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6000+ words. it is really long but... this chapter ð¥º
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Iris
Waking up seems to be darkâbut bright too. Everything seems too tight and tense at first. I had wanted to sleep again, but something in me willed to stay awake.
And awake I am.
Breathing hurtsâlike a lotâand I realize I am wearing an oxygen mask. But it isn't anything compared to the headache raging from all sides. My eyelids are clamped shut and it takes immense effort from me to open themâonly to open them as wide as a hair strand. I try to open more but it seems like my energy has gone downhill, real quick.
However, my eyes slowly get adjusted to the surrounding which is white but with shadows from the machines that are around me. They are stiff; some letting out monotonous beeps while other is attached with my left hand, filled with some clear liquid.
A feeble groan escapes my lips when I try to lift my hand and then comes the dominoes of pain and just pain. But somehow, the pain starts to weaken after some time. My eyes flicker everywhere, desperately looking for anything familiarâeverything in this room seems similar to a hospital.
Holy shit.
HOLY CRAP. I'm in a hospital?!
The shock, probably, helps me widen my eyes as I try to take in as much as possible. The room is dark while the only light is coming in is from the corridor and the machines surrounding me.
The last thing I remember is... talking with Noah when we decided we will be going to Coral's soon. After that, it is a blurâI try to remember more but it is nothing except an irritating blur.
A sudden movement catches my eyes on my right. A slumped figure has their head on the bed, beside me, while sitting on a stool. Their brown hair seems curlier in the front as if they have pushed it back, numerous times. My gaze trails down their arm, not the one supporting their head, along with their hand which is tightly clasped around my hand. The sight of our hands together flutters something warm in me.
As much as I love it, I need my hand back to put back my hair off my face or I don't know? Call my father who is a doctor?
Feebly, I wiggle my hands out of Noah's grip. Well, try to. Whatever happened to me, it sure has taken away a whole lotta my energy. I again try pulling my hand from our interlinked state but Noah holds it back and clicks his tongue, irritated.
"Stop it."
I do, only because I am taken aback by the harshness in his voice. If I had a bit more strengthâ
I start pulling my hand, again, from his rough fingers, and Noah lets out a low growl.
"Goddammit," He murmurs, angrily. "Get the fuck away, Adi. I said I'll sleep here. I want to sleep beside Bella."
A giggle comes out from me and as soon as it does, my throat starts burning but not too much. I try to clear my throat but again, too much energy. So, I just let it be an annoying thing in my throat. Ugh, this sucks.
My eyes flicker around Noah for some time, and I wriggle my fingers to maneuver them out of his grip. But as soon as I do, his eyes fling open, wide and alert. Looking directly at me.
For a long time or so I think, we just stare at each other. I can't form any words due to my dry throat but I don't know why he doesn't say anything. Amber eyes scan my face, a series of emotions going through his face.
"Bella?" Noah breathes out, a wild look amidst his eyes. "Iris?"
He lets go of my hand and puts his hand on my cheeks, looking across my face again. I try to muster up a smile but I know the stupid oxygen mask would hide it. So, I focus on opening my eyes wider.
"Youâyou are awake," His voice cracks in the end. And then, he does something I've never seen him do.
He starts crying.
His face crumbles up and his shoulders start shaking as violet sobs break through him. Soon, the heaving shoulders are followed by tears gushing over his cheeks. I hear the monotonous beeps pick up speed as my heart beats faster at the sight of his tears.
"You're awake," He keeps on repeating. My chest tightens and I let out a long and painful exhale, almost choking as tears cloud up my vision.
"You are awake, right?" He breathes, raggedly. Unable to speak, I try to lift my right hand, since it pains less than the other, and put it on his chest. When I do, Noah looks down and wraps his hand around mine over his chest.
His lips lift to a shaky smile while his whole body seems to be trembling. I can feel it through our hands, tightly clasped as if we're holding on to each other whilst falling to somewhere yet nowhere. I am sure tears have rolled down my cheeks too.
He shuts his eyes, when his sobs slowly turn to sniffles, and wipes off the tears from his face, keeping our hands clasped together. He opens his eyes and leans down to cup my cheeks but when he does, a blinding shot through my head makes me wince.
"I need to call the doctor," he says, calmly at first. And then, as if he actually realizes what he said, he says, "Fucking hell, I need to call Doctor Ken!"
When he says it, I realize he may leave me, and suddenly, just the mere thought of me being without him, makes tears roll down my face.
He starts leaving my hand, after pushing the call button, but I squeeze his hand with whatever strength I have. He turns to me, almost immediately. His eyes glance around my face, softening eventually.
Leaning down, he kisses over every tear that passes my eyes. The soft feeling of his lips calms me yet at the same time, speeds up my heart. He holds our hand tighter and I greedily soak up his warmth on me, as our foreheads touch.
"I love you."
His words strike me hard, and I freeze under him. As if he too realizes what he said, he pulls away abruptly and we are just staring at each other. Don't get me started on that monitorâit is going insane. I am pretty sure it is not going to come down any moment soon.
Noah breathes, pushes back his hair, and looks away from my eyes. Turning back, he says, after clearing his throat, "I love you." Then, with a smileâa genuine one. "I love you, Bella."
And just then, the universe dashes in the room. Well, the doctor and the nurses but we all know it is the stupid stupid universe. All of them notice the monitor still going crazy with the loud beeping.
One of the nurses tells Noah, "I think you need to leave, please."
Noah turns away from my gaze and nods at the nurse. He glances at the monitor and then at me with an amused glint and winks. He freaking winks at me as he saunters out of the room.
Oh my god, he just said that andâand left me with doctors and nurses?! I'm going to strangle him.
I frown, turning my attention to the doctor, who I recognize, is Doctor Ken. He is one of Dad's closest colleagues. He smiles at me.
"Hello, Iris," He says to me, "I know it is overwhelming to wake up in a hospital. You were in a coma for over a month. So, we just have to run some tests now that you're awake."
First, he takes off the oxygen mask and asks me about what and where it hurts and I try to answer as normally I can. But when he starts asking questions related to my memory, it puts me on edge. I have no recollection of how I ended up here and I hate it. I really hate losing that part of my memory.
Doctor Ken gives me a short smile, realizing my frustration. When he's almost done, Dad appears at the entrance of the room with relief flooding his features. He is in his doctor's attire and his black hair has been tied back with a rubber band. He rubs his hands over his stubble, again and again, as he talks with Doctor Ken.
Then, Dad strides towards me and kisses the top of my head, before sitting down on the stool.
"Hey, sugar cube," he says with a smile.
I want to talk back properly but the stupid dry throatâ "Wa-water," I croak out but then I cough. I clear my throat and say, again, "Water."
Dad nods and almost rushes out of the room but then, the nurse beside me gives me a glass of water. Dad looks at the water and then, at the nurse.
She laughs at his embarrassed expression and I chuckle. "You forget, Dr. Cooper, I know Iris a little better than youâgiven I was the one who used to babysit her when she came here."
After drinking the water, I look back at the nurse and immediately, recognize her. "Miss Honey?"
"You remember me?" Miss Honey grins.
"I can't forget the person who taught me how to get free food," I grin back and she laughs.
Dad rolls his eyes. "Alright, alright. Enough bonding. I wanna bond with my daughter."
"Whiny." Miss Honey coughs when she walks out of the room.
"I heard that!"
"It was meant for you to, kid."
Dad scoffs. "Can you believe her? She still calls me kid. She doesn't call anyone else kid but no, she hasâ"
"Dad," I stop him, grinningâbecause laughing makes everything hurt. "It's okay."
Dad sighs and looks at me. "How do you feel?"
"Confused," I answer him, honestly. "I don't remember how I came here and now, I am getting to know that I woke up after over a month." I pause. "I was in a coma for over a month?! Dad, I missed school and we have finals next month! Oh my godâoh my god, I am gonnaâ"
"Woah, calm down." Dad holds my shoulder, glancing over at the monitor which has started beeping loudly. "You shouldn't strain yourself so much."
"Dad, I am going to fail. Like fail and never go to college and then never be a choreographer! My whole life will be a failure!"
"Of course, it will be."
Both Dad and I look at the door. Mom comes storming in, followed by Daisy who sighs but smiles at me. I start grinning but thenâ
"You're grounded for life. You're grounded even when you go to collegeâeven when you get married and have a career. Especially then," She scolds me. "No parties, ever again. You're going to stay in that room and die in there and then when you go to hell, you're still grounded."
Daisy comments, "I don't think it works that way."
Mom turns to her. "I am Mia Harrington Cooperâif I want to do it, I am going to."
"That's my wife." Dad puts a hand on his chest and sighs with a smile.
"You get rid of that ridiculous ponytail!" Mom glares at Dad.
"But you said you liked it!"
She raises her brows. "Did I?"
Daisy and I share a look. I turn to our mother the great. "Mom, Iâ"
She pulls me into a hug and I groan at the impact. Daisy and Dad both cringe, making Mom realizing that I've not completely healed.
"Shit, sorry," Mom apologizes, pulling away from me.
"I'mâI'm fine," I breathe out. I turn towards Dad. "How many injuries do I have? Everything somehow hurts. And how did it happen?"
Three of them glance towards each other, nervously. After a moment, Daisy finally lets out a sigh and looks at me.
"Looks like it's storytime."
***
It has been six days since I woke up from my coma and my family told me what had all happened. At first, I was shocked that how anyone can be so vengeful towards someone who had no business whatsoever with them. But slowly, it started to make sense.
Business is like monarchyâevery CEO is the leader of that particular company. Some leaders are nice and compassionate while others are greedy and assholes. It is always about money. Mr. Booker was willing to sell his daughter and kill and drugs someone for a merger. And it disgusted me to the core, but something about Danielle felt off to me.
When I asked Mom about it, she smiled and told me that Danielle was forced to do to be with Noah. The texts Noah had got from her weren't even from her. Thankfully, Danielle realized what she did was wrong and thus, agreed to testify against her father. In return, all she wanted was to change her last name to something else which Mom agreed to do.
The first day of trial was on Monday and as far as Daisy told me, the point went to Mom and Mr. Radcliffe. The next day of trial is going to be tomorrow and from what I get, it is chaotic at home.
Anyway, I also found out I've got broken ribs and a broken left hand, some scratches on my legs and hands plus a huge scar on the back of my head. It is a... lot but all of them are healing. And because of that, I've to stay here for more two weeks.
Almost a week has passed, so, I am good.
The gangâoh god, the overwhelming affection and scolding from them almost got me to tears. They have been taking turns to stay with me and some have been trying to help whenever possible and really, when whenever possible.
Victoria almost got into the same washroom stall as me when I wanted to pee. I'd laughed at her embarrassed expression when I pointed it out. Adi panics every time I move, even when I yawn. Tom made me a sleeping playlist, along with a playlist 'but don't go back to coma sleep again' playlist.
Alyssa had rolled her eyes. "Are you an idiot?"
"What?" Tom said back. "It is a good playlist."
Amelia and Stacy came together to visit me. At first, I was confused but then, Stacy told me that Amelia is their partner. And nonetheless, I was very excited for them. So much that I asked them to tell me how they met and everything.
The only people who are chill around me are Alyssa and Colt. They just sit beside me and talkâthey don't fuss over me and my medicines. They know when I need help, I will always ask them.
I love those two idiots. Cue the waterworks.
Also, special mention to Mike, Nick, and Tanner who slide treats and goodies for me in secret. Yesterday, Mike got me cupcakes with 'This is not laced!' written on all of them.
I swear to God, I am never going to hear the end of how my obsession with cupcakes got me killed.
Well, since I am going to miss another two weeks of school by staying in the hospital, I have been studying any free time I get. The ward is filled with notes from all of my subjects, which Adi got me.
"Notes for you," he'd said. "All of your subjects in the best quality. I've written the links for video references, wherever needed. Don't say thank you to meâNoah wrote all the notes."
And then, after everyone, is Noah. The guy literally hasn't visited me once and now, I've decided to strangle two times the strength. How dare he do these little things and not show his stupid face?!
"Stop grunting."
My attention comes back to the math problem, in front of me, and my brother who is studying biology next to me.
"Sorry," I say, sheepishly. "This problem is killing my mind."
Caleb looks up from his book and raises his eyebrow. "The problem that includes Noah or like actual math problem?"
The monitor starts beeping fast again and I shut my eyes in embarrassment. This monitor is embarrassing me more than my parents have ever.
Caleb laughs. "I think I got my answer."
I open my eyes and glance at my math book, before looking at him. "Hey, I was about to tell youâ"
He sighs. "No worries, Iris. It's fine."
I close the book and give all my attention to him. "No, it is not. I should've told you the moment Noah and I got together. I know you hate him but just give him a chance. He is a good guy."
"I know that, Iris," He says, "But I also know that we won't be friends ever again. All because..."
"Caleb, what happened?" I ask him, concerned. Caleb looks more distressed than ever. His eyes don't have the spark that I've grown so accustomed to.
He looks at me. "I'm adopted."
"What?" I shake my head. "No, you aren't. That was just a joke Daisy used to play on you when we were younger."
Caleb just smiles. "Iry... I am actually adopted."
"But we have seen your baby pictures with Uncle and Aunt!"
"Iris, breathe, first of all. Come on, do it with meâ"
"I am breathing," I punch him with the hand that's not fractured, but he moves away at the right moment. "Tell me everything."
Caleb swallows and nods. "I found the adoption papers, some months ago, when I was trying to find my certificates. First, I was numb. I didn't even know how to feel that people who I thought were my blood weren't actually my blood. But then, I started noticing things that made me different. It was little little things, not major since I literally grew up with all of you. So, then came the anger. Everything set me off and I hated everything. I was fighting with Dad and Ma, then you and Colt."
"When Noah came into your life," He says, "something just snapped in me. Like how I can't actually protect you because you aren't my actual cousin and why maybe I didn't get angry at Thomas so much."
I raise a brow at the last sentence but he ignores my expression.
"So, I guess, all I had been doing was to make myself believe that I am still your and Daisy's brother and thus, I tried to be more protective. But..." He sighs. "I lost a lot because of the way I've been behaving. And then, I was going to lose my baby sister too."
I roll my eyes. "Really? Just when we were having a sentimental moment?"
Caleb laughs. "Sorry. But also, not sorry."
"Caleb," I hold his hand. "We are family. I don't care if it is blood or not. Also, you don't need to be an overprotective brother to prove that you are my brother. Just be you, whoever you want to be. I'll always be there to support you. But if you do something illegal, you won't get my support then."
"Oh, I know that." We grin. A moment later, he sighs and tells me, "I told Dad and Ma that I know and don't get me started on the whole emotional breakdown."
I chuckle. He continues, "I got to know who's my biological parents, recently."
"Yeah?"
He nods. "They were a teenage couple of 16 and 17 when I was conceived. The mother lives in Oregon, is married, a homemaker, and has two kids. The father's identity is unknown but he probably lived in Oregon, too.
"All this time, I thought I was abandoned but the fact was that the woman was 16 then and she had said to the adoption agency that she was poor and she couldn't take care of me. She loved me that is why she left me." Then, he says, "Then, there're my parents who love me and that is why they adopted me."
I smile and lean forward to give him a tight hug. He laughs, when I can't reach him, and ruffles my hair but he comes forward, completing the hug.
I'm starting to know that how love isn't just between lovers. Love is in families. Love is in friends. Love is looking at a sunset and thinking how every day you can come to the same spot the sun will still be thereâjust there giving you warmth. It doesn't give you the reason why it does. It just does.
But with Noah, I don't need to think. I know.
***
Finally, I am out of that hospital. Also, plaster got removed from my left hand and the metal brace that held my ribs also got removed.
I am a free woman!
This is why I am in front of Noah's room, at 9 pm, with my sleepover bag, and in my pajamas. I almost want to laugh at this weird situation, but I purse my lips and knock on the door.
After some time, the door opens and I almost die (too soon?) at the sight of Noah.
"Bella?" He says, surprised. He notices the small bag beside me and then, looks even more confused. "What are youâ"
He has worn a black tank top andâsurprise, surpriseâblack track pants, and is glistening with sweat, literally. I notice the undone bandages on his hands which have splotches of red on them.
"Holy shit! What the hell is this, Noah?" I grab his hands, and he flinches.
"I got carried away when I was boxing," he replies as I keep on examining his bruises.
I glare at him. "Do you like opening up your bruises every now and then?"
But he doesn't reply now. He just stares at me; certain heat in those amber eyes is very much visible. I feel my cheeks warm and look away from his eyes.
"Do you have first aid?" I ask him, walking past him and entering his room.
"On the couch. I was trying to putâ"
I put my bag on his bed and walk towards the couch. I pick up the kit and look back at him. He still stands by the door and looks at me, questioningly. I roll my eyes and wave him to come.
"Sit and no movement," I tell him, sternly.
I don't think he will listen to me when he strides towards me but he does. He sits down on the couch, looking at me expectedly. I bite back my smile and kneel in front of him, taking his hands.
While tending and bandaging his knuckles, he doesn't move once, and I don't look up at his face. I can feel my ragged breath and shaking fingers as I complete it and look up at him.
I straighten my spine with still on the ground and reach for his face. When I cup his cheeks in my hands, Noah sighs with relief, closing his eyes, and puts his hands on mine. He takes them from his face and kisses them, and opens his eyes.
"So, are you going to tell me how come you are here this late at night?" He asks me, putting my arms around his neck and pulling me closer towards him. Then, he puts his arm around my waist.
"I told my parents that," I tell him. "Alyssa is having an only girl's sleepoverâwhich is actually true. She is but only with Victoria and Daisy. It was actually her plan to send me here since a certain person didn't come to meet me for two weeks."
Noah's smile drops and his expression turns serious. "I thought you needed space."
I raise a brow. "Space? Really? The space I want is outside of this earth. Between us, I want none."
"Yeah?"
I sigh. "You're crazy. Yes, of course."
Up this close, I look across his face and notice the growing stubble over his face. Then, I frown at the dark circles under his eyes. I run my fingers under his eyes and they flicker shut when I do.
"Bella," He pulls away a bit. For a moment, he looks at me and then, looks away. "I thought you would forget me."
"What?" I tilt my head, confused.
"There was a chance that you would lose all of your memories andâSo, I thought you would forget me. But then, when you woke up, you reached for my heart, and Iâ" He lets out a breath and pushes back his hair.
His words make me lapse into silence as my eyes look at this man.
I wonder for a brief moment what if I hadn't woken up. But even for that brief moment, the realization and gravity of the situation make me shudder. The thought of Noah going back to his ways when Luna had passed away and the way I had met him firstâThe thought of him suffering from more grief brings tears to my eyes.
But that's nothing to what if I had lost my memories of him? Waking up would just be a short relief but realizing I had forgotten him... I can't fathom the number of dark places Noah can spiral into. I am struggling to understand how he must've felt during these one and a half months because if the roles were reversed, I would've gone down to my knees to break into millions of pieces.
Anyway, those are just what-ifsâthe reality is here, right with us, and I don't want to change it a bit.
I take a deep breath and turn his face towards me. "I'm sorry to put you through that... all these weeks..."
Noah shakes his head, after a moment of silence. "Don't be, Bella. If anyone's to blame, it is that fucking asshole whoâ" He lets out an angry breath, pushing back his hair.
"Hey," I say and he looks at me. "I'm okay and I'm here with you, aren't I?"
"Yes, you are." Noah smiles and then, tucks my hair around my ear. Then, he comments, "Your hair has grown."
One of the surprises I got when I looked at myself in a mirror after so long is that my hair has grown so much. It is almost two to three inches below my shoulder, now.
"Of course, it has." I say to him, "I am going to cut it soon."
"Oh," he says but curls my hair in between his fingers, still looking at my hair.
I narrow my eyes. "You like it, don't you?"
A lazy smile stretches on his lips and he glances at me. "You look good in any hairstyle and if you feel good about it, who am I to like it or not?"
I roll my eyes. "Just say yes or no. You like it or not?"
"Does it matter?" He asks back, still twirling the strands. For a moment, I just look at him and then, look away.
"Fine."
He stops touching my hair. "Fine what?"
I sigh and look back at his confused expression. "Fine, I won't cut it." He backs a little, surprised, and I raise a brow at his expression. "What now?"
"Nothing," he says with a smile and pulls me up on his lap. But I shift and sit down beside him, on the couch. He laughs, understanding why I did it.
"Shut up." I push him away, pouting, but he just takes my hand and holds it. I scoot closer to him and lean against his chest. Noah lets out a breath and kisses my hairline.
"I missed you." He whispers, "I missed us."
"Same." I close my eyes and sigh, letting his body heat wash over me. We stay like this as I start to think.
I do love the nightâthe dark with stars, but without the sun, everything would perish. It will be eternal darkness and even the moon won't shine a light on us. Noah's my sun; without himâwithout his presence and memories, all I will be is a part of a mass floating around in the space, aimlessly.
"I have your pendant," Noah whispers to me.
"I know," I say, opening my eyes and glancing at his right wrist. "I saw it the moment I came in."
Noah gulps and pushes back his hair. Glancing at me and then the pendant, he asks, "Do you, um, want me to...?"
My heart literally falls out of my chest, looking at him nervous. So cute. In reply, I nod and sit up straight, getting all of my hair to one side. I hear some shuffling behind me until I feel the cold surface of the necklace upon my chest.
I can feel it: the space between is just too small and the warm temperature and the electricity crackling together. The time seems to go way too slow; I won't be surprised if it stops, right now.
I drop my eyes to the floor, feeling flusteredâway too flustered. Goosebumps sparks up on my skin and my breathing starts to be unsteady when his fingers softly brush against my skin. I know he is being extremely careful not to hurt me.
"You never told me why you gifted me this," I say to him, looking at the blue Saturn pendant, as he clasps the hook.
I feel him pause, momentarily. When I turn fully to look at him, he looks everywhere but me.
"It is nothing. I justâ"
"Noah." I put my hands on his face and turn him to look at me. "I know you. I know it is not nothing."
Whatever he finds in my eyes gives him certain confidence. He tells me, "I know your favorite color is... blue and I remember once you told me that you want to go to Saturn. I... um... I can't take you there but... I guess I got the planet to you." He pushes back his hair. "Shit, that didn't sound so clichéd in my head... Forget I ever said anything... just reallyâ"
"Noah..." With tears brimming in my eyes, I look at him, shocked. "How?"
He blinks. "What how?"
"How in hell, out of billions of people on this planet, did I capture this beautiful beautiful man's heart?" I say to him, putting my hand on his chest. "You are making it so goddamn easy to fall in love with you, Noah. Every day, every second, when I am with youâ I fall deeper and deeper. I know you think that you don't deserve me but the fact is, Noah, I don't deserve you. I know you didn't come to meet me in the hospital because you were scared that I won't reciprocate your love. No one in their right state of mind wouldn't love you. And I am merely humanâyour Bella."
"I love you, you stupid stupid idiot," I tell him, "I love you. Always have, and always will."
I watch him as the words finally pass between us, letting a billion thoughts crash down on me at once. My deafening heartbeat hammers all around my bodyâliterally, everywhere, as if it expanding to make a space just in the shape of this beautiful man in front of me, while I wait for him to say somethingâanything.
Noah's eyes glisten under the lights of his room. He looks at me like I am the life jacket he has been waiting for since he got lost in the ocean. His unwavering gaze on me makes my breath hitch. His amber eyes seem more golden than usual, just like champagne glittering.
That's when he says it.
"I love you too, Iris." He grabs my face in his hands, gently, while he smiles at me. "Fuck, I am so in love with you, my Bella. You are my hope, my faith, and my promise for betterment. I would be a fucking stupid for not knowing that."
"I love you, Noah," I say again, emotional, and wiping the traitorous tears off my cheeks. "I love you."
He smiles so widely, even when tears come down from his eyes too. "I love you."
I tilt my chin up as Noah leans down, our lips yearning for each other. Both of our breaths hitch when our lips brush against each other. Then, his lips encase mine fully and I lose my mind.
Like always, his lips are soft and gentle as they move with mine. I know there aren't any fireworks around us but it sure, feels like that as the minuscule space between us vanishes. He takes his bloody sweet time to know every touch and every glide of my lips on his. I press his face closer to mine and something snaps in him.
The soft and sweet kisses start to get more heated. Everythingâeverywhere he touches me seems to burn but I don't push it away. I welcome the heat, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He lifts me up and pushes us back so that my back is against the couch and he is on top of me. Wanting to feel more of him, I nibble on his bottom lip and in response, he moans my name and deepens the kiss.
My hand starts trailing along his collar bone while the other buries itself into his hair. Leaving my lips, he starts kissing my jaw, my neck, my collarbone. Then, his mouth latches on the skin above my collarbone. And then, he sucks.
I gasp loudly and put a hand on my face. I feel him smile atop my skin but it fades as he starts licking, biting, and sucking that same spot. All of it is enough to make my thoughts blurry.
I let my hands roam back down his chest, feeling the hardness of it over his top. But suddenly, I am greedyâI want more. More of him.
Gently, I slide my hands beneath the hem of his top, pressing my palm onto his skin. Noah freezes in place as my hand creeps up over his chest until he buries his face into my neck. His skin is too hot and yet so smooth under my hands, feeling his muscles tense and ripple every time he moves slightly.
Slowly, I move towards his chest where I can feel his heart is beating as fast as mine. He lets out a strangled breath and I smile, knowing the effect we have on each other. By this time, his top has rolled up to his chest. So, I pull the hem and slowly tug it over his head and then toss it to the floor.
He pulls away from my neck and kisses my beauty spot over my lips and my cheeks, just to tease me. I let out a laugh, and he grins, starting to kiss me again. Putting a hand on his neck, I get him closer to me.
Eventually, the kiss slows as if our lungs are screaming out for oxygen. So, we pull awayâvery slowly but we do. We both catch our breaths as our foreheads are touching, and I look at Noah.
"That was..." I trail away, realizing how suddenly the atmosphere is hotâtoo hot.
"I know." He nods, smiling, softly.
His hair is more disheveled than ever and his lips are red and swelled. Those amazing amber eyes dilated more than any high person can be. He chuckles, noticing my gaze, and kisses my cheek, before he holds himself up on his forearms and pushes back his hair.
"What do you want to do?" He asks me, and I raise an eyebrow. He laughs. "Except for kissing the fuck out of me."
"Um..." I look around his room, trying to find something. "I don't know..." I reply, sheepishly, looking back at him.
"Well, then," He smiles, looking between my eyes. "Let's go to Corals'."
"At this time?"
"Yes, and then, we can go to the beach."
When he says beach, I perk up. "Yeah?"
He shrugs and looks at me, waiting for my reply.
Without a word or warning, I lift myself up and slam my lips to his. He seems surprised but immediately grants me access to his mouth, kissing me back. I pull back from kissing him as I gaze at him.
I whisper, looking deeply into his eyes, "Let's go."
Noah's eyes widen for a moment and then, they shine almost as if all the stars have gathered within them. Then, he smiles at me with so much love that my body aches for him.
"Yeah?"
"Yes, Noah." I roll my eyes, amused. "Let's sneak out to the beach at late night and come back in the early morning."
"That's awfully sarcastic from you."
"Awfully?" I mock him. "Well, palâ"
"Pal?" He mocks me back. "Did just friendzone me?"
I laugh. "Shut up and let's go."
He grins, and kisses me again.
When we reach the beach and sit under the stars, I keep on looking at Noah. Just thinking about all the things that have happened to us ever since we met in that washroom, ever since we talked that fateful January morning.
Isn't it strange how one certain moment can change your whole life? One overlook on the way to a washroom, and here I am holding hands with my love, knowing that even if the world ends right now and time ceases to be, he'll be the one in my mind, heart, and soul.
THE END
start: september 08, 2020
end: september 25, 2021
ââââââââââââââââââââââââ
- a u t h o r ' s n o t e -
holy. shit.
first of all, thank you. thank you. thank you all. literally everyone who clicked on this book and thought, 'hey, let's give this a try.' i love you all and i just want you to know how it means the world to me, when you read ineffable and like it! every vote, every comment, every readâfor legit all the contribution you have done to this story, THANK YOU.
this story took me two years to complete. two long years, where literally so many things happened in my lifeâthings that almost made me quit writing. but i am so goddamn glad i didn't.
ineffable is literally my baby. i am still in shock. like legit shock that i won't be coming back to this story everyday to write about noah and iris. like what the hell. again, still in shock. SOMEONE PINCH ME!
so, what's after this? glad you asked that! i have actually planned two spinoff stories, based on some characters of the main ineffable gang. this might be the end of noah and iris's povs but they will have cameos in the other books.
now, now, tell me your favorite part(s) from the story. it can be anything, not necessarily related to niris but everyone. What made you happy, what you made sad and tear, what made you just idk like the story so much? oh god that's too many questions and a lot of excitement from my side. but yes, i will appreciate it a lot if you tell me what you loved about this story.
awaiting for your answers. *puppy eyes*
bye, stay calm and hydrated.
inerys.