The College Room [THE KISSING BOOTH #2 - FAN FICTION]

Chapter One

It wasn't easy saying goodbye to Noah when he left for Harvard. It wasn't easy visiting his brother Lee in the months that passed, knowing that Noah was much further away than when he used to be just a room over. And it certainly wasn't easy coming back to my bedroom and staring blankly at the bed he used to kiss me in, knowing that wouldn't happen again for a long time, if ever. 

"Will you stop day dreaming already?" Lee called, pulling me from my thoughts. 

He was standing at the foot of his bed, holding a Hawaiian t-shirt up to his shoulders. "How is this one? I like the pineapples," he said, pointing out the pattern of bright fruit layered across the fabric.

I smiled at him. Lee was a total dork. A total dork who was my total best friend. "Why do you still care about what you wear? Rachael likes you regardless," I said, frowning.

His lips curved into a smile. "You're telling me that if Noah walked through the front door right now, you wouldn't change out of those tracksuit pants?"

I glanced down at my outfit. Okay, Lee was right. If Noah was coming home from Harvard today, I certainly wouldn't have chosen to wear a pair of grey trackies and an old pull-over that had far too many rips in it. 

But it didn't matter, because Noah wasn't coming home from Harvard any time soon.

I tried to push past the thought and smile. "Where are you guys going again?" I asked.

As I sat on his bed, Lee continued to rummage through his closet for an outfit. "To the new water park they set up down town a few weeks ago. You sure you don't want to come?"

I shook my head. "No. You two enjoy your date."

Lee paused his outfit search and joined me on the bed. He stared at me with his big, brown eyes. "Come on, Elle! You need to get out and do something. Stop sulking around!"

I slumped onto my back and groaned. "I don't want to do anything! I just want to visit Noah. You know we've barely talked since he left."

It was true. We talked when he first went away, but now that he'd settled in and had classes all the time, it seemed like he barely had any time for me. Our phone calls were short, our texts practically non-existent, and our relationship...well, it seemed like it was fading.

I looked up at Lee, whose frown indicated he still wasn't completely okay with mine and Noah's relationship. Sure, he'd been accepting, but I knew he never truly believed his older brother was capable of actual love.

"Noah wouldn't want you to sit around just waiting," he said. "Do you think that's what he's doing right now? Sitting around being miserable?"

I didn't want to think about what Noah could be doing right now. Being around all new people, girls who probably frothed over him just as much as high schoolers did, girls who were probably a thousand times prettier than me. The thought made me want to vomit.

"He's probably having the time of his life," I said bitterly. "God, I shouldn't think like that."

"Exactly!" Lee said. "You should come to the park with us. And hurry up. Rachael will be here soon."

With a sigh, I pulled myself out of the bed. "Okay," I replied. "I'll go home and get changed. Pick me up on the way?"

"Of course," he said. "Rule number thirty-two. Always offer your best friend a ride."

"That's not a real rule," I said, giving him an unimpressed look.

"No, it isn't. Especially not now that you have your own license. Go on, then! See you soon!"

I waved goodbye and made my way through his maze of a home. I'd been here a thousand times before, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't still get confused sometimes. I was directionally-challenged, and the Flynn home certainly didn't help me with that.

I was almost at the door when I was stopped by Lee's mum. Her beautiful smile instantly made me feel better, as it always did. "Where are you going, Elle? Aren't you going to the park with Lee?"

"Yeah, but I have to get changed first," I said. "He's forcing me to come, you know."

Mrs Flynn pulled me into a hug and I couldn't help but smile. "Thanks," I said. "I needed that."

"I know you did," she said. "Have you heard from Noah?"

I shook my head. "He texted me last night, but it's the first real contact he's made in a week. Am I selfish for wanting him to talk a little more?"

A smile crept onto her face. "You're not selfish. In fact," she said slowly. "You might just get your wish."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Her smile only grew bigger. "Noah's coming home in a week." 

I couldn't contain my excitement. I squealed, and threw my arms around her again. "How long is he coming home for? Ah, I can't wait! This is the best news ever!"

"Only three days," she said. "But he worked so hard to get this break, you know. He's been telling me for weeks how excited he is to see you."

I was so happy I could have cried. As I left the Flynn house to get ready for the water park, I couldn't help but think, maybe it was all going to work out after all.