Chapter 16

The picture of Cassie------->

The next few days passed uneventful. I avoided spending time with Noah as much as possible. I drove in my car every day. Noah didn’t like the idea much but didn’t say anything. I was able to stay away from him for the whole day but he still came home every day for dinner. The two hours he spent with me after school was the only time we are together. I miss him but it’s easier this way. Whenever I see Cassie and Noah together I still feel sad and jealous but at least I have it under control.

Everyone had planned to go and see a movie tonight during lunch. I didn’t want to go but they all forced me to come. I got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself. I stood in front of my closet like always deciding what to wear. I pulled on a pair of blue skinny jeans and my purple color tank top. My phone started ringing.  I picked it up and looked at the caller id. It was Will.

“Hello.” I said.

“Hi. I will pick you up for the movie today. We can go together.” He said.

Actually that’s not a bad idea. “Ok.” I said

“I hope you are ready. I am on my way.” He said cheerfully.

“I am ready. See you.” I said and hung up.

For past few days I had been spending time with Will. He was the only one who knew everything. Whenever I felt sad or lonely, he would always cheer me up. I had never noticed this before but we actually had a lot in common. I had fun with him. When I was with him I didn’t think much about Noah and his stupid girlfriend.

There was a knock on the door. I knew it was Will. He was very punctual. I opened the door to see Will smiling at me happily. He was looking nice today. “Hi.” I said happily.

He brought his one hand from behind his back and handed me a bunch of yellow roses. He is so sweet. I took them and smelled them. “Thank you. They are beautiful. Come inside till I put them in a vase.” I said opening the door more and moving away so he could come inside.

We made our way to the lounge. “I will be right back.” I said and went to the kitchen. I removed a vas from under the sink and filled it with water. I arranged the bunch of roses properly and when I was satisfied I made my way back to the lounge with the vase in my hand. I placed it on the coffee table and smiled at myself proudly.

Will was sitting in the couch observing me. “You ready to go?” He asked getting up from the couch and waiting in front of me.

“Yeah. Just one minute, I need to take my purse.” I said running upstairs. I grabbed my purse quickly and made my way down. Will was already waiting near the door.

We made our way quietly to his car. He never opened the door for me like Noah but I didn’t mind. He started the car and we sped off the driveway. “You are looking nice today.” Will said not even glancing at me.

He can be so shy sometimes. “Thanks. You look good too.” I said honestly. He was 6 foot tall and well built. Not very muscular but still just enough. He had blond hair which was always messy and cute green eyes. He looked nice, not in a total hot way like Noah but still good.

We drove in silence after that. It was not an awkward silence but just a little uncomfortable. We reached the theater and made our way to our friends. Rachel was standing tapping her foot impatiently. When she saw us she relaxed a little.

“What took you so long? The movie starts in fifteen minutes and I already bought the tickets. Where the hell is Noah and Cassie?” She asked glaring at everyone.

Rosie sighed.  Amber just giggled which made Rachel even angrier. “Relax. They will be here soon. Don’t worry we won’t miss the beginning.” Liam said trying not to laugh.

Rachel just nodded and frowned. Liam turned to us. “What took you guys so long?” He asked looking at me and Will intently.

“Nothing. Will was late.” I said easily. “That is not true. She was arranging the flowers for like fifteen to twenty minutes.” Will replied.

Amber stop giggling at looked at us curiously. “What flowers?” She asked staring at us making me uncomfortable.

“I got her flowers.” Will said and threw an arm around my shoulder. I looked at him and he was grinning at others proudly. What is wrong with him?

Liam smiled and then started smirking. “So you two are on a date?” He asked looking between the both of us. Will was about to say something but I cut him off.

“This is not a date. You guys don’t get your hopes up.” I said looking at the each one of them. I don’t what it was but whenever one of us started dating the other teased the crap out of them. When Liam and Amber started dating other made their lives miserable. It was like a tradition of our group but I didn’t follow it. I was never good at teasing others.

After few minutes I and Will went to get popcorn. We were coming back when we saw Noah and Cassie walking towards us holding hands. I took a deep breath and Will held my hand as if he knew I would need his support. “You are looking beautiful.” Noah said softly looking into my eyes.

I blushed slightly and smiled at him. Cassie was shooting me disapproving look. I could care less about what she thinks. I have no idea why she hates me. When Noah is around she behaves so nicely with everyone the moment his back turns, she starts showing her true colors. Nona of us really like but we got no choice. We can’t tell Noah directly that we all hate your girlfriend, can we?

We made our way inside. Not many seats were taken. Some couples were sitting in corners and old people in the front. We all settled in an empty row in the middle. Noah took my hand guided me towards the seat. I sat between Noah and Will, with Cassie next to Noah on the other side. She is always sticking to him like gum. I frowned and looked away stealing popcorn from Will’s bucket.

“Hey, that’s mine.” He whined. I slapped his arm playfully.

“I thought it was both of us.” I said giving him the puppy dog face. When we bought it I said no but now I was regretting it.

Will smiled at me and set the popcorn bucket in between us lifting the arm rest. I looked in front but I could see Noah looking at me from the corner of my eye. I looked at him but couldn’t make out his expression. He was angry, sad or annoyed maybe, it was a mixture of all three. I raised my eyebrows at him curiously. He just shook his head and looked away.

Whatever it was he will tell me when he wants to. Right now, I don’t think he is in the sharing kind of mood. The movie started and in a matter of few minutes Noah took my hand interlacing our fingers. I missed this so much for the past few days. I was addicted to his touch and him actually. I loved the tingles and shockwaves which ran through my body whenever he touched me.

We both gave up watching the movie. Noah was making jokes out of everything going on in the movie making me laugh. The whole time we were chatting and laughing about something he said earning us weird looks from our friends and other people sitting around. “Noah, stop otherwise they will kick us out.” I said to him still giggling.

He chuckled but didn’t stop. The rest of the evening was fun as it is always when I am with Noah. The movie ended and we all got up to leave. If anyone asks me what the movie was about I won’t be able to say anything to them. It was very hard to pay attention when Noah was sitting next to you. I was going to go back with Will. I said my byes to everyone hugging them all Liam, Amber, Rosie and Rachel. I stood in front of Noah and he hugged me tightly. I pulled out soon, I was very aware of the fact that Cassie was standing next to him.

He reluctantly let me go. “I had fun tonight.” He said still holding my hand and looking into my eyes.  His blue eyes always pulled me in. I could look forever in his eyes and never get bored.

I smiled remembering the fun we had inside. “Me too.” I said pulling my hand out of his slowly. He didn’t let go when Cassie wrapped an arm around his waist he let go of my hand. “Good night.” I said taking a step behind where Will was standing.

“Good night.” He said. I turned around and walked to the car park with Will walking behind me quietly. He opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out.

I took a seat in the front and pulled the seatbelt. Will started the car and I turned on the radio. “Can we get something to eat? I am starving.” Will said a little dramatically.

I rolled my eyes at him. He was always hungry. “Ok I don’t mind. Where are we going?” I asked looking at him.

Will looked like he was deep in thought. “We could get a something from McDonalds. What say?” He asked. That’s all he came up with?

I laughed. “Ok. Let’s go to McDonalds.” I said trying to suppress my giggle. He was so deep in thought and he came up with McDonalds.

We ordered food in the take out and took it to a bench in the park. “We can sit here only for an hour, its closing time.” Will say stuffing himself with the burger.

“So attractive.” I muttered sarcastically and he looked at me confused which made me laugh even more. Then understanding crossed his face and he smiled at me knowingly.

We were chatting happily eating our food when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I set my glass of coke down and pulled the phone out of the pocket answering it immediately. “Hello.” I said.

“Hi. Reached home safely?” Noah asked. It’s been an hour since we left the movie theater but he doesn’t normally check on me like this.

“Um, No. Not yet. I am with Will.” I simply said. He groaned at the other end. I could see him running his hand through his hair nervously.

Then he spoke again, “What are you doing with him? It’s late.” He said.

I chuckled. “What? Are you my mother?” I said getting up and walking a little away from the bench where Will was sitting so; he couldn’t hear anything.

“It’s not funny. Its late and you both are alone.” Noah said a little loudly. It was almost like he was shouting.

I can’t believe him. “Noah will you relax. It’s just Will; I am not with some stranger.” I said trying to calm him down.

He sighed. “I just want you to be safe. I am sorry. I am being a jerk right?” He asked. There was no humor in his tone, he must be serious.

“You are being protective but not a jerk. I am fine. I will let you know when I get home.” I said. At least he is not angry anymore but it’s Will. They both are good friends and he doesn’t trust him?

“Ok. Don’t forget.” He said and hung up. I walked back to and sat down. I still had to finish my food. Will looked at me and then looked away.

“You are still not over him.” Will said and shook his head in slight disappointment. What does he expect me to do?

“It’s only been two weeks. What do you expect?” I said shrugging. Two weeks is not enough time to get over someone. Sometimes even two years is not enough.

“But it’s like you are not even trying.” Will said looking at me directly. I took the last bite of my burger and wiped my hand on a tissue paper.

I was trying to think of a good response. “Do you even want to get over him?” He asked pulling my forearm making me look at him.

“I don’t know. It’s not that easy.” I said wiling myself not to cry. I didn’t like crying in front of others. I didn’t care if they think I was weak, I just didn’t like anyone to know how much they affect me.

“Stop doing this to yourself. He has a girlfriend.” Will said throwing all the bags in the thrash next to the bench and scooting closer to me.

As if I don’t already know that. He has never been in love, he just doesn’t get it. “Will, you don’t understand, it’s not that easy.” I said.

He sighed. “But at least try. You are the one who keeps getting hurt. “He said. He was rubbing my arm affectionately.

“He doesn’t feel that way. You just have to accept that.” He said. That did it, I broke into sobs. I was trying so hard to control myself but couldn’t. The pain was too much to handle, I didn’t have the strength to deal with this anymore.

I started crying even harder. Will turned me around and hugged me. I buried my face in his chest and cried. It was just Will but being close to him like this actually felt bad. I felt like I was cheating on Noah even though we are not a couple it just didn’t feel right. I feel like I am doing something I shouldn’t.

I pulled away from Will and wiped away my tears quickly. “Just try. Stop hurting yourself.” He said rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Please take me home.” I said looking at him pleadingly. He nodded and I got up to leave.

It was the longest car ride of my life. I didn’t have anything to say to Will and neither did he. He stopped the car in front of my house and looked at me. He was slightly worried I could tell. I just smiled at him and stepped out of the car.

I looked behind once more and saw Will speed out of the driveway. I sighed and removed my keys from the pocket. I knew my parents would be already asleep so I was trying not to disturb them. I buckled my sandals and walked up the stairs to my room making minimum noise. I closed my bedroom door slowly and made my way to the bathroom.

I slipped out of my clothes and wore my pajamas. I splashed some water on my face and brushed my teeth. I slumped on my bed and grabbed my cell phone to text Noah that I reached home safely. He immediately replied and kept my phone on the nightstand. I got out of the bed and went to my closet.

I pulled out the shirt Noah had given me when I first stayed over at his place and slipped it on. The shirt smelled like him and I smiled. I climbed into the bed with his shirt on. I tugged myself under the sheets and took a deep breath. I closed my eyes but I couldn’t fall asleep. Will was right I was not trying to get over him honestly I just didn’t want to. It was Noah or nobody. I sighed and closed my eyes hoping to fall asleep soon.

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Thanks J