Chapter Eight: Can't Go Back

“Why’d you just tell me that?  You barely know me—”

                “I trust you.” He interrupted. 

I should be flattered.  “How do you know you can trust me?”

The corner his mouth turned up, “You didn’t give me away when he asked about me.”

I don’t know why I didn’t; I just didn’t trust that guy.  He must have been following Noah, so he knows he’s here.  “I seriously doubt he’s looking for you because he wants to sell you Girl Scout cookies.”  There was much more to the story, and I was afraid to find out.  He says he trusts me, I just don’t know exactly how much.  “Is he the one that did that to you?” I blurted, gestured towards his battered face.

He looked almost innocent for a moment.  “Yeah.  I was getting Alex’s medication and he kind of caught me off guard.  That wasn’t the first time.”

That doesn’t surprise me.  “Is that why you learned how to master knives?”

                “For the most part, yes.”

Short and simple answers.  At least he’s answering them.  “Makes sense.  And you were punching that bag like it offended you.”

                “I have to protect myself.”

I was about to push my luck.  “What happened to Jesse?”

He hesitated; I could tell he didn’t want to talk about it.  “He died back in May last year.  He was my best friend, basically my brother.  We grew up together.”

Now I felt bad.  “I’m sorry.”  I needed to change the subject and get out of here.

                “I guess I trust you more than I thought.” He laughed a little.

I couldn’t help but smile.  “I guess I should go.”  I stood up and fished the keys from my pocket.  “Thanks for agreeing to help, Ashley will be thrilled.”

He stood up in front of me, “As long as you keep up your end, I’ll be happy.  Just the thought of getting stuck with Laura makes me want to jump out of a window.”

I quickly covered my mouth to keep from laughing.  “I’ve never seen such a negative response to Laura Ryan.  But that’s okay, I don’t like her either.”

He laughed and gestured towards the staircase.  “I’ll walk you.”

                I walked up the stairs to leave the basement with Noah close behind.  The house was quiet, so I assumed his parent’s went to bed.  I didn’t get a chance to meet his mom, but I guess that’s a good thing considering I’m not supposed to be seen here.  “When I find out when this fundraiser is going to happen, I’ll let Ash know and he can tell you.”

He nodded.  “Are you going to get him to do it, too?”

                “Yep, Ashley gave me a list and I’m sticking to it.  I’m sure he’ll do it because you and Rai are.”

He leaned against the door and crossed his arms across his chest.  “And Scott?”

                “That’s where I’m going next.” I grinned.

                “Well, have fun.” I could tell his smirk was sarcastic.

He moved away from the front door and opened it.  As I turned to leave, Laura was reaching to ring the doorbell.  I turned to Noah, “You, too.”  I looked back to Laura, and I swear she has a permanent scowl when I’m around.  I just smiled at her and walked away.

                When I got back into the car, I pulled my phone from my pocket and found Scott’s number.  I pressed call and I prayed he wasn’t sleeping.  He answered after the fourth ring, “Hello?”

                “Hey, you weren’t sleeping, were you?”

                “I was about five seconds away.” He laughed.

Oops.  “I’m sorry; I’ll just talk to you tomorrow—”

                “No, no.  I’m up.  What’s up?”

                “I’m already out, do you mind if I stop by?”

I could hear the smile in his voice when he answered “Is that even a question?”

My smiled showed even though he couldn’t see it.  “I guess I will see you in a few minutes.”

He gave me his address and we hung up.

                I could have just asked him over the phone or at school tomorrow but I’m already out and it’s an excuse to see him.  My brother would kill me if he knew I went to Noah’s and Scott’s in one night.  I don’t know how much he cared about me being at Noah’s, but I know he would throw a fit if he knew I was going to Scott’s.

                I pulled up Scott’s driveway and I just sat there for a minute before getting out of the car.  I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.  I wouldn’t have thought I would be going to Scott Davis’s house two weeks ago.  I probably would have laughed at myself. 

                I walked up the steps and I knocked on the door instead of ringing the doorbell in case his parent’s were most likely sleeping.  The door opened soon after and Scott appeared.  His hair was messy and his attire only included a pair of baggy gray sweatpants.  I was not prepared for this tonight.  He opened the door wider and I stepped inside.  He closed the door and I waited for him to lead the way. 

                Scott’s house sat right on the beach.  It was refreshing to hear the sounds of the waves crashing echoing through the house.  The hallways of the house were dimly as I followed Scott.  He opened the door to a room and gestured for me to enter.  I did and I heard the door close behind me.  I walked to the middle and stopped to look around.  It was indeed his bedroom.  The only thing illuminating the room was his muted TV.

                I turned back around to find Scott standing a few feet away, arms folded against his chest and a small smile on his lips.  “You know Ash would kill me if he knew you were here, right?”

He would kill me, too.  “He thinks I’m at Ashley’s, so he won’t know.”

He shrugged, “I’m not complaining.”

I let out a small laugh, “Anyway, I have a big favor.”

He took a few steps closer to me.  Being alone with Scott was one of the many stupid things that I’ve done this week.  “What would this big favor be?”

I went on and told him about Rebecca’s grandma and explained the fundraiser.  His expression didn’t change much while I explained the auction.  He didn’t act disgusted with the idea, so that had to be a good thing.  “I’ll do it.”

                “You will?”  I knew Scott would do it if I asked.

He nodded and smiled.  “Of course.  It’s a great cause and I get to walk around without a shirt.”

That sounds like something Noah would say.  Shut up, Willow.  “Thank you, now I just have to convince Ash, which might be difficult.”

I wonder who Laura will bid on.

                Scott walked to his desk and moved his backpack from the chair and gestured for me to sit.  I walked across the room and sat down in the chair and he sat down on the edge of his bed facing me.  “I should have just waited to talk to you tomorrow; I didn’t know you were ready to go to bed.”

                “It’s fine, really.  I wasn’t exactly ready for bed.” His smirk was crooked and it made my heart flutter.  Boys and their lazy smirks and messy hair.

                “Good, because I’m not exactly ready to go back to Ashley’s.” I smiled.  Why did I just say that?  He’s probably actually just saying that to be nice, or he’s hoping he would get something in return for the favor.  He hasn’t even tried to kiss me; I guess I shouldn’t worry too much.  “That reminds me…” Scott trailed off and jumped off of his bed.  He walked up beside me, searching for something through his things.  He moved a few stacks of paper and found what he was looking for.  He handed me the papers and I looked down at them.  It was the essay I helped him write.  “Is this supposed to be surprising?” I teased as I looked up at him.

He nodded, “I wrote it, so yes.  But you helped.  I probably wouldn’t have gotten the grade without your help.  I didn’t even want to do it.”

                “Good, I’m glad I can help.”  I smiled.

He leaned in closer, resting his weight on the arms of the chair I was sitting in.  I looked up at him and the tiredness was visible in his eyes.  “I’m sure that won’t be the last time.” He said.

He was making me nervous but I managed to laugh, “I don’t have a problem helping.”

He was leaning in closer, and I was bracing myself for our lips to touch but my phone decided to go off in my pocket.  I sighed and Scott put his head down, laughing.  “I’m sorry.” I whispered and answered my phone.  “Hello?”

                “Where are you?  Your brother came here looking for you.” Ashley rushed.

Great.  “I had to get something from the drugstore.” I lied.  “I’ll be there in a minute.  Did he say what he wanted?”

                “No, he didn’t.  I think he was just worried because you weren’t answering your damn phone.”

I wasn’t going to explain Scott to him.  “Okay, I’ll call him when I get to your house.”

                “Oh, I talked to Ash about the auction and he said he would love to.  But I think only because Rai is doing it.”

                “Awesome, I’ll talk to you more about it when I get there.”

                “Bye, babe.”  She hung up and I put my phone back into my pocket.

Scott was standing straight up in front of me and I cursed Ashley for interrupting.  But maybe it was a sign.  “I guess I have to go.” I said as I stood up in front of him.

He nodded, taking a step forward.

I felt my heart leap.

He caressed my face into his hands and leaned towards me.  His lips lightly pressed against mine and it felt like my insides were melting.  I was melting under Scott’s touch.

Sadly the kiss ended quicker than it happened.

I opened my eyes, meeting Scott’s.  I felt weak at the knees. 

                Scott smiled slowly and I turned my face in his hand so he couldn’t see me blush.  I heard him chuckle lightly and I looked up at him again.  I felt like such a girl right now.  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

                “Goodnight, Willow.”

I walked around him and left his room.  I waited until I got into the car to smile like an idiot.  I was surprised he made the move, but I’m glad he did.  I kind of expected it to happen, just not tonight.  I took Ashley’s phone call as a sign, but I didn’t need to.  He had a plan of his own.

                I pulled into Ashley’s driveway and walked up to her door.  I decided against knocking since she knew I was coming and her parents are probably in bed already.  I locked the door behind me and walked to Ashley’s room.  The door was cracked so I pushed it opened.  “You know I can tell when you’re lying over the phone.” She grinned and stood off of her bed.

                “I wasn’t lying, Ashley.” How contradicting.

She wiggled her pointer finger at me with the same grin on her face, “You were at Noah’s, that’s why you didn’t tell me.”

I let out a sigh and dropped my bag to the floor, “Yes, I was.  I talked to him about your auction and he agreed to do it.”

She started jumping up and down, clapping her hands.  “Ugh, this is going to be perfect!  Have you talked to Scott yet?”

I nodded, “He said he would do it.”

I was relieved when she didn’t ask when.  “Thank you, Willow, you’re literally the best!” 

                “Have you talked to Rebecca?”

                “Yeah, a few hours ago.  She’s coming back tomorrow.  I’m hoping she’ll go for the idea.”

I knew Rebecca, and I’m sure she will.

                Ash was waiting by my locker the next morning, Noah wasn’t beside him.  I walked in front of him and opened my locker.  “Hey, I was looking for you last night.”

I glanced at him and focused on getting my books I needed.  “Yeah, Ashley told me.  Did you need something?”

                “Band practice is at Max’s, and Noah is stuck with Alex.  Do you think you could watch him?”

Why didn’t Noah ask me last night himself?  “Sure.  Why didn’t Noah ask me?”

He lifted his shoulders and dropped them, “He just asked me to ask you.”

Weird.  “Tell him I said I would do it.”  I closed my locker and walked around him to get to my first class.

                I slid into my seat next to Ashley with a loud sigh.  He could have asked me himself, it was just babysitting.  Noah did things I would never understand.  I’m not sure I would ever understand him.  I don’t know if everything he told me last night was the truth.  I’ve watched Noah lie with such ease; he wouldn’t even hesitate or stutter.  Noah scared me, but I couldn’t be scared enough to stay away.  I just hoped he was telling the truth.  He’s already told me not to trust him, which should tell me something.

                Gym was basically a free period because Coach Welch was out sick.  The substitute Coach wasn’t really much of a coach.  I found myself sitting at the top of the stands with a book in my hands.  I caught a glance at Noah; he was standing next to Laura.  She was animatedly talking, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, twirling her hair around her finger, the usual thing for Laura to do when she was interested in a guy.  As much as Noah talks about how much he doesn’t like her, he’s around her a lot.  I don’t even know why I care.  I just found it annoying.

                I focused back on my book, but the words on the page were a blur.  I couldn’t focus.  I’ve read the same sentence at least three times.  I tried blocking out the talking, the laughing, and any noise.  But that wasn’t the problem.  The problem was Noah finding a way in my mind and burying himself there.

                I closed my book and dropped my face in my hands.  Noah shouldn’t have this effect on me and I had no idea why he did.  I don’t know if it’s the same with other girls or what.  I’m not exactly dazed by him, more like intrigued.  I want to know more about him, I want to know so much.  The fact he told me what he did last night made me want to know more, even if he was lying.  But if he was lying, why would he lie about something like that?  It doesn’t make sense.  “Hey, Fighter.”  I almost thought the voice was in my head, but when I lifted my head from my hands, Noah was standing next to me.  “What do you need?” I asked as he sat down next to me.

                “Ash talked to you?”

I nodded, “I’ll watch Alex.”

A small smile touched his lips, “Thank you.  Did you drive here?”

                “I came with Ashley.”

                “I’ll give you a ride then, and I’ll drop you off after.”

I don’t know why he would go through all of that trouble.  “I can get my mom’s car from Ashley’s; it’s not a big deal.”

                “It’s not a big deal to give you a ride, either.  So I’ll see you after school.”

Well it was a big deal to me.  “Okay, whatever floats your boat.”

He laughed at my comment.  “No one says that anymore.”  He nudged my leg playfully with his.

                “I do.” I smirked sarcastically.

                “Whatever floats your boat.” He mocked and stood up.  “Wait by your locker.”

I just nodded and he walked away.  Stupid boys.

                I did as Noah said and stayed by my locker.  I emptied the books I didn’t need into it and just as I closed it, I felt a presence beside me.  I turned around and found Scott instead of Noah.  “Guess what?” He asked, leaning against Noah’s locker.

                “What?” I asked, fighting back the smile.

                “Mr. Collins thought it would be cute to give us a movie to watch for homework.”

My eyebrows perked a little, “And what movie would that be?”

                “Romeo and Juliet, but not the one with the guy from Titanic, the one from the sixties.  Want to come over later and watch it?”

My smile faded.  This couldn’t come at a worse time.  “I don’t think I can, I have to babysit for a friend.”

He was disappointed, I could tell.  “What about after?”

                “Depends on how late they get home.  It is a school night.” I laughed.

He waved his hands, dismissing my statement.  “I don’t care how late it is, come over, please?”

This will be the death of me.  “Sure, I’ll be over after.”

The smile returned to Scott’s face and so did mine.  “I’ll see you tonight then.”

I couldn’t say no to Scott even if I wanted to.

                I stood by my locker, waiting for Noah to grace me with his presence.  It was about fifteen minutes after Scott and I talked that he decided to.  “Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked him as we walked to his car.  “Ash knows you’re going with me and Joel wouldn’t come around a school.”

That didn’t put my mind at ease.  “So you think he’s the one that’s been writing the notes?”

                “I have no idea, but it wouldn’t surprise me.”

We came to a stop at his car and I got in on the passenger side the same time he shut the door on the driver’s side.  “Why don’t you just tell your parent’s about him?”

Noah waited until we were on the road to answer.  “That’s why we moved.  If I told them he found me, we would most likely move again and I don’t want to move.”

                “What about the police?”

He snorted, “They wouldn’t do anything, believe me.”

That made me wonder even more.  “Well he’s going to find you, Noah.  You have to do something.”

His grip on the steering wheel was tight enough to make his knuckles go white.  “I know this, Willow.  I can take care of myself.”

                “But you didn’t do it; I don’t understand why he’s after you.”

He was quiet.

                “You didn’t do it, right?”

This time he rolled his eyes, “I didn’t do it.  I wouldn’t kill my best friend.  Someone set me up but Joel is having a hard time believing it.”

All of this was giving me a headache.  “You need to find the person that did it then.”

                “You don’t think I haven’t been trying?” He glanced at me and back to the road.  “My parent’s said we could move anywhere and I chose here because this is where my research led me.”

There was someone here Noah was looking for, that makes sense.  “You’ll find him.” I assured him.

The corner of his mouth turned up a little.  “I hope so.”

                This new found friendship with Noah wasn’t so bad.  Even though he can be the biggest ass, he was also hurting.  The loss of your best friend can’t be easy.  I can’t even imagine what I would do if something happened to Ashley.  She is basically my other half and practically the sister I’ve always wanted.  I wish my parent’s would trade Ash for Ashley.  They would still have an Ash around the house.

                We were a few houses down from Noah’s and I noticed a car sitting in his driveway.  “Are your parent’s home?” I asked.

He shook his head, his eyebrows creasing.  “No, that’s not their car.  I don’t know whose car that is.”

As we were about to pull into the driveway, I shouted, “Keep going!”

                “Willow—”

                “Just go!”

He did as I said and drove passed the house.  “What the hell is wrong with you?” He asked, stopping the car around the corner.

I tried catching a breath, “That’s the car that I saw Joel leave in.”

Noah threw his head back and pinched his eyes closed.  “This can’t be happening.” He breathed.  “Did he follow you last night?”

I started to shake my head and then stopped, “I don’t know, I didn’t notice anyone following me.  It isn’t hard to look someone up.”

                “I can’t go back there.” He said and started driving in another direction. 

I took a deep breath and held onto the door while he sped away like a mad man.  “What about Alex?”

                “He doesn’t get out of school for another hour, I’ll just pick him up and you can go to Ashley’s or something.”

Hearing Ashley’s name gave me an idea.  “I think I may have an idea.”

He glanced at me, “And what is this idea?”

                “I can have Ashley pretend she lives there and she can get rid of him.”

He quickly shook his head, “I’m not bringing Ashley into this.”

                “She won’t question it.  I’ll tell her it’s just a sales person.”

I could tell he was coming around, “Call her.”

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