The Girl That Didn't Explode (Bliss Book 1), page 14
"Hi Noah!" Ashley smiled brightly, as though she were excited to talk to him. "This is Pure,"
"Hey." He grinned, humor in his light green eyes. "Nice to meet you, " he held out his hand for me to shake. It seemed like an inside joke. Noah!! His name is Noah! His name is as beautiful as he is.
"Well, she's your partner for the senior thingy, so I'll leave you two here to talk and yeah." She smiled, giving me an encouraging squeeze on my arm as she walked back to the table.
"You!" I exclaimed, a thing of fake anger in my voice.
"Me!" He smiled widely, he really was a tall, dark, and handsome type of guy.
"So Noah, what do you want to do for our project?" I asked, his name felt so foreign on my tongue.
"Well Pure, Whatever you want to do is what I want to do." He grinned, I stood there staring into his green eyes, wishing I could melt into them.
"Well Noah, I want to do what you want to do." I smiled, imitating him.
"Well Pure, I think we should do the senior project." He grinned, stupid, so stupid.
"No duh!" I giggled as we sat at a nearby table.
"Well we could meet up somewhere to make a video or a powerpoint."
"You want to make a video?"
"If you want to." This formality felt like we were going to end up nowhere.
"You're such a gentleman, " I smirked, voicing my thoughts.
"I've been told." He gave me an adorable half smile. Why did god create such beautiful people in this world, I think it's unfair, really.
"We could go to my house, you already know where I live so we could start on this since it's due next Friday anyway, do you want to come over today?"
"Sure." He smiled. I could literally feel Ashley's eyes staring at us, along with the entire crew.
But I mean, how could I do this project without him, I'm a half of a whole.
Chapter 29: Board Games and Vows
I stared at the green eyes in front of me, feeling a sting in my eyes, hoping to get lost and drown in his pupils. The air hitting them, my eyes were dry, dry causing me to flinch when a pesky rain drop flew in through the window and landing on my nose.
"I win!" Noah declared.
"No fair, I flinched." I glared at him, feeling comfort in being allowed to blink again. We sat on my bedroom floor, wind flowing through the curtains of my window. His perfectly tousled golden blond hair slightly moving along with the wind.
"We should probably get started." He tilted his head, a slight smile on his beautiful pink lips.
"Yeah, we should." I smiled, realizing we've gotten nothing done. As soon as he came to my house, my mom was all over him.
"He's way hotter than that boy next door." She winked at him placing her hands on his chest as she moved closer.
"Who's lives next door." He asked me later, following me to the kitchen.
"Nobody important." I replied, feeling a sting of pain as I said those words.
"Do you kids want some snacks?" Mom asked, loosening the straps of her tanktop as she brought us some strawberries.
"Thanks Mrs. Bliss. Strawberries are my favorite." He smiled at my mom, pressing his lips on the strawberry, causing a strange tingle in my stomach.
"Oh what I would do to those lips." Mom mumbled, staring at Noah.
"MOM!" I shouted, feeling as though the roof wants to fall on my head.
"What?" She rolled her eyes, a smile on her lips. I looked over at Noah, a grin was on his face as he stared at the bowl of strawberries.
"Mom, we're going to go work on our project." I said, hiding my face as I began walking downstairs.
"Go ahead Melissa, the hunk can stay here with me." What about dad? I wanted to say but couldn't bring myself to do it.
"I'll be there in a second Pure, damn these are some good strawberries." I smiled to myself as I stepped onto the carpeted staircase, wondering what Noah and I will work on. I plugged in my laptop and turned it on. A bright screen popped up with white letters arranging themselves to show the brand.
Moments later, I went on powerpoint and set up the first slide. Noah and Pure's Project, I titled it, staring at the blank screen for a bit, then tilting my head to my open window. Gray clouds began forming sending a gush of wind into my room. A sign of rain about to approach yet didn't want to come because it felt lazy.
I want you. Christian's voice played in my mind, reminding me of the times we'd had. The hotel room, saving me from my dad, our kisses, his hands on me, his brown eyes, the funeral. Tears stung the edges of my eyes, trying to pour out. But I wouldn't let them.
If only prom never happened.
"It's supposed to rain today." Noah's voice threw out my train of thought as he walking through my open door.
"Yeah." I mumbled, thoughts of Christian lingering in my mind and refusing to leave.
"So. . .What do you want to do for our project" He began, yesterday's argument with him played in my mind. A small smile made it's way to my lips.
"Whatever floats your boat." I grinned.
"I don't have a boat," He smirked, his green eyes meeting mine as he sat on my rug. "But if I did, I'd name it the SS Noah." He grinned proudly.
"Cocky much." I slightly hit his shoulder, chuckling.
"Hey! You have Uno!" He smirked, standing up to grab my Uno cards and flopped back down beside me. I couldn't help but stare at his arms as his biceps and triceps moved to open the box.
"I could cream you at uno." I challenged as a playful smirk danced it's beat on the corners of his lips.
"We'll see about that." He gave me seven cards and placed a card in the center. I stared at my cards, an evil smile making its way into my mind as I noticed my two plus four cards and change the color cards.
Piece of cake.
He placed a red three over the already present blue three therefore changing the color and helping me achieve my red skip his turn card, then I reversed back to myself and placed a get four cards changing the color to yellow.
My plan was very strategical and the more cards I placed, the more frustrated he became of his large stack of cards. I eventually ended up with one card, crying out merrily Uno! as he placed down his yellow card.
I slyly placed my change the color card, thereby winning.
"I WIN!" I stood up, hopping out of excitement.
"Rematch!" He declared, throwing his twenty or so cards down in front of him.
"No, I won,"
"Your cards were rigged, this time I'm shuffling and I'm going to win." His eyes playfully teased mine, causing a slight butterfly in my stomach. Oh dear.
We played for hours until eventually he had won, I had five wins and he had only one. I smiled proudly at myself, feeling as though I've accomplished something great like winning the olympics.
I looked up at my laptop, the screen had gone dark.
The sun was beginning to fade and we simultaneously decided to have an eye staring contest. Small drops of rain flew into my room, making me lose my concentration and losing the game entirely.
It began raining harder and dripping onto my bed. We both stood up to shut the window, the thing just wouldn't budge. I nervously began laughing as his hand accidentally hit my boob. I hope he didn't notice. We shut the window, laughing at how soaked we both were.
"We should probably start on the project." I said as we sat on my bed now, the sky getting dimmer.
"Patricia!" Mom smiled, walking into my room wearing nothing but a bra and a towel on her lower half, "Hey there hunky money. " She winked at noah, sending a sick feeling through me.
"Hi." He grinned, waving and moving closer to me.
"So, listen here kiddo," Mom grinned, "Jacob and I decided that we're going to get married." She smiled, for once in a long time, her eyes glimmered with excitement.
"But I thought you guys were already married." I gave her a confused look, furrowing my eyebrows. Noah sat silently on my bed, I hoped he wasn't staring at my half nude mom, but if he was, I don't care, right, I mean, I don't have anything for him, he just kind of . . . Stop thinking Pure.
"Oh yes dear, but our wedding was at city hall and only my mom and his sister were there, we're going to have a second wedding to renew our vows." She smiled dreamily as though that was all that mattered. At least they still love each other.
"When is it?"
"In two weeks." She smiled wildly, her bra strap falling slightly, I turned my eyes. "You can be the maid of honor. And you can be the best man." She winked at Noah.
"There you are!" Dad's smug smiled made its way into my room, tearing apart the darkness with a devilish grin. He wrapped his arms around my mom's waist and lifted her up, pressing his lips on hers and running out of my room.
I turned slowly toward Noah, nervous. He just experienced my sick parents about to do bad, bad things to each other. He remained silent as he sat beside me on the bed. At that moment, I wished I could read minds and know exactly what he was thinking.
"So. . ." I began, awkwardly. Staring at him, he was looking at me with a sharp steady look, like one one a soldier might give to a commander. "Are you ok Noah?" I asked at his blank expression.
"Yeah." He gave me a brief smile which didn't reach his eyes. "Mind if I leave early tonight?" He asked. Did I do something wrong?
"But we haven't even started on the project!" I smiled, trying to get back our friendly, playful mood, but it just wouldn't come.
"I'll see you tomorrow Pure." He said, not attempting to leave or much less get off the bed. A strong urge to grab him and hug him swept over me, but I pushed it away. We sat in dark silence as the raindrops splattered across my window in the darkness of the night.
"That's rough." He suddenly said, a strange look appeared in his eyes, but as quickly as it made it's appearance, it was gone. I remained quiet, embarrassed.
"Look Noah, I'm sorry you had to see that." I said, knowing I was about to cry as my voice shook and cracked. We remained silent another few minutes.
"What I would give for parents like yours." He said.
"What?" I said, shocked.
"I’ve never met my parents, I was adopted," he stated, "They're great people but every moment I'm with them makes me wonder if my real parents and I would have ever had had a moment like that, or a memory like that. You know, one time they took me to visit their family in Oklahoma, they were all such friendly people and so so welcoming, and I couldn't help but think. why me?
Why the hell did my parents give me away? Do I have any sisters or brothers? Why me? And then I'd look over at their reassuring smiles and thank my lucky stars that these were the people who adopted me." He said, words appearing slowly from his lips. I reached over and took his hand, squeezing slightly in reassurance.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know." I said, barely above a whisper.
"No, you have nothing to apologize for, except almost getting killed by a stranger the other day." And he was back, all remnants of seriousness had completely dispersed from his voice as a playful Noah reappeared.
"We should probably get started," I grinned, finally at ease.
"Yeah. We should." He grinned widely, intertwining our fingers. I smiled at him.
And I knew in my heart, that his parents would probably not be as perfect as he is. I mean, who would ever want to give him away??
♡♡♡
" My Car?!" He yelled, staring at the tiny scratch by the mirror.
"Well if you're yelling about that, I probably shouldn't show you the other side."
"Other side?!" His voice reached a high pitch as he walked around his car. He looked at the giant bump on the side, staring at me with angry eyes.
"I'm. . .sorry?" I said unsure as he looked like he was going to explode.
"You're. . .sorry?" His voice softened as he fell to the ground, unconscious. I woke up. Where did that come from?
I looked at the couch beside my bed, Noah's eyes were shut and his blonde hair messily placed across his head. I smiled slightly, looking at my computer screen. We'd gotten at few slides done but ended up playing more card games then he fell asleep on the couch with the laptop beside him.
First Slide: The life of Noah Williamson
Second Slide: Born in Tulsa Oklahoma on January 14, 1998.
Moved to Florida when he was 3.
And that's all we have so far, we ended up talking about all the cool places his adoptive parents took him to travel and eventually he dozed off, slightly snoring every few minutes, a quiet grumbling noise.
I stared at him for a while longer, realizing how much of a creep I must look like right now then placing my head back in the pillow and dozing off.
Good Night Noah. I thought, wishing I could speak to him telepathically.
Chapter 30: Cat Fights
"Oh Crap! I fell asleep!" Noah jumped off the couch. He grabbed his backpack, startling me awake as he jumped on my bed.
"Go away. " I mumbled in my sleep, covering my head with the pillow. A sudden realization dawned upon me that a boy, not to mention a very cute boy, had fallen asleep in my room. "Noah!" I announced loudly, my eyes widening as he took the pillow off my face.
"Wake up." He said, a sleepy smile on his face as he dragged the covers off of me. He threw the pillows onto the beige carpet.
"Shut up loser." I murmured as he kept whispering "Wake up " into my ear. The closeness of his breath on the back of my neck sent tingles down my spine.
"Listen Vera, Your dad and I need some us time, we haven't done anything for a whole TWO hours and I'd appreciate it if you and Mr. Hunk over here keep it down!" My mom angrily stomped in my room, a bathrobe covering her body loosely. "I understand that you children have needs too so I'm giving you your fucking privacy so give me mine!" She practically yelled, stomping back to her bedroom, preparing to remove the bath robe.
I turned my head to look at the door where she just left, I hadn't realized I was so close to Noah, we were sitting so close together, too close even. Noah had made himself comfortable on my bed, until our lips accidentally touched. I tilted my head quickly and my nose bumped into his and the next thing I knew, our lips were touching. I pulled away a bit, startled. My lips were tingling although we didn't even intentionally kiss.
Did he think I was trying to take advantage of him? Was the first thought that ran through my mind as my eyes widened in fear.
My heart beat soared and my breath hitched out of my chest. Every part of me wanted to apologize but I couldn't. My eyes met his, he'd noticed our accidental kiss too. Oh crap no. He looked at my lips and back to my eyes, my breathing became shallow and my heart just wouldn't slow down for a second to let me catch my breath. I was drowning in his ocean of green gorgeous eyes as his face slowly moved backwards, almost hitting his head on the bed frame.
"I'm sorry." He began, standing up and straightening himself up, "I didn't mean to do anything, I just," he began juggling random words into separate phrases. "I. . .uh." For once he'd lost his cool, he'd become completely speechless.
"I won't talk about it if you won't." I mumbled, staring at his torso as he was standing in front of my bed. I tried not to make eye contact.
"What?" This seemed to irritate him as his voice cracked, maybe he hadn't heard me, "I mean, if that's what you want." He said, I could feel his green eyes boring holes into my skin. Here he goes being a gentleman after such an awkward moment.
"It's fine," I smiled, suddenly looking up to be met with beautiful emerald green eyes. An emotion I couldn't recognize flashed in and out of his eyes.
"Well I better get going." He gave me an adorable half grin and began walking towards my open door, "I left a note card about me so you can put that into your powerpoint." He said, hesitating to take his last step out of my room, his back still turned towards me.
"Thank you." I whispered, my lips still tingling. He nodded and took a step out of the door and down the stairs. I let out a deep breath which I didn't know I was holding as soon as he stepped out.
"What the fuck are you doing here!" A loud boom of yelling erupted from downstairs. I quickly jogged down the stairs to see Christian and Noah glaring at each other, appearing to be having an argument that would most likely result in a fight.
"I invited him over." I stated, standing beside Noah and reaching for his hand. Christian needed a clear message and if I needed to use Noah to send that message across, so be it. We're over, you cheated on me on the most important night of my highschool life and I'm not easy to win back. Noah looked down at our hands, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"What the hell are you doing Pure, I thought we had something." Christian's sad brown eyes stared from me to Noah and down to our intertwined hands. An anger seemed to appear on his face as his eyebrows furrowed.
"Yeah Christian, we did have something but you know what, whatever we 'had' ended as soon as you cheated on me. Actually as soon as you lied to me because you're the reason Eleanor hates me, you're the reason the sun doesn't come up at night. I don’t want you to keep playing my feelings!" I yelled as his face turned confusion, then anger. Fear overwhelmed me and the arms that once held me and the calm eyes turned stone cold as he turned his gaze to Noah.
"You!" He yelled, pouncing onto Noah, knocking his to the floor.
"Me!" I recalled Noah saying yesterday. Too afraid to smile. Christian started punching the poor guy, pounding his arms to his face. In between screams and cries for him to stop, Noah flipped him over and knocked him to the ground. He grabbed his ankle and twisted. Holy cow, does Noah do wrestling or some sort of kung-fu class?
"You fucking asshole!!!" yelled Christian, "Get your shitty ass the hell off of me!" Noah pushed tighter onto Christian with ease, as a screaming Christian caused agony to my ears.
"STOP IT!! STOP!!" I screamed over and over again. I threw myself at them as Christian had regained control and was now punching Noah mercilessly in the beautiful face. Christian's lip was bleeding, as well as his nose. It's hard to feel sympathy for an asshole.
"Stop!" I screamed as Christian threw a punch at Noah and hit me square in the gut. I screamed loudly, fell onto my back, gasping for air that wouldn't quite reach my lungs.
