Chapter 11

“Guess what is taking place the Friday after next?” Marissa asked me as we walked towards the gymnasium. She was having a game in a half an hour and she needs to go to the gym to stretch and change. Me, being the amazing friend I am, decided to come with her, even though I won’t be able to talk to her because she’ll be busy. She’s assured me that Noah is already in the gym, reading, or doing whatever it is a Noah does. 

I shrugged, trying to think about it. “December 12th? Nothing that I can think of.”

Marissa gasped. “It’s Noah’s birthday.”

I blinked a few times, staring at her. “Seriously?”

She nodded. “Yup, he’s turning seventeen.”

“So he’s been sixteen this whole time?” I asked her, my eyebrows furrowed.

She nodded. “Why?”

I grinned from ear to ear. “I’m older than him!”

“By how much?” she asked.

“My birthday is October 1st,” I told her, grinning widely.

Her eyebrows leaped upward. “So both of you guys are older than me, how great.”

“When’s your birthday?” I asked her.

She sighed. “January 9th.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “So that means your dad had two women pregnant at the same time?”

She nodded. “Yeah, he was dating Noah’s mom at the time, though.”

I nodded, slightly curious but I shouldn’t ask, so I won’t. “I can’t believe I’m older than him!”

“You’re kind of creeping me out,” she told me, giving me an odd look.

I just shook my head before turning towards her. “So are you guys having a party for his birthday?”

“Nope," she told me.

I frowned. “Well, why not?”

“Who are we going to invite?” she shrugged. “And I have some bad news.”

My frown deepened as I braced myself for impact. “We’re going to that stupid wedding on the fifth and we’re staying until the seventh, so we can’t meet your mother next Friday.”

I nodded. “Okay, some other time.”

“How about the Friday after next? The 12th?” She offered.

I furrowed my eyebrows. “You mean Noah’s birthday? Do you think he’s going to want to meet my mother on his birthday?”

She shrugged. “He’s not doing anything else.” 

“Have you even asked him yet?” I questioned and she shook her head.

“I don’t plan to," she stated.

“What?” I asked her, my eyebrows rising.

She shook her head. “Stop worrying, he’ll be there.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t care. It’s my mother that cares.”

“Sure,” Marissa drawled, entering the gym as I held open the door.

I ran over towards the bleachers, avoiding flying volleyballs at all costs. They were practicing their spikes. Noah was seated at the top, where he would sit during gym class. I walked all the way up towards where he was and sat down. He groaned quietly before turning towards me, so that he was fully facing me. He was sitting cross-legged on the bleachers and held his sketchpad so I couldn’t see it. “You again; don’t you think we see each other enough for people who aren’t even friends?”

“Hey! You ought to respect your elders," I told him.

He glanced up from his drawing and he raised an eyebrow. “Elders?”

“Yes. You’re turning seventeen on the 12th of December,” I told him and he nodded. “I already turned seventeen, therefore, I’m older.”

He rolled his eyes. “I don’t recall telling you my birthday.”

“That’s because you didn’t, and you probably never would," I responded. “Your sister did. So, are you doing anything special for your birthday?”

“Nope, and if I was, you wouldn’t be invited," he responded.

“I’ll just pretend that didn’t hurt. So what do you want for your birthday?” I asked him.

He shook his head as he continued to draw. “Nothing.”

“Okay, uh, what’s your favorite book?” I asked him.

“Does it matter?” he asked me.

I nodded. “Very much so, now tell me.”

“I’m pretty sure I already answered this question," he told me.

“Back when you hated me?” I questioned, my nose wrinkled. I was acting as if it was a long time ago when in reality, it was about two weeks ago, give or take a bit.

He snorted. “Back when? What are you talking about?”

“So you’ve never hated me?” I asked him, my eyebrows furrowed.

He scoffed again. “I never stopped.”

I nudged his knee with my bag and his hand twitched, causing him to mess up whatever it was that he was drawing. “Seriously? How mature.”

“Why thank you, I am the older one,” I mocked. I suddenly looked at him as he erased what he messed up on. “You’re left handed?”

“Obviously," he muttered as he went back to drawing. I took out a notebook and put a pencil in my left hand, trying to hold it properly. I tried to write my name but ended up writing the letters too close together. They bled into each other but you could make out the K and the Y, mainly because the K is large and deformed and the Y stretched across the page.

“Ta da!” I exclaimed, holding out my notebook with my name written by my left hand. He looked at the page before scoffing. “You think you’re so good at it. Why don’t you try?”

He glared at me as I continued to mock him. “It’s a challenge, wimp. If you don’t do it, you’re a wimp.”

He rolled his eyes before snatching my notebook from me and propping it on his textbook, which was covering his sketchpad. Using his left hand, he scribbled his name. “No, you have to write it with your right hand, you cheater!”

He groaned before switching the pencil to his right hand. He wrinkled his nose in concentration as he struggled to write four simple letters. No, it’s not love, you creep. It’s Noah. “Not so easy, huh?”

“Shut up," he muttered as he shoved the notebook back onto my lap.

I was smirking victoriously now as I stared at his sloppy writing. “I have to ask you something.”

“Odds are I won’t care and I won’t answer," he responded as he continued to draw.

“You like the author Penelope Arrington, right?” I asked him. He didn’t respond so I continued anyway. “No need to answer that, I already know. Now you said your favorite books by her were the Espineli Trilogy. Is that right?”

“Noah,” I nagged. I repeated myself twice before he groaned, looking up from his picture.

“What?” he snapped.

Not at all affected by his familiar attitude, I repeated my question. “Your favorite books by Penelope Arrington are the Espineli Trilogy books, right?” He nodded, huffing loudly. “Do you have them?”

He gave me a flat look. “Nope, Kennedy, I do not have them, despite the fact that they’re my favorite books.”

I scowled at him. “There’s no need to be sarcastic.”

“You’re sarcastic all the time," he responded.

“Am I your role model? Do you want to be like me?” I asked him.

“To be annoying and a nag? Yes, that is what I’m aiming for. Can’t you tell?” he asked sardonically.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I weren’t suspicious of it,” I replied.

He scoffed. “Is that all?”

“Nope,” I told him, finally gaining the courage to ask him. “I’m inviting you and your sister to my house.”

“What?” he asked, his eyebrows knitted together as he continued to draw.

“My mother wants to meet you guys so I’m inviting the both of you over,” I replied, hoping I didn’t come off as demanding. I can care less about being annoying and a nag.

“Wouldn’t it be a bit weird to have someone who isn’t your friend in your house?” he questioned.

“I don’t know, is it?” I retorted.

“That’s different. You’re Marissa’s friend. I can’t just kick you out, now can I?” he muttered.

I shrugged. “But you’re always around Marissa.” And our friendship practically revolves around you.

“So are you, but you’re not my friend," he told me.

“Ignoring the pain that’s causing me, I think you’re my friend.” I told him.

“Are you sure that you just don’t believe it after saying it so much on Saturday?” he asked.

I shrugged again. “Either way, I think you’re my friend.”

He nodded. “Do you now?” I made a sound of affirmation. “And what is the criterion that needs to be met in order to become your friend?”

I thought for a moment. “Well, we need to talk often, which we have been recently.”

“Unfortunately," he muttered while I ignored him.

“You have to make me laugh, which you do sometimes,” I listed.

“How?” he asked.

“When you fell in the store,” I told him.

“Ah, glad to see you smile because of my pain," he responded.

“You have to make me smile at one point or another.” I bit my lip as I thought. “And we have to hang out, I guess.”

“Wow, I have the unfortunate displeasure of being listed as one of Kennedy West’s friends. And what a short list that is," he muttered.

I pushed my bag into his knee and he messed up once again. He swore under his breath as he erased it. “So are you going to come over my house to meet my mother with your sister?”

“Although I feel it’s too soon in the relationship, I also feel as if I don’t have a choice," he responded jokingly. “So when is my impending doom?”

I smirked as I crossed my legs on the bleachers, resting my back against the wall. “On your birthday.”

“On my birthday?” he asked me, his eyebrows lifted up slightly as he tilted the sketchpad.

“No, on baby Jesus’ birthday,” I retorted.

“Who’s the genius that planned that?” he rolled his eyes.

“Well, you have to go to the wedding on the fifth so we figured that the twelfth was the best possible time.” I told him, my hands searching my bag for my Algebra 2 homework.

“Whatever," he responded.

I decided that now was the best time to do my homework. If I need help, I guess I can ask Noah. Working my way through the page, I managed to get through a quarter of it before I was decided that I needed help. “Uhm, Noah?”

“What?” Noah groaned. “Just when I think you’re going to be quiet, you start talking again.”

“Do you know how to do this?” I asked him, shoving the paper onto his lap. He stared at my notebook before nodding.

“Yeah, and you will too if you actually pay attention in class," he responded, tossing the notebook at me before going back to his drawing.

I frowned. “Can you help me?”

“I can," he nodded.

I sighed. “Will you help me?”

“Nope," he stated.

“May you help me?” I rephrased.

He sighed. “You don’t quit, do you?”

I shook my head, grinning widely. “Nope.”

He took the notebook that I was holding out towards him. I watched as he worked out the question, explaining it to me as he went along. I tried to pay attention but it was hard, mainly because he was leaning over. His hair was falling slightly into his eyes, but it was right in front of me and I wanted to reach out and comb my fingers through it. He smelled good, too, which was a distraction in itself. I was zoning out when he sat back down. “Got it?”

No, I do not have it. “Yes, thank you.”

He went back to drawing as I stared at the math he did, struggling to see what steps he took. I took my glasses out of my bag and placed them on my face, furrowing my eyebrows as I tried to answer another question. I groaned in frustration. “Can you show me again?”

“I thought you got it," he muttered.

“No, you lost me," I told him, awkwardly handing him the notebook.

He groaned under his breath before leaning over again. Don’t get distracted. He started explaining it again, slower this time. I managed to listen to everything he was saying, absorbing the information. He went back to drawing. I sighed, going to work on the paper.

<<>><<>> 

We won the game, which isn’t a surprise. The main player of the opposing team was injured and was on the sidelines. I would have felt bad for her if Marissa hadn’t told me that in the past, she spiked the volleyball at Marissa’s face numerous times. The students that attend my school, Stoneview High, were cheering and shouting. Noah and I were probably the only ones sitting down, aside from the injured volleyball player.

Marissa suggested that we go out to dinner with a few of her volleyball friends. Not Chloe and Dana, but her other friends. She says she isn’t close to them, but she knows them well enough to assume that I’d get along with them. I agreed with a shrug and Noah muttered something about not wanting to go home just yet. I have a feeling it’s about Marissa’s mother being there. Marissa is grounded because of her act at the gala, but her mother is extremely busy right now, cooking for Thanksgiving, which is tomorrow. She invited me over, Marissa practically begged me, but I said no. My mother is home right now, and she’s preparing for Thanksgiving, too.

“Give me some time to clean up,” Marissa grinned at us as everyone filed out of the gymnasium. Only a few people remained, including friends and family of the volleyball players, and the volleyball players themselves.

I had piano class today, because it’s Wednesday, and I was given a piece to remember by next Wednesday, which I think is impossible. I’ll have to practice a lot. If I don’t remember it, I’ll only be embarrassed in front of the entire piano class. I don’t have any other homework, and if I realize that I do, I’ll just do it on Sunday, so now seems like the perfect time to look over my music.

It is three pages long, which isn’t as long as my last piece was. I had to memorize it and it was a good five or six pages. I had two weeks to memorize it though, and that was enough. However, I have roughly a week to memorize this one, but today doesn’t really count because I won’t have time to practice. I’ll have to master a page in two days, which is easier said than done. “What are you doing?”

I was surprised that Noah initiated the conversation this time; whenever I talk to him, he seems annoyed by my presence. “I’m looking over my music.”

He looked at the music on my lap, lifting it but making sure not to touch me. His eyes skimmed the paper as his nose wrinkled slightly. “You play the piano?”

“Nope,” I cheekily retorted, watching his eyes flit from me towards the paper.

“Shut up," he responded as he flipped through the pages after his eyes took in the notes. “Are you any good?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know; I mean, I guess.”

“You can’t guess on whether or not you’re good at playing an instrument," he responded.

“Are you good at playing guitar?” I questioned.

He was silent as he stared at the notes. “I guess.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I thought so.”

He glared at me as he handed back the papers. “Let’s have a staring contest,” I offered and he snorted. “What? Is there a problem with that?”

“Eye contact is a bit creepy," he stated.

“How? It’s a sign of respect,” I told him.

He shook his head. “It’s intense.”

“Yeah, because I always have intense eye contact with my teachers; you should try it," I told him.

He groaned, shaking his head as we waited in silence for Marissa.

<<>><<>> 

We were going with two of Marissa’s volleyball friends. One of their names is Agatha and the other is Trinity. Now you know that I’m not quick to judge but I don’t like Agatha very much. Marissa told me that when she first started seeing Eric (who enthusiastically kissed Marissa when the team won), Agatha repeatedly flirted with him until Marissa told her to back off. Other than that, though, she seems like an okay person. Trinity seems pretty cool, too. She’s smart; I know because I have a few classes with her. She's always the first to answer questions and the first to help anyone who doesn't understand.

Once we reached the place, which was called Ben’s Buffalo House, we all got out of our cars and met on the sidewalk. I was grateful my mother had given me money prior to school. I mentioned something about a volleyball game and she gave me thirty dollars for food, if I decided to go out and grab a bite to eat afterwards. I also think it's because she's too busy making things in advance for Thanksgiving. Having friends has its advantages; my mother is now eager to give me money every day. I think she’ll eventually stop though and suggest that I get a job once she realizes that it costs way too much.

Agatha’s my height, which I’m slightly grateful for. If she decided to skip out on us, I would have been among giants. Trinity is extremely tall, taller than Marissa. Her hair is really long, too. It’s black and reaches the top of her pants. She’s part Asian and she groans over the color of her hair, while I think it’s beautiful. I would trade my dull, lifeless brownish hair for her black locks any day. While looking at the two girls, I noticed that Agatha didn’t stop looking at Noah. Her eyes were basically glued to him since the moment she stepped out of the car. When I went with Marissa to ask the two girls if they wanted to come, she asked who was going. She didn’t seem too keen on attending but the moment Marissa mentioned Noah, her attitude changed. I noticed it and I think Marissa did, too. She didn’t think much of it, so I didn’t either. Until now, at least.

She kept standing beside Noah, who was distanced from the group. Trinity was laughing at something Marissa said as we entered the restaurant. I held the door open and watched as Agatha shamelessly stared at Noah’s bottom. I would be lying if I said I haven’t looked at his butt before, but I don’t openly stare, which is what she’s doing right now. I entered the restaurant after Marissa and listened as she requested a table for five. It was quite dead so we were shown to our seats rather quickly.

We ordered our drinks and picked up the menus that the waiter distributed. I wish that he was hot, like they always were in the books and in the movies. But no, I was stuck with a thirty year old man, and not the Jensen Ackles type man; the creepy stay-away-from-him man that your mother warns you about. I decided on a buffalo sub, which was the tastiest thing on the menu, in my opinion. Noah ordered a basket of buffalo wings. Marissa decided on a chicken salad. I didn’t bother to listen to what the other girls ordered.

Again, I noticed that Agatha took the seat beside Noah. I was seated across from him. In my defense, I chose this seat first because it’s a window seat. Noah decided to take the seat across from me; I think it’s because he’d only be forced to sit next to one person whereas if he were to sit in the seat to the left of his, where Agatha was placed, he would have had to sit next to two people. A chair was placed at the end of the table, too. Trinity sat there, a content smile on her face. Marissa was beside me, her eyes examining the menu despite the fact that she’d already made up her mind.

When the waiter returned, we all ordered. He passed out our drinks and Agatha turned her attention to Noah. “What did you get?”

“Cola," he responded, sipping the drink from the straw.

“What does it taste like?” They should change the word 'desperate' to 'Agatha' in the dictionary. Excuse me while I send out a worldwide notice.

“Like…Cola?” Noah offered as he spun the wet glass between his hands.

She glanced at her water. “May I taste it?”

“You can have some of mine," Trinity offered and she grudgingly glared at her friend before bringing her glass up to her lips. She sipped the drink before placing it down.

“Great,” Agatha muttered. It was obvious that she just wanted to make small talk with Noah, and drink from the same straw as him.

I snorted and Marissa elbowed me in the side, shooting me a playful glare. I gave her an innocent look as I filled my cheeks with Cola. “So, Noah, did you like the game?”

Here she goes again. He shrugged and she continued. “Did you watch it?”

“Barely,” he admitted. The only time he would glance up was when I would tell him that his sister made a point, and even then it was a careless glimpse.

“Well, I made the first point," she boasted.

Noah nodded, his face blank. “Cool.” I think we can all tell that he doesn’t think it’s cool.

She nodded excitedly. “I know. Do you play any sports, Noah?”

“Nope," he responded.

She frowned slightly. “Well, do you watch sports?”

“UFC,” he stated.

She nodded. “My father likes UFC.”

Great way to try and start off a relationship; compare the boy to your middle aged dad, that’ll spark up a good conversation. Noah just nodded in response and Marissa butted in. “So, Agatha, are you going to play any other sports?”

“There aren’t many winter sports," she shrugged. “And every other sport ended or is currently ending.”

“The indoor track team is having tryouts in two weeks,” Marissa suggested. I was somewhat happy that Marissa helped to take the conversation off of Noah.

Agatha shrugged. “Are you going to try out?”

“Maybe, I don’t know,” Marissa responded. “I don’t really want to. Their practices can go until seven.”

“Seven?” Agatha whined. “Volleyball ended at 4:15 and I thought that was bad. Well, when do they start?”

“An hour after school ends,” Marissa responded. “But it’s on the college campus. So you’ll have to either drive there or take the school bus. That’s what sophomores and freshmen do.”

Agatha groaned. “I’m not going to do it.”

Marissa shrugged. “How about you, Trinity?”

Trinity shook her head, her nose wrinkled upward and her lips pursed. “No, that doesn’t sound like much fun.”

“And you, Kenna?” Marissa asked me.

I snorted quite loudly. “Do I look like I play sports?”

“There’s always a first time for everything,” Trinity shrugged.

I shook my head. “That doesn’t sound very appealing: Running without a purpose. At least with football and basketball, you’re trying to score points. Running doesn’t really have a purpose, just like fighting.”

 I felt a sharp kick from under the table and I winced, exhaling loudly. The girls were focused on the waiter who was coming to the table with our food. I looked at Noah who had his eyes narrowed. “What was that for?”

“You just insulted two things that I love,” Noah stated as a plate of buffalo wings was placed in front of him; UFC, or fighting, and running. I can recall him coming back from runs occasionally when I was at Marissa’s house. And I would be an idiot if I can’t remember a time when he would watch UFC.

I curled my legs under me, which was a hard task. “I don’t recall insulting men and cats.”

Noah reached his leg out to kick me but came up empty. I just smirked in satisfaction as I reached for my plate with my sub on it. It was cut in half, a diagonal cut halfway between the two pieces. I put my feet down in order to scoot closer to the table. I brought the sub up towards my mouth and bit into it, chewing slowly. I smacked my elbow on the table as I went to reach for my calf, which was throbbing in pain from a nice kick. I let out a whimper as I inhaled, choking on the buffalo sub.

Marissa quickly patted my back as the piece of sub slid down my throat. I was breathing heavily as Marissa asked me if I was alright. I nodded, chugging my Cola before sparing a glance at Noah who was smirking. I didn’t bother to retaliate because I’d probably end up dying.

<<>><<>> 

Noah told Marissa what he wanted for dessert before he went to the bathroom. Agatha giggled as she watched his retreating back. We were all discussing what we want, or the other girls were- I was sitting back in my chair, listening intently. “Is your brother on the menu?”

Trinity laughed while Marissa offered me a glance. “I don’t know, what do you think, Kenna?”

The girls all looked at me and I shrugged. “I don’t know, ask him.”

“What? No! That’s embarrassing!” Agatha exclaimed. So that’s embarrassing? But looking desperate isn’t? Ah, I see where your logic stands.

I shrugged, watching as the waiter escaped to the kitchen, our orders in a list in his notebook. “How else will you find out?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know but I’m definitely not asking.”

I wanted to scoff and call her a wimp, but I don’t know her that well and I don’t want to seem mean. Or at least meaner than I already seem. “Maybe Kenna can ask Noah.”

This time I actually scoffed and shot a look at Marissa. She returned it with an innocent grin. “I don’t think so.”

“Come on, I’ll pay for your dinner,” Agatha insisted.

I sighed. “I can afford it.”

“I’ll pay for your dinner and your dessert," she suggested.

“Nope.”

“A second dessert?” she questioned. I shook my head and she sighed. “I’m not going to give up until you ask him.”

“Why should I?” I questioned, leaning forward slightly.

Agatha had a frown on her face. “It’ll make me happy.” She lifted her fingers to the corners of her mouth and upturned her forced frown.

My eyebrows shot up. “That’s not a good enough reason.”

She sighed. “You’re his friend, right?” I shrugged, nodding a little. He isn’t here to offer a slick remark. “Don’t you want to see him happy?”

I doubt he’ll be happy with you but I nodded anyway. “Yeah, I guess.”

She grinned widely. “Then ask! But don’t say my name! Don’t even mention me!”

“Are you still paying for my meal, my dessert, and an extra dessert?” I questioned.

She nodded excitedly, her grin widening. “I’ll be the first girl to date your brother, Marissa.”

Don’t be so optimistic. Marissa just nodded, a small smile on her face. All of us watched as Noah exited the bathroom, a blank look on his face. Once he sat down, Agatha nodded her head towards him. I was about to open my mouth when the waiter butted in, placing the desserts on the table in front of the person who ordered it. We all thanked him before Agatha coughed expectantly.

I shot her an annoyed look before turning to Noah who was eating vanilla cake. “So…Noah.”

“What?” He questioned as he cut his cake, shoving a forkful into his mouth. I watched as he licked his lips and chewed the cake. His eyes were focused on the plate and his hair, which wasn’t done, was settled in front of his eyes. Normally, it was swooped upward. I guess I was silent for too long because he repeated himself. “What?”

I awkwardly shook my head, trying to shake away the embarrassment. Hopefully Agatha didn’t catch that. “Are you single?”

“What?” Noah questioned, almost choking on his cake.

“I’m not the one who wants to know; I’m just the only one who has enough guts to ask you,” I told him. “And enough sweets being purchased for me.”

“I’m not looking for a relationship right now," he simply stated. Agatha’s face fell and I felt a pang of guilt in my chest for being so judgmental. I wonder how long she had a crush on him. Or has a crush on him, because I doubt her feelings went away in a matter of seconds.

We ate in an awkward silence. I shared a few glances with Marissa who was devouring her chocolate drizzled cheesecake. Once we all finished, Agatha, who had a sad look on her face for the entirety of the meal, motioned for me to order another sweet and I shook my head. “It’s okay.” I grabbed the money from my pocket and handed it to the waiter, who gave us all separate bills.

I waved to everyone, even though we were all going in the same direction for the first twenty minutes of our ride. I quickly got into my car, starting it and driving out of the parking lot at the same time as Noah. Marissa was right behind me, waving wildly with the hand that wasn’t locked on the steering wheel.

Once we got onto the highway, I turned on my music. They were playing throwbacks, which was perfectly fine with me. At first, it was a few songs that I couldn’t remember well enough to sing along like I wanted to, but when I heard the familiar tune of Gwen Stefani, I couldn’t resist. I let the wind enter my car, occasionally smacking me in the face with my hair, as we neared the Stoneview exit. Sweet Escape played throughout my car. I exclaimed the lyrics loudly, grinning widely as I danced in my seat. We slowed to a red light and I continued singing.

The next line was sang by a voice that didn't belong to me. I glanced over to see Marissa in the car to my left. I decided to see who was in the car to my right and I felt my cheeks heat up from embarrassment. Noah sat in the car, shaking his head as he listening to my horrid singing.

I let the song play out as I drove through the green light, my face still red from embarrassment. I was sitting back in my seat, hoping that I have a better, less embarrassing CD in the CD slot. I changed from radio to CD and instantly grinned as the familiar song Secret Valentine by We the Kings played loudly. I sang along, bobbing my head, causing my hair to flip around wildly.

“Better, but not quite there," Noah announced once we reached another stoplight. Marissa, on the other hand, was belting out to her own music- which I could unfortunately hear even though her windows were rolled up.

I groaned, flipping back to the radio. I switched from station to station until I heard a song that would be labeled as ‘good’ in Noah’s dictionary. I didn’t mind the song, honestly, if anything- it was a good song. I actually have their CD somewhere in my car. If I wasn’t lazy, I’d look for it. Lost In You by Three Days Grace played through and I nodded along, not trying to sing along and ruin the song for Noah.

I anticipated the next stoplight, hoping that Noah would agree with my choice of song. Three Days Grace was good, right? I never thought I’d want to hit a red light, or want Noah Rivers’ approval. Once we reached the stoplight, I immediately turned to Noah who was listening to the song. I expected him to nod or something, what I didn’t expect was for him to smile. I could see the faint indentions of his dimples if I looked hard enough, which I was. I want to remember this image in my head. His teeth were straight and white, and I found myself returning the smile instantly.

The sound of a car horn behind me jerked me back to reality and I realized that it was green light, so I hit the gas and drove down the street. Once we parted ways, I realized that Noah didn’t bother to hide his smile. Music must be the key to his heart. It has to be, right?