Dedicated to: @lauracbbastos

"What are you doing?" I demanded, still standing next to Harper, while looking down at our families who were groaning and picking themselves up from the grass. "Were you spying on us?" I gasped, mortified. "Oh my gods, you were!"

My mom put her hand on her hip, attempting to stand up straight and pretend it didn't look like a bird made a nest in her hair. "I- I'll ask the questions around here, young lady," she continued, trying to sound strict. "What are you doing at a boy's house?"

I blushed, fumbling with the edge of my sweater. "I was just checking on Harper."

Maggie's eyes widened as her gaze flickered to Harper, finally taking in his battered and bruised appearance.

"Oh my lord! Harper, honey, what happened?" She rushed to Harper, cupping his face.

"It's nothing, Mom. It's fine." He squirmed in her grasp. I giggled and Harper glared at me.

"Did you get into another fight?" She gasped. "Harper, I thought that would stop once we moved- "

"Mom, I told you, it's fine." He pushed further. She sighed.

"You're telling me later." She huffed, pulling away.

"Yes, Mom," Harper teased mockingly. I giggled again, and this time Harper shot me a look of approval. I smiled at him.

"Awww," My mom sighed. "Young love."

I blushed again, redder this time. "We're not in love!" I protested.

"I don't know about that, baby doll, after I'm done with you, you might have to reconsider that." Harper smirked, leaning back on his car, still shirtless.

"Shut up, Andrews. You know that's not true." I stammered.

Why was he flirting with me in front of our parents?

Why is he flirting with me at all?

"Oh my god, he calls her baby doll," Mom sighed, flapping her hands around. "That's so cute!"

I groaned, before pulling myself away from Harper's car. "That's it, I'm leaving." I sighed, rolling my eyes.

Mom, Maggie, Lana and Jenna groaned in unison, turning around to the front of the house, leaving the backyard, as if because Harper and I were not going to be together it would be no fun.

I giggled, before following them to go back to my house. Before I could take more than two steps, Harper grabbed my arm.

"Wait."

I turned back to him and sighed. "What?"

He grinned. "I'm going out in ten minutes with some of my old friends. You want to come?"

I smirked, putting my hands on my hips. "No."

He jolted in surprise. "What?"

"You heard me. No."

"Why not?"

"How far are you in Harry Potter?"

Harper blushed a little. "I haven't read it since you gave it to me." He stuttered.

My smirk grew wider, as I imagined Harper on his bed, furiously reading Harry Potter. "Are you lying?" I teased.

"No!" Harper answered quickly.

"LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON- "

Harper quickly clamped his hand over my mouth. "Shut up!" he hissed. "Fine, I'm on the sixth book!"

I giggled behind is palm. "I knew you would like it!" I said, my voice muffled. Harper rolled his eyes, smiling a little and pulling his hand away from my face. My skin felt cold.

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered. "You're not going to tell anyone, are you?"

"I don't know, pretty boy," I smirked, tapping his nose. "I just might. If it ruins your reputation." With that, I took off, running back to my house.

God, why does this boy always make me run?

"Noelle!" Harper shouted from behind me. I laughed and ran faster.

—————————————————————————-

"What if they don't like me?" I asked nervously, twiddling my thumbs.

Harper and I were outside the diner his friends were in, Evergreen. I had agreed to go with Harper, on the conditions that I could tell Max and Emma all about his little Harry Potter obsession.

"Shut up, baby doll, they'll love you," Harper replied, nudging me slightly with his shoulder. He had cleared up quite well, considering he was in a fight today. I looked boring, just a ponytail and a blue sweater and jeans. I felt quite dull in comparison to him.

Harper pushed open the door, gesturing for me to walk through. "After you," he grinned. I nodded anxiously and walked through. I was hit by the warm smell of bread and the pulsing noise of idle chatter. The diner was small, casual and quaint. Harper took my wrist, pulling me through the diner.

My heart started thudding harder. Not just because Harper was almost holding my hand.

What if they don't like me?

What if they think I'm weird and awkward? Oh, wait, I am.

Maybe I could back out. Just one front kick could send Harper sprawling then I could dart out of here. Harper's faster, so i could steal a motorbike. Wait, then I would get arrested. Then I could knock down the cops with my ninja skills then hire a camel and-

I saw Harper and I approaching a long table with a few teenagers sitting around it. They all turned to Harper and grinned.

Too late now.

A guy with short brown hair stood up to greet Harper.

"Hey, man, long time no see." Harper grinned back, and both boys did that weird half-hug, half-handshake thing that all guys somehow knew how to do. I swear, in Grade 5 when girls and guys had to split up for sex ed, we learnt all the regular stuff, and they learnt how to do that weird handshake.

I turned to look at the other people on the table, and I was immediately relieved to see Rhea sitting there. She smiled at me and I returned it. Next to her was a pretty brunette girl, who was laughing and talking to a guy with dirty blonde hair. Next to the brunette, was a very pretty girl with strawberry blonde hair. To my surprise, seated next to her were Joshua and Alfie. Joshua smiled shyly and Alfie just winked.

"Baby doll?" Harper asked, waving his hand in front of my face. "I've been calling your name for the past minute."

"Oh, um, yeah," I answered quickly. Everybody on the table stared at me curiously.

Great first impressions, Noelle.

"Who's this?" The guy who had greeted Harper asked.

"Um, I'm Noelle," I answered shyly. He grinned.

"Nice to meet you, Noelle." He winked and I blushed. Harper glared at him.

"I'm assuming you've met Joshua, Alfie, and Rhea?"

Yeah, Rhea's my friend, Alfie fake hit on me, and recently Joshua got in a fight with my crush and I elbowed him in the stomach.

I nodded.

"Well, that's good. I'm Drew. This- " he gestured to the dirty blonde guy- "Is Marco. The brunette girl- that's Laura. And of course, this- " he leaned over to pat the impossibly pretty strawberry blonde girl who just frowned playfully and adjusted her hair- "Is our beloved Bethany. We're Harper's old friends from Dallas before he moved."

"Hi," I waved awkwardly. Harper smiled, before pulling me down to sit next to him in the booth. I fiddled with the napkin in front of me. I glanced up at Harper who was glaring at Joshua and Alfie.

"What the fuck are they doing here?" Harper demanded, turning to Marco and Drew.

Marco's eyes widened. "What's wrong with them being here? Dude, they moved from Dallas with you!"

"Let me see," Harper drawled sarcastically. "Joshua is an asshole and Alfie fucking drugged a girl- "

Bethany leaned forward a bit to place her hand on Harper's arm. A rising sense of jealousy burned my body. "It's okay, Harper," Bethany smiled slightly, rubbing her hand on his skin. "Calm down."

I expected Harper to ignore her, like he had done with other girls, but surprisingly, his hard expression melted and he smiled at Bethany. "Thanks, Beth."

THEY HAD NICKNAMES?

Well what do you expect, idiot? They knew each other years before you came into the picture.

It kind of hurt to see her flirting with him. It hurt more when it almost seemed like he was flirting back.

I glanced at Rhea from the corner of my eye. She had clearly noticed my reaction, and she sent me a sympathetic look. I shook my head slightly. I turned a little to see that Bethany was looking at me too. I awkwardly reached for my cup of water sitting in front of me. Harper seemed to notice, and gently nudged my knee with his own.

"So... are you Harper's girlfriend?" The girl, Laura, asked smiling kindly at me. I choked on the water, Harper having to pat me on the back.

"No!" I exclaimed, recovering from my coughing fit. Marco was laughing in the corner, his hands intertwined with Laura- not unkindly.

"Really? That's not what I heard," Drew said. Alfie laughed, high-fiving him.

"What?" I demanded to Harper. "You told them I was your girlfriend?"

"No, I didn't!" Harper held his hands up in defence. "They're lying!"

Marco chuckled. "Calm down. Yeah, we were just kidding. Your reaction was great though."

I huffed and rolled my eyes. "Jerk." I muttered. Marco laughed and was about to ruffle my hair, I think, but then he caught sight of my The Hunger Games necklace.

"Oh my gods!" he shouted, standing up quickly, almost knocking over the cups on the table. Almost everyone in the diner turned to stare at him, but he didn't notice. "I love The Hunger Games!"

"Here he goes again," Rhea muttered.

"Here she goes again," Harper muttered amusedly in response.

"Me too!" I squealed, jumping up quickly as well.

Finally! A fanboy!

"I hate Joanna though! Everybody loves her but I hate her with a burning passion... " Marco stated.

It was then that I decided that I loved Marco.

I laughed and agreed, and we continued to chatter animatedly about The Hunger Games and all our other fandoms, right until the waitress left our table after taking orders and flirting with Harper. Again.

"So, Nancy," Bethany began, turning towards me. I coughed.

"It's actually Noelle," I replied. She rolled her eyes.

"Okay, Noelle, I was just wondering what your relationship with Harper is. Like, are you best friends or something? Because it's totally fine if you are. Back in Dallas, I was Harper's best friend that was a girl, and I know no one can ever take my spot in his life." Bethany twirled the fork in her hand- I could sense the venom and the flirtatious hint in her voice.

Three guesses who the flirtatious thing was for!

Like, how much more obvious can she get?

She grinned, slightly seductively, and winked at Harper. I expected Harper to grimace in return but he just smirked at her.

I felt my heart sink.

And all through the short time at the diner, between discussions with Laura, who I learned to be quite kind and funny and also Bethany's best friend, and Marco and Rhea, I would steal quick glances at Harper. And every time I would look at him, he was staring at Bethany, his adoration for her clear in his eyes.

Hers was evident enough.

I was surprised Harper couldn't see it. She was so obviously in love with him and he couldn't see it. He wouldn't be able to recognise it if it went up to him and slapped him in the face, it was that obvious. Her flirting, her lovesick eyes, her constant reasons to touch him.

He almost seemed to return it.

I knew if Bethany weren't here then Harper would be shamelessly flirting with me, holding hands or arms around shoulders and teasing.

But he barely even talked to me, or touched me for that matter.

Finally, after watching them laugh and smile together, I couldn't take it anymore. I felt the tears brim in my eyes as I got up from my seat.

Don't cry. Don't be weak.

"I- I'll be outside," I stuttered, before racing through the doors of the restaurant, which lead out onto a small basketball area. I sighed, breathing in the fresh air in relief and leaning against the wall of the restaurant.

I had a moment of peace before Rhea came racing out, rushing towards me.

"Are you okay?" she asked. I bluntly nodded my head. She sighed.

"I know how you feel. It hurts, doesn't it?"

"Yeah," I mumbled forlornly, playing with the hem of my sweater.

"Look, I know it may not seem like it now, but Harper cares for you, okay? And I know he doesn't like Bethany that way, he's just teasing. But, you? You're something different to him. Don't forget that, okay?" Rhea said. I looked up at her and smiled slightly.

Maybe she's right.

"Thanks," I answered, leaning over to hug her. She obliged, hugging me back, hard.

Somehow I felt like she needed that more than me.

"It's Joshua, isn't it?" I asked as we pulled away. "That's why you're sad."

She nodded hesitantly. "I can see that he likes someone else. But the idiot doesn't see that I'm in love with him." Her voice cracked.

I hugged her again, my heart clenching for her. "It's okay," I muttered. "He'll come to his senses and see what he's missing out on."

Just as we were pulling away for the second time, the rest of Harper's friends and him walked out of the diner.

"Dude, let's go play basketball!" Drew called out. Alfie, Marco, Joshua, Laura and Bethany cheered, reaching over to the rack of basketballs.

"Fine," Rhea sighed playfully, winking at me and racing off onto the pitch thing to join the others. Harper was the only one left behind and I held my breath as he approached me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, facing me. He didn't attempt to touch me. I rubbed my arm.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I muttered, looking away.

"No you're not, baby doll," Harper sighed, gently holding my wrists, brushing his skin over the bone there. I jolted at his slight touch. "What happened?"

"Nothing," I repeated. "Nothing at all."

"Baby doll, I know you're lying. You don't have to tell me though. I can wait till you're ready." He said softly.

I hesitantly nodded. "Thanks." I replied shyly.

"Is it because I was a dick to you today?" Harper blurted out.

"What?" I asked, confused. What did he mean?

"When, um," he awkwardly coughed. "When Joshua and I were fighting I told you to go away. I'm really sorry, Noelle, I really am. You know it's just because I didn't want you getting hurt, right?"

I was momentarily stunned.

He cares that much for me?

I shook myself out of my little thought bubble. "It's okay. It's not because of that." I assured him. He sighed in relief.

Before I could do anything else, Harper brought up my hand and gently pressed the back of it to his lips, then racing off to join the others. I flamed red.

Oh my gods, oh my gods, oh my gods.

I couldn't help but smile like an idiot.

For the next few minutes, like the stalker I was, I watched Harper and the others play basketball. Well, mainly Harper. He was amazing, though.

He's the captain of the basketball team, right?

Imagine Harper in the basketball uniform.

Swoon.

I was giggling away to myself when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Hoping it was Harper, I spun around quickly, only to face Joshua.

Great. This will be awkward.

I frowned a little.

"Noelle... " Joshua winced. "Can we talk?"

I smiled sweetly at him, putting my hand on my hip. "Sure, because I'll definitely speak to the guy who insulted me and tried to beat up my best friend!" I retorted sarcastically. "No!"

That was a bit forward of me.

I liked it, though.

"Noelle, I know I acted like a jerk- "

"No kidding," I muttered under my breath. Joshua sighed deeply.

"I know. I know I said things about you, but I didn't mean for them to be insults, okay? I just wanted to get on Harper's nerves. He threw the first punch. Not me."

"Why the hell do you have this huge rivalry thing going on with Harper anyway?" I asked, frustrated. Joshua looked up at me sadly.

"I'm afraid it's not my place to tell you. You're going to have to ask Harper."

I huffed, before walking away from Joshua. I didn't want to talk to him.

I stormed my way to Rhea, but I was interrupted by Laura, who was having a break from the basketball. She beckoned me to sit down next to her on the bench. I did.

"Are you okay?" She asked. I laughed.

"Everybody seems to be asking me that." I replied. She grinned, weaving her hands through her hair.

"You're cool, you know that?" She said, smiling at me. I returned the gesture.

Yes, new friend achieved!

"I'm actually moving here after Christmas- I'm going to the school as you guys." She stated.

"That's great!" I answered happily.

"So is Bethany. She's actually my step sister."

I frowned.

Laura let out a short laugh. "You don't like her very much, do you?"

"I just can't see how Harper doesn't notice how in love she is with him," I grumbled, turning to face basketball pitch. Harper was teaching Bethany how to shoot, his arms around her shoulders, holding the ball in front of her body with her. My heart clenched at the painful sight.

Shut up, Noelle! He can have friends, stop acting like an over protective girlfriend!

"Yeah, it's stupid, isn't it?" Laura commented. I frantically nodded, agreeing.

Very.

—————————————————————————

"I know I just made you socialize and stuff..." Harper said, leaning against the door of my house. He had just dropped me home from the diner, after painfully hugging Bethany. I still couldn't get that image out of my head. Harper's arms wrapping around her protectively, and the part I almost missed- when Bethany quickly glanced at me slyly.

I raised a stern eyebrow at Harper. "What are you going to make me do?" I asked cautiously.

"Do you want to go to party? Axel's party?"

I gaped at him. "No! No way am I going to a party!"

"I knew you wouldn't," Harper mumbled frustratedly, running his hands through his hair. "It was Emma's idea. I agreed to it."

"Why did you agree to it?" I questioned. Harper winced.

"I'm scared of her." Came his reluctant response.

What?

I burst into laughter. "You," I giggled. "You're afraid of Emma?"

Emma was the type of girl who would save a dying butterfly. She had done it once, too. She even defended the rights of squirrel cruelty once, in fourth grade. Emma was the last person you would be afraid of.

"She's fucking scary," Harper shuddered. "She threatened me."

"What on earth did she say?" I said between spurts of laughter.

"She said that to be your friend I better not hurt your feelings. And if I did, she'd cut of my balls and throw them in a sewer. And if I didn't convince you to go the party she'd personally feed my severed head to baboons." Harper grumbled.

Yes!

Up top, Emma!

"Fine, Harper, for your health and safety, I will go to the party." I giggled.

"Aw, baby doll, you care about me," Harper winked. I groaned, and slapped the back of his head.

"You wish."

And... chapter done!

OH MY GODS THIS TOOK AGES

ITS DONEEEEEEEEE AND I CAN RELAX *sighs*

jk i love writing for you guysss

OMG GUYS WE ARE #95 IN TEEN FICTION AHHHHHH THANK YOU SO MUCH ILY <3

Dedication will go to: predictions for next chapter?

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