Chapter Five: Remember That Favor?

I picked up my phone, frantically looking for Noah’s number.  Before I pressed call, I dropped the phone on my bed.  What the hell was Noah going to do?  No, I couldn’t call Noah.  He’s not going to tell me anything if he knew anything.  I’m still guessing he did because of the newest note.  I walked to my desk, gazing down at the unfolded piece of paper that read, “Noah won’t keep you safe.”  Whoever this person is, knows Noah.  This has everything to do with Noah.

                I settled on the edge of my bed, biting at my fingernails.  I couldn’t cry, but I felt like I couldn’t breathe.  My chest was tight with pain and my nerves were wrecked.  I picked up my phone again, looking at the numbers that made up Noah’s phone number.  Would he just deny it again?  Probably.  But he can’t, because this person isn’t playing around.  This isn’t a joke, unless someone is really dragging this out because they think it’s funny.

                I pressed the call button and pressed my phone to my ear.  It rang, and rang, and rang.  Just when I was about to hang up, he answers.  “Hello?” His voice was raspy and low like he just woke up.

I couldn’t even speak.  I didn’t know what to say.  “Willow?” His voice spoke again.  “I can hear you breathing.” His tone turned annoyed.

I took a deep breath, and tried to keep my voice from shaking.  “I got another one of those notes.”

His sigh was loud and annoyed, “I told you, Willow, I don’t know who it is-”

                “They mentioned you.  Whoever it is, they know you.”

                “What did it say?”

                “It said you’re not going to keep me safe.”

Silence.  “Don’t you dare tell me this is a joke, Noah.  This is not a joke.”

                “Meet me at the library during lunch tomorrow.”

He hung up before I could give him an answer.

                I walked towards my desk and sat down.  I opened both of the notes and laid them side by side to examine them.  Same handwriting and even the same folding.  I folded them both back up and stuck the new one in my backpack and the other I locked away at the bottom of my jewelry box.  I got dressed for bed and climbed in, completely ready to fall asleep.  It was surprising that it took over an hour to fall asleep.

                I joined my parents for breakfast this morning.  My dad was sitting at the table drinking his coffee, and doing something on his computer.  My mom was making herself a cup of coffee and sat down while I ate my cereal.  “So, your dad and I will be going to San Francisco until next Monday.  Harry gave him a few houses up there to sell, so I have to help him get those ready.  It’ll only be a few hours away, so we can be home if you need us to in nothing.  I’m leaving Ash in charge, but I doubt he’ll be here much.  Just call Ashley and Rebecca, and have them come and stay.” She smiled.

                “Um, okay.  But I really have no problem staying alone.”

My dad reached over, putting a hand on my arm.  “You’re definitely more responsible than your brother, we trust you, Willow.  We just don’t want something to happen to you.”

Yeah, same here, dad.  “I’ll be fine.  I’ll probably just go where Ash goes.” I lied.

                “Well, just do what your mom said.  Get Rebecca and Ashley to come over if they can.”

I nodded and he stood up.  He left a kiss on the top of my head and left.  My mom followed behind, but lingered by me for a moment, “Please be safe.  Don’t do anything Ash would do.” She teased and kissed the top of my head.  She rummaged through her pocket and pulled out a set of keys.  “You can have my car for the week.  I love you.”

                “I love you, too, mom.”  I grabbed the keys.

She kissed my head again and left.  I waited to hear the front door close, and then I waited for the sound of Ash’s thundering footsteps coming down the stairs.  “Yes!”  He yelled, coming into the kitchen.

                “I knew you would be listening.” I laughed and dumped my bowl in the sink.  I leaned against the counter and crossed my arms across my chest.  “I’m going to stay with Ashley, so the house will be yours.” I smiled.

He looked at me curiously, “What?  No.  You have to stay here.”

There was no way in hell I was staying here by myself.  “We have stuff to do anyway, so the more freedom for you.”

He just shrugged and said, “Just make sure you check in so I know that you’re still alive.”

                “Fine.  Where’s band practice today?”

                “Noah’s.  You should see the set up in the basement.  I’ll pick you up around eight.”

I narrowed my eyes, “Do I have to?”

He nodded slowly, a smirk playing on his lips.  “Yes, you do.  So, get excited.”

I put on a fake smile, “Anything for you, Ash.” I said sarcastically.  “Now let’s go before we’re late.”

                Ash grabbed an apple before we left for school.  I leaned my head against the window while listening to Ash babble about the band.  My mind drifted from Ash and back to the mysterious notes that have been showing up.  Maybe Noah didn’t know anything.  Maybe the person just knows who Noah is, and I’m in trouble.  But who would I be in trouble with?  I don’t make enemies.  Well, obviously I’ve made one for no reason.

                When we got to school, I jumped out and went straight to my locker.  I opened it up and pulled out my books.  As I shut the door to my locker, Ashley appeared beside me.  “I heard you’re actually coming to band practice tonight.” She grinned.

I let out a sigh and started walking towards our first class.  “Ash is kind of forcing me.  How did you even find out that fast?”

                “I was standing with Rai and Ash mentioned it.”

                “Well do you mind if I spend the night tonight?  My parents won’t be back for a week.”

We scooted in our seats and she turned to me, “Um, Rai asked me to go to his house tonight.  But I can come pick you up after?”

I nodded, “Yeah that sounds fine.”  If I don’t get murdered by then.

                During lunch, I walked to the library as Noah instructed.  I found an empty table behind a few shelves and sat down.  I pulled out a notebook and some homework sheets to make it look like I was doing something other than sitting here doing absolutely nothing.  To be honest, I couldn’t think.  My mind was all over the place.  It was just jumping from one subject to the other.  I didn’t even realize I wrote Noah’s name on my notebook.  Really, Willow?  You’re one of those girls?  I didn’t even like him, I was just thinking about him.  Okay, now I’m being stupid.

                I expected Noah to be here already and he hasn’t showed.  There was only fifteen minutes left of lunch and I don’t think he’s going to show.  If he was, he would have by now.  I started putting my things back into my bag when I felt a hand on my back.  I turned around and Scott was smiling.  “Hey, Scott.  Didn’t expect to see you here.”

                “Mr. Collins gave me a five thousand word essay to write and turn in tomorrow.”

                “And how many words do you have written?”

He laughed nervously, “Two?”

                “Excluding your name?”

                “Give me some credit.”

I let out a small laugh, “Well, if you want, I can help.  Come over tonight.”

Scott smiled, “Uh, yeah.  Any help will be appreciated.  But you don’t have to.”

                “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to.” I wiggled my eyebrows playfully.

I actually got him to laugh, “Thanks, Willow.  I will owe you big time.”

I shook my head, “No need.”  Truth was I was too scared to be alone in that house.  “I’m happy to help.  I heard Mr. Collins was kind of a hard ass anyway.”

                “That I can vouch for.  Would you like me to just give you a ride after school?”

I nodded my head, “Sure, that would probably be easier.  I’ll see you after school.”

The bell rang, letting us know it was time for fourth period.

                I don’t know why I actually expected Noah to show up.  This was important and he obviously didn’t care.  Maybe it was Noah that left the notes all along.  When I walked inside the gym, I immediately started to scan the seniors for Noah.  But he wasn’t there.  Did he even come to school today?  A quick thought came to me.  Maybe he was just avoiding me the hard way.  But Noah doesn’t strike me as that type to avoid people.  If he doesn’t want to see them, he’ll be straight and say it.  Maybe he was sparing my feelings.  Not likely.

                I changed into my gym clothes and walked back into the gym.  We were led into exercise and then brought us out to the track.  Running always gave me a sense of relief.  I was still on the lookout for Noah, but I didn’t see him.  He really wasn’t here.  Could there be something wrong?  No, probably not.  He probably skipped or possibly sick.  Why do I even care?  I don’t.

                After school ended, I made a stop by my locker.  Ashley was already waiting for me.  “Hey, do you need a ride?” She offered.

I opened the door to my locker and pulled books from my bag, “No, I have a ride.”

I glanced at her and her eyebrow perked.  “Noah?”

I laughed, “Uh, no.  He wasn’t here today.  Scott offered.  I’m going to be helping him write a paper for Mr. Collins.”

                “Isn’t Scott a senior?”

                “Yeah, but-”

She gasped, “You totally have a crush on Scott.”

I snorted and slammed my locker shut, “I don’t know, I like him.  But not that much.”

                “Whatever.  You have a crush on Scott, admit it.”

No.  “I don’t have a crush on Scott, Ashley.”

                “Then you have a crush on Noah.”

I nearly choked on my own breath.  “No, no.  I don’t have a crush on anyone.  And I wouldn’t call it a crush.  What are you, twelve?”

She mocked me with a fake laugh, “So are you saying you like Scott or Noah?”

                “Can I go with neither?”

We stepped out of the school and I heard my name being called.  I turned my head a little, and caught Scott’s eye.  He waved me over.  “You’re blushing.” Ashley giggled.  “Have fun, loser.  Love you.”  She blew me a kiss and walked towards my brother, Rai, and the rest of the band.

                I walked up to Scott, who was waiting by the passenger door of his car.  “Ready?” He asked and opened the door.  I wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about Scott.  I mean, yeah, I do kind of like him.  He’s been really nice to me, even though he got me to drink a little.  I didn’t read too much into it.  “How come you’re not with your boyfriend?” Scott asked as he pulled out of the school.

I looked at him curiously, “What?”

                “Noah.  You guys are dating, right?”

I was resisting the urge to either slap him or laugh.  “That will never happen.  My brother would kill him first.”

                “I thought Noah was going to kill me at that party.  If looks could kill.”

Noah was oddly protective.  “He’s just always grumpy.  Just ignore him.”

He shrugged his shoulder and glanced at me, “He doesn’t seem to like me anyway.”

I don’t think he likes too many people.

                When we got to my house, I let us inside.  I locked the door behind me and followed Scott into the living room.  Scott pulled out his laptop and sat it down on the coffee table.  He sat down in the floor in front of it and I sat down beside him.  “Why did Mr. Collins give you an essay to write?”

                “I may or may not have called him an ass.”

I covered my mouth to keep from laughing.  “Are you an idiot?”

                “Hey, that’s exactly what he said!” He mocked a happily sarcastic tone.

                “You’re lucky he didn’t give you detention.”

He let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair, “I would actually rather have three hours of detention then do this.”

This time I couldn’t keep in my laugh.  “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh.  But you could easily get this done in two hours, maybe less.”

He turned to me and smiled, “Hopefully less with the help, of course.”

I agreed.

                After an hour and goofing off at the minimum, we were more than halfway done.  Scott wasn’t as bad as I thought he would be.  The few times he’s been here, I never really liked him.  I just considered him another one of my brother’s friends.  But he’s hilarious and oddly nice.  “I told you.  You’re already almost done.” I breathed and leaned against the couch.

He leaned his head on his hand and looked at me.  “If you weren’t actually helping, I would probably be on the first word.  You really are smart, Willow.”  He turned back to his computer and started typing again.

I knew I was blushing by the heat of my cheeks.  “That almost sounds like a compliment.” I teased.

                After Scott finished the paper, he asked me to read over it.  I fixed at errors, and gave him a few pointers.  The word count reached a few words over five thousand.  Better to be safe than sorry.  “It’s pretty good.” I said and turned to face him.

He had been staring at me.  “That almost sounds like a compliment.” He mocked.

I wrinkled my nose, “You wish.”

He laughed and did something on his computer before closing it.  “I will send it to him first thing in the morning.  If I get anything below a B, I’m coming after you.” He leaned back against the couch beside me and looked in my direction.  “Thank you so much for the help.  I wasn’t even going to do it until you offered to help me.”

                “Glad I can be a good influence on you.”  I playfully nudged his arm.  I could still feel the burn of his stare beside me.  I nervously glanced at him and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.  “What are you staring at?” I asked, not looking directly at him.

                “Nothing.  I just…um…I just really want to kiss you.”

My breath hitched in my throat.  I laughed nervously and said, “I don’t kiss on the first date.”  Wow, way to go, Willow.  You sound like an idiot.

I was relieved when he laughed.  “I didn’t know this was a date.”

I felt my muscles relax a little.  “We could make it one.” Where was this coming from?

                “Friday night?” He asked, hope in his eyes.

I nodded and smiled, “It’s a date.”

                I walked Scott out to his car and he leaned towards me, leaving a small kiss on my cheek.  “That will have to do.” He joked.  He climbed into his car and left.  Okay, so maybe I like Scott a little more than I expected.  He wasn’t at all what I expected.  What did I expect?  I just thought he was like all of my brother’s friends.  Only in it for one thing.  But my brother makes it clear to all of his friends to stay away from me, which I might add, is really embarrassing.  None of his friends have ever even thought about making a move on me.

                I closed the door behind me, only for someone to ring the doorbell.  I smiled when I realized it’s probably Scott.  I opened the door, and my smile slowly faded at the sight of a beaten Noah.  “Remember that favor?  I’m going to need it.”

I quickly pulled him inside and locked the door behind him.  “What happened?”  I brought him into the kitchen and made him sit on one of the bar stools.  “Doesn’t matter.” He replied.

I grabbed the first aid kit from the bottom of the sink and a wet cloth.  I opened up the kit beside him and looked at him.  His bottom lip was busted, a small cut above his eyebrow and a long gash across his cheek.  “That doesn’t make me want to help you.”  I wiped the blood from his face with the cloth and caught the sight of his eyes.  “Why’d you come here?”  I asked, dropping the cloth.

                “I couldn’t go to the hospital and couldn’t go to my parent’s.  And I remembered you owed me.” He smirked.

                “Because I actually want to help you.  Why weren’t you at school today?”

I dabbed a cotton ball in peroxide and started cleaning the cuts.  He winced a little, “I had something to take care of.”

                “And that something beat you up.” I stated sarcastically.

I threw away anything that had blood on it, and placed butterfly strips to close the gash across his cheek.  I caught his eyes again and it took everything in me to look away.  “You said you needed to talk.” He said.

I nodded, “Since you ditched me today, yes, I do have to talk to you.”

                I walked back into the living room, and grabbed the note from my bag.  I walked back into the kitchen and he didn’t leave his position.  I handed it to him and he unfolded it quickly.  He had the same expression he had when he saw the first one.  “Willow-”

                “I already know what you’re going to say.  It’s not a joke, Noah.”

He folded it back up and handed it to me.  “I know.”

His words made my heart beat faster.  “You know?”

                “I need you to do me a favor.” He said, his eyes turning cold.

                “What kind of favor?”

 His fingers ran across his bottom lip nervously.  “Stay away from me.”

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Sorry I haven't updated yet.  Kind went through writers block, but I'm back!

Picture of Scott.  ->>> 

Kind of reminds me of Austin Butler a little, haha.  But his name is Matthias Trulsson and he's really pretty, haha.

Vote and comment and I'll love you forever and ever!  And if you have a story, let me know and I'll check it out!

Thank you! :)

And there will be more Noah, don't worry!  :)