10

Chapter Ten - Save the Date

I groan when Noah enters my room the next morning and draws back the curtains. He chuckles softly before taking a seat on my bed and swiping my hair over my shoulder. I grab my blanket and cover my face because I'm sure I look as terrible as I feel. He murmurs good morning and tells me he's brought painkillers.

"You're too loud." I croak as I sit up.

"I'm talking as softly as I can Faye." He deadpans before smirking. "Or should I call you fairy instead?"

"No thank you." I mutter as I take the painkillers. "How much did I drink last night?"

His expression changes to one of mild disappointment. "Do you remember anything from last night?"

"No, not much." I shake my head but whimper when even that motion is too much. "I just remember dancing a lot...and I think we were all sitting as a group somewhere?"

"Yeah...that pretty much sums up the night." He smiles but it seems forced causing me to frown in confusion. I'm about to ask him if anything else happened that I may not remember but then he stands. "I've got to get to class. I made you breakfast though and if you need anything else just text me okay?"

I stare up at him before nodding slowly. "Okay. Bye Noah."

"Bye Faye. Rest up." He winks before leaving my room and it's not long before I hear the door shut indicating that he's gone.

After lying in bed and dozing off for another hour I eventually get up. My movements are slow as I make my way into the bathroom to freshen up before I have breakfast. I end up skipping most of my lectures for the day and lounge around the house watching Netflix shows until it's time for my lab in the evening. It's one I can't miss so I get dressed before heading out wearing a hoodie so that I can cover my eyes a little.

"Lilah!" I catch up to her before whispering an apology when she grimaces. "How are you?"

"I could be better but I'm surprised you're out of bed. You were downing drinks like no tomorrow Faye." She chuckles as we make our way across campus.

"Never again." I mumble as I loop my arm through hers. "I feel like death today. How's Soren?"

"Wonderful." She sighs dreamily which makes me laugh. "We went out to grab breakfast and some much needed coffee. If we didn't have this lab I wouldn't have left my place."

She tells me about their plans to explore Massachusetts together now that he's here. I wave at Brody when I spot him in our lab as me and Lilah make our way to our usual bench. We get started and chat throughout the two hours, the conversation soon focusing on an annual sports ball she's attending with Soren this Thursday.

"The Warren Sports Ball is held here every year and a lot of people from the sports world are invited, especially college teams." She explains as I take a seat on the stool.

"That sounds fun! Do you have a dress picked out?"

"No!" She groans as she records some measurements. "Soren's taking me shopping after this lab though so I should be okay before Thursday. Will you keep an eye on your phone in case I need your expert opinion?"

I snort at that but nod regardless. "Of course. I'm very well versed in fashion as you know."

"Thank you my love." She winks cheekily to which I just shake my head at.

We finish our lab before filing out of the room and I bid her goodbye as she rushes off to meet Soren. I grab myself a large cup of coffee to nurse my hangover before starting the trek towards home, mentally running through the assignments that are due by the end of this week.

"Faye! Faye, wait up!" I hear someone shout from behind.

"Hey Brody. What's up?"

I turn to him but am distracted by the sight of Noah walking towards us with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. His smile drops as his gaze flits between Brody and I, and he looks dejected before panicking for a moment then whirling around in the direction he came from. I watch his shoulders slouch as he all but rushes away like a bat out of hell.

"I uh...would you be my date to the Warren Ball this Thursday?" He asks nervously and I feel bad for what I'm about to say. My eyes lock back on Noah's retreating figure before I focus on Brody again.

"I'm so sorry Brody but I already have a date."

"Oh! Sorry, I should've asked if you had one first. That's alright, no problem. I'll see you there then." He smiles and I nod before he too walks away.

I rush to catch up to Noah, cursing under my breath when his strides are longer than mine. "Noah! Wait!"

He doesn't listen and only increases his pace. I huff before breaking out into a run and finally block his way. Noah sighs heavily before looking up and I glare in response, pointedly wiping away the coffee that spilled from my takeaway cup. He seems to realize that he's still holding the folders so he quickly hides them behind his back...well, as much as he can with a big bouquet like that.

"What?"

"Don't what me! Why didn't you stop?!" I swat his arm with an annoyed frown. "Who are the flowers for?"

"Nobody." He shrugs dismissively which makes me narrow my eyes at him. "What were you and Brody talking about?"

"Nothing." I shrug mockingly before turning and walking away.

"I was trying to find you to ask you something." He admits and I turn to see the tips of his ears turn pink. "I want you to be my date for a sports ball this week, the Warren ball. I had flowers and everything but this day is fucking cursed or something because I dropped the chocolates in a puddle and then stupid Brody –"

I cut his rambling off with a kiss to his cheek as my heart races a mile a minute. "I'd love to be your date."

"Wait really?"

"Yes." I chuckle before grabbing the flowers. "They're beautiful. Thanks Noah."

He nods dazedly before snapping out of it and smiling widely. "So, what were you and Brody talking about then? Was he asking you to be his date?"

"Yeah but I said no."

"Seriously?" He stares at me surprised.

"Well, I said I already had a date." I shrug as we make our way up to our dorm. "When I saw you walking towards me with the flowers and then turning away I figured that's what you wanted to ask me."

"So, you'd rather go with me?" He breathes with a light smile.

"Always." I match it before walking out of the elevator.

I turn back to see him grinning happily before following me down the hall. The sight makes butterflies flutter crazily in my tummy as I seek out a vase or something similar that I can use for the flowers. I frown when I can't shake the sense of déjà vu as if someone had said that to me recently.

Shaking my head, I realize I need a dress for the ball and text the girls in our group chat. They immediately respond and we plan to meet up at a nearby mall. I look up to see Noah walk out freshly showered with his keys and looking as handsome as ever.

"Physio?"

"Yeah, I'll be back later this evening." He replies as he fills up his water bottle.

"Cool, I'm going to attempt to make tacos so I'll start around eight. I'll need some help for the assembly if you don't mind?" I ask distractedly as I text the girls back about a meeting point.

"You got it boss." He pecks my temple quickly which leaves me frozen in shock. "See you later fairy."

"It's Faye!" I snap out of it just in time to hear his laugh before the door shuts.

I end up smiling before grabbing my coat and handbag and making my way downstairs. We added Zara to the chat too so she's waiting for me in her car once I reach and I get in with a quick greeting. It seems like all of us girls are going to be there since their boyfriends play some form of sports.

"I'm so excited! I've never been to a ball before." She grins as we drive off.

"You and me both!"

"When did Noah ask you?" She questions and I tell her about what happened earlier. "You guys are such a cute couple!"

"Oh, we're not together." I chuckle when she glances at me with a surprised expression.

"You're kidding? Why not?!" She pouts and I only shrug in response. "Do you like him?"

"I mean...yeah. But he's Noah! The typical quarterback who can have any girl he wants!" I say before replying to Lilah and Abel's recent texts.

"Would you ask him out?" She raises a brow at me before turning onto another street. I'm about to reply when I get a flashback from last night.

"Noah?" I ask as I rest my head against his chest.

"Hm?"

"I'm going to ask you out." I state confidently even though I'm a mess of emotions on the inside.

"I can't wait."

"You'll say yes right?" I ask and the vulnerability I'm feeling in this moment shines through my tone.

"Always."

"Oh my god! Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!" I exclaim as memories from yesterday finally come back to me.

"What?! What's wrong?!"

"Last night I told him that I'm going to ask him out! And to top it all off I told him that he's pretty!" I face palm with an embarrassed groan. "How drunk was I?!"

"Very!" Zara chuckles before patting my arm. "Do you remember what he said?"

"He said he couldn't wait and that he'd say yes." I reply before looking at Zara with wide eyes. "No wonder he was disappointed when I said I couldn't remember much from the party."

"It's settled then. You need to ask him officially and plan a cute date!" She cheers before smacking my arm when I groan again.

"Am I even brave enough to do that?! I mean, yesterday I was going off liquid courage!"

"You'll be fine!" She grins excitedly as she parks and cuts the engine. "Now let's go get you a dress for the ball and an outfit for your date!"

I sigh but get out of the car regardless before rounding it to meet her cheerful expression. On the inside I'm freaking out and that feeling only intensifies when we meet up with the rest of the girls and tell them. Lilah included since she was done with dress shopping and Soren had left to go find shoes.

"Yes! I win a hundred bucks!" Mia squeals before hugging me tightly. "I love you! Thank you for being so drunk!"

My jaw drops when I realize they had a bet running. "Congrats I guess."

"Now come on! We don't have much time so let's get shopping!"

***

I look up as Noah bursts into the dorm at exactly eight o'clock and slams the door shut before locking it. He chucks his duffel bag onto the ground haphazardly before his gaze meets my confused one. When a lightbulb seems to go off in his head followed by a slow yet mischievous smirk I glare at him in response.

"No."

"I didn't even say anything yet Faye!" He whines as he all but throws himself onto the couch beside me.

"Yes but I know you well enough by now that a look like that only means trouble."

"It's not, I swear!" He holds onto my arm to stop me from getting up.

"What is it then?"

"I need you to tell Nora Williams that you're my girlfriend when she knocks on our door and mentions me and the Warren Sports Ball in the same sentence." He rushes out so fast that I almost don't understand him.

I stare at him bemused to my core before silently standing and walking over to my room. He cries out dramatically as he rushes over, blocking access with his arms spread. Our heads turn to the door when three loud knocks echo throughout the dorm.

"It's a hard no from me Noah."

"Faye, I'll fucking beg if you want me to." He replies completely serious.

"Really?"

He thinks about it for a quick second before shaking his head. "Okay no but, I'll cook dinner for you for a month if you agree. I'll even make those tacos all on my own tonight."

"Three months."

"Deal!"

"Could I have made it four?" I question suspiciously.

"If you had asked me to cook for the rest of the semester I would've agreed fairy." He chuckles and I groan as he pulls me to the door when we hear three rapid knocks.

He stands flat against the wall near me when I open it to reveal a brunette waiting on the other side. She's pretty with her makeup and hair done, dressed in a cute outfit with heeled boots and a designer bag to match. I wish I had her energy when getting ready in the mornings.

"Who are you?" She frowns in confusion as she looks me up and down.

"You're at my dorm. Who are you?" I retort feeling a little self-conscious.

"This is Noah Jackson's dorm. You're probably just a hook up." She smirks and I take back what I thought about her being pretty. "Go get him for me, will you?"

I hesitate before fixing her with a firm look. "I'm his girlfriend. Noah's not here."

"You're delusional is what you are!" She scoffs and I push her back when she tries to come in. "I know he's here because I saw him walk into the building."

"Don't speak to her like that!" Noah snaps as he pulls me behind him. I throw my hands up in exasperation before walking away to make a start on dinner. "What do you want Nora?"

"Do you have a date to the sports ball this –"

"Yes, you've already met my girlfriend Faye who's going to be my date to the event. Goodbye." He starts to close the door when she wedges her foot in between it.

She laughs before running a hand up his chest which he shoves away. "Don't be like that Noah. You used to take me every year before Evie."

"I agreed to bring you because our families know each other." Noah deadpans as I start cooking the chicken while listening to the conversation since they're having it literally a few feet away from me.

"Since when did you get a girlfriend? I haven't heard about her." She narrows her eyes at me as she crosses her arms.

"Thank fuck for that because some people actually like to keep things private Nora." He shakes his head as he gestures for her to move back. "I'm not taking you. Go ask someone else. Hey Faye, what's Brody's surname?"

"Noah!" I hiss with a glare. "Brody's sweet and doesn't deserve his night to be ruined!"

"Excuse me?!" Nora exclaims before trying to come in yet again.

"Nora, take the hint and leave with some of your dignity still intact okay? Have a nice night and don't come knocking here again." I make my way over to the door and shut it.

"Sorry about that." Noah rubs the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. "I didn't know she'd behave that way."

"When you took her as your date before did you spend any time with her?"

"No." He frowns thoughtfully.

"Yeah I can now understand why you didn't see that coming." I reply which makes us laugh.

We make our way back to the kitchen and I turn off the fire under the chicken once it's done. Me and Noah make the tacos with music playing softly in the background but my mind is faraway. I think back to the girls encouraging me to ask him out and grow increasingly nervous. So much so that I end up cutting my finger.

"Ouch!" I hiss as I run some water over it.

"Shit, Faye! Here let me see." Noah murmurs before grabbing a bandage. "Where'd you go?"

"Just thinking."

He looks up from my finger and frowns. "About what? If you're worried about the ball then don't be. I promise it'll be fun."

"It's not that."

"Then what?" He asks as he finishes wrapping my finger and we bring cutlery to the coffee table.

"Um...okay...would you maybe want to go on a date with me?" I blurt and immediately blush hard. I peek to see him smiling at me as I fidget nervously before averting my gaze. I wait for his answer but it's been too long in my mind so I start to panic. "It's totally fine if you don't want to! I mean, you recently go out of a relationship so –"

He stops my nervous rambling by taking my hand in his. "I'd love nothing more Faye."

My head whips up with eyes wide from surprise. "O-Okay...cool. Great so uh...I'll see you then."

"When?"

"Oh, right! I um...I don't know." I bite my lip in panic before chuckling weakly. "I didn't exactly see myself getting this far so I'll text you the details?"

"Alright, I can't wait."

"Cool...bye!" I salute him awkwardly before rushing out of our dorm. As soon as I'm outside I face palm once I realize what I've done and step back inside after a few seconds with my cheeks as red as a fire truck. "I live here."

We burst out laughing and he pulls me into his arms when I groan and cover my face. He kisses my forehead and holds me tight causing me to snuggle closer into him. Yeah...I could really get used to this, I think to myself with a small smile which drops in the next instant knowing that I need to be completely upfront and honest with Noah, he deserves that much.

"Um Noah...before we get in too deep I wanted to speak to you about something."

"Sure, what's up?" He pulls away slightly and frowns in confusion when I step away.

"Well, this is going to sound crazy but before starting college I agreed to consider a business partnership between West Medical and Ohlsen Industries. To marry Ryan Ohlsen and take over the two businesses with him." I explain and watch his eyes widen in disbelief.

"W-What?" His voice is barely a whisper.

"I-I was just thinking of the business and bringing it more success, especially since it meant a great deal to my mom but after meeting you..." I trail off while my heart races and my stomach twists with nausea over the possibility of rejection. "I've realized that it's not what I want."

He's quiet for a moment before he steps closer to me, dipping his head slightly so that our lips are a mere breath away and I think I might faint. "Then what is it that you want Faye?"

"I want to call off the partnership and go on a date with you...see where things go between us. Especially since I've been crushing hard on you from the moment I laid eyes on you." My voice is breathless and shaky as I speak but my words make him smile handsomely.

This newfound courage is a little frightening. Since when did I get so bold?

"What if things go well? What then?" He murmurs and I try not to shiver as his fingertips graze my arms.

"Then..." I bite my lip and watch his eyes latch onto the action, tinging darker with lust, before they meet mine again. "I wouldn't mind falling for you, being with you, having you consume my thoughts twenty-four seven. In fact, nothing would make me happier."

"Faye," His hands grip my hips possessively and my breath hitches when he pulls my body flush against his. "I want to kiss you so badly."

"I won't stop you." I whisper and wind my arms around his neck.

Just like in the romance books I read his lips come crashing down on mine and the kiss is everything I imagined and more. It's sweet and slow yet passionate, so much so that my toes curl inside my fluffy slippers. His arms wraps around my waist and tug me impossibly closer before his tongue swipes across my bottom lip.

I moan softly and let him in without hesitation, eliciting a husky groan from him when I play with the ends of his hair. Zingy peppermint and his mildly spicy cologne invades my senses right before air becomes a matter of priority but the taste of him is so intoxicating that I pout at the need to breathe. He pulls away reluctantly and rests his forehead against mine with a small smile.

"We should do more of that."

I squeal when he lifts me up onto his waist before carrying me to the couch. He desperately yanks my cardigan off me to reveal skin, peppering kisses up my neck as it falls somewhere behind us. Goosebumps erupt as his fingertips roam over my body, contrasting with how hot I feel right now over his touch.

Just before things can get more heated between us the oven timer pings signaling that the tortillas I threw in there to warm up quickly are done and we break away with breathless laughs. He follows me to the kitchen and hugs me from behind as I plate the food for us, nuzzling his nose into the crook of my neck and placing sweet kisses to my shoulder. I hear him mumble something and frown in confusion before asking him to repeat it.

"I wouldn't mind falling for you either Faye." He takes the plate from me when I turn in his arms before tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Just know that whatever happens you'll never be his. Only mine."

Oh look, the entire zoo has taken up permanent residence in my belly.

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

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