Dedicated to: idk... I still haven't found a Harper who's really Harper... but thank you all! Let's keep him imaginary for now, yeah?

"He did what?" Emma asked incredulously.

I slammed my locker door shut. "You heard me. Getting all cosy with Bethany." I practically spat.

Max gave me a sad look. "I'm really sorry, Noelle." I smiled feebly at him and reached up to hug him.

"It's not you fault. Don't worry about it." I reassured him. He shook his head frantically.

"No, it is. He's my best friend- I should have tried to take him away from Bethany and- " He rambled. Emma kissed him quickly, cutting him off. "She said it was fine, didn't she?" Emma said softly.

Oh my gods they are so adorable.

He nodded and kissed her back. Soon enough, they were making out on the locker next to mine.

That's too much.

I groaned. "How did I last being friends with only you two for a whole year?"

No reply.

I sighed, grabbing the wrist of Laura who just so happened to be walking by. "Come on. I don't want to be stuck with them." I poked my finger at Max and Emma. Laura nodded quickly and we began walking to Art.

"Um, if you don't mind me asking... " Laura began. I looked up at her. She fiddled with the corner of her notebook. "Were Harper and Bethany out together on the field?"

I winced, my mood immediately darkening. "Yeah. Let's just say I ran home after that."

"Oh, Noelle... " We stopped outside the Art room. She looked at me sadly. "He's just a fucking asshole with no sense in girls."

Silence.

I looked at her for a second, completely shocked.

Laure just said something mean. And swore.

I burst out laughing, hugging her quickly. "Thanks, Laura. Now let's get into Art before Ms Walker kills us."

Five minutes later, we had seated ourselves in class and Ms Walker still hadn't arrived. I sighed fiddling with my pen. Joshua wasn't here yet so I had no one to talk to.

Harper wasn't here yet either.

Thank god. I don't want to see him.

So, of course, he had to walk in on that exact moment.

I ripped my eyes away from him quickly, my heart already racing from just seeing him. He had to look extremely gorgeous today, didn't he?

He was wearing a black sweater with jeans, as well as dark red Converse and a dark red beanie. He had swept some hair out of his beanie, sweeping above his forehead adorably.

Shut up, Noelle.

Shut up.

This was the first time I had seen him since the dance. He hadn't tried to contact me in any way after the dance, and neither had I. He might have tried to through our windows, but taking the possibility in mind, I had closed my curtains the whole weekend.

I watched as he glanced at me, his eyes filling with guilt. I looked away quickly, pretending to take interest in my notebook. I heard footsteps and then his warm presence beside me.

I turned around then slapped him.

Just kidding. That's only my wishful thinking.

"Noelle," he breathed, putting a hand on my shoulder. I stiffened.

"Hey." I forced out robotically. He sighed, moving so he was in front of me.

"I'm sorry for not driving you home. It was wrong of me and I should have waited, but don't you think you're overreacting just a little bit- " Harper continued. I let out a dry laugh.

That's why he thinks I'm annoyed at him? Are you kidding?

You basically led me on, butthole. Then you get all cuddly with Bethany? Wow.

"Go sit down," I chortled darkly, shaking my head. I felt the whole room's eyes on us.

Harper raised his eyebrows. "What happened to you? Noelle, if I did something, I'm really sorry- " his eyes softened.

"Sit down, Andrews," I hissed. I glared him, watching him hesitate. Finally, he gave me a sad look before retreating to his seat on the other side of the classroom.

I huffed, turning around to see Joshua sitting in his chair next to me, an eyebrow arched. He must have come in when I was, um, talking to Harper.

"Rough weekend?" He asked, pulling all the stuff out of his bag. I sighed. "Yeah. You could say that." I gave him a weak smile.

He frowned. "Aw. What happened? The dance?"

"Yeah, that was horrible." I groaned. "Amazing and magical at first. Until Harper completely forgot about me because he was with another girl."

Joshua winced. "Ouch."

"Yeah."

"Holy shit."

I smiled sternly at him. "Don't swear," I teased.

"Why, does it make you uncomfortable?" He teased back, grinning.

"Well, yeah- "

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck- "

"Shut up!" I laughed, leaning over to clamp my hands over his mouth. "I said don't swear!"

He rolled his eyes jokingly, making me laugh even more. It was then when I finally realised how shockingly attractive Joshua was. His golden hair was pulled into a quiff, his light blue eyes bright and cautious, hidden with a strange sort of darkness that I chose to ignore.

"Checking me out?" He asked, his voice muffled by my hand. I blushed a little and scoffed.

"No." I replied, pulling my hand away. He just grinned and turned to the front of the classroom, just as the teacher walked into the classroom.

"Sorry I'm late, class," Mrs Walker sighed. "Let's get on then, okay?"

A chorus of murmurs of 'yeah' rose through the class. I took the opportunity to quickly glance at Harper. I was surprised to see him glaring intensely at Joshua. Despite how much I hated it then, butterflies fluttered through my stomach.

Is he- is he jealous?

No, no. Don't be stupid, Noelle. He hates Joshua for some reason that you still don't know.

That's why.

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

"Noelle, can I speak to you?" I spun around in the food line in the canteen to see Harper.

I faked thinking. "No." I moved forward to the next station. Harper didn't hesitate to follow behind me.

"Noelle, please."

"Why should I talk to you?" I spat back, picking up a slice of pizza from the tray.

"Because I hate being away from you."

Hm.

Good answer.

I turned around in the line. I couldn't help but smile a little when I saw how worried he looked.

Why are you always so freaking forgiving?

"Fine. What is it?"

He smiled in relief. "You can't tell anyone about this yet, okay, Noelle? You're the first person I'm telling."

I smiled. "Just spit it out."

"Okay, well- "

"Move along!" Some kid at the the back of the line yelled.

Stupid high-schoolers. I wanted to know.

I moved along. "Sorry." I said to Harper. "Tell me later?"

Despite the fact that it looked like he had barely heard me, he nodded slightly, avoiding my eyes. I awkwardly waved and headed to our table. To my surprise, someone else sat our table apart from Max, Axel, Laura and Emma.

Bethany.

She was chatting animatedly to Laura who looked like she was having a hard time following along, nodding her head and shaking it rapidly. A sour feeling came through my body as I approached my table, taking the seat furthest from Bethany, next to Emma.

Bethany smiled sickly sweetly at me. "Hi, Nina! How are you doing?"

It was then when I knew that she knew that I saw her and Harper at the dance. And she would rub it in as much as she could.

"Um, it's actually Noelle." I corrected her for what must have been the umpteenth time, setting my bottle of water down.

"Sorry," she apologized fakely, rolling her eyes.

What is she doing here? Doesn't she have to get back to Amanda or something? They're friends now, aren't they?

I watched as Harper came into view again, stopping by the table. There were two open seats- one next to me and Max, and one next to Bethany and Axel.

Harper seemed to notice that too.

Our table was filled with an awkward silence. I watched him closely. His eyebrows were furrowed and he bit his lip cautiously, making me yearn to kiss him.

He'll- he'll choose me, right?

He's known Bethany for longer.

Max is his best friends.

Bethany is his former best friend.

All eyes were on him.

Finally, Harper took the seat next to Bethany.

I felt my heart fall and my eyes sting.

Of course.

Emma gave me a sad glance and I felt her hand under the table give mine a squeeze. I smiled at her gratefully. Laura was gaping at Harper and Bethany, looking very offended, and I didn't fail to notice how tightly she was gripping her fork. Bethany, on the other hand, hadn't taken her eyes off me, smirking slightly. She gave me a look screaming I won.

And win she did.

Excuse me. Gorgeous friends of my first loves happen to turn me into Yoda.

I looked down at my pizza that didn't look so appetising now.

My whole body felt heavy and my eyes brimmed with tears that I didn't let fall. I felt like I was in a freaking Taylor Swift song. You know, when the girl loves the guy, but the guy doesn't love the girl back, and likes someone else instead.

I froze still.

Am I- am I really admitting that to myself?

Am I telling myself that Harper likes Bethany?

Is this it?

Is this the end of us?

His shameless flirting, my extreme blushing in response- his cocky, arrogant smirk that I had grown to love, his sneaky attempts to kiss me on the cheek or flatter me somehow. Or even when I suffered from panic attacks or horrible insecurities, he would always be there, a source of comfort in a way so unique that it couldn't be recreated by anyone, not even Emma.

All gone.

The thought made a tear drop to my jeans. I brushed it away quickly.

Is this what heartbreak feels like?

Not yet, Noelle, be positive. After all, they're not dating and they haven't kissed, either.

There is still room for more.

I looked up to see Harper and Bethany laughing together, his arm slung around her slender shoulders, her perfect hair cascading down her back. His eyes were bright, shining from laughter, and though nobody else must have seen it, I was welcomed to a quick flash of their hands intertwined together under the table.

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

"Is Emma not coming?" Laura asked, taking the seat next to me with her Starbucks drink in the mall's seating area. Rhea sat opposite us, twirling her straw around.

"Nope, she's on a date with Max." I grinned. They're so cute together.

"Awww," Rhea chorused. "They're so cute it's kind of sickening. God, I want a relationship like that."

Laura raised her eyebrows. "Why? So you can revolt us single people?"

I nudged her, laughing. "Don't you start. Everyone can see something between you and Bob- Jaden, Jaden." I corrected myself.

She rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at me. I did it back. "Anyway," Laura continued, elbowing me when I wriggled my eyebrows suggestively. "Speaking of relationships- how is your quest to make Joshua fall for you, Rhea?"

Oh, yeah.

Rhea immediately began choking on her drink. "So... not well, I take it?" I winced a little, patting her back as she continued to cough. Finally, she stopped, waving her hand around, looking up at both of us with a serious expression.

"Guys- I'm not in love with Joshua anymore."

It was our turn to choke on our drinks.

"What?" Laura coughed. "You don't love him?"

"Well," Rhea twirled her straw in her drink, smiling shyly. "I realised the affection I felt for him was stupid puppy love. I- I think I may be falling for someone new now."

"That's great!" I smiled and went to hug her over the table. She smiled at me, guilt flashing over her face for second.

Guilt?

"Who is it?" Laura asked, winking at her. She blushed, before glancing at me quickly and darting her eyes away.

"I- I can't tell you."

Laura hit her arm. "Why not?"

"Laura!" I scolded. "Don't pester her like that. She can tell us when she's ready."

Laura pouted. "Fine."

I grinned at Rhea. "Is he cute?"

Oh gods, I sound like Emma.

Well- I just heard there was a new ship at the dock.

Rhea blushed. "Definitely. So breathtakingly good looking it hurts."

I squealed, shaking Laura's shoulders who was trying to drink her frappuccino. "WE HAVE TO SAIL THE SHIP! WE HAVE TO SAIL THE SHIP!" I screamed at her, squeezing her. She nodded quickly, looking terrified. I squeezed her again, harder this time.

"Oh my gods, we will be the best Cupids ever- "

That's when her drink exploded.

All. Over. Me.

I looked down at my mint green sweater in horror, splattered with the contents of Laura's caramel frappuccino. None of it went on her, of course, though. Knowing my luck and clumsiness, that was kind of expected.

"Um, sorry?" Laura said feebly, breaking the horrified silence. I shook my head, laughing a little.

"Um, it's fine. That was my fault. Sorry for wasting your drink." I looked at the frappuccino cup. "Why does it always have to be me?" I groaned.

Rhea, being the great friend that she is, laughed. "Wow, Noelle."

I glared at her, getting out of the seat. "Um, I'm going to go clean myself up." I awkwardly waved before spinning around to go the the bathroom.

I awkwardly crossed my arms over my chest, trying to cover the wet stain. It didn't help. All the way, I got weird looks from people, a few from teenagers, a few from little kids, and even a huff and a 'oh, the kids of this generation' comment from an old lady, the one who I recognised to live just down the road to me and happened to have a fetish for squirrels.

When I finally reached the bathroom, I was greeted by a bold 'Closed For Fixing' sign.

Wow. Things are really not going my way.

I groaned and headed up the escalator, finally reaching the bathrooms on the floor above, only to observe that the girl's bathroom had a ginormous line streaming out of it. Sighing, I pushed open the door of the handicap bathroom, slipping inside as it was only one room, complete with the toilet and the sink. I sighed, stepping in and closing the door behind me.

Thankfully, the bathroom smelled like it had just been cleaned. I slipped out of my soiled sweater, laying it across the sink, readjusting my white tank top that was underneath in front of the mirror.

I can't wear this home.

I cocked my head to the side, studying the way my hair fell across my shoulders. Did it always look this- weird?

And my shoulders, they're not the right distance apart, and-

Suddenly, the door opened.

"Aaaah!" I screamed, falling too the floor in surprise.

"Aaaah!" Harper screamed, quickly shutting the door.

I breathed heavily, sitting on the cool tile floor, leaning against the wall.

Why is he here?

The door cracked open a little bit. "Can I come in?" His clear, husky voice asked.

I nodded, before realising he couldn't see me. "Um, yeah, sure. I guess forgot to lock the door."

I'm lucky it's only Harper.

He slipped through the door, closing it behind him. "You guess?" He smirked, locking the door with a flick of his thumb. I shrugged sheepishly.

He raised an eyebrow, cocking his head. "Why are you sitting on the ground?"

I sighed, adjusting my hair, remembering how weird it looked in the mirror. "You scared me."

"You scared me too, but I'm not lying on the ground."

"Well- my legs are not as- stable as yours, thank you very much."

He grinned, offering me a hand to help me up. I took it, pulling myself off the ground. As soon as I was up standing, I saw his eyes flitter very quickly to my chest, before darting up to my face again.

What the- 

I glanced in the mirror quickly, before gaping slightly, horrified. My tank underneath was low cut, not to mention the white stretchy material was see-through, my bright red bra very evident.

"Oh my gods- " I quickly covered my chest area with my arms, searching frantically for something to cover myself up with. The only thing in sigh was my soiled sweater, and I was not putting that on.

"It's fine, really, Noelle," he grinned, glancing down again. "Nice B-cups, by the way."

I gasped and blushed, before hitting him quickly on the arm. "Stop staring, you buffoon!" I yelled, backing away from him.

He chuckled. "Fine, fine, I'll stop staring." He put his hands up in surrender. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

I rolled my eyes. "I don't know, maybe I was doing what most people were doing when they go to the toilet?"

"You took your sweater off, though."

I sighed. "Fine. I spilled a frappuccino on my sweater. That's why I took it off- I was going to try and clean it as well as I can."

He laughed. "Of course. Only you would do something as clumsy as that."

"Hey," I muttered defensively. "I'm not that clumsy."

He smirked again, knowingly. I ignored him, blushing. "What are you doing here?"

He sheepishly glanced at the counter next to the sink, where a small black object was lying. I left my car keys here when I went to the toilet. Men's line was too long.

I grinned at him. "I may be clumsy, but at least I'm not forgetful. Someone could have stole those. I could have stole those."

"Please, Noelle. I bet you couldn't even steal someone's pen from the floor of the classroom."

"Well, maybe because that's rude. The pen would probably miss it's owner." I replied back.

Harper burst out laughing. "So now pens have feelings?"

"Well, duh."

"Oh my god, Noelle."

"Anyway," I continued. "I could probably steal something."

"But you already have, Noelle." I looked up at him, confused. He put his hand over his chest before sighing dramatically. "You, young maiden, have already stole my heart!"

I knew he was joking, but I blushed and my heart seemed to expand in my chest.

I tried to change the subject. "See? I can steal things."

"No you can't." Harper stepped forward.

"Yes I can." I took a step back. 

"No you can't." Forward again.

"Yes I can." Back again.

Soon enough, I felt my back hit the wall. I glanced around to see that the tile was indeed pressing against my skin.

Damn it.

He's cornered me.

I looked back at him, only to see how close he was, his face a few mere inches apart. He was smirking, as he placed both his hands on the wall, either side of my head.

"Got you," he murmured, his smirk growing wider. I rolled my eyes.

"Do you just want to take your car keys and leave? I need to get changed." I said shakily, pretending how close he had gotten was not affecting me. But I think we all know how fast my heart must have been beating.

"Changed into what?" He asked again cockily, moving the slightest bit closer.

Dang it. He's got me there.

I didn't reply, as he moved so close that his forehead was almost touching mine.

"I won," he grinned. "What's my reward?"

"You can get out of the bathroom."

"I don't think I will." He smirked again. He moved closer so that our lips were an inch apart, resting his forehead against mine. I could almost feel the electricity buzzing between us, and I couldn't help but hope that he felt it too.

He moved closer again, his eyes fluttering shut, about to kiss me.

Yes! Yes!

He stopped, just as our lips were about to touch. His eyes snapped open. "I- I can't do this. It's not right."

I felt my heart shatter. "Why not?"

He smiled a little, pulling away and standing up straight, taking my hand and pulling me with him. "It's a surprise. You'll find out soon enough."

Could the surprise be for me?

I felt my heart repair itself a little, unwillingly.

I smiled a little back at him. "Okay."

He eyed me a little. "What are you going to wear home?"

I glanced at my soiled sweater. I was definitely not wearing that- it was wet and it was cold outside, and I was walking home.

"I- I don't know." I looked at my see- through tank top, which my arms were still wound around.

Definitely not.

"I can- " Harper began, cutting himself off. I looked at him curiously, as he grabbed the hem of his black sweater, pulling it over his head. I admired the way his arms flexed as he did so, and how far up his shirt underneath rode up, getting caught in the sweater, exposing his abs, making me swoon a little.

"You want me to give you the sweater now, or do you want to continue checking me out first?" Harper smirked. I blushed. "I wasn't checking you out."

"Actually, you're right. You were practically eye raping me."

I blushed even harder, ignoring the last comment, looking at the sweater that he had offered to me. "Won't you be cold?"

"I'll be fine, Noelle." He smirked, running a hand through his hair. "I'm a big boy. Plus, my shirt is long sleeved. You need my sweater more than me."

"Thank you," I smiled shyly, taking the soft sweater from his hands. "That's really nice of you."

"Does that mean I get to watch you change?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm just putting your sweater over my head."

"Good enough."

In response, I turned around so my back was facing him, slipping the sweater over my head. I was immediately consumed by Harper's smell, the beautiful lemongrass one, the soft material immediately warming my skin. I turned back around, pulling my hair out of the sweater. "Thank you. I'll return it later."

"No, you keep it, Noelle. You look adorable." He replied.

"Thanks." I blushed.

He smiled, reaching out to squeeze my hand quickly, before grabbing his car keys and slipping out of the bathroom. "See you later, Noelle."

And before I could reply, the door closed.

YASSSSSSS YAY AN UPDATEEEEEE

Sorry this chapter was kind of boring, but in the next chapter, A LOT OF STUFF IS GOING DOWN

I just wanted to know... how old are you guys? Comment it here :) (if you don't want to, that's totally fine)

Hmmm... Harper didn't call Noelle 'baby doll' for the whole chapter...

Goals: 220 votes?

Dedication: If each of the characters were a plant, what plant would they be?

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