Strings

Chapter 8

Rose's POV

His warm jacket was drapped over my shoulders, his scent seeping out of it; his arm wrapped comfortably around my waist. My sniffles sounding throughout the empty, abandoned school oval. Chris kept checking my facial expression to see if I was better... I wasn't.

My brain wouldn't stop replaying my memories of Noah. As hard as I try I can't erase the memories of the past. Our past. I let out a sad sigh as I feel Chris's carmel brown eyes gaze down on me.

"Rosie, do you want to maybe talk about it?" He encourages softly. "I've been told it helps. I get it if you don't wa-"

"His name was Noah Princeton." I begin. "We meet when I moved schools. He was the first person to introduce themselves to me. I remember as soon as I walked into school on the first day he got up and said 'I hope you're ready to be friends with me'. He was definetly my best friend.

He asked me out one day. I couldn't believe it. He got all his soccer team friends to hand me roses till I had a boquet and had them sing the Fresh Prince theme song. We both couldn't stop laughing about that. 

I remember the day he died vividly. We were not even going to go at all that day but I insited to go out for ice-cream. I really wish we didn't leave. Noah and I were walking to the nearest ice-cream shop when he say some jerk from our grade beating some younger kid.

Noah insisted that we intervine. I was nervous but I knew it was the right thing to do. We approached and the younger kid ran as fast as he could. Noah was telling him to knock it off and next thing you know..." I sniffle as a fresh tear slides down my face. 

"He gets pushed into the road by the jerk and a car smashes into him. I rush over to him and the jerk runs. I couldn't care less about that jerk as I see the guy I love bleeding to death. Chris I honestly hope that no one else has experienced this because it's horrifying.

I remember his last words were, 'I want you to do the best you possibly can in this life... Fall in love again, live you dreams and make everyone smile like you did me. I was put on this earth to love you but now it's some other lucky guys turn. I love you so much.' 

I felt like it was my felt for wanting to get ice-cream that day but then I realised it was that jerk that pushed him into the road. He wasn't showing up to school but I saw him at the shops and gave him a real mouthful. He didn't even say anything in reply.

Soon I started having nightmares and panic attacks about Noah. I was going crazy in that town so my mum moved us back here. I started school and pretended nothing happened until my first panic attack at school. I had to go home early.

Noah inspired me to become the best. He was the reason I became captain of my soccer team. He encouraged me to be the best." I say. "Thanks Chris... for you know listening." I sniffle softly. He pulls me closer and kisses my temple. My jaw drops. He kissed my temple.

"S'alright. Glad I could help." I look into his sparkling carmel brown eyes and down to his lips. I feel him mirrior me. Chris begins to lean into my lips. I begin to lean in to when all of a sudden I hear shouting in the distance.

"ROSE WE HAVE HONEY SOY CHICKEN CHIPS!" Blake yells as he runs towards us with Luna by his side; his arms as well as Luna's overloaded with honey soy chicken chips. Chris chuckles as Luna throws a packet at Blake.

"I'm so sorry we were not here for you." Luna hugs me.

"It's ok. Chris was there." I smile back at Chris. He sends me a huge grin.

"Thanks Chris for being there for her." Blake smiles softly. Chris sends him a soft smile and nods.

"How about we dig in to these chips?" Luna speaks up.