Chapter 13

Picture of Rachel on the side ---------->

I woke up in the morning with my head pounding. Damn, this headache is killing me. I groaned and got out of bed stretching like a cat. I am in mood for school today. I have been regular till now so, one day if I skip it shouldn’t matter. I am not ready to face anyone in fact, I don’t want to. I will break down seeing Noah with that Cassie. Staying home is the best option I have.

I walked into my bathroom, to get ready. I took a long hot shower to relax my muscles. Yesterday’s walking had caused sore leg muscles. I wrapped a towel around myself and went to the closet. I pulled on a pair of sweats and went downstairs. My mom and dad were sitting at the counter laughing. I walked closer to them and they both gasped. Shit, do I look that bad?

“What happened to you?” My mom asked shocked and walked towards me. She pressed her hand on my forehead to check if I had fever.

“I am not feeling very well. I am skipping school today ok?” I asked and took an empty seat besides my dad. Dad studied me with a curious expression before he looked away at the clock.

My mom passed me a plate of pancakes and a glass of orange juice. I took the glass of orange juice and emptied it in one breath. I am not feeling hungry. I just want to go to bed and curl up in a ball and stay there forever.

I was about to get up. “You are not eating a pancake?” My dad asked shocked. I love pancakes especially the ones my mom makes but, I am not hungry. I just don’t feel like eating.

“I am going to bed.” I said and got up. I looked at the clock. Shit, Noah will be here in ten minutes if he comes. “Mom tell Noah I am not going to school today, alright?” I said and ran upstairs before she could respond. I went in my room and slumped on the bed.

I reached for my phone on the nightstand. It was still switched off. I turned it on and saw five texts from Noah and about 15 miss calls. Why can’t he just leave me alone? I sighed and opened the first text. All of his texts were somehow the same.

What’s wrong? Please just answer your phone. I want to talk to you.

You are freaking me out. Just talk to me please.

Are you hurt? Tell me what’s wrong? Please.

I read the three and started crying again. I can’t do this to him. I feel like a selfish bitch. I turned off my phone again and threw under the pillow. I couldn’t read the other texts. He sounded worried and desperate. None of this is his fault, not directly at least. He didn’t do anything wrong. I shouldn’t behave this way with him.

There was a knock on my door. I wiped away my tears and straitened my sweats. I sit up straight and leaned against the headboard. I will have to put an act of ‘Not feeling well’. I don’t want either of my parents to doubt me. The door opened and I saw Noah step in.

Is it really him? Why is here? I told my mom to tell him about today. He is the last person I want to see right now. He walked towards me and the next thing I knew he was hugging me tightly. I instantly melted against him. I buried my face in the crook of his neck and breathed him in. I felt calm the minute he touched me. No, I should not do this. It is not helping me.

Suddenly all the memories of yesterday came back to me and my heart shattered into thousand pieces. I quickly pulled away from him and shifted slightly to put some space between us. He looked hurt and shocked. I couldn’t stand the look on his face so, I quickly looked away to hide the tears that were threatening to fall.

“What is wrong with you? Where did you go after school? Why didn’t you answer my calls?” He asked looking into my eyes. I looked down and started playing with my fingers nervously. How can I tell him what’s wrong?

“Um I was not feeling well so, I came home.” I said without even looking at him.

He put a finger under my chin and made me look at him. For the first time today, I looked into his deep blue eyes. I could not look away from his eyes; I didn’t want to look away not anymore. “Why didn’t you answer my calls or replied to any of the texts?” he asked looking straight into my eyes.

The way he was looking at me, was making me feel dizzy. “My battery died out.” I said softly. He knew me well. I could see it on his face; he knew I was lying to him. The look of indecision crossed his face and he sighed. I took that as a good sign. I knew he wouldn’t say anything.

“I was so worried about you. You should have told me you’re not feeling well. I would have dropped you home at least.” He said taking my hand from my lap and intertwining our fingers.

I should have at least texted him but, I was not in my senses. “I am sorry. You should leave now.” I said glancing at the clock on my nightstand. I needed to put some distance between us before I cut him off completely. By distancing myself from him, he might get the clue and it won’t be very difficult.

Noah sighed again and leant in forward to kiss my cheek like always. I moved a little behind the moment he leaned towards me. He looked at me disappointed and I pulled out my hand out of his hold. He looked at me a little sad but didn’t say anything. Someday he will understand that this very hard for me. I looked down again. I didn’t want him to leave, not so soon. But, I was just preventing myself from any further heart breaks.

Noah got up and left glancing at me one last time. A whole day without Noah, I am going to miss him so much. I sighed and let the tears fall. I need to be stronger. I can’t spend the rest of my life locked in my room, can I? I wish I could but that’s not possible. I didn’t like the look on his face when I moved away from him. I never want to see that look again on his beautiful face.

I was bored the whole day. My parents went to work but, kept calling to check on me. I didn’t have lunch and stuck to the orange juice. I will have something for dinner. I have not eaten since my breakfast yesterday. I was lying on my couch in the lounge flipping through TV channels. I finally settled on the re-runs of friends. I didn’t know when I fell asleep. The door bell rang and I jerked awake.

Who is it now? Stupid people can’t even let me sleep. I opened the door with a frown on my face but, it turned into a smile as soon as I saw Noah. Why is he here? He was wearing a green tight t-shirt and a black pair of jeans. He looked so hot. I mentally slapped myself. Stop doing this; remember the plan Rebecca I said to myself in my head. Noah smiled at me. I moved away so, he could come inside.

Noah walked inside like this his own house. He always felt at home when he came here, he had said that to me once. I smiled, the memories of our happy times flashed before my eyes like a slideshow but, then my heart sank. He will never be mine and never was. It was all my illusion, my wish which will never come true. I wanted us to be more than friends but, I still needed to keep him in my life some way or the other.

“What are you doing here?” I asked walking behind him in the kitchen. He set down a brown bag on the counter.

“I brought food. You’re not well so, I thought you will not be able to cook.” He said shrugging. He is so sweet.

He went in the kitchen and brought two plates and two bottles of water. He set it all down and motioned me to sit in the chair he was pulled for me. I sat down quietly and watched him. I don’t know what it was but, it looked like some kind of sandwich. I was watching him while he arranged everything. I could see his muscles flexing beneath his tight t-shirt.

He handed me a plate and a bottle of water. I smiled weakly and took my plate. Cassie was a lucky girl to be Noah’s girlfriend. I just wish she never hurts him. I met her only once but, she looked like a bitch to me. Not only because she is dating Noah but, just in general. I took the first bite of my sandwich. Wow it tastes amazing.

“Everyone was asking about you at school.” Noah said taking a huge bite from his sandwich. He eats a lot but, you can’t see an ounce of extra pound on him.

“Oh. Anything interesting happened today?” I asked to stop me from thinking about his Greek god like body.

He thought about it for a minute or so. “Not really but, a lot of people were asking about how Cassie and I met.” He said shrugging.

I gulped and continued devouring the awesome sandwich. “We met at music store. We both flirted a little and then exchanged numbers. Then, we started texting and talking on the phone. We met again a couple of times and one thing led to another. She is really nice and I like her. I know we have been dating only for two days but still.” He said.

I felt like I have been stabbed in my heart but I am still alive. I just felt like running away from him, go in my room and cry again. But, I had to control it. “Good to know.” I said and put on a fake smile for him. This is my best effort.

“I know I should have told you before. Are you angry?” He asked looking a little concerned. No, I am not angry more of sad and hurt.

I school my head. “No, I am not angry, don’t be silly.” I said trying to make things a little better for us and for myself.

He smiled. We both ate in a comfortable silence. He was talking to me and I was saying something when I needed to. It was time for him to go. I purposely was walking a little away from him. He always took my hand or threw an arm around my shoulder. “Will pick you up in the morning okay?" He said.

I was reminding myself to keep some distance between us. I didn’t want him to touch me. Actually, I wanted him to touch me but, I always melt under his touch. I nodded and he just stood there looking at me with an unusual expression. After a few minutes, he backed down and walked away. I closed the door and leaned against it. Tomorrow I will have to go to school. I can do this. Nothing is changed I assured myself.

Please vote, comment if you like.

Thanks J