you've got something they don't

To say that the car ride to the Cameron's estate was awkward would be an understatement. Noelle sat in the back behind the driver's seat so she could interact with Sarah if needed, but Sarah was too busy texting Topper to chat. This meant Noelle sat in silence as Rafe drove toward the house.

Every once in a while, she caught his eye in the rearview mirror. It was awkward, and every time their eyes met, her cheeks would flush a deep red color and she'd look away.

When they got closer to the Cameron residence, her phone vibrated in her lap. She glanced down, biting her lip to stop the smile covering her features as she read the notification.

unknown: Hi Noa

Just by the nickname, she knew it was JJ Maybank. Nobody had ever called her Noa before - nobody except for him. She quickly added him to her contacts and responded, butterflies pooling in her stomach as she typed out her response.

Noelle: how'd you get my number, jj?

His response was just as quick as hers, if not quicker.

J: Might have taken it after you fell asleep

J: Whoops #sorrynotsorry

Noelle couldn't help the smile that escaped that time. She stopped immediately as she felt Rafe's gaze on her, locking her phone. She needed to respond when she wasn't in a car with both Rafe and Sarah. Rafe had already grilled her because she'd left their dirty dishes on the counter, and by the look on his face - it was obvious he thought she was acting weird.

Although, to Noelle, she didn't think it should matter. Rafe was just her best friend's older brother - nothing more and nothing less. The only reason she was so insistent on hiding it was because it was what she and JJ had agreed to. Not to mention, she'd always been a pretty private person. She wasn't used to having much attention on her at all, so having Rafe pay this much attention to her at all was odd.

Rafe finally pulled into the driveway, and Noelle couldn't be happier. They were just planning on hanging out at the house until Topper arrived, then the four of them would head to the country club together.

Neither Sarah nor Noelle wanted to go, but Topper was forcing Sarah, which meant Sarah was making Noelle go. Noelle didn't mind - it was nice not being so stuck in the house by herself all the time. She didn't get out much except for every once in a while with Corey and Dahlia, so getting out with Sarah was refreshing. Even if it meant having to deal with Rafe and Topper's antics.

They got out of the car, and Noelle shoved her phone in her back pocket. She followed Sarah and Rafe into the house, where Sarah immediately went to the kitchen to get a snack. Noelle followed, sitting on the island. She sat her purse on the top of it, leaning her head in her hand as she watched Sarah.

The blonde girl began to ramble to Noelle, who nodded intently as she listened and responded every once in a while. It was just the two of them, as Rafe had run to his room to do something as he waited for Topper to arrive.

"So seriously," Sarah started, leaning on the island across from Noelle. "The beach party bonfire thing - whatever you want to call it," She started, rolling her eyes. "You should go. Seriously."

"I don't know if I want to," Noelle shrugged, messing with the strap of her purse. "Bonfires - parties - whatever, they're really not my thing. I wouldn't know what to do, how to act."

"I see that," Sarah said sympathetically. "But, listen-" Sarah glanced around. Once she was sure it was just the two of them in the kitchen, she continued talking. "Rafe really wants you to go. Like... badly." 

"He's made that obvious but I've already told him it wasn't my thing." Noelle shrugged, not getting what Sarah was getting at.

"You didn't hear this from me, but... he keeps bothering Topper. Topper told me not to tell but I trust you won't say anything to anyone." Sarah waved her hands around as she spoke, "He asked Topper to convince me to convince you."

"And this is your way of doing that?" Noelle asked, her nose scrunching up. 

"Yes. Is it working?" Sarah asked hopefully.

"No," Noelle quickly said, causing Sarah to frown. "Look, Sarah, I get it but I'd just feel out of place and my parents would never let me go to something like that."

Technically, this was true. But at the same time, she knew she could probably convince her mother to let her go if she had said she was going to be with Corey. But she didn't plan on doing that, because she didn't plan on going.

Even though JJ mentioned he'd be there - and would possibly say hi, that didn't matter. She didn't want to go, because she knew she wouldn't have fun.

"Okay, fine. I give up - for now. But this isn't over." Sarah pointed a finger in her direction, just as the front door opened.

Topper walked in, and Sarah immediately ran to greet him. Rafe walked down the stairs, his eyes finding Noelle before greeting his best friend. As they greeted Topper, Noelle took this time to pull her phone out, seeing another text from JJ.

J: I didn't like... weird you out or anything did I?

Noelle blushed, quickly typing out a response. She hadn't even realized that she'd made it seem that way - as after he basically admitted to sneaking her phone number, she'd stopped responding.

Noelle: no! no not at all, i got busy with sarah. sorry :(

J: Good. I got a little worried there lol are you busy then? I can stop texting if you need me to

Noelle: no we can keep texting! my responses just might get a little slow. sarah's dragging me to the country club with rafe and topper

 J: That's gross

Noelle: yeaaaa it's okay though, she makes it bearable

The two continued to text, with Noelle doing her best to make it look nonchalant. When Sarah asked who she was texting, she lied and said she was texting Dahlia about Swan Lake. Rafe was more than suspicious, but she stuck to her story.

She sat in the backseat with Sarah as Rafe drove to the country club. Topper sat in the passenger seat, rambling about whatever he thought of. Noelle paid no mind, too busy daydreaming to care what he said. 

"Where's Sam?" Topper then asked, looking between Rafe and Sarah.

"I don't know. Wasn't interested in coming," Sarah shrugged. Noelle thought back to the information Rafe had told her, and decided to just look out of the window instead of partaking in their conversation. "Busy with some other friends, I think."

"Ah, he hasn't been around much," Topper commented. Rafe glanced over at him, sending him a look. It was one Noelle noticed quickly, one that said 'really dude?'. Noelle couldn't help the small smile that covered her features, knowing why Rafe had looked at him that way.

By the time they arrived at the country club, Topper had changed the subject. Noelle got out of the car, grabbing her purse from the middle seat. She followed Sarah, listening as Sarah spoke about how excited she was for the production of Swan Lake.

Truthfully, Noelle hadn't given much thought to it. Usually, she'd be over the moon. She'd be ecstatic, to get the lead role in such an iconic show. But on top of Dahlia and that Pogue treating her the way that they had, she'd blocked it from her mind. Not to mention she'd been too busy with JJ the night before to overthink about it, it really slipped her mind. But she acted excited, answering any questions Sarah had or responding if she made comments about the cast.

They sat at the table, and the boys immediately ordered a round of drinks. "I can't tell if I'll like you more in the black or white dress," Sarah told Noelle, talking about the costume for Swan Lake.

"The white," Rafe commented quietly. He'd been listening in on their conversation, drowning Topper out without realizing it. The girls hadn't realized either, so when he spoke up responding to Sarah instead of Topper, the table grew silent. "What? Just answering your question... or whatever." He muttered, downing his drink.

Sarah rolled her eyes, looking back at Noelle. "Either way, you're going to do amazing. Was Dahlia mad?"

"Oh. Very," Noelle responded quickly. "Said some stuff about me doing it on purpose or something."

"What? No way," Sarah said, her face falling. "They weren't even official auditions! You got that part fair and square. She's just mad because you're talented in all the ways she isn't."

Noelle blushed at the compliment, "Anyways." She breathed in, taking a sip of her water.

"She's right," Topper finally spoke up. "If there weren't auditions and you got it - own that shit. It's not surprising that the role went to a Kook."

"Dahlia's a Kook," Sarah said, rolling her eyes slightly. "That's her problem. She lets her Kook reputation give her the biggest ego."

"Oh. Well, still. You're mixing with the Pogues for that show, right?" Topper asked, taking a drink.

"Yeah," Noelle softly responded. "A lot of people were hoping to get the main parts."

"And my bestie got itttt!" Sarah dragged the word out, nudging Noelle slightly.

"Geez," Noelle pressed her fingertips to her cheeks to stop the blushing, looking down. She felt awkward and didn't know how to react.

Thankfully, Sarah noticed her reaction and immediately caught Topper's attention, changing the subject. With Noelle no longer the center of attention, the flush on her cheeks went away, and she found herself just listening instead of engaging in the actual conversation.

A few hours ended up passing, and after Topper paid the bill the four of them left. Noelle checked her phone after not having checked it in a while, smiling softly as she saw a text from JJ.

J: Free tonight? 

Noelle: depends, are you?

J: I can make time

Noelle: me too

"Ellie you have to stay the night!" Sarah exclaimed, grabbing Noelle's arm to capture her attention. "We can play Just Dance, explore the creek, and maybe go surf at the beach."

"Oh... I can't tonight," Noelle softly said, locking her phone. She shoved it in her purse, zipping it up. "I told my parents I'd be home tonight."

"Dang," Sarah pouted slightly, "That's okay. Wanna ride to dance tomorrow? We can pick you up along the way."

"That sounds fine, I'll be ready at my normal time." Noelle nodded, noticing Rafe was driving in the direction of her house.

"Cool." Sarah smiled, "We still need to plan a sleepover. We can get snacks and do it when Rose and Dad are out of the house and Wheezie's at a friend's house."

"Oh, and Sam and I are going to listen to you guys all night?" Rafe finally cut into the conversation.

"You'll live. With the amount of times I've had to deal with you, Kelce, Topper, and Sam - you'll live." Sarah shrugged, resting her hands in her lap.

Noelle let out a breath as Rafe pulled into her driveway. The house was dark, meaning her parents hadn't arrived home yet. She was fine with this, as she still needed to clean up her mess from the night before. "Thanks for the ride. And hanging out. It was fun."

"Yeah for sure," Sarah said, smiling. "We'll have to do it again."

"Soon," Rafe added in.

"Right. Yeah, right we can for sure plan something." Noelle mumbled as she unbuckled her seatbelt. She opened the car door and slid out, "I'll see you guys later." She shut the door as the other three began to say their goodbyes, waving one last time before walking to the porch.

Rafe pulled out of the driveway as she approached the giant porch, stepping up to the front door. She opened her purse and began to dig inside for her house key, smiling to herself as she saw the blue lanyard lying at the bottom. Just as she reached down to grab it, hands covered her eyes, preventing her from seeing. 

"Guess who?" JJ's voice murmured softly in her ear. 

Noelle, who had almost begun to freak out, relaxed as JJ chuckled, removing his hands from her eyes. She stepped into her view, leaning his back against the front doorframe as he faced her. He had a toothpick in his mouth, and he pulled it out to speak. "Thought they'd never leave."

"You're playing a dangerous game, showing up unannounced," Noelle murmured, a smile covering her face. She unlocked the door, swinging it open. "What if they saw you?"

"I'm dangerous, Noa, get used to it." He winked as he kicked himself up off of the doorframe, and walked into the house. "And I don't know, because I'm not worried. They didn't see me,"

"And if my parents were home?" Noelle asked, shutting the door behind them. She locked both the doorknob and the deadbolt before walking toward the kitchen, dropping her purse off on the island.

"No cars in the driveway." He waved a finger around. He leaned against the counter, watching her carefully as she began to clean up their mess from the night before.

"And if their cars weren't out in the open for all to see?" Noelle raised an eyebrow, glancing at him before putting her attention back on her cleaning.

JJ paused before standing up straight. He walked around the counter, moving to stand next to her to help clean up their mess. "Good guess, then." He mumbled, smiling at her.

"You're impossible," She playfully rolled her eyes, looking at the dishes. She scrubbed them to the best of her abilities before loading them into the dishwasher, making sure everything was neat.

JJ threw any leftover trash away before pulling the trash bag from the trash can and tying the strings together. He sat it next to the trash can before leaning on the sink next to her. He brushed some of her dark hair behind her ear, smiling down at her. "And you're complaining an awful lot for someone who cleared their plans for me."

"Who said I was complaining?" She asked, looking up at him. She ignored the heat rising on her cheeks. "Just saying, if we're going to keep this quiet you have to be more careful. Rafe's already suspicious."

"Rafe?" JJ's nose scrunched up. "Rafe as in Rafe Cameron that called you?"

"Yes," She playfully rolled her eyes. She grabbed a wet washcloth, cleaning the counters. "He saw the dishes from last night. Got very suspicious. He doesn't know who or what I'm hiding, he's just making it very obvious he knows I'm keeping a secret."

"Sounds like his problem," JJ waved it off. "None of his business, anyway."

Noelle smiled softly, "Yeah. You're right."

"Now, let's finish this up and continue playing that game from last night, yeah?" He asked, picking up the bag of trash. "I'll take this out, you go set the game up."

"For someone who complained about crappy board games, you're sure awfully excited to play Sequence." Noelle crossed her arms, tilting her head at him.

JJ paused, turning to look back at her. "Maybe it's not the board game, but the girl that showed me the game." A soft look covered his face, his mouth curling up at the end.

Noelle's face flushed, her arms falling to her sides as he unlocked the door. JJ smiled brighter at her reaction to him, his flirt causing her face to flush. He pursed his lips, swinging the door open. 

"I'll be right back, angel."

++

Please I love them already UGH I HAVE SO MANY PLANNSSS JUST NEED THE TIME TO WRITE MAN