“I want to show you something.”  Noah smiled, taking both of my hands and lead me out of the bedroom.  I followed close behind as we walked across the condo and he opens a door to another room.  The master bedroom.  It was dark, so it was impossible to see a thing.

                I let Noah guide me.  He let go of my hand to open long curtains to reveal a pair of French doors.  He pushed the door open, and I followed him onto the balcony.  It was beyond gorgeous.  Easily the most beautiful view…except for Noah.

                “You’re really lucky.”  I leaned over the railing, letting the wind kiss my skin and took in the smell of the ocean.  The moon hovered over the ocean, illuminating the waves.  The sound of the waves crashing were louder now.  And so soothing.  I could get used to this.  I wouldn’t even need a TV.

                “Very.”  Noah answered, his arms finding my waist.

I couldn’t help but smile.  Everything was perfect for the situation we’re all being put in.  “Thanks for keeping up your end.” He kissed the side of my head and moved to stand in front of me.

                “I didn’t have a choice.”

                “You could have easily outbid Laura for Scott.”  Was that jealousy?

                “I could have, but I didn’t.  I would rather be with you tonight.”

His smile could keep me going.  “Maybe next time, we won’t have to use charity to be alone.”

                “Ash can’t know, Noah.  He would kill you.”

He’s close to killing Scott already.

                “Don’t change anything for me…please.” My voice lowered.

He lightly shook his head.

                “I don’t want Ash to say anything, I don’t want him to suspect anything, okay?  You just joined his band and I don’t want to ruin that for him.”

Our relationship should be the last thing he’s worried about.

                “I get it.”  He rubbed the back of his neck.  “You want to still see other people.”

I didn’t want it to sound like that.  “Yes, but—”

                “I might strike you as that type of person that would have two girls at once, but I’m not.  I have one.  And you…”

                He was making this harder than it had to.  And I could punch myself in the face.

                “We don’t even know what this is.” I mumbled, tearing my eyes away from his to look at the view.  “I know I feel something with you.  I know I feel like I want you to myself.  I know what I want, but that doesn’t mean I can have it.  It’s like a diabetic wanting chocolate.”

He tilted his head a little and smiled, “Did you just compare me to chocolate?”

                “Was that all you got out of that?” I laughed.

He took a step closer.  “It’s the other way around, Willow.”

                “After tonight, we should wait.  We should see where this goes before telling my brother.”

Another step closer.  “It’s a start.”

                “You should probably meet my parent’s before we tell Ash.”

He sucked air in through his teeth and placed his hands on my cheeks, “Meet the parent’s?  Already?”

My giggle was too girly for my liking.  “Not as my date, but Ash’s.  You are the new drummer.”

He kissed me once and pressed his forehead against mine.  “It’s a date then…with your brother.”  His laugh echoed mine.  “Can’t wait.”

                The date was ending and I didn’t want to.  It’s not as bad as I thought it would be and now I don’t want to leave.  Once I leave this condo, I have to worry.  I have to worry about myself, my family and Noah.  I didn’t want to see any of them hurt.  I want Noah to be able to live and not worry what’s around the corner, or walking behind his back.

                We sat on the couch, my head in Noah’s lap while he played with my hair.  It felt so simple…so easy.  I don’t know if it was the sound of the ocean or just being with Noah.  Maybe it was a mix.  “Will you stay here for a while?”  I looked up at him.

His eyes moved from his hands in my hair to my eyes, “What about you—”

                “I’ll be fine.  If he wanted to hurt me, he would have done it already.”  I’m surprised Noah didn’t notice the small bruise on my forearm.

He released a hand from my hair and brushed his fingertips across my cheek.  “Ash?”

                “I wish Joel luck with that one.  My brother is rarely home.”

But he could still hurt anyone I care about.

                “I’ll see if I can get your work and bring it to you.” I added.  “I need an excuse to see you.”  I sat up and turned my body to face him.  “But you have to come back Thursday for dinner.”

He was nodding as I was speaking and waited for me to finish before he spoke.  “I can make Thursday work.”

He didn’t have a choice.

                It was 10:30 when I called a cab.  I had to get to Scott’s before he got home.  But I didn’t want to leave Noah.  I especially didn’t want to leave him for Scott.  “I don’t like the idea of you being with Scott…alone.”      

                “I’ll call at lunch tomorrow and I’ll see if your teachers will let me bring you your work.”

                “Even if they won’t, come anyway.”

I was still surprised he was staying without a fight.  Maybe he was scared, too.  He just won’t admit it.  “If I can get passed my parents, I will be here.”

The cab pulled up in front of us and I heard Noah let out a long breath.  “Thanks for staying.  I’ll see you tomorrow.”  I kissed his cheek and got into the car.

                I gave the cab driver Scott’s address and I was dreading it.  The words felt like vomit.  I didn’t want them to come out any more than they had to.  My nerves were pinched and my stomach was tied in knots.  I should just have the drive turn around and leave me with Noah.  It would make me feel better…safer.

                I didn’t exactly know what I was going to say, or how exactly I was going to go about it.  I can’t openly ask if Scott slipped something in my drink.  What if he didn’t do it?  And I’m accusing him for no absolute reason?  Either way, I don’t think I can be with Scott after what I discovered with Noah.  We have a connection.  I can’t explain it, but it’s there.  And it’s strong.

                My thoughts were cut short when we pulled into Scott’s driveway.  I paid the driver and got out of the car.  I walked up the porch steps, and lifted the mat to get the key.  I opened the door as quietly as possibly, closing it behind me.  I locked it back and tip-toed to Scott’s room. I pushed the door opened, and I could finally breathe.  He wasn’t home yet, but he’ll be here any minute.

                I sat down on the edge of his bed, and pulled my shoes off.  I removed my jacket and ruffled my fingers through my messy waves.  I pulled my phone from my back pocket to read the time.  12:13 A.M.  I was worried about being here so late.  I wondered if my parents were worried I was out so late.  They know about the auction, but not much about it.  I couldn’t talk to my mom much about it and my dad just zoned out like he usually does.

                My heart jumped when I heard the sound of the front door closing.

                I stayed seated on the edge of Scott’s bed, breathing in and breathing out slowly.

                The door opened and Scott steped through.  He noticed me and smiled.  I finally stood, and met him half way.  “I was almost afraid you weren’t going to show up.”

No mention of Noah…yet.  “How was the date?” I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders and took off his jacket.  “Nothing like going back out with your ex.  Now I remember why I broke up with her.”

I squinted, noticing the splotch of skin that was tinted red on his neck.  “That hickey says so.”

                “She was persistent.  I didn’t do anything with her, Willow.”

Just like I didn’t do anything with Noah.  But we all know that’s a lie.  “I don’t care, Scott.  I know how she is—”

                “She told me she only bid on me because you were going after Noah.”

His eyes were just a pool of darkness.  “And I guess that was true.”

Here we go.

                “It was the only way he would do it.  He didn’t want to get stuck with Laura.”  I didn’t exactly lie.  That’s what he told me and I’m sticking to it.

                “What’d you guys do?”  And I wanted to give him every last detail about Noah’s lips caressing my skin and his hands on my body, but I didn’t.

                “Nothing.  He took me to dinner and dropped me off at my house.  I don’t like him that way.  I barely know the guy.”

Scott took a step forward, grabbing my face between his hands.  “He’s a tool if you ask me.”

No he’s not, asshole.  “Uh, yeah, sure.  Whatever.”

And then he kissed me.  It tasted sour and I wanted nothing more than to pull away. 

                I’m seeing a side of Scott that’s just really cold, almost heartless.  I could see him slipping something in my drink now.  I couldn’t see it before, but it’s a possibility.  “I’m so glad you came.”  He whispered, kissing me again but harder.

Noah.  Noah.  Noah.

It was the only thing keeping me sane.

                “We need to talk.”  I broke apart from him and crossed my arms over my chest.

                “Is everything okay?”

I shook my head, looking down.  “After you left, I was feeling a little weird and I couldn’t stand and I couldn’t stay awake.  I completely blacked out so I went to the hospital,” I lied.  “They found traces of some sort of drug, I can’t remember the name.”

                “What else did you have to drink?”

I looked up at him this time, “I only drank what you gave me, Scott.”

It took him a minute.

His eyes went wide, “You don’t think I did it, do you?  Willow—”

                “I wouldn’t think you would.  But all I had to drink was that water.  Who else could have done it?”

He grabbed my arms, leading me over to his bed, sitting me down.  “What reason would I have to drug you?  I would never do that in a million years.”  He reached towards me, tucking my hair behind me ears and grasping my face between his hands.  “Some guy brought it to me.  He looked like he worked there, dressed in all black like the waiters.  I wouldn’t have drank any of it if I did it.”

I couldn’t tell if he was lying or telling the truth.

I can’t remember what Joel was wearing, either.  “I’m sorry.” I stated.  My eyes flicked to meet his. “I didn’t know what else to think.  I was scared.”

He was shaking his head, his eyes lighting up.  “I would have never given it to you if I would’ve known.  I didn’t feel anything.  I’m so sorry, Willow.”

                   “Don’t you know everyone that works there?”

                “He was new he said.  I didn’t even know my dad hired anyone else.  He had a badass English accent, though.”

Joel.

My heart sank.

                “Maybe I wasn’t the only one.” I tried brushing it off because I didn’t want to talk to him about it.  “I’m okay, that’s all that matters.”

The bitterness in my mouth left and I could taste Scott’s kiss without wanting to run.  Not that I wanted to, of course.  “I wish you would have come to me sooner.  I had no idea.”

I placed a hand on his thigh and moved closer, “I’m fine, I’ll be fine.  Want to watch a movie or something?”

He smirked, “Remember the last time we tried to watch a movie?”

Ah, yes.

                I left Scott’s when the movie ended.  I fell asleep before anything between us could happen.  All I wanted was to be back in Noah’s arms.  But I knew that wasn’t possible and I hated it.  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”  Scott leaned over, kissing my cheek.

I nodded and got out of the car.

I was ready to crash.

                I walked into school the next day, and the bags under my eyes were weighing me down.  I half expected Noah to be standing by his locker, but he wasn’t.  I’m glad he listened.  But Ashley was.  “So…how’d it go last night?”

I opened my locker and glanced at her, “It was okay.  He just took me to dinner and dropped me off.”

                “You didn’t stay on the date?”

I shook my head, “I just wanted to get to Scott’s.” I lied.

                “I thought something would actually happen.” She frowned.  “I actually like Noah.  And I’m pretty sure he likes you, too.”

I slammed my locker shut and we started walking towards English, “My brother would lose it and so would my parent’s.  Ash already found out about Scott.”

                “Ash has scared off every guy that has remotely liked you.  Don’t let him control that.  You’re going to be seventeen next month, one year closer to eighteen.  Date who you want.”

She was right.  I’ve depended on how my brother feels about it when it’s not about him.  It’s about me.  And I really like Noah.  But I don’t want to ruin Noah’s chances in being in the band.

                I skipped lunch to call Noah and get the list of his teachers.  We barely spoke for a minute and I hung up and stuck the list in my pocket.  I headed for his first class, Mrs. Hartwell.  Her door was opened so I stepped inside.  She was sitting at her desk, writing, and I swear I heard her curse under her breath. 

                I knocked on the open door and she nearly jumped out of her seat.  I smiled and stepped closer, “Hi, Mrs. Hartwell.  I’m Willow Abernathy.”  She was young, maybe too young to be a teacher. 

She stood from her desk and met me in the middle of the classroom, “Yes, I know your brother.  Thinks he’s the class clown.”

That sounds like Ash.

                   “What can I help you with?”

                “Noah Lockwood is out sick, and he’ll be out for a few days.  I was asked to collect his work that you had prepared.”

She stepped to her desk, picking up a folder and handing it to me.  “Everything should be here.  I left my email in case he needs help.  Thanks, Willow.”

I just smiled and left the classroom to collect the rest of the work.

                After leaving the last class, I was relieved.  I got through everything without any questions.  It was a matter of time before someone asked any questions.  I walked to my locker, and put Noah’s work inside, shutting it quickly.  I felt like the pages were going to burn through.

                I made it to the last ten minutes of lunch.  I found Ashley and Rebecca sitting outside at the usual table.  They didn’t seem to notice I was late.  I sat down next to Rebecca, interrupting a conversation they were waist deep in.  “…He invited me to Mist Friday.  He told me I was his good luck charm.”  Rebecca’s cheeks were pinker than usual.  I guess things with Max went better than okay.

                “What about you, Ashley?”  She looked at me, her eyes holding a mischievous secret she was dying to spill.

                “Fine!” She announced and leaned in closer.  She dropped her voice down to a whisper.  “Rai showed up at my house like two hours later.  His date had to be home for curfew.”

We all looked at each other, exchanging glances.  And then we burst out laughing.  “Aren’t you lucky?” I joked, playfully pushing her shoulder.

                “Apparently, you are.”  They were both staring at me now.

I narrowed my eyebrows, confused.  “Why would I be lucky?”

                “Do you know how many girls would kill for a date with Noah?”

Here we go again.  “I’m not one of them.”  I wouldn’t exactly kill.

                “Ah, at least you had a little bit of fun and gave him a chance.”

I just nodded, mentally sealing my mouth.

She had no idea.

                I was glad to be out of School finally and I didn’t see Scott once.  Maybe he wasn’t here today.  I was crossing my fingers.  I grabbed Noah’s work from my locker and stuck it in my backpack before meeting Ashley by her car.  “Would you mind giving me a ride?  Ash got detention.”  He had a membership.

                “Sure.”  She smiled and hopped in.

                We made it to my house and only my mom’s car was in the driveway.  Good, she’s home.  I gave Ashley a quick hug and got out of the car.  I’m glad she’s home because I forgot my keys this morning.  I walked up to the door, but noticed it was closed over.  That’s odd.  I pushed the door opened all the way, and slipped through, closing it behind me.  “Mom?”  I called out, feeling my heart beat so hard against my chest, it echoed through my ears.  “Mom!  Where are you?”  I walked into the living room and didn’t see her.

                  My heart was beating faster.

                I neared the kitchen and my body was going numb.  I stepped around the corner, closing my eyes until I made it in.  I opened my eyes, not to see my mom sitting there on her laptop like she usually is.  But she was lifeless, lying on the floor. 

I screamed before I knew what to do.

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Who hates me right now?

Because I sort of hate me right now, haha.

Vote and comment with your thoguhts???

I love you guys to the moon and back. :)))