The Truth About Us [ON HOLD]

Chapter Fourteen

"Good," Cameron huffed and stood. "I'll be in my room." He trudged up the stairs, his phone tightly in his grasp. I watched him go, my stomach in knots. Even though I knew that he would never go behind my back, I couldn't help but imagine a scenario where he was about to set up a meeting in secret with our birth mother. A meeting I knew I wasn't ready for, not yet. Although I knew deep down that he would never do that without me, he wasn't that cruel.

My mom looked to me, waiting for her daily brief. It was my turn. I stood, crossing my arms protectively across my chest. "I'm going to Noah's."

"Samara, is everything okay?" She asked, trying to stare into my soul and find the answer herself.

"Yeah I'm fine," I nodded, biting my tongue to hide that I was lying. The promise I had made to not keep anything from her again had gone out the window the second we found out the truth. She was a hypocrite, but still, I felt guilty.

She sighed, "Okay, well have fun."

I headed out to the front porch and sat down on the step. Tears pooled in my eyes as I tried not to feel like a bad daughter. I just kept failing. My mom was the one I had always trusted, the one I thought that I could go to for help, but I didn't feel like I could tell her that we were talking to our birth mother. I didn't want her to get mad or hurt her feelings. I didn't want her to think that I thought any less of her because that wasn't the case.

I leaned against the beige siding and pulled my phone from my pocket. Noah would be here in ten minutes. That meant I had ten minutes to figure out what I was going to tell him about my meeting with Mrs. Summerbee. If there was anyone I could tell the truth, it was Noah. He was proving that time and time again. I believed I could rely on him, and more than anything else, I wanted that feeling to last.

I watched as his car pulled into the driveway and he hopped out, a smile on his face. Sometimes I wondered how he found so many reasons to smile. So much weighed on my mind; I couldn't always just overlook it.

I stood and met him halfway, his hand joining with mine. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah," I nodded and let myself breathe as we walked in silence to his car. He knew we weren't alone just yet, I could see the curtain move as my mom watched us from the window. She knew that there was something wrong, she just had no idea what.

I felt myself relax as he backed out of the driveway. Finally, I wasn't lying to anyone nearby. "So what happened today?"

"Um, we got a message from our birth mom. She wants to meet us." He smiled brightly, his eyes still on the road.

"That's awesome!" Noah said but instantly noticed my lack of enthusiasm. "Isn't it?"

"I should be happy, I know. That's what we wanted, but I can't help but feel guilty. Like somehow by talking to her I'm betraying my mom," I admitted to myself and to him.

"I'm sure she'd understand. Just because you want to know where you come from, doesn't mean you're replacing her." Noah's hand moved to my knee and he squeezed it reassuringly.

"I'm not so sure," I glanced out the window, watching the trees race by. "Why else would they keep it from us for so long? I'd hate me too if I was a constant reminder of such a painful time."

Suddenly, Noah pulled over the car and put it in park. I bit my lip, knowing I should have just kept it to myself. He turned to face me, his thumb resting on my chin.

"Don't say that. Don't you think they were happy the day they adopted you? From the sounds of it, all they wanted was a child. You and Cameron gave them that. She can't hate you." His voice was strong, he truly believed what he was saying. I let his words flow through me, my body relaxing as I decided that he was right. All of those years weren't a lie, we just didn't know the truth. He always knew just what to say to make me feel better.

I let my head fall gently on his shoulder, as he pulled me into a tight embrace. "Let's go to your place," I tugged at his shirt, running my hands down his arms until he took a hold of the steering wheel.

He smiled, "okay."

--

Noah leaned his head back as he started to drift off. The movie still had about an hour left but there was something about being with him that made me want to doze off too. My head rested on his shoulder and legs were sprawled across his lap. I never thought I'd get to be this girl; comfortable enough to let someone hold me without feeling queasy but with his arm wrapped around my waist, gripping places that I used to look at and hate. The dangerous thoughts never came, they were suppressed under a blanket of pleasure.

Although I hadn't forgotten today's events with the guidance counselor and the fact that I hadn't told Noah was plaguing my mind, tapping against my skull with a sledgehammer.

"I'm failing," I blurted. The words slid from my mouth like vomit falling right into his lap. Noah's eyes shot open, a confused look replacing the content.

He shook his head, "What?"

I untangled our bodies and distanced myself on the couch, taking a shaky deep breath. "That was what Mrs. Summerbee wanted to talk to me about, my grades."

"Is there anything I can do to help? I can help you study or-" I pressed my finger to his lips, cutting him off. There was something so compelling about the way he looked at me and my heart raced as I felt his lips tremble against my skin.

"No, it'll be okay. I just have to focus on doing well on my exams and see if there's extra credit I can do." My voice quivered, anticipating how it would feel if he pressed his lips to mine. My first kiss.

He sighed, nodding his head slightly. I could feel his warm breath against my cheek. It sent shivers down my spine and ignited a fire in the pit of my stomach. "Okay."

I watched impatiently as he began to close the distance between us, which was only inches. My brain was screaming, just kiss me already, while my heart hoped that it was everything I'd built it up to be. The amazing experience that was shown in movies and books. I was a believer that it was all about the right person and Noah was definitely that someone, I was sure of it.

"Is this okay?" He asked, gazing into my eyes. I could only nod, taking small, quivering breaths.

I knew I was done waiting. His head tilted and his hands encompassed my cheeks. Hesitantly, his lips touched mine and my hands clung to the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer. They moved soft and sweet as if he thought I'd break if he pressed too hard. My body melted into his, making me feel as if he was all I needed and everything else would fall into place.

It was over all too soon. Noah pulled back, breathlessly.

Looking into his eyes, I knew then and there. I no longer had control over my words. With a slip of the tongue, I was muttering the three little words that had so much meaning. "I love you." I clasped my hands over my mouth, waiting for his reaction. A voice in the back of my head taunted me, that's it, you've ruined it.

But he smiled from ear to ear, "I wanted to say that first. I love you too."

Thanks for reading this chapter of The Truth About Us!

 Samara and Noah finally had their first kiss and also said those three little magic words 'I love you'! Do you think it's too good to be true or will they get their happy ending? If you were in Cameron and Samara's shoes what would you do? Should they meet their birth mother? 

Let me know your thoughts on the chapter and the story so far in the comments down below! I really appreciate all your feedback and kind words. Thank you so much for supporting me on this journey!

xx Allie

P.S. The beautiful banner was made by @NeverYawn