Chapter 58: 56 | GREEN IS NOT A HAPPY EMOTION

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Noah

Insomnia, after a long time, feels like a foreign concept to me.

I never used to sleep or, even if I did, I would wake up within an hour. But, now, I feel the sunlight falling on my closed eyes and I know I slept through the night.

Putting an arm over my eyes, I try to not be greedy and just wake up from this slumber. When I do, I see her first.

I can spend my mornings just looking—scratch that, I can spend every moment of the day just looking at her and never be bored of it.

Sunlight illuminates Bella's small frame, curled into the comforter beside me. Mouth slightly ajar, her slow breaths on my skin spreads warmth throughout my body. She is sleeping with one of her hands tucked under her cheeks while another one is on my bare chest.

I am at peace.

Not completely healed but I feel a certain kind of relief. Talking about Luna, after years, is difficult but I am glad I talked to Bella about her. All these years, the only way I'd been coping with the loss was by reading her journals.

Still, there's a dull ache in my chest when I remember Luna. And then, there's anger. Like I had that day, red hot and searing were all directed towards the man Luna called Dad. He's still alive and in jail but I want to believe that there is an even darker place for that man, something worse than hell.

I regret a lot of things I've done but punching and almost killing that man—no, I don't.

A soft nudge on my arm and all the anger shimmers away, quickly. I focus my gaze back on Bella, who lets out a soft purr and nestles her face against my arm.

The act is so bizarre that, for a long moment, my body just switches off until my mind and I will it to function. A moment late and my predictions about Bella being the death of me would've been true.

I roll my eyes at my carnal self and sigh, looking back at Bella. I brush my knuckle against her cheek and she lets out a small smile as if she likes that. And to prove that, her cheeks start to shine with that lovely shade of red.

I've never come across anyone who blushes so fucking easily but damn, I like the idea of her blushing all because of me. So much that I want to do it for the rest of my life.

Dearest Brain?

Yeah.

Shut the fuck up.

Suddenly, Bella mumbles, "Pancakes."

I shut my eyes, slowly letting out a laugh. What's up with this girl and naming food in her sleep?

Yes, I've teased her about that she might've been saying my name—which she does, sometimes but most of the time, it is either food or random words. Last night, it was spaghetti and band.

But that just makes an idea worm its way into my head and firmly root itself. I lean and kiss her head. I put another pillow on both her sides—just in case, before getting out of the bed without waking her up.

***

Iris

Out of all the things I hope for, I hope to never wake up with a headache and that too, in the late morning. If it was a school day, I would've been disastrously late.

Soft light is entering the room through the windows, but it is still cold and cloudy, by the looks of it.

I turn and realize Noah is not beside me which makes me feel a little disturbed. The thoughts from last night subside all the other thoughts as I lay on my bed, looking up at my ceiling.

Well, last night was... intense.

Luna's death is tragic. I didn't know her and yet just hearing about it almost tore my heart. Noah and Adi went through that—they were the closest to a family she had. If it was someone else, they would've gone crazy but here these two are, just hiding away their feelings in their deepest corner of hearts.

Before I know it, I get my phone and call one of the top guys on my contacts.

"Iris?" Colt says, groggily. "It is 2 am. I hope you have a good reason to—"

"You are amazing, you know that, right?"

For a long time, all I hear is silence until I hear some shuffling. Then, he says, "Iris, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," I groan. "I just—you know, how I wanted to get a turtle when we were little, I just think I wanted to get it because I didn't have a cute human who would just be there for me. But then I didn't want it because I realized I have you. You are my turtle."

My voice breaks a little in the end, and it is just not only me.

"Cristo, woman—" I hear him sniffle. "It is 2 am."

"I know."

"You aren't supposed to make me cry at this time."

I laugh, wiping my own tears. "I know."

"You have a new turtle," he grumbles. "Be with him."

"He is the black cat to my white cat. You are my turtle."

"Go away—I—I—I am gonna cry—Bye."

And he cuts the call.

Laughing to myself, softly, I put my phone aside and get up only to get hit with the smell of pancakes. They interrupt my thoughts and I feel my stomach grumbling as if telling me, you can't think properly without eating.

Well, the problem is I still can think, proper or not.

After brushing my teeth and washing up my face, I am about to walk out of the bathroom when my arm brushes against my medical bag and—

A box of condoms slips out of it.

A freaking box.

"Oh my god!" I splutter, as I look around for—I don't know—help?

I close the bathroom and breathe for an absolute minute. Calmly. Without any overthinking. I mean, it is just condoms. Just a box of condoms that somehow was in the medical bag that I knew I wasn't going to open but Dad had to—

I smack my hand on my head. I mutter to myself, "Why am I so gullible? Why? Why?"

Letting out a long breath, I try my hard not to call Dad right this moment and ask him just why. Now that my mind and I are calm as heck, I pick up the condom and wrap it in tissues and discard it in the dustbin.

Asim wouldn't suspect a thing. No, he is too nice to suspect anything.

Right?

Frustrated, I go down towards the kitchen, because pancakes may make my mood better. But when I enter the kitchen, actually, I think, 'Or something else does.'

Noah who is standing his back towards me has worn a black tee and a pair of grey sweatpants that hangs low around his waist. His arms are moving quickly, the muscles in his back flexing as he flips the pancake on the pan.

He is humming but it is a different song than the usual—When You Say Nothing at All by Ronan Keating.

I know this song probably because I might've been obsessed with the movie Notting Hill when Mom made Daisy and I watch it years ago.

I make my way through the kitchen and around the island, towards him. I slide my arms around Noah, pressing myself into his back. He smells warm like cinnamon—hmm, I like it but lemons are still better.

"Morning," I murmur, and Noah chuckles.

He turns around in my arms, smiling, and pulls me closer, hugging me. Sighing, he murmurs back, "Good morning, you."

"Did you sleep well?" I ask him, against his chest, and wait for his answer. We had gone to bed very late, last night. So, I don't want him to lose much sleep when he has started to sleep somehow.

He hums, pressing his lips to my hairline. "Yeah, I was with you."

I try to push him away but he doesn't let me, frowning. "What happened?"

I blink, surprised. I ask back, "What happened?"

"You are..." He tilts his head, narrowing his eyes. "Red."

"Uhm, no?"

"Bella."

"Ugh."

I pull away from him, groaning, and this time he lets go of me. I lean against the counter as Noah stares at me. I am about to tell him but as if on cue, my stomach growls.

Noah sighs. "You need to eat, first, and then we can talk."

"Hmm." I look at the pancakes on the counter while he puts another one on the pile. I turn to Noah and say, "So... pancakes?"

He smiles as he casually takes out two plates and puts the hot and yummy-looking pancakes on them. He glances at me. "Yeah... with Nutella and whipped cream."

I gape at him. "You're kidding."

He gets out the Nutella and a can of whipped cream and smirks. "I am not."

"That's my favorite breakfast!" I say to him he casually takes both of the plates with Nutella and a can of whipped cream in his hands and keeps them on the dining table.

"I know, Bella. I know."

I follow him, excitedly, before sitting and taking the Nutella and spreading it over my pancake. Then, I spray the whipped cream, making a swirling mountain on it.

Sitting beside me with his cup of tea, Noah says, laughing, "Whoa, calm down."

I tell him, "I am hungry. I feel like I can eat a whole half of the world's largest pizza—or well, pancake."

I cut up a huge piece of the pancake and eat it, sighing. "Noah, this is really good," I say, after eating the whole thing.

"Glad you liked it, Bella," he says, grinning at me.

I take another big bite of the pancake, enjoying every moment of it. When I glance at Noah, he is staring at me with a small smile.

"What?" I ask him.

He shakes his head and sips his tea. He asks, putting down the mug, "So, what happened before you came?"

I sigh. "First, tell me you won't say anything—like speak about it ever again. Okay?"

He looks at me, taken aback, but nods, drinking his tea. "Okay."

I look away and tell him in a low voice, "Dad put a box of condoms in my bag."

"What?" He has visibly frozen and has his eyebrows raised when I glance at him. "What did you just say?"

I murmur, "You heard it."

Noah laughs, setting down his mug, and leans back on the chair. He puts an arm around his face and says, laughing, "Steve, you sneak."

"St—stop laughing!" I punch his arm but he doesn't stop. "Noah."

His laughter turns to chuckles, as he holds up his hands, looking at me. "Did he, really?"

"Yeah," I grunt. "I mean—yeah, he did say that he had 'packed some more stuff.'" I use air quotes. "But I didn't know it would be that. We didn't even know for sure you would come or not!"

"What's the size?"

"Noah."

"I am... curious as to what size he thinks I am."

"Noah."

"Okay, I am stopping." He chuckles, shaking his head in amusement, and looks at me with that damn crooked smile. "I think he knew I would come."

"Ya, I am thinking the same too," I sigh. "So weird everyone knew about our feelings, except us."

Humming, he tucks my hair around my ear, before sliding the hand under my chin. His eyes flicker between mine when he says, "But eventually, we did."

"You're chirpier than usual," I tease him and he leans away, smiling.

"We are going on that tour, I told you about."

"Mhmm, is your kindergarten in this tour too?" I raise an eyebrow, and he laughs.

"Sure, if you want to."

I eye his cup of tea and, discreetly, slides it towards me as he spreads Nutella on the whole pancake perfectly. He is about to cut it when he notices his cup is missing and I am actually drinking from it.

I don't really love tea but I enjoy it when in the mood. Now, I'm in the mood.

"So, where's Asim?" I ask him, pretending I didn't actually drink from his cup.

He eyes the cup in my hand and then, me. No surprise that he smirks. Cutting into the pancake, he replies, "He went to get some stuff for the house."

"What about your grandmother?"

"Still drives me nuts," he tells me.

"I feel the same about you, Arthur."

Noah had shown me her pictures—heck, the house is filled with her photos. But still, when I see Noah's grandmother, I get reminded of Mr. Radcliffe. Same intense and intimidating features, except for the eyes. She has incredible blue eyes.

Noah narrows his eyes. "If it isn't Cruella, herself."

Noah's grandmother just shrugs her shoulder. "Well, I'll take that."

Her eyes turn to me and I almost jump—almost, as Noah presses his hand on my knee in a reassuring way.

After a little pep talk with myself in my head, I smile at her and say, "Hello, I am—"

"Iris," She says, pulling a chair and sitting on it. "I am aware. So, you like him?"

"Uhm," I glance at Noah while he rolls his eyes. "Yes, I like him."

"How?" She leans aback and looks at me as if she can't believe it. "No offense to you or your taste in men but are you sure you like this Radcliffe? Sam's available—or if you want younger, you can go for Chris."

Noah sighs and I purse my lips, trying not to laugh. "I am sure about my decision."

"He doesn't even have any money. And has too much pride to even take the pocket money."

Noah, then, answers, "Because I work for it, Grandmother."

"Well," She says, ignoring him, "I tried to save you from this project."

"Noah's not a project," I say, immediately, and Noah's gaze snaps to me. "I really like him, not because he's mysterious or anything. Because when it comes to feelings, I think of him—not anyone else."

Noah's grandmother hums and nods. "My son was right about you."

Both Noah and I freeze at the words. Mr. Radcliffe talked about me?

She continues, "You are indeed special. Also, Arthur may not be my favorite but you certainly are becoming my favorite, Iris."

"This was a... test?" I say, unsure, and she laughs.

Noah scowls. "Just cut it out, Grandmother."

She grins at me. "Oh, you will be great in my team for future game nights. His team is always a loser."

"That's because you make everyone against me and in the end, it is me against the whole family," Noah defends.

"Oh shush, you end up on the other side only because you hate the flamingo."

"Chris hates it too but he's your favorite."

"I don't have favorites."

"You just said—"

Noah's grandmother gives him a look, making him stop and grumble to himself. She turns to me. "Iris, you have seen the flamingo, what do you think of it?"

"Yes, Bella, darling, what do you think of it?" Noah turns to me and raises his eyebrows.

I hold up my hands. "Please, don't drag me into this!"

"Don't worry I know you like it." She winks at me, before staring at Noah. "So, Arthur, you could've called me before coming?"

"I thought you would be here, not in a frat house," he tells her.

"Well, what can I say? I am enjoying my retirement by completing my masters'." Then, she tells me, "I couldn't complete it as I got pregnant with his father and after that, I didn't get much time. Well, now I have a lot of free time, so education, here I come."

I wonder if Grandpa was alive, what would have he done in his retirement? Probably, he would go off to the Bahamas and live where he can see dolphins clearly every day.

"That's cool," I tell her, shaking my head out of my thoughts. "Really cool, Mrs. Radcliffe."

"Call me Diana, Iris," she says, getting up. "Now, both of you enjoy your breakfast and, Noah, please show the girl the good spots of the city. Don't take her to that haunted abbey."

"Haunted abbey?" I raise a brow, and he shakes his head, dismissing it.

Diana says, "If you need me, I'll be in the library—studying for my mid sem."

"She is nice," I admit when his grandmother goes, and Noah raises his brows. "The way she has kept the flamingo, even though you and Chris have an unexplainable hatred towards it. I have nothing but respect for her."

"That bird is a death machine."

I tell him, blandly, "It is a statue."

Noah eats, nonchalantly. "Still, a death machine."

I let out a few laughs, and he winks at me.

We eat in comfortable silence, Noah's hand lingering on my knee as he eats with his other one. We have eaten together a lot of times but this feels different. Nice different.

Eating breakfast together like this just makes me think how I can get used to this—very soon. I glance at Noah when he takes the cup from me and drinks the tea, looking back at me with sparks in his eyes.

Somehow, I know he is thinking the same.

***

"Now, stand there."

"You know, your photograph skills are not great."

"Just stand there."

Noah sighs but goes on to stand at the place, I told him to.

Like he had told me before coming to Nottingham, he took me to most of those places. Even though he refused to take me to that haunted abbey, he did take me to his school. Like I had thought, the guy was never social but definitely athletic. He was also named student of the year—not once but twice—and had his pictures on the glass shelves.

Little Nommy was so cute I wonder why they didn't give the guy 'most cutest award.'

Yes, grammar nazis, I do mean the MOST CUTEST in literal capital letters.

Right now, we are just walking on the streets of Nottingham. The weather is quite pleasant and sunny, unlike yesterday's cloudy weather. And thus, I've worn a knit polo T-shirt and denim shorts with sneakers. I look extremely cute—I feel extremely cute.

But nothing compared to this tall human. Noah has put on his glasses—I am pretty sure he has because he wants to tease me. He has worn a dark blue t-shirt, hugging his arms... quite well, and beige chinos with white sneakers. Yes, he has started to put out his spring colors.

Anyway, for now—

I groan, "Will you smile, you frowning guy?"

He gives me a tight smile, making me roll my eyes and click his picture, nevertheless. With him, I can never get him to pose for a picture. Also, maybe, the number of times I've asked him to pose has made him lose interest. But in all seriousness, how did this guy model for Melody? How?

After clicking two or three pictures, I stare at the camera. I comment, "It is better than the last two."

"Debatable," He argues, stepping closer to me and looking at the pictures. I give him a look, and he says, "You told me to be honest."

"Yeah, but not... too honest."

"So, you want me to lie?"

"I didn't say that, Stupid!" I lightly punch him as we start to move. "And why would you lie to me?"

"Maybe to protect your sweet little innocence?" He replies, grinning, and puts an arm around me.

"As if Caleb isn't enough for that," I laugh. "Once Tom went all uncensored about a topic and Colt and Caleb double-covered my ears."

He chuckles. "I'm not surprised. Anyway, come on, you must be hungry."

"Am I not always?"

He takes my hand in his hand, as he pulls me towards one of the small restaurants on the street. When I look at the sign, I question, "The burger joint?"

"I am maybe in a mood for a burger?" Reaching the restaurant's door, he opens the door for her. He tells me, "After you."

I raise an eyebrow at him. "And here I thought, chivalry isn't a word in your dictionary."

He smirks, leaning down. "Oh, it isn't. I am anything but a gentle man."

My lips part in surprise. "Jesus, Noah."

Noah laughs, as without waiting for him, I enter into the restaurant, and... it literally smells of burgers. I look around the area and see different sizes and variations of burgers on the tables. There even is a chocolate one!

"Wow, is this the burger heaven?" I let out a laugh as we sit in the corner, near the restaurant's glass windows.

Noah looks around the place and nods. "It hasn't changed a lot."

I turn towards him when he slides closer to me. "You used to come here often?"

He nods. "Yeah, with Chris. Whenever he was upset or suffering through a music block, I used to bring him here. It always cheered us up, somehow. Also," He smiles. "I used to work here."

"Really?"

"You're surprised."

I shrug my shoulder, nonchalantly. "I always thought it would be an Italian restaurant."

"I did, but back in States, not here," he tells me.

"Wait, seriously? We need to go to that place after," I say and he laughs. "Okay, so I am going to order—tell me what you want."

His lips lift, mischievously. "You."

"Noah!"

"What?" He says, still smirking, "I am not lying."

"You—you are so—ugh! The whole day!" I get up from the seat, flustered. I can hear his chuckles as I go to the counter to order.

It doesn't take me much time to order our food; obviously, three kinds of burgers for me and one normal kind for him, as he doesn't like to experiment with his food much.

"Alright, just wait on the side, please," the lady behind the counter tells me, and I slide to the side, making two guys come in front after me.

"Hey," One of the guys says, "Isn't that Radcliffe?"

Immediately, I look at the guys, and they are in fact looking at Noah. But when I look at Noah—What the hell?

The other guy near me scoffs, "I almost forgot how popular he was with girls, even though he never talked to one."

Oh god, even I forgot that. I—the one who is dating him—have forgotten how other people find him attractive and actually liked him. I see some high school uniformed girls, checking out and talking to Noah. And what is even Noah doing? Ugh, I can't see him as they literally have surrounded him.

I grit my teeth, feeling something, I can't put my finger on. Something that makes me a bit angry or something that makes me see green around me.

Jealous.

In my life, I have never been jealous of another girl who tries to flirt with guys I ever liked. But here I am, walking with determination towards my man, cuz guess what, this man is of the market, off the charts.

I've claimed him; he is all mine.

When I reach them, I'm about to prove that my glares are daggers, but Noah speaks up.

"No, I'm taken."

I am behind the girls and I can feel them frozen, as they take in his words.

One of them starts, "Wha—what?"

"How?"

Another says, "Who is it?"

And that's my cue.

"Now, that—" I push between them, giving them a quick tight smile. "That is the right question. He's mine. So, now, scatter off."

I wave them away and two of them do. The one girl, still standing, crosses her arms and looks at me, straight in the eye, and says, "I don't believe it."

I scoff, rolling my eyes. "Did we ask?"

"You're not even pretty."

I lean towards her, tilting my head. "I'll remember that when he buries himself in me and calls me fucking beautiful."

She just huffs and backs off, not before sending me a glare, even though I can see how clearly embarrassed she is. I just smile smugly at her as I cross my arms, leaning back on the table.

"Did you say what I heard you say?" Noah suddenly says, and I turn around to see him smirking at me.

After all that adrenaline rush of jealously, a blushing red Iris is left in the battlefield. But I don't hide it away as I shrug. "I guess."

"Come here, you." He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me down on his lap.

Eyes wide and looking around, I say, "Noah—"

He gently grabs the back of my head with his hand, and—just holy shit. It is the most breathtaking kiss I'd ever had and I just know that this won't be the last.

Since I wasn't expecting it, I gasp in surprise but quickly melt into the kiss. His arms tighten around me as our lips meet again. I put my hand on his cheek, deepening the kiss, and Noah lets out a slow breathy moan.

"I like it when you get jealous," he murmurs, softly.

I glance at Noah with a smug smile of my own, breathlessly. "What can I say? I'm just a tad possessive about what's mine."

"Just a tad?"

"Please," I push him away when he gives me that smirk. "If I go on about the times you have been jealous, my possessiveness will be like the earth in the whole milky way galaxy."

A sudden bell gets our attention and we turn towards the counter where the lady who took my order just smiles and holds up our food bill while a man glares at us and points at a sign: NO PDA ALLOWED.

The moment I read the sign, I jump out of his lap and set my hair and clothes, properly. Noah just pushes back his hair, amused at my antics.

"Sorry, D'Souza!" Noah says, loudly, grinning but still looking at me. The woman laughs, giving him a thumbs-up, while the man rolls his eyes, going back into the kitchen.

"Noah," I warn him before I walk towards the counter to get our food. But a sudden grip on my hand stops me. I turn towards Noah, questioningly.

In utmost seriousness, he tells me, "Bella, you know, I've always been yours. It is you who has the hold on my heart, no one else."

I purse my lips, trying not to grin. So, I lean down again and give him a quick peck on his lips. "I don't doubt that one bit because, Stupid, I really really really like you too."

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- a u t h o r ' s  n o t e -

hi from the writer having the worst writing slump ever? actually it is not exactly a writing slump, more like 'uni keeps me so busy that i can't write cuz i am so very stressed' slump. but guess what? they can't drag me down, no, no, no.

i know i said i'll publish the chapters when i complete the whole story offline but i think i like you guys too much to put you through that. so, here's the chapter.

next update on saturday (after that no idea but we will see in these two days)

inerys