyes snap open and meet light green ones that I immediately recognize as Noah's. They're filled with concern and panic as he brushes away the pieces of hair stuck to my sweaty skin. My name escapes his in a soft, relieved murmur as his body relaxes slightly from hovering above me. I suddenly become aware of how loud and rushed my breathing is as I sit up slowly. Embarrassment seeps in as I realize I was having a nightmare and Noah ended up with a front row seat to it.

"You okay?" He whispers as he gently pulls the blanket off me.

I wince as I feel a drop of sweat trickle down my back. "Yeah...I'm sorry. Nightmare."

"Don't be sorry." He admonishes softly as he pours me a glass of water from the pitcher I keep on my bedside table. "Here."

I take small sips and feel myself calm down while Noah paces by the foot of my bed. It's only then that I notice what he's wearing, or the lack of clothes thereof, because all he has on are a pair of shorts. His bandage then reminds me that wearing a shirt to sleep would be annoying.

A frown tugs my lips downwards when I catch his eyes light up with anger and protectiveness. I start to worry about how much he might have heard because I tend to talk in my sleep too. Involuntarily I hold my breath as he turns to me but he must have seen something because in a split second he shoots me a small smile and the ferocity in his eyes dies down.

"I think a shower would help you relax. How about you take one while I make breakfast for us?" He steps forward and takes the glass from me, hand outstretched to help me out of bed.

"Yeah." I quietly reply as I accept it and he pulls me up. "Chocolate chip pancakes?"

He stares at me with a soft smile before nodding. "You got it boss."

I grin stupidly before hurrying over to my wardrobe and grabbing my clothes. Stepping under the spray once it's a suitable temperature I can't help but think back on my dream that was once a reality. I allow a few tears to slip out before forcing myself to toughen up and forget about it. Thankfully the realization that Noah should not be out of bed and especially not making me breakfast has me rushing to finish bathing and haphazardly throw my clothes on before I'm out the door.

"Noah?! I should be cooking –" I stop when I find him flipping a pancake high into the air. He has unfortunately changed into a t-shirt and sweatpants now.

"Relax Faye!" He laughs boyishly as he expertly flips it again just for show. "A couple scrapes and gashes won't kill me."

"Let me." I mutter as I step in front of him. I've learned not to completely burn pancakes in the time that I've known him. "You should be resting. You're skipping classes today yeah?"

"Well..."

"Noah, the doctor said to take it easy for a day or two. You can start from Monday."

"Fine." He grumbles and I can't resist the urge to smile as he takes the plate of pancakes off me with a sullen expression. "When I die of boredom though you'll only have yourself to blame."

I stiffen because his words hit close to home before forcing my body to relax. "You'll be fine you drama queen."

"Bring me more pancakes peasant!" My jaw drops and I turn around to find him cackling, so hard that he almost tips the stool over with how far he's leaning back. "Oh shit!"

I rush over and yank him forward just in time but it causes our lips to be just a breath away. Something shifts in his gaze as it flickers to my mouth before we lock eyes again and I let go. I feel flustered as I turn back to the now burnt pancake on the stove and it's quiet for a moment before I decide to speak as though that hadn't happened.

"You've got to be more careful your highness." I smirk as I dish out another pancake for him.

"I was just testing you. You should always be on high alert around royalty like me." He continues to play along with his head tilted up haughtily.

"Did I pass then?" I ask as I finish cooking and take a seat in front of him with my own plate of chocolatey goodness.

"Hmm." He hums in response with a small smile as he stares at me with something I can't quite decipher glinting in his eyes.

I change the topic and we continue chatting while we finish our breakfast. Eventually I head to my room to start getting ready for my lecture that starts in an hour. I make a quick lunch for myself to have on campus and some extra for Noah too.

"Faye?!" Noah calls out from his bedroom.

"Yeah?" I ask as I shove all my necessities into my backpack.

"Can you come here for a second?"

I grab my keys and walk into his room to find him struggling to put ointment on his scrapes. He turns towards me and I stop in my tracks when the sunlight streaming in through his window illuminates his abs gloriously, not making it any easier for me to ignore as I step further. He sighs heavily as he looks at me with a cross between a frustrated yet pleading look.

"Turn." I chuckle as I grab the ointment from him and start applying it to his skin.

Surprisingly it's so soft compared to mine that needs a ton of moisturizer to keep it from feeling dry as hell. I try to focus on the task at hand rather than thinking about how close he is to me but that goes down the drain when I finish and he turns. He looks up and our noses brush against each other making our eyes meet again. I smile shyly as I hold up the ointment but it falters when his fingers brush against mine as he takes it off me.

"Well...I'm going to be back around six, maybe seven, but if you need anything let me know." I put some space between us before washing my hands in his bathroom. "I've made lunch for you so just chill, watch a movie or something and try not to miss me too much."

He smirks at that before sighing heavily in mock fashion. "Whatever will I do without you for the next few hours."

"It'll be tough but you'll manage." I shrug with a wide smile before waving. "Bye Noah."

"Bye, thanks Faye."

His chuckle echoes behind me as I step outside and lean against the closed door before whispering to myself. "Get it together woman!"

***

I let out a quiet groan once I exit my lab and am finally away from people. It's been a hectic day of back-to-back classes with only one thirty-minute break. I can't be bothered to go home and sort out dinner so I text Noah to ask what he wants for takeaway. But after ten minutes have gone by I get a little worried. Deciding to just get delivery instead I start the walk home with a gut feeling that he's gone out.

I should've known he wouldn't sit still. Noah doesn't the know the definition of relaxing never mind actually doing it. Speak of the devil and he shall appear though! As I'm walking past the pitch I glance at it only to double take when I find Noah in the bleachers watching his team practice. His sits there tensely with clenched hands and furrowed brows but his form deflates when he notices me. With hesitation he stands and makes his way over. I can tell that he's troubled and sad over missing out, I would be too if I was told I can't do something I love for a few weeks.

"I guess I can't convince you to attend a game of mine for a while." He smiles woefully and my heart goes out to him.

"I promise I'll attend all your games once you're better."

That seems to do the trick and he lights up like a kid on Christmas day. "Really?! You can't take that back!"

"I won't." I laugh before we start walking towards our dorm building. "Did you get my text? I was thinking of grabbing takeout or something."

"Can we go eat at a restaurant instead? I'm bored of staying at home." He whines which makes me nod.

We decide on a place to eat and switch directions to get off campus. A comfortable silence envelopes us as we walk and I take in the dwindling number of people seeming to also be going home after classes as well as the two groups of students walking into town just like us.

"The doctor said I could go on walks." He breaks the silence with a quiet mumble.

"I'm not angry or anything Noah!" I laugh incredulously. "As long as I don't see you sprinting across the pitch, opening up your stitches and giving me a heart attack I'm good."

He rolls his eyes playfully sporting an amused smile. "You care too much for me."

"I know." I sigh heavily as we cross the road. "It's quite taxing actually so I'll have to start charging you soon."

"I understand. I'll need to take on more shifts at work and drop my therapist to cover the expense but I'll manage."

That makes me snort unladylike before we burst out laughing. "Do you really have a therapist?"

"Yeah I suffer from anxiety and therapy has helped. I'm much better now than I was before." He smiles as we take a seat and pick up our menus. "One of the main things I'd get anxious over were the crowds at my games. I'd be the last one on the pitch."

"Wow!" I breathe in surprise. "You'd never think it with how confident you are."

"Trust me it took a lot of work." He grins before we order our food.

"Well, I'm proud of you." I smile but notice a few people looking at us or more specifically Noah. There's a few girls who narrow their eyes at me which I pay no mind to. I chuckle at their reactions before teasing Noah. "Sorry I'm ruining your rep."

He looks over his shoulder and shoots a charming smile to some people who wave at him. "Don't be silly. We could move tables though if you're uncomfortable?"

"Now you're the one being silly." I smirk before patting his hand reassuringly. "I'm fine."

"So, how were classes today? Did we get a new assignment for that four p.m. lecture?"

I shake my head before delving into how my day went. Turns out Noah spent his time watching new shows on Netflix, gaming and sleeping. Our meals arrive shortly and we dig in before eventually leaving, a little unwillingly since I feel too full.

"Hurry up Faye! It's fucking freezing!" Noah groans as he waits for me to catch up only to frown in confusion when I take out my phone.

"Smile!" I take a picture of him with the remainder of the sunset behind him.

"Faye!" He whines causing me to roll my eyes as I jog up to him.

"You'll have me to thank when you have all these memories of your time in college."

"We'll see. Now let's go!" He chuckles as he pushes me from behind.

I squeal and run ahead a bit so that he now must catch up to me. He shakes his head amusedly and loops my arm through his before we continue our walk home. I huff at how long his strides are and the fact that I need to take two steps to accommodate his one. I try to take my arm out but he holds onto it tighter, refusing to let go.

"Slow down!"

"Nope!" He replies and I groan when he only increases his pace.

"I think I might throw up." I say and grin when he shoves me away. "Partly because I'm full but also thanks to Kane giving everyone a free show."

Noah turns his head to where I'm pointing at and facepalms when he spots his friend heavily making out with a girl against our dorm building. He has his hands under her skirt and I silently commend her for wearing it in this weather.

"Kane!" Noah yells as we make our way past them. "Get a fucking room!"

Kane manages to stop for a second and look over his shoulder, his eyes lighting up once he recognizes us. I wave with a smile which only grows bigger when he completely forgets about the woman he was kissing as he saunters over to us. Noah curses under his breath when he notices Kane's eyes locked on me and glinting with mischievousness.

"Hi Faye. How are you?"

"I said get a room not come over to us." Noah deadpans as he pulls me behind him.

"Move man! I was talking to Faye." He steps around to greet me. "Hi Faye! You look stunning today."

"Aw, thank you!" I grin knowing he's just trying to flirt again.

"So, are you free tomorrow night –"

"Bye Kane." Noah grunts before trying to drag me inside.

"Whoa! Let the lady speak for herself Noah!" Kane intercepts with a pointed look without realizing that the woman he was with earlier is now marching towards us. "So, Faye? What do you say?"

"Weren't you just making out with that girl a minute ago?"

"Who?" He frowns in genuine confusion and turns around just in time for the woman to step in front of him with a murderous glare.

"Me! That's who! You pig!" She shrieks and swings her handbag at him.

I grab Noah's hand and we scurry off inside the building in a fit of laughter while Kane gets an earful. The doors of the lift start to close just as Kane runs inside and we wave goodbye cheekily when he screams at us to wait for him.

"Do you think I should give Kane a chance?" I joke as a few chuckles escape me.

Noah looks down at me and his smile softens. "No."

"You don't approve?" I grin as we get to our floor and start walking down the hall.

"He's not right for you."

"Really? You happen to know who the perfect man is for me?" I snort as I walk backwards while facing him.

He grabs my hand and tugs me towards him making me yelp as I crash into him. "Noah!"

For a moment he just stares at me before tucking my hair behind my ear with a gentle smile. My poor heart races a mile a minute because I don't think he realizes that he's still holding my hand and has it placed against his chest. I realize though. I notice. Just like I notice everything he does to me and how he makes me feel like I'm on cloud nine from a single touch.

"You deserve the best. Not idiots like Kane." He rolls his eyes and we both smile at each other. "You deserve perfection Faye...because from what I've seen you are the epitome of that."

I swoon. You're perfection to me too Noah. Can I have you?

Update schedule is: two or three times a week whenever I find time!

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