Dedicated to: @thecolourisblack

"Try this one on."

Harper thrust a short, tight turquoise dress at me. I stared at it in utter horror.

It was just after school, and the party was tonight. I was freaking nervous, and after assessing my wardrobe, Harper and Emma decided I had nothing 'party worthy'.

So they took me shopping four hours before the party.

Emma nodded her head at Harper's choice. "Yeah, try that one on, Noelle."

I looked at her in astonishment. "You want me to try that on? It's barely a dress- more like a strip of fabric!"

"But an extremely hot strip of fabric," Harper added. I glared at him and he shut up, awkwardly retreating a few steps back, running his hands through his sweaty hair. Emma had called him and he had come with us straight from basketball practice- so he was still in his basketball uniform. And he looked hotter than usual. I think one of the shop workers agreed with me, because she kept staring at him longingly.

"Noelle, please," Emma pouted. I groaned, before walking into the changing room with the horrific turquoise 'dress'.

I stripped, before attempting to pull it on. After a lot of hard work, it was finally on. I turned to look in the mirror and I nearly screamed. The dress was so short- only an inch below my butt. The dress was also very low cut, revealing way more than I would have liked. The whole dress was sparkly, so it looked like a fairy had puked on it and I could barely breathe it was so tight.

Um, no.

"How is it?" Harper called out. I shook my head.

"No way am I wearing this." I groaned.

"Step out," Emma ordered.

"No!" I squealed. "I'm barely wearing anything!"

"Then definitely step out," Harper chuckled, and I could almost hear the smirk in his voice. I heard a slapping sound and a manly 'Ow!' and I laughed.

Team Emma.

"Just come out!" She yelled. I sighed, knowing that if I didn't she'd probably break down the stall door and come after me. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out.

Emma immediately winced. I agreed. This dress was horrible and definitely did not suit me. Harper, on the other hand, was just scanning my body up and down. I uncomfortably crossed my arms over my chest.

"My face is up here, you know," I said, blushing. Harper glanced up at me for a second then winked.

"I know."

I groaned and turned to Emma. "What's the next dress?"

She pulled out a black one from her basket. I had to admit, it looked quite nice. I took it from her gently, before walking into the changing room to try it on.

It came on nicely, and it looked good. It wasn't as short as the turquoise one- this one reached mid-thigh- and the sleeves went just past my elbows. The dress was simple, just plain black and it was tight enough to accent the little curves I had. I couldn't help but smile at my reflection.

I stepped out of the changing room. Emma clapped her hands in excitement.

"This is the one!" She cried out, pulling me into a hug.

It was.

As she pulled away, grinning maniacally, I turned to Harper.

"What do you think?" I asked anxiously. After giving me a once over, Harper looked up at my eyes.

"I think you look beautiful."

I immediately felt my face heat up and a bubble of happiness burst in my stomach.

He thinks I look beautiful.

I grinned, covering my face to hide my blush. I soon felt a pair of warm hands pull my own away from my face. I looked up to see Harper smiling down at me.

"Don't cover your face when you blush, you look adorable." He muttered, rubbing his thumbs on the skin of hands. I couldn't help but blush again, tingles spreading through my body.

"See." He muttered again.

I can't breathe.

"Can you two just date already?" Emma groaned from beside me. She was sitting on a chair, glaring at us. "The tension is actually killing me."

I blushed and pulled away from Harper, who was now smirking.

"I'm going to go change," I mumbled, before dashing into the changing room so I couldn't embarrass myself any further.

————————————————————————

As I opened the door anxiously to Axel's house, actually, scratch that, mansion, I was immediately hit by the pounding music and pungent smell of alcohol and sweaty teenagers.

Ew.

This is definitely not my place. I would much rather be at home right now, reading a book.

But of course, I have friends worse than Godzilla.

Does that even make sense?

I tried to push myself into a clear space, Emma holding my arm so we wouldn't get lost. I got hit several times by flying elbows and knees of rapidly, um, grinding, and dancing teens.

"What do we do now?" I yelled to Emma over the music. She shrugged.

"Have fun! Get a drink, I don't know!" Emma replied.

"I am not drinking!" I shouted. Emma rolled her eyes.

"Loosen up, Noelle! You're turning seventeen in five days!"

I know, I know. I'm pretty young to be a senior. But I was just before the cut off line, so I was okay. So yes, I was still sixteen.

I shook my head at her and she shrugged. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around, only to be greeted by Axel.

"Hey!" He yelled. I waved in response as his eyes scanned my body. "Damn, Noelle, you look good."

I blushed, awkwardly pulling at the hem of my dress. "Thanks."

Is this flirting?

As if hearing my thoughts, Axel chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not flirting with you or anything. I know Harper will decapitate me if I even try."

I laughed. "I don't think so."

Axel shook his head. "Oh, believe me, he would. You have no idea how protective he is over you. Alex- you know Alex, right? He was checking you out the other day and Harper almost killed him, he was threatening him and stuff."

I blushed again. "Oh."

Axel laughed. "Well I best get going. Harper's looking for you, by the way." He winked, and before I could say anything, Axel was gone, submerged in the crowd of people.

I turned to Emma. She was gone. I groaned, leaning against the wall.

Great, I'm doing this on my own.

And, if Harper finds me, I'll probably have to deal with him- intoxicated.

I should probably get home early. Our flight is tomorrow. School got out yesterday.

Feeling claustrophobic, I pushed through the crowd, trying to find the kitchen. I searched for ten minutes, walked into two couples making out in bathrooms, before I gave up, running my hands through my hair.

"Lost, baby doll?"

I spun around to see Harper smirking at me, a red solo cup like in those movies in his hand. He looked good, dressed in a black button down shirt rolled to his elbows, black jeans, and Converse.

"Aw, look we're matching. Nice boots by the way." Harper winked. I rolled my eyes. Emma had forced me into black ankle boots with heels that I could barely walk in.

"Are you drunk?" I questioned. His eyes widened.

"No... " He gave me a weird look.

"Good. Now shut up and take me to the kitchen."

He chuckled, grabbing my hand and pulling me through the crowd to kitchen. I thanked him, then went to grab a bottle of water that was on the table.

"No!" Harper yelled, then yanked me away from the water by my waist, so that I fell back onto his chest, facing him.

'What?" I asked, confused, trying to ignore the feeling of his muscles under my palm which was resting on his back in an attempt to balance myself.

Back muscles. Swoon.

"Don't just take a drink lying around like that again, okay baby doll?" He sighed, resting his chin on my head, hugging me desperately. I awkwardly hugged him back.

"Why not?" I mumbled.

I could feel his breath travelling across my spine and it made me shudder, so that my heart beat ferociously. I was sure he could feel it.

"The drink could have been drugged, Noelle. You never know." He paused sorrowfully before continuing again. "That's what happened to Kate."

I froze, before tightening my arms around him. "I'm sorry," I mumbled.

He shook his head. "Not you're fault." Harper pulled away. I smiled delicately at him as he reached over to the fridge and opened a new packet of bottled water and handing me one.

"Thank you," I mumbled. He grinned.

"Anytime."

"Hello, gorgeous." A voice slurred from behind me. I spun around. A guy with brown hair grinned sloppily at me. "Want to dance?"

"Um," I pulled at the hem of my dress frantically. How do you reject a drunk guy?

"No th- "

"She is not dancing with you." Harper's sharp voice cut in. "Fuck off."

The guy with brown hair narrowed his eyes. "Dude, let her answ- "

"Fuck off." Harper growled again, his eyes blazing threateningly.

"Jeez," the guy mumbled, before hobbling off. I turned to Harper, irritated.

"Why did you do that? Maybe I did want to dance with him?"

"Please, baby doll." Harper rolled his eyes in frustration, taking a sip from his red solo cup. "You obviously didn't. You were about to reject him."

"Then why did you reject him for me? I could have done it on my own, you know! I know I have panic attacks and stuff, but that doesn't mean I'm weak!" I huffed. Harper's eyes softened.

"Baby doll, I didn't mean it like that. I didn't reject him before you because I thought you were weak."

"Then why did you?" I accused him, curious to hear his answer. He paused, before sighing and looking up at me.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

I furrowed my eyes in frustration. "Forget it, Andrews. Bye."

I left Harper, going into the mass of people before he could say anything.

I admit it, I felt a bit mean. But he couldn't speak for me all the time- I had my own voice, too.

I felt a hand on my shoulder an I turned around to see a guy with closely cropped blonde hair.

"Hi!" he yelled. I waved in response.

"Um, I'm Charlie, and I'm kind of awkward at these kind of things, so sorry if this is weird, but I was wondering if maybe you wanted to dance?"

I laughed. "Don't worry, this is my first party too. I'm Noelle, and I'd love to dance."

He grinned. "Great." Charlie frowned. "Wait, how do we dance?"

Oh, right.

I looked around at the other couples. "Um, I think you put your hands on my waist- " Charlie moved his hands to my waist. "- And I put mine around your neck." I put my hands around his neck, strangely not feeling very shy. Slowly, we moved to the beat.

"This is really awkward, isn't it?" I called out. Charlie laughed and nodded his head. "It's pretty strange," he agreed. The music sped up, and other couples moved closer together. I was thankful Charlie didn't pull me closer.

"Your Harper's girl, right?" Charlie asked. I blushed, glancing over at Harper. He was looking at me, a girl with dyed red hair half draped over his arm, barely wearing anything.

"Um, we're not dating." I replied. "There's nothing between us."

Charlie nodded in understanding. "Do you, kind of, I don't know, hate this place?"

I nodded in response. "Definitely. It's so claustrophobic. Do you want to go upstairs?"

I waited for his response. Not hearing anything, I looked up at him. He was staring at a girl with blonde hair who was dancing with a guy with green hair. She was giggling as he whispered stuff in his ear. Charlie's eyes looked broken.

"Okay, we're going upstairs," I mumbled, pulling Charlie out of the crowd and up the stairs to the second level- a clear corridor.

"What happened?" I asked as soon as the music was just a dull pounding in the background. Charlie sighed and leaned against the door. The door immediately flew open and revealed a half naked couple making out on a bed.

"Ew, close the door!" I shrieked. Panicked, Charlie slammed the door shut, before calling out a quick 'Sorry!'.

I looked at Charlie, breathing heavily and we both burst into laughter.

"That was- " Charlie gasped between laughter. "Hilarious!"

I nodded.

You- Charlie- I like you.

Not the way I like Harper, though.

We had finally calmed down. "Who was that?" I asked Charlie, referring to the blonde girl. He groaned.

"Leila. I've been in love with her for ages. She has no idea, though."

I grinned. "Then go talk to her!"

He looked at me like I was crazy. Which I probably was. "No!" He yelled. "Are you crazy?"

Yup, there it is.

I rolled my eyes. "Just speak to her!"

Another frantic head shake.

"Come on," I sighed, pulling him down the stairs. I pushed him through the crowd, with much struggle, before we finally reached Leila, who was dancing on her own now. I tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to me and smiled.

"Hey, Leila!" I tapped Charlie on the shoulder. "Charlie wants to dance with you!" And with that, I dashed away from them. I glanced back, only to see Charlie glaring at me. I smirked.

Cupid is done for today!

I made my way back to the kitchen, feeling thirsty again. I was surprised to see Harper still there, sitting on a stool, same red solo cup in hand. He was clenching it in his hand very hard, and his green eyes were dull.

Something's happened to him.

Forgetting our previous argument, I approached him. "Harper?" I asked, cautiously. "How many drinks have you had?"

He held up three fingers. "Eight."

Oh, gods.

"Come on, you obviously can't drive home, so I'll have to get you home." I sighed, pulling his arm over my shoulder, helping hims stand up. He immediately almost fell over, he was so drunk.

"Oh my gods," I mumbled, pulling him across the house. He giggled a very unmanly giggle and I almost burst out laughing. I had finally left the house, and I breathed in the cool air, relieved to be outside, for once.

How am I meant to get him home? I don't even have my driver's license.

I guess I'll have to walk.

I groaned, pulling Harper along.

We had been walking for ten minutes, and were almost there thank god, before one of us finally spoke.

"I didn't like seeing him with you," Harper muttered, still very clearly drunk. I almost stopped in my tracks, shocked. I felt my heart and stomach tighten.

"What?" I asked cautiously.

"I was afraid he would take you away from me. Charlie. And when you went upstairs together- " Harper paused. "I was so scared."

My heart almost burst. I knew Harper wouldn't say these things if he wasn't intoxicated.

It doesn't mean it wasn't true.

Who are you kidding, Noelle. He doesn't like you like that. All this is just your wishful thinking.

"You know we didn't do anything." I informed Harper as we walked up his driveway to his front door.

"You didn't?" He asked, and his face immediately lit up. I smiled, shaking my head.

"Nothing." I reassured him. He grinned as I kicked open his door, which wasn't locked. I guess Maggie was expecting him home this late.

I tried to heave him up the stairs, and we finally got to his room. I laid him down carefully on the bed. He grinned and pulled me down so I was sitting next to him, holding my hand.

I blushed- the last time we had been in this position we had almost kissed.

Harper smiled at me goofily. "I didn't get to tell you how pretty you look tonight." I felt my heart speed up and he frowned. "But I don't really like the make up on your face. You still look pretty but I think you look beautiful without it as well."

I grinned. His words meant everything right now, as I am a very insecure person.

"I remember," Harper continued. "When I came to your house for the first time so we could study together. I remember seeing you with a bare face and your black Ray Ban glasses, and your messy bun, and your Hello Kitty tank top and I couldn't help but think how beautiful you were. So much that I could barely breathe."

I flamed again, holding my breath.

He remembers?

Shut up, Noelle. He's drunk, he probably doesn't mean it. He'll forget it all by tomorrow.

"Um, I think I should go." I informed Harper, standing up awkwardly.

You know you don't want to, though.

Harper pouted sleepily. "Do you have to?"

I almost reconsidered it, but I imagined my mom's angry face when I got home ultra late.

Shudder.

"I'm afraid so," I sighed. Harper nodded in understanding.

"Goodnight, baby doll." He muttered.

I sighed.

"Good night."

——————————————————————————

I woke up to a bucket of ice cold water being poured on my face. I screamed, sitting up in bed.

I heard laughter, a light and tinkling one, and opened my sleep deprived eyes to see a girl in her twenties laughing at me, brown hair cascading down in beautiful curves. She wore an expensive looking top and skinny jeans, adorned with bright red eight inch heels and was holding a bright orange bucket.

"Hey, bitch!" She yelled. "I'm home!"

I grinned when I recognised her and threw my pillow at her, which she easily caught, laughing.

"You, idiot, Florence," I laughed, readjusting my position in bed, pulling my damp hair away from my face.

Florence. I mentioned her before- my older sister studying politics at Cambridge. She had obviously come back for our Japan trip.

She pouted. "What, no welcome?"

I grinned mischievously. "You want a hug?"

Florence's eyes widened. "Nope, nope, nope! This Gucci top is so expensive- "

She was cut off by me launching myself at her. I hugged her, rubbing my wet hair in her face.

"Noelle!" she squealed. "I just washed my top yesterday!"

I laughed, and soon Florence joined me.

"Ready for Japan, little sister?" She asked.

I nodded. "Definitely."

WOAH THAT WAS A QUICK UPDATE JUST TWO DAYS

Japan next chapter :)

Guys, if you are inactive, pleaseeeee vote and comment, because I really want my story to get more popularrrr ;)

GOAL: 55 votes again, I guess?

Dedication will go to: um, I was thinking, if you guys wanted to Falling Too Far a banner, or something, I would dedicate a chapter to you <3

But if not... dedication will go to least favourite character and why :)

ANYWAYSSSSS

THANK YOU SO MUCH <3

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