"Hi, Noelle," I shushed Emma, continuing to read my book ferociously. "But Noelle- " I shoved my hand in her face this time, instantly shutting her up. She mumbled awkwardly, her voice muffled by my fingers. I ignored her. "Noelle!" she said, smacking my arm. I sighed, before reluctantly looking up from my book. "Yes?" I answered, slightly frustrated. Her hair was tied up in a bun today, bits of hair falling out and framing her face. I wish I could pull that off.

"We have to come up with a plan." She said, eyes glinting as she rubbed her hands together. It might of been me, but she was acting a little too maniacally for my liking. "For what?" I began, cautiously.

"To get you together with Harper, of course!" she squealed, shaking her hands. I groaned, closing my eyes and looking up at the ceiling, nevertheless unable to hide the small blush and smile that appeared on my face due to her excitement. "Emma, there's no point. I don't even like Harper that much." Yes you do, Noelle. Shut up. "And even if I did, Harper would never like me."

"Don't be a pessimist!" she cried, smacking my arm again. "This is your first crush, have a little more optimism."

"Who has a crush?" a voice intervened. Emma and I both turned our heads to the source of the gorgeous, sexy voice, coming face to face with Harper. Well, more like face to chest for me, as I was quite small. I looked up, seeing Harper's smirking face looking down on me. I blushed. What if he heard what I said before? About him never liking me? Then he would know. A sense of dread filled up in me.

Emma smirked, nudging me while facing Harper. "Oh, it's our dear Noelle who has a crush." she winked. I saw Harper's smirk visibly fade, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. He bit his lip.

Adorable-ness overload.

"You have a crush on someone?" he said. Something sounded a little off in his voice, it was lacking the usual arrogance and flirtatious tone. My heart hurt at his words. Well now we know he obviously doesn't like me. I opened my mouth, ready to protest, when Emma interrupted.

"Yes, she does! We will be leaving now." She giggled, grabbing me by the arm and dragging me away. Once we were out of sight, I turned to her and started whacking her lightly with my book. "Emma, why did you say that? He probably thinks I'm creepy now!"

Oh, and you practically revealed to him that I liked him. And, to top it off, he probably doesn't feel the same way.

"No, he so likes you!" she squealed. Did you see the way he reacted when he found out you liked someone?" I paused in my hateful thinking.

"What?" I questioned, cocking my head in confusion. Emma just shook her head. "Never mind, Noelle. Never mind." She giggled again. I leaned against whoever's locker it was and turned to her. "Either way, there is no chance that we will ever work out and- "

"Sorry to interrupt, ladies, but the principal would like to see Ms Richards in his office, please." a voice called out.

I turned to face the secretary, Ms George. I exchanged confused looks with Emma. "Um, sure." I said, gathering up my books. Emma mouthed a 'what?' to me, but I just shrugged, following Ms George and looking behind my shoulder. From the corner, as I walked away, I could see Harper, who was still standing against my locker. However, this time, he had his head pressed against it, looking down at the floor, eyes closed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"The principal would like to see you now," the secretary looked at me, motioning for me to stand up from the sofa in the waiting room. I did, gathering my books in my arms. She led me down a cream-walled corridor and stopped outside a door labelled with the principal's name, Mr Porter, in white lettering. I had only been here once, when told I had to tutor someone. She knocked.

"Come in!" said a voice in the upmost formality. She opened the door and gestured me inside. I was greeted with the sight of a very grey room, with the only splash of color being the large brown desk and the occassional banner with our school colors.

Sat at the desk was a man with brown hair and wire glasses. He was looking down at the large pile of papers on the desk below him with interest. From where he was sitting, he looked quite tall. He glanced up when I came in and the secretary shut the door behind me.

"Ah, Ms Richards, have a seat," he motioned to the chair in front of his desk. I reluctantly sat. "Um, hi, Mr Porter," I fidgeted in my seat, feeling very awkward.

I hope I'm not in trouble. If I am, that's the end of my perfect records.

He smiled. Good, Noelle, you're not in trouble. I felt lighter at the thought. Mr Porter brushed away the papers and rested his elbows on the desk. "Ms Richards," he began. "Our star student. Don't often see you in here," he chuckled. I politely pretended to laugh, but all I got was a slightly strange look from the principal.

Great, now even your principal thinks you're a freak.

"Well, moving on," he continued. "I believe you had a certain issue in your PE lesson a few days ago."

I sat, confused. Issues? The only issues I have in PE lessons is the fact that I am unbelievably un-sporty. Apart from that, there was nothing I could recall.

Oh. Right.

When I had the panic attack in front of everyone, the day when Harper had to comfort me for the second time, when he had to hand me my book. I paled and a sickening feeling rose in me. My body was weighed with dread. He doesn't know. He can't know.

"I- I don't know what you are talking about," I lied. He sighed heavily. "Ms Richards, I know what happened. Your PE teacher told me." I cringed. He continued. "And I know what it is." He looked at me expectedly, waiting for me to finish the sentence.

"A panic attack," I mumbled, my voice cracking, eyes tearing up. He looked at me. "Ms Richards, I'm very sorry to upset you," Mr Porter said. "But I am afraid I must talk to you about this issue. I am very concerned about this, my students should not have to suffer this type of thing, especially at the hand of other students." I opened my mouth, ready to protest and tell him that I was not harmed by other students (which was a lie), when he interrupted me.

"Ms Richards, I know students have been saying upsetting things, I'm not completely blind, you know," he chuckled. "I just don't know what they're saying." I felt myself pale.

"Don't worry, I am not going to make you tell me what they say," I let out a sigh of relief. "But I would like it if you were to do something to benefit our students."

"What would you like me to do?" I asked, warily. "Ms Richards, I know this may be difficult, but I would like it if you could speak to the whole school about your anxiety and how you have been suffering. I think it would make people more aware on how their rude actions can have consequences. But only if you want to."

I nearly choked. Mr Porter wanted me to speak in front of the whole school about my past, my anxiety, my panic attacks. How could I do that? It would be terrible, I would break down in front of everyone, and it's not like anyone would care. I would just be the weakling.

No.

I couldn't do it.

But think of how many people you could potentially help.

That was true too. I would be helping so many people, that is, those who actually cared. I could be some sort of guidance for them, I could help them. I could stop people from suffering the way I had been suffering.

"Alright," I whispered, faintly. My body wouldn't allow my voice to get any louder. I felt as if I was trapped in a box, which was slowly closing in around me. I shut my eyes. "Ms Richards, are you alright?"

I nodded, taking in a deep breath before opening my eyes. Mr Porter was looking at me sympathetically, eyes crinkling. "I really appreciate it, Ms Richards, thank you." he walked to the door, holding it wide open for me. I got up out of the seat and walked to the door, nodding in thanks. I left the room in utter shock.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hi, babydoll," Harper greeted me as I walked to my locker. School had just ended, and I could not get the ringing words reminding me what I had signed up for out of my head. I nodded my head slightly, acknowledging him. Why is he even talking to me? He knows I have a crush on someone, and might possibly know it's on him.

His voice softened when I didn't speak. "What's wrong?" he grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop. I felt sharp electric shocks running through my body at his touch. Oh gods, Noelle, you're hopeless. His bright green eyes darkened his eyebrows furrowing in anger. "Was it Joshua? If it is I am going to beat his fucking ass- " I squealed, clamping my hand over his mouth. "Don't swear!" I shrieked. I felt him smirk beneath my hand. It was only then did I notice the position I was in, his warm, soft lips pressing into my palm. I stiffened, slowly bringing my hand away from his face awkwardly. He was still smirking.

"So what's wrong, babe?" I forced a grimace at his words. "Really? Babe?" I said, putting my hand on my hip. "Couldn't come up with anything better? I mean, that is so cliché. It's even worse than baby doll." I huffed, looking at him. It was only then that I noticed the way he was eyeing the area where my hand was, his eyes following the curve of my hip. I blushed.

He's checking you out.

And I liked it.

I tried to build up my courage. "Like what you see?" I managed to mumble out, mentally face palming myself afterwards. Great job, Noelle. Well done trying to sound bold. His eyes flitted back up to mine, amused.

"Very much," he muttered sexily, winking at me. I blushed even harder. Harper stepped closer to me, so close that his hand lightly brushed mine. Our chests were almost touching, and I had to crane my head up to look at him. His fingers softly touched mine, dancing over my hand. Sucking in a breath, I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation of the sparks rushing up my hand. Is thumb gently brushed the bone of my wrist and wrapped itself around it. "Noelle," Harper said, the grasp of reality capturing me once again.

"Yes?" I asked, opening my eyes. He chuckled. "I just asked you a question."

My cheeks flamed. "Oh, uh... can you repeat it?" He just smirked. "I just asked you if you're okay, but forget that. Can I come to your house today so we can work on the project? I'll come to your house just after I drop some stuff off at home, I'll just be ten minutes. That okay?"

He's so hot.

I nodded feebly, still caught in the trance of his hands. Wait, what? I shook my head quickly. "No way, Andrews," I said, licking my lips. "For all I know you could try and kill me in my own home," I narrowed my eyes. "Or burn my books."

He laughed. "Baby doll, if I wanted to kill you or burn your books, don't you think I would have already done it?"

Noelle just glared.

"See you in ten, baby doll!" he called over his shoulder. He stopped abruptly before turning to face me and walking backwards.

Before I could say anything more, he had turned, still smirking, and had turned around the exact same corner of the hallway I had hid behind this morning.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

4:10.

School had ended an hour ago, and Harper still wasn't here. Sighing, I locked my phone and sat up on my bed, propping myself on the pillows. It's not like I was waiting for Harper, I had other stuff to do-

Noelle, you know you were waiting.

I sighed. I guess I was.

I closed my eyes. Where was he? Had he ditched on me? Did he get run over by a car? Did someone try to kill him? I doubt that, Harper has pretty nicely defined muscles, he could probably beat up the murderer.

I was awoken from my daydream by the creak of my door opening. I flitted my eyes open, ready to scold Harper for being late, when-

"Hey," said Joshua, ruffling his blonde hair, stepping one foot awkwardly into my room.

Woah. Did not see that coming.

"Um... hi?" I asked. "Your mom let me in." he answered. "Oh, um, okay." I mumbled. We stood in awkward silence for a minute before I spoke.

"Sit down," I offered, patting the space on my bed right in front of me. He weirdly, almost curiously stepped into my room, approaching my bed. He put one knee up onto my bed, aiming to sit down on his leg, placing both his arms on either sides of my hips to support him. Before he could lower himself, I interrupted.

"How did you get my address?"

"School phone book."

Drat that thing.

"Why are you here?" I asked. He sighed lightly turning his head to look at me, arms still beside my hips. "I wanted to apologize. You know, for what happened in the library the other day."

"Then why did you come all the way here?"

"Because I feel like it would be indecent to just email or text you my apology." he paused, I was surprised at his kindness. "And besides, if I tried to talk to you at school, Harper would kill me." he chuckled darkly. "Good times."

"I think you should apologize to Harper, not me." I proposed, chewing on my lip. "And he shouldn't apologize to me?" he raised an eyebrow. I sighed.

"Yes fine, he should apologize as well, but you were the one who started it. And that wasn't very nice of you, what you said." I furrowed my eyebrows and pouted. "It's bad."

"You're so fucking cute," he whispered. I blushed, ready to scold him for swearing but decided against it. When he said I was cute, it felt weird. I don't know if it was in the good way or the bad way.

"Um, Joshua?" I asked, awkwadly. "Yeah, Noelle?" he replied.

"Why do you and Harper hate each other? I mean, is it sibling rivalry or something? Well of course it's not, you're cousins- " I was cut off by Joshua laughing.

"Harper told you we were cousins?" Joshua chuckled. "That's funny, because- "

"Sorry I took ages, baby doll, I had to do something- " Harper stopped in his tracks, one hand still on the door knob. His eyes were blazing in fury as he glared at Joshua and I. It was only then did I notice the seemingly suggestive we were in. Joshua still had his hands on either side of my hips, just one knee on the bed, while I was half sitting, half lying on the pillows beneath me. I was wearing long leggings this time, unlike the time when Harper came to my house for the first time, but I was still wearing a tank top that was quite low cut, baring the top of my chest. And to top that off, I must have looked really guilty.

Yup, the position definitely looked like we had been doing something.

I looked back at Harper, his eyes had darkened stormily, jaw clenched. He was tightly grasping the door knob, to the point where his knucles had gone white. His sharp, furious gaze was scary, but I'm sure it would have been scarier if it had been aimed at me.

Instead they were aimed on Joshua. Joshua seemed like he almost didn't care, despite the cold glare he was sneding back, as he did not move.

"Harper, we- " I started. He cut me off.

"What the hell did I tell you, Lloyd?" Harper spat at Joshua. "Stay. The hell. Away. From. Her." he gritted his teeth. I felt the rage build up in me.

"Why should I, Andrews?" Joshua countered. Ignoring him, Harper turned to me. "Why are you hanging out with him, Noelle?"

That's when I snapped. I sat up, making Joshua move. "Tell me, why can't I Harper? Why can't I? Because you said so? Well, reality check Andrews, you don't control me. It's none of your business who I hang out with!" I hissed sharply, surprising Harper and myself at the extent of my anger.

Harper ran his hand throuh his hair in frustration. "I'm just trying to protect you, Noelle, god damn it!"

"Protect me from what, Andrews? What did he do? You keep telling me to stay away from him but not telling me why, and frankly, I've had enough!"

Joshua was sitting on my bed next to me, looking between us curiously, as if he was watching a ball being hit at a tennis game. Harper sighed again. "I can't tell you, Noelle." his voice softened.

My heart is melting.

Shut up, Noelle!

"That's what I thought," I spat. Harper was now looking at the ground in defeat, all fury wipe from him, replaced by frustration. "And maybe, Andrews," I continued, spitting out words. "Have you considered the fact that I might actually like Joshua?" I asked, anger barely contained.

Well great job, Noelle, you just ruined any chance you might of had with him.

I instantly regretted my words. Everything disappeared from Harper's face. I had never seen him like this before, he almost seemed lika a new person. All his other emotions were long gone. Instead it was replaced by hurt. Raw, painful, heart breaking hurt.

"Oh okay," Harper managed to get out, voice strained and cracking. I could see he was trying to maintain his composure, straightening himself up. I felt my heart shatter at his voice. "That's what it is." he forced out.

No, Harper, it's not. Please don't go. Please don't go. I'm an idiot. Please don't go.

And with that, he spun on his heel and walked out of my room, slamming the door behind him.

Sorry this took so long to update, I had a lot of trouble writing this.
Thank you guys for everything!!! :) and shoutout to those friends who I have forced to make a wattpad account... :D haha

The pic is Noelle :)

Please vote and comment what you think!

-A