Harper's POV:

I know I'm acting like fucking Edward Cullen. Staring at her in her sleep. But I can't help it. At least I'm not a sparkly vampire, though.

Thank god for that.

Noelle had fallen asleep, just after thirty seconds of me reading. Hell, after one page.

She was lying across my bed, which normally, I would find pretty hot if it were any other girl, but I couldn't help but feel something different, watching her. I mean, she looked like a fucking angel, eyes closed and hair splayed out on the pillow around her. She was clutching at the duvet, as if she didn't want to let go, as if her life depended on it.

Wait.

What do I do with her?

I groaned and ran my hand through my hair, an action that I knew drove the ladies mad. I can't just leave her here, can I? When she wakes up she would freak out. Andrews, why do you care?

Because she's different.

Shut up, Andrews.

Making a decision, I leant down, carefully trying to unravel Noells's hands from my blanket. She wouldn't let go. I continued trying to tug softly.

"God damn it, baby doll," I mumbled under my breath. After a few more seconds of gentle tugging, her hand broke free from the blanket, instead, at the loss of the contact, it clamped down around mine. I took in a sharp intake of breath, slowly surveying her. She was still asleep.

I slipped by arms around her, supporting her back and the underside of her knees, picking her up from the bed. I couldn't help but feel distracted by Noelle, her warm smell of cookies, her hand so soft and small in mine-

Shut up, Andrews. You sound like a pussy. Why is she having this effect on you? You've been with plenty of other girls before and they never did this to you, did they?

Well, Noelle isn't just an 'other girl', is she?

That was true. Noelle must have been the only girl I have ever met, (apart from Emma) who has not fawned over me yet. She was the only one who shouted at me like she did. She was the only one who actually tried to get to know me, not just use me for sex.

Wow, and I thought pizzas were cheesy.

I sighed, pushing the thoughts from my mind as I opened the door with my foot, heading downstairs, Noelle still wrapped securely in my arms, head resting against my chest. I was glad she wasn't awake, otherwise she surely would have noticed the rapid pace my heart was beating at.

Just as I creaked open the front door, I was interrupted.

"Harper, sweetheart, where are you going?"

I spun around quickly to face my mom. "Oh, um, hey Mom?"

Her gaze caught quickly on Noelle. Her eyes widened. "What on earth did you do to her, Harper? Did you drug her? I thought you knew better, after what happened to Kate- "

"Mom, please don't talk about Kate." I said bluntly, a wave of sadness surging over my body. My mom's eyes softened.

"I'm sorry, darling. But what happened to Noelle?"

I sighed again. "I was reading to her in my room and she fell asleep. I'm taking her back to her house- "

"Darling, do you like her?"

My eyes widened at the very random, abrupt comment. I stared at my mom in confusion. How can I like Noelle? I'm a player, I don't like girls. "Like her? No, Mom." I replied. Mom raised her eyebrows.

"Really? Because it looks like it. You were reading to her. I repeat, reading to her. Honey, we both know that isn't very common at all from you- "

"Mom, we're just friends, okay? I don't like Noelle."

Are you sure, dumbass?

She gave me an 'if-you-say-so' look and turned around, climbing back up the stairs to her room. I exhaled deeply before walking out the house and starting down the road, passing the empty 'for sale' house. I walked up Noelle's driveway carefully, ready to ring the doorbell.

Wait.

I can't.

Her family is probably asleep. I groaned in frustration before resting my head on the door, making me look down at Noelle. Now that I think of it, she is pretty hot. She has fiery temper, and damn that is major turn on. I didn't think so though when she walked in on me making out with Nina in the closet today. I cringed at the memory. She looked so mad, and the funny thing is that I felt bad, making out with Nina.

And Noelle, she had just forgiven me.

She's too nice for her own good.

I shuffled my feet across the doormat. The doormat. That was the most cliché spot to hide a key, and knowing Noelle, that's probably what she had done. Carefully, I flipped the dusty doormat over, and sure enough, there was the shining set of keys. I smirked to myself.

Score one to Andrews.

I used my foot to flip the keys up to my hand, before slippig it in the keyhole and unlocking it. I entered the house quietly, unable to properly look at the room as it was so dark. I made my way to the stair and carefully climbed them, before continuing down the corridor. Which door was her room?

I spotted a white door at the end of the corridor that had a Percy Jackson And The Last Olympian poster stuck on it.

Definitely Noelle's.

I kicked the door open entering her room. There was posters everywhere, stuck on her walls, books spilling around the room. I chuckled.

Oh, Noelle.

I headed over to her bed, gently laying her down. She was breathing softly, her pink lips parted. Damn, I want to kiss her so badly.

I stood there admiring her for a minute, before, almost automatically, I leaned down, brushing my lips across her forehead. I knew that the next morning I would probably wake up asking myself if I was high or something, but for now I didn't care. i had to do it. Her skin was soft and warm under mine, sending tingles up my body. I smiled before lifting myself off her bed and covering her gently with the duvet. Quietly, I exited the room, almost missing the small smile on her face.

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I know, I know. Are you fucking crazy, Andrews? Staring at her again?

She just looked so cute.

Wow, people probably think all you ever do is stare at Noelle.

I was in my room, and I was looking out my window. My window was perfectly in line with the abandoned house's window and Noelle's, so I could see through my window, through the abandoned house's window and look through Noelle's window, into her room. She has those adorable black Ray Ban reading glasses of hers on, and she was peering down at her book. I could see her every reaction to what she was reading, gasps and squeals.

I watched as her eyebrows furrowed together, before she screamed and hurtled the book across the room, surprising me. I chuckled and picked up my phone, clicking on her contact and texting her.

H: Wow, what did that book ever do to you? ;)

I saw Noelle look at her phone as it vibrated, picking it up and visibly frowning, before texting back and peering out her window, down to her garden. Why am I so excited about this?

N: Who are you, how did you get my number, and which bush are you hiding in outside my house?

I chuckled. She still didn't know I had asked Emma for Noelle's number.

H: Relax, baby doll. It's only the hottest man alive, aka sex god of the school.

Noelle rolled her eyes, before looking up at my window. I smirked and I saw her groan.

N: Please, Andrews, I'd hardly call you a man.

H: Really, baby doll? This fine slice of cake isn't a man?

N: You are definitely not a man. A desperate kitten trying to act like a lion? Yes.

I smirked at her remark, before looking up at her. She was glaring at me.

H: You sure, baby doll? Last warning...

N: I'm sure.

H: You asked for it. ;)

This was going to be fun. I set my phone down before standing up, making sure she was still looking at me. Then slowly, I pulled my shirt off, leaving me shirtless. I flexed my musles, pulling my hands through my hair. Noelle was gaping at me in awe, mouth hanging open and cheeks flustered.

Well, this was going well.

I watched he eyes catch on to my six-pack, which was very well defined if I say so myself, staring as if she were in a trance. She looked up, realizing I had caught her staring, and blushed profusely. Slowly, I inched my hands towards my jeans, hooking my thumbs into the waistband-

Noelle made a crazy leap for her phone.

N: Alright, I don't need to see anymore!!!

I smirked cockily, sitting myself down on my bed, still shirtless.

H: Is that man enough for you, baby doll?

N: Shut up.

H: That's what I thought ;)

N: YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO STRIP. I AM SCARRED.

H: Suureee, baby doll. Last time I looked, you seemed to be enjoying it ;)

I saw her blush.

N: No... I was... admiring your posters on your wall!

I spun around, chuckling.

H: Baby doll, I don't have any posters. ;)

It was fun watching her get infuriated and exasperated like this. She looked so cute.

Wait, hold up. Cute?

I must be high.

N: Well that's because only I can see them.

I raised my eyebrow.

H: Only you?

N: Yup. Only for the experienced.

H: Idk, baby doll. I'm pretty experienced... in bed of course ;)

I saw her cringe. The action seemed so natural, so human, something that no other girl would do before me, as they were so obsessed with looking perfect. That's when I knew- I needed to see her. I don't know why, but I just had to.

Yup, definitely high.

H: Wait there.

I slipped on my shirt, before opening my window. I climbed onto the ledge, poking my foot out to edge open the window of the house for sale, as the windowsill was just three feet away from mine. I leaped into through the window, landing inside on my feet, bare without shoes. I had done this plenty of times. I crossed the room, passing the white walls, heading for the opposite window which was near Noelle's room. I opened it, gesturing for Noelle to open hers, staring at me in awe. I smirked, leaning on the window frame.

"Good morning, baby doll."

She gaped at me. "Are you- are you crazy? You just lept from your window into another, and you're tresspassing! That's illegal!"

"Relax, baby doll, this is nothing," I said, winking at her. To my disappointment, she ignored my wink. "Of course, it's something!" she shrieked, tugging at her hair in that adorably way of hers. "This is terrible, oh my god, Harper, you have to get back to your house before you are arrested! Oh my gods, what if they include me in this! It's not even my fault! Harper- "

"Hush, baby doll," I said rolling my eyes. "This isn't that bad. It just seems bad for a non-badass like you."

She frowned, the corners of her mouth turning down. She narrowed her eyes before crossing her arms stubbornly. "I am plenty badass," she argued.

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow. "What's the worst thing you have ever done?" I questioned.

She frowned, deep in thought, before perking up. "I know!" she squealed. I rolled my eyes. "Enlighten me, baby doll."

She took a deep breath.

"Once I didn't do my homework. On purpose."

I stared at her blankly for a moment.

She can't be serious.

But the triumphant look on her face and the adorable grin said otherwise.

I burst into laughter. "You have got to be kidding me, baby doll!" I gasped, laughing so hard my sides hurt.

She frowned. "Why are you laughing?"

I chuckled, my sniggers dying down. "That's the worst thing you have ever done? Babe, you have to loosen up a little."

She groaned. "Fine," she rolled her eyes. "But I think I'm still badass enough." She paused. "What do I have to do?"

I smirked, ruffling my hands through my hair, my grin growing wider as I noticed her eyes catch onto the movement.

I can't help being a total sex god.

Arrogant, much?

I grinned at her. "I want you to climb from your window to this one," I winked. She gaped at me in horror, her perfect pink lips parted. My breath hitched slightly just looking at her.

"No way, Andrews," she shook her head vigorously, her red hair flying around her. "I'm not a complete nutter." She rolled her eyes. "Can't say the same about you."

I rolled my eyes. "Come on, baby doll. If you do it, I'll buy you lunch at school for a week."

She arched an eyebrow. "Nu-uh, Andrews. Not good enough."

"A month?"

Another head shake.

"I'll take you to see Mockingjay Part 1 next week."

Her eyes visibly widened, swallowing me up in her beautiful hazel eyes I could stare at forever.

What the fuck is happening to you?

"Yes!" she squealed, jumping up and down and flapping her arms around wildly. "Yes, thank you so, so much, thank you!" She stopped, panting and grinning wildly. I couldn't help but smile. "Don't forget you have to get through the window first," I stated, leaning against the frame. She frowned. "What if I fall?"

"I'll catch you."

"Injure myself?"

"I'll call an ambulance."

"So it's fine if I get hurt?"

I rolled my eyes. "Baby doll, I won't let you get hurt. I won't let anything happen."

She blushed slightly, before gripping the window sill, mumbling a embarassed 'okay'. Cautiously, she slid onto the windowsill, her legs hanging down the side of the house, out the window. My heart seemed to stop.

What if she does fall?

She won't.

"Noelle, if you don't want to do this- "

"No, shut up and help me."

I chuckled and leaned partly out of the window, reaching my hand to hers. Tentatively, she gripped onto my fingers, enveloping my hand in the warmth. Carefully, Noelle placed each leg on the abandoned house windowsill, before leaping, letting out a little squeal.

She landed lightly on the wooden floor in front of me, her hand still gripping mine, and I let out a breath I noticed I had held in.

I wouldn't be able to live with myself if she got hurt.

Taking a deep breath in, she stood up on her shaky legs. She grinned. "That was awesome! Can we do it again?"

I chuckled, taking a step closer to her. "I'm afraid not now, baby doll," I winked. "We have things to do." I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively. She groaned.

"Ewwwww," Noelle said, scrunching up her face. "No way. Why do you always have such perverted innuendos?"

"Baby doll, I'm pretty sure innuendos are meant to be perverted."

She rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. Perverted jokes."

"I don't know, babe," I drawled, stepping so close that my body was an inch from hers. "Maybe it's not my jokes. Maybe you just have a perverted mind."

She scoffed. "Yeah, right," she stepped back, suddenly making me very aware of what she was wearing. Short pyjama shorts and a tight, very low cut tank top. I couldn't help but let my eyes wander on her chest.

Here is the me I know.

"Hey, my eyes are up here," I heard Noelle call out, her voice wavering, but still shocking me. I looked up at her blushing face. I grinned in approval. "Growing a backbone, babe?" She flushed an even darker shade of crimson. I let my eyes wander back to her chest.

I wish"Stop it, you idiot!" she squealed, hitting me in embarassment. "Stop staring at me!"

I winked at her and she sighed before letting her head fall back as she dropped to the floor. "So... what did you call me over here for?" she mumbled.

I was momentarily struck by how cute she looked, eyes closed and eyebrows furrowed, her bottom lip pouting slightly in confusion.

Woah, woah. Hold up. Cute?

What the fuck is wrong with me?

"You look cute," I suddenly blurted out. I don't why I said it, I just had to, it almost seemed to come to me naturally. The weird thing is, I used to never say things like this, in such a genuine tone, not before I met Noelle. She did something strange to me, something that was unusually refreshing.

I widened my eyes in realization of what I had just said. I felt my face flush as I stumbled to regain myself. "No- I didn't mean- I- "

"Thanks," Noelle mumbled shyly, looking down at the ground, shielding her face with her hair, an action I noticed she did whenever she was embarassed. I wish she didn't though, although it's painstakingly adorable.

"Um, yeah," I awkwardly muttered.

"Dude, you are so whipped."

Axel's words came back to me, from the day at the bleachers, like they do in those shitty romance novels that all the other girls I've hooked up with forced me to watch.

I'm not whipped, I thought firmly.

I looked back at Noelle who was staring at me strangely. I raised an eyebrow. "Take a picture, baby doll, it'll last longer." I cockily said, winking at her. I slipped my hand in my pocket before pulling out a cigarette and then lighting it, inhaling deeply. I stood in silence, inhaling and exhaling the refreshing smoke, awaiting Noelle's sarcastic comment. When it didn't come, I flitted back to her.

Her eyes were wide and her nose was crinkled in disgust, looking at me as if I had just murdered someone. What hurt most was that she was cringing away from me, recoiling from my figure. I tried not to let it show as I slipped the cigarette out of my mouth. I arched an eyebrow.

"What?" I asked. She flinched in horror.

"You think that's cool?" she demanded, her voice tight. I raised my other eyebrow carelessly. "So what, baby doll? Everyone does it."

"But- but- it could kill you!" she cried in despair, flailing her arms around.

"I'm not dead yet, am I? I'm fine. It's nice to know you care though," I winked. She ignored it. "That is disgusting," she hissed. "And I know what you're going to say, I'm a good girl so I don't get it, bla bla bla, but you don't understand. It's so bad for your health, it could kill you, Harper, and as much as I don't want to admit this, I don't want you to die, Harper, I really don't."

My heart did something weird when I heard that, something that only happened around Noelle. She cares.

"Relax, baby doll," I replied huskily, walking towards her. I almost fell over at the blinding flash of pain that rushed through me when she shuffled away and covered her mouth and nose with her hand. Does she know how much she is hurting me?

"I'm completely fine, I've only been smoking for a year. And I'm fit enough, aren't I?" I easily said back, moving so I was in front of her. "A year?" she gaped increduosly. "Harper you have no idea- "

Noelle was cut off by a huge rack of violent coughing emerging from her body. I widened my eyes. "No! Oh my fucking god, this is all my fault! Noelle, I'm sorry- "

"No," she said between coughs. "It's fine- " she was cut off again, her coughs getting worse. I panicked. "What the hell do I do? What the hell- " I tore out a packet of wet wipes from my pocket before ripping one out and flinging it at her, careful not to get too close in danger of making her choke more. I then realized the cigarette was still in my mouth, so I grabbed it, stubbed it out and threw it out the window. I darted towards her, before pressing the wet wipe to her nose and mouth.

I felt so fucking bad, knowing I had done this to her.

Tears were streaming out of her eyes as I cradled her body, her coughs slowly dying down. Finally, she stopped, the panic dying down.

"I'm so sorry," I mumbled, burying my face in her hair. Somehow, I had pulled her into my lap, my arms tightly wrung around her. Her body was warm and almost fragile in my grasp, like china, ready to break. Her arms rested gently on my shoulders, head rested in the crook of my neck. She was breathing heavily, her breath tickling me.

It felt so right.

"You idiot," she muttered. I couldn't help but let out a short laugh at that, however bad I felt. "I'm so, so, sorry." I whispered.

"Where's the cigarette?"

"The window," I whispered again. She nodded. "Okay."

I felt another rush of guilt at her slightly raspy voice. "I'm so sorry, seriously- "

Noelle laughed. And laughed. And laughed. She was laughing so hard she threw her her head back, her hair flying everywhere as I gazed at her in surprise. "Why are you laughing?" I enquired cautiously.

She giggled. "I don't know," she began, smiling cutely. "It's just that you are so concerned, about nothing. You're acting like I've just been shot. I was just coughing, Harper."

I felr myself tint red for the second time in ten minutes. She was right. Why was I overreacting? Noelle giggled again, poking my cheek mockingly. "Is the bad boy blushing?"

I widened my eyes. "No- no I'm not!" She laughed again. "Yes you are!"

"Shut up," I mumbled, looking away in embarassment. What is she doing to me?

It was silent for a bit, before Noelle awkwardly shifted. Her body had gone tense, and I then noticed she was still seated in my lap, with my arms around her. "Um, I'm going to- " she gestured awkwardly to the floor. Just as she was about to get off my lap, I smirked and pulled her back. Her mouth formed an 'o' shape. "Harper what are you- "

"Do I make you nervous?" I whispered huskily, bringing my face closer to hers. She gulped and shook her head. "Oh, really?" I arched an eyebrow. "Because I think I do." I gently blew on her neck, feeling her shudder.

"Nope, you don't," she stammered out. I smirked and lt go of her; Noelle quickly got out of my lap. I laughed at her reaction. I turned to her. "Twenty questions?"

Her shyness seemed to evaporate. She narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

I shrugged. "It's a good way to get to know someone."

"You do realize how incredibly cliché this is, right?"

I shrugged again. Noelle laughed, her voice tinkering through the air. "Okay."

"Bra size?" I mischieviously asked, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively. Noelle went bright red, shaking her hair down to cover her face. "You perv!"

"Only for you, babe."

Noelle groaned. "Just get on with it."

"Fine, fine." I answered, thinking. "Favourite food?"

"Cupcakes."

Her reply came immediately. I chuckled. "Mine is pizza."

Noelle scoffed. "Pizza? That is so mainstream." I raised an eyebrow. "Says the girl who chose cupcakes?"

She shrugged. "At least I didn't say pizza." I rolled my eyes. "Your turn now."

"Favourite sport?" she asked me curiously. "Basketball," I replied, ruffling my hands through my hair. Her mouth parted slightly, her pink lips arched. "But I thought you played football?"

"Nah," I answered quickly. "I got kicked off the team. But it's fine, because I like basketball better anyway." It was true. I had been learning to play basketball since I was six, and was the main reason for my hot as hell body. I smirked arrogantly at the thought.

"But- how did you get kicked off... " Noelle trailed off slowly, and I could almost see the lightbulb lighting above her head in realization. "They kicked you off for missing that one training session when I was sleeping?" she shook her head. "No, that's unfair! This is my fault, oh my gods, I'm sorry for crushing your dreams, just so you could take care of me! Oh my gods, how could I- "

"Relax, baby doll," I answered chuckling, slightly in awe at her sincere, unneeded apology. "It's fine, I was going to quit anyway." She breathed out a sigh of relief. "Next question, then."

"Last boyfriend?" I tried to ask casually, however the thought of Noelle with aother guy made me angry. Why do I care?

Noelle blushed and didn't answer. I kept staring at her. "I- I've never had a boyfriend... " she muttered. My eyes grew. "Never?" She shook her head.

"Hooked up?"

Another head shake.

"First kiss?"

Another head shake, much more hesitant.

My mouth fell open. "But how could someone as pretty as you have never kissed anyone?"

Noelle blushed harder at my comment. "I- I don't know," she stammered. "I'm not ready for a boyfriend. Or to be kissed. and besides, no one has ever asked me out... " Noelle gulped.

"What the hell?" I asked increduosly. She shrugged. I felt myself brim with a smug sort of happiness. No guy has ever touched her.

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"Baby doll?"

"Hmmm?" she answered, scribbling out the words for her homework.

"You wanna come with Emma, Max, me and the guys at school to the bonfire on Friday?"

She looked up. "What?"

"The bonfire," I repeated. "At the beach. It happense every year, everybody at school gets together and has some fun."

She narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean by 'fun'?

"You know, swimming, truth or dare, and other shit like that." I paused, smirking. "Unless you want to do the other type of 'fun', baby doll. That's good too."

She groaned and hit her head on the textbook. I smirked again. "Andrews, I don't really want to come."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm all socially awkward and stuff," she gestured to herself. "I'm a nerd, I'm weird."

"Baby doll, it's fine." My heart hurt a little. "I won't let anybody hurt you. Okay?"

She looked up at me hesitantly, before cringing.

"Okay."

"Hey, Harper, The Fault In Our Stars reference!"

*pretends that it didn't take me 734250928 years to update*

I'm soooo sorry this took so long to update, I'm just really busy :(

Guys, do you actually like my story, or am I writing this for no reason at all? Anyways, byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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-A xxx