Dedicated to: elasticfun 

(people who have sent me banners, I'll start dedicating to you from next chapter XD)

Sorry that there is an author's not just before the chapter, but I wanted to address something that has been bothering me.

I know you guys hate Harper, but recently, you guys have started hating Noelle, and the comments from people about that is really bothering me. The comments that are just plain annoyed with Noelle (temporarily) are okay, but the other comments, the ruder, harsher ones that are actually legit screaming at Noelle and calling her stupid and insulting her actual character is actually really hurtful. I understand that you guys are mad because she is dating Joshua, but how would you react? Your first love- the guy who you gave you first kiss to, the guy who had always been by your side through thick and thin and would always understand you when nobody else would- imagine if he was in a happy relationship and showed no sign of breaking up with you. Imagine if the girl was an absolute bitch and her and her friend (Amanda, in this case) tried to make your life a living hell. Imagine if you were in a horrible argument with your mom, someone who has been there since day one. And now, to add to all of this, the stress of your senior year in high school- exams, college applications, all of that. Noelle just wants to get away from her reality- wants to get away from all the heartbreak coming from Harper, so she is trying to move on because she believes that they could never be together. She is trying to be with someone else because she is trying to love someone else, someone who wouldn't break her heart like Harper. She's just trying to stop the pain, you know?

I'm sorry if this came off like I was mad at you guys- I'm not, don't worry. I'm just a little upset, and I wanted to be open to all of you and tell you what is bothering me. Sorry about the really long A/N. Now on with the chapter :)

5:59.

I stared at the clock in anticipation and worry.

Just one more minute.

I squirmed awkwardly on the sofa. This my first date ever- not counting when I accidentally called Harper and I's outing a date- and Joshua hadn't told me where we were going or what we were doing, so dressing up had been quite a feat. Eventually, Emma had forced me over the phone to wear a blue sweater and floral skirt. She had tried to encourage me to wear a hat and my glasses with it, but I profoundly refused.

6:05.

Why isn't he here yet?

Just at that moment, when I was picking at the dark blue nail polish adorning my nails, Mom walked through the front door. There was an awkward silence as we stared intently at each other, before I finally shied away from her gaze. We still hadn't spoken since the horrible argument we had had, and, to be honest, I really missed her.

"Where are you going?" She asked sternly, her eyes strict. I tried to gather as much courage as I could muster before replying back.

"A date."

To say Mom was surprised was an understatement. Her whole strict facade fell, and she nearly tripped over her own feet. That was when I noticed Lana awkwardly standing next to her, pretending not to be eavesdropping.

"With Harper?" Mom asked almost hopefully. I shook my head sadly.

"Um, no. With Joshua." Her face immediately darkened.

I need to get out of here.

6:15.

Where is he?

"Are you... " She coughed awkwardly, but I could sense the fury in her. "Dating?"

Before I could stop myself, I nodded slightly.

Tense silence,  before she sighed and shook her head in disappointment, walking swiftly out of the room.

I let my head fall into my hands.

Why do I have to be so stupid?

Finally, I heard a loud honk from outside. My head snapped up in an instant.

Was that Joshua?

I rushed to the door to see a familiar car. I eased the door open, waving slightly at Joshua's overexcited figure from the car. I watched as he rolled down the window.

"Hop in!" He yelled, gesturing for me to come over.

Not exactly how I expected my first date to go...

Obeying him, I rambled down my driveway stopping at his car. I saw him up closer now, and I identified that he-

Didn't look any different than normal.

Same green t-shirt, same dark jeans, same everything.

Shut up, Noelle! Be grateful he's actually took the time to pick you up and take you out.

I sighed gently and opened the door of the car, just about to slip in.

"You could at least open the fucking door for her!" Harper yelled over from his driveway. I looked over at him, startled. He was standing on the path in just his basketball uniform and a sports bag slung over his shoulder. "You didn't come up to her door to get her, you could at least show a little more respect!"

He glared at Joshua, but not once did he look at me. It was almost as if he were avoiding my eyes on purpose- avoiding looking at me all together.

Joshua stuck his hand out of the window, flipping him off. "She's my girlfriend, Andrews. Go fuck off and act all jealous with your own."

Harper blushed lightly- the same time I did, all the while I was standing awkwardly by the side of the car, hand gripping onto the cold metal door handle. However, he seemed to ignore Joshua's last sentence.

"Yeah, she's your girlfriend. Doesn't mean you get to treat her like shit!" He protested back.

"I do not treat her like shit!"

"Really?" Harper questioned sarcastically, rolling his eyes, before spinning dangerously towards me. "Noelle- has he ever put you before anything else? Has he ever told you that you looked beautiful? Has he ever kissed you properly- I mean, not like all sloppy and shit, but sweetly, maybe? Has he ever just stayed in to talk to you? Has he ever asked you what you want to do for once?"

I opened my mouth, ready to protest, before letting Harper's words sink in.

He is completely right.

Hey, Noelle, lay off Joshua. You only started dating earlier this week.

Yeah, but hasn't Harper done all those things without dating you?

Shut up. Grow a freaking backbone.

"Just stop it, Harper," I demanded. "He's my boyfriend. You can't tell him what to do and how to treat me. You don't rule his life or mine, so please stop interfering in our relationship, okay?" I bit back harshly.

Harper didn't look taken aback at all at my outburst, and instead just narrowed his eyes at me. "I'm just trying to protect you- "

"To Azkaban with that, then," I replied sharply. "If you'll excuse me, I have a date to get to." With that, I slipped into the car, slamming the door with a bang.

Joshua grinned at me. "Well done."

Then we took off, an uncomfortable feeling settling in my stomach.

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

"This is an... interesting first date," I commented as we strode into the packed gym, hand in hand. I glanced at the posters nearby as I climbed up the bleachers.

LOCKWOOD HIGH DRAGONS VS HEARST HIGH WILDCATS

BOY'S BASKETBALL

"Shoot," I whispered to Joshua, forgetting my previous thought about him bringing me to a school event for a date. "That's Harper playing then. He's the captain."

Don't get me wrong- Harper was an amazing player- I had seen him play once, but not in a game. But my issue wasn't with Harper- well, maybe a little- but I just didn't want to see Bethany playing the part of 'supportive girlfriend' and showing up. After all, wherever Harper went, Bethany went, too.

"Ah, shit," he commented, leading us to our seats which were in the middle of a crowd of squealing girls, watching the basketball team warm up. I rolled my eyes at them, unable to stop my eyes from scanning the area of the gym, looking for Harper. There he was- warming up next to Bob.

"You excited?" Joshua asked, leaning forward so that his lips brushed the side of my ear. I blushed and nodded, turning my head to look at him. He grinned softly and gently pressed his lips to mine.

"I love it when you blush," He mumbled, before pulling away, slinging an arm around my shoulder and pulling my body into his side.

It should have been adorable.

I should have swooned and fangirled at what an amazing boyfriend I had.

I should have had sparks exploding in my stomach, my heart racing faster and faster.

But I didn't.

I simply smiled and turned away.

What the hell is wrong with you? You have a great boyfriend who likes you- who is the only guy who likes you- and you don't like him back?

Yes, I do like him back.

Sureeeeee you do. That explains why you think about Harper all the darn time.

"Hey!" A chirpy voice almost yelled in my ear. I turned to my right to see Rhea slipping into the chair next to mine.

"Hi!" I exclaimed back, hugging her. She tensed for a second before responding. "Hearst is your school, right?" I questioned.

She nodded eagerly. "Our team is really good."

I raised an eyebrow. "Not as good as ours."

She laughed and shook her head. "In your dreams. Our guys are hotter, anyway."

Not Harper.

She glanced over my shoulder to see Joshua. She cheerily waved. "Hey, Joshua!"

Without missing a beat, he waved back and turned back to the game, which was apparently about to start.

Wasn't she in love with him... ?

OH, SHOOT.

I'm dating the guy she likes, oh shoot, oh shoot, oh shoot-

"Relax," she laughed from beside me. "I can tell what you're thinking." She leaned in, to whisper something only I could hear- "I don't like him anymore, remember? I told you?"

"Thank gods," I breathed out a sigh of relief. "Oh my gods, I don't think I have ever felt so guilty in my life."

"Don't worry," she nudged me happily. "My heart is someone else's, remember?"

"Oh," I cleared my throat. "Right."

There was something strange about the way she looked at me when she said that. Like she was hiding something drastic- something that I just couldn't put my finger on. I averted my attention back to the current game, but the haunting thought wouldn't leave my mind, and I somehow did not want to sit next to Rhea anymore.

I tried to focus on the boys playing, but it was absolutely plaguing my mind.

Who is it?

I have a feeling I won't like it.

Stop it. Stop. You don't care. You don't care.

Shaking my head slightly, I set my eyes on Harper. There was one thing for sure- Harper was the pride of the Lockwood High basketball team. Watching him play was entrancing. He caught balls with ease, his throws were sharp and fast when they needed to be. He seemed to teleport around the room, always in the right place at the right time to pass or receive. Watching him was like magic.

It made me just an ounce more jealous of Bethany.

I mean, why her? Why did she get the guy she wanted? What good things has she done in her life to deserve Harper?

But then again, Harper didn't need me. I was just a stupid girl he knew with a ton of personal issues that he had to keep in order.

Bethany was lively, and free, and everything he needed.

Just watch the game, will you?

Harper sped across the court, and just as he reached for a shot, time seemed to slow down. The school humming with anticipation as he neared the hoop, arms raised, ball clutched between his fingers. But there, in the instant of the moment, Harper's arm hole moved slightly to the side, and I caught a glimpse of black ink marked on his chest, right above his heart.

Is that... a tattoo?

I didn't know Harper had a tattoo! It sure as hell wasn't there before.

It's probably Bethany's name.

Just- stop torturing yourself for once, will you?

So when he mad the shot and the ball fell through the netted hoop, I stood up to cheer like everyone else. It was just one point, but the school went mad, screaming and hooting and cheering. The cheerleaders immediately got up, performing their routine in their short, tight skirts and Joshua wrapped an arm around my waist. He grinned, before turning his head to kiss me.

I, feeling obliged to, as his girlfriend and stuff, kissed him back, not letting it get too passionate. His arms slid down my back, not stopping at even my lower back, before-

I pulled away from the kiss, pecked him on the cheek quickly to make it seem convincing, and sat down in my seat. It was nothing, really, what he was about to do- maybe for other couples. But his touch felt violating. Joshua looked the slightest bit surprised, before sitting down in his spot next to be on the bleachers.

"What's wrong, babe?"

Guess my facade didn't work.

"Oh," I laughed nervously. "Nothing."

He raised an eyebrow. "Tell me what happened."

I sighed, blushing a little before speaking in a low tone, scared that someone could hear us. "I'd just rather not go into that territory. I don't think I'm, um, ready for that." I had never felt so awkward.

"Oh," his facial features softened. "I'm really sorry, babe."

What do I say?

"Oh, um, yeah," I stuttered back. "That's okay. You didn't know."

But did he?

I ignored it and turned back to the game. We sat in silence, the rest of the time, even when he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me towards him, laying my head on his shoulder.

Finally, the game was over and Lockwood High had won- obviously, because Harper was playing.

Joshua and I were walking hand in hand through the hallway to the exit of the school, taking a longer route than everyone else because Joshua just had to pick something up from his locker. As we rounded the corner, a loud clang echoed from the lockers in front of us.

And sure enough, there was Harper and Bethany, slamming each other against the walls and pawing at each other like they were trying to merge themselves into each other's bodies, their lips moving feverishly in sync.

Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.

I gagged and felt Joshua's hand tighten on my wrist. My heart began to race as my eyes scanned Harper's lean body. The lips that could be kissing mine and the hands that could be holding my own.

Stop it, for schist's sake, Noelle! You're acting ridiculous- you have a freaking boyfriend that cares for you. Appreciate it.

I slid my hand back into Joshua's, his gripping my own reassuringly. The fury bubbled in my veins as I stared at the couple, my palms going clammy. Letting my thoughts get ahead of myself, I coughed to get their attention.

Harper's head immediately snapped towards me, his gorgeous green eyes widening in utter shock. Bethany, on the other hand, was glaring at me. Rolling her eyes at Joshua and I.

Good, maybe she'll find a brain back there. 

I tried hard to hide the laughter at that thought. 

Oh great, only making it more awkward for yourself Noelle. Now they're both looking at you like you've gone bat-crazy.

Speaking of which, Harper was now shifting his gaze between Joshua and I. "What did you guys come here to do?" 

Like he's entitled to know.

"You didn't come here to- to.." His voice trailed off in a whisper of anger and I felt myself blushing furiously. Joshua smirked. "Is that really any of your business? Andrews?" His arm slinked tightly around my waist.

Harper's jaw ticked with anger but Bethany just laughed and smiled sickeningly. "Harpie-poo, honestly, Natasha barely even looks like a teenager. Do you really expect her to even have had- ahem- her first kiss?"  She said this as if talking to a BABY. All the while Harper was twiddling his fingers in front of him, his head bent over. He couldn't even look at me. I bet he was so ashamed to have even touched me. 

Well. He can grimace all he wants. But it's ME who's actually ashamed of HIM. Right?

Forget it Noelle, you know you want him bad.

NO! I can't let him do this to me over and over again. This has gone way too far. As for Bethany, I couldn't give her the satisfaction of getting to me.

"Oh really, Beth?" I smiled innocently at her, taunting her to go further. Bethany stood up a little taller and looked me right in the eyes. "Yes, Natalie, I do think that you haven't gone any further with a boy than hold your sorry excuse for a boyfriend by his wittle fingers." I smirked and slowly turned to face Joshua, looking back at Harper to give him one last meaningful glance. 

"Well get this."

I grabbed Joshua by the collar of his shirt and pulled his lips to mine, sliding my hands up and down the muscles on his back, just like they do in the movies, pressing against him almost harshly. I grinned against his lips before pulling away.

Darn, I'm good at this.

Clutching Joshua's hand in mine, I led him past Bethany and Harper, who both had their jaws agape, fish style. Harper's eyes met my own, and I caught a hint of astonishment and something I couldn't detect lingering in his eyes. Trying to ignore it, I turned away quickly and stormed off down the halls, Joshua trailing after me.

OMG IM SORRY IT HAS BEEN SO LONG IM SORRY

my chapters are always late lol

Anyways, sorry this chapter wasn't so exciting, but next chapter will be interesting :)

Hey, but at least Noelle got a sassy little bit at the end :)

Thanks so much to Clarissa__Jackson and tanyajamieson7 for helping me write this chapter- I was having trouble before XD

I know the book has been getting boring, but just stick with me for a few chapters, okay? I promise it will get better. These few filler chapters are mainly for character development which will be very influential to the rest of the story.

Goals: 900 votes?

Dedication: The climax is coming soon, so what do you think/hope it will be?

THANKS GUYS ILYYYYYYY

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