It took days until Noah was able to be do anything without needing to stop for a moment because of the discomfort coming from his bruised ribs. It was ever rare whenever i didn't sense this, his low groans and hisses of pain and sharp intakes of air whenever he did something sudden or not always caught my attention, though. He never allowed me to help, but never protested when i would disobey against his will and take over whatever he was doing without a second thought, it wouldn't be until i felt Noah's eyes pierce through me like glass with a little amusing smile curling around his lips that i would become flustered and blush madly — which only seemed to make him narcissistic and tease me whenever he'd see it.
Because i was worried constantly about his well-being, Noah and i had grown accustomed to spending more time together. And now that we had ways of contacting each other, it was easier to see how the other was doing without having to wait until seeing each other in person to know.
Before Noah i wouldn't really worry about my phone. I only ever used it to contact my family if anything ever happened to me or if something ever happened to them, (obviously), but i mainly just used it for Tumblr and Twitter; and whatever game i was interested in at the moment. My phone — and whatever was on it — was never something i took personally.
It was just a phone, after all.
Anyone could just grab it and go, and really i don't think i'd care at all, because it was just a phone. Everything important on it was always saved on something else i owned so there would not be any concern about anyone trying to use my information or anything so that was always something nice to dismiss.
Now, though, i needed it more than ever.
This little device with a simple white phone case surrounding it's thinness had suddenly became the most needed thing besides my keys and chewing gum, and i hadn't even realized it until one night at dinner that Hannah had caught me using it more than usual.
Carter was gone doing his own think with some friends that had stopped into town, James and Willa had traveled back home, so that just left Hannah, my mom, Alize and myself to eating chicken. Dad was always busy at work to even come home some nights so that was no worry anymore. Mom and Alize were wrapped up in their own conversation about every topic in the book to which Hannah would only speak when she was interested, and i was on my phone asking if Noah had eaten anything and if he'd like me to bring him something.
I usually ended up having to bring him food because he always forgot to feed himself with all the sleep he was getting from the very strong pain killers his dad had supplied in their house — this was the clear sign i took that he knew exactly what was going on in his son's life, and for that i felt more comfortable when Noah was home with him.
I had a feeling Paul felt the same whenever i was around with Noah, and i only have this feeling because of the way Paul seems to relax whenever he sees that i'm there at their house.
That night after dinner when everyone had dispersed to their own thing, Hannah had lingered in the kitchen a little while longer and backed me into a corner when both my mother and Alize were gone.
"Who's the guy?" She whispered over my shoulder as i loaded the dishwasher.
I jumped and gripped onto the counter, craning my neck to the right and flinching back when i noticed Hannah's eyes trying to burn holes in my head with an intense stare that had my knees buckling. "Wh-what?"
Hannah rolled her crystallized eyes at my response and let out a breathless chuckle, "Oh, c'mon, Jamie. Your really gonna make me repeat myself?" A smile i wasn't very fond of somehow stretched across her face making her look insane. "I know there's a guy you're talking to, your phone kept buzzing every five minutes like a timer during dinner and you were smiling whenever it did."
I was? I hadn't even noticed... my eyes quickly drifted to the floor when a sudden burst of heat flushed up to my face. "Look, you're even blushing!" Hannah smiled amusingly. I felt more than uncomfortable with my big sister suddenly immersed in my life — this wasn't like her at all.
"Hannah... i don't feel comfortable — "
"Relax," Hannah's louder voice sung over my silent one making me look up at her.
Hannah backed away noticeably with amusement dancing in her eyes and that smile still plastered over her lips, "I know i'm invading your privacy and making you feel weird," I didn't like the way she emphasized on the word and crossed my arms across my chest as a defense, "So i'll shut up about it... just know that if you ever want to talk about it,my doors always open. Okay?"
I could feel the shock on my face at her reassuring words. Never had Hannah ever openly reached herself out to me, to offer her help and guidance in anyway shape or form to me without immediately dismissing she ever said a word of it whenever i took it. Hannah saw my expression and rolled her eyes dramatically. "I'm not always a bitch, okay? Sometimes i actually wish you would talk to me about this stuff, but i guess since Alize's here you wouldn't even think twice about asking big sister for advice, huh?"
Something cold slivered it's way to my chest and quickly wrapped itself around me. I hadn't told Alize a word of what was happening. Not since Noah had climbed into my window with bruises and cuts those couple nights ago, and certainly not about me going over to his house and taking care of him when he didn't have the strength or anyone else to do it for him. I've been so focused on making sure that he was okay that Alize and i hadn't took the time to actually talk... which felt odd now that i was thinking about it considering how often we see each other and hang out.
"Anyway," Hannah sighed looking already bored with this conversation, "Have fun. Use protection, and uh... yeah."
Hannah was already gone and out the kitchen before she could see my face redden like a cartoon character from Loony Tunes from embarrassment.
When i told Noah about that night he seemed greatly pleased and wouldn't stop teasing me about the smiling part of the story. I made sure to leave out Hannah's comment in case it would've seemed inappropriate and weird.
"You we're smiling every time i messaged you?" Noah had asked in a teasing tone from his little circular table in his small kitchen the next day.
Noah house was a small indigo house with a little lawn and a backyard, the whole area was filled with vivid green grass that reached up to your shin with wild flowers scattering the place with one tall oak tree providing a lot of shade that shadows over half the building. Vines had grown on all sides of the house with little pink and blue flowers bloomed on them making it look like something straight out of Tumblr — and i was in love with it. The inside of their house was as assumed small, there was a little area on the right side of the house as soon as you walk into the building which was the living room, a thin hallway that lead to an even smaller kitchen, (where we currently were on a Saturday afternoon), and another hallway that lead you to the bathroom, the laundry room, and three bedrooms.
The kitchen, bathroom and laundry room couldn't hold more than two people because of how small it was. I couldn't say anything about the bedrooms, but i assumed it would be about the same as the other rooms.
I shook my head and didn't feel the need to hide the little blush that rose on my cheeks with my back turned to him as i hovered over the stove cooking him some grilled turkey sandwiches for lunch. With nothing to do Noah had called
me earlier this morning and asked if i wanted to come over, and i couldn't have answered faster then when i did.
After the phone call i had taken a quick shower and dressed in some light blue high waisted jeans and a long sleeve stripped shirt that was big enough to swim in and left. Alize was gone so i had spent half the morning by myself, but thankfully Carter was still home and had hung out with me before i asked to borrow the keys to his and Hannah's car.
Hannah had left with my mom to brunch with a bunch of mom's old friends from high school, they had brought their daughters and since Hannah was more sociable than i was, she took her instead of me.
Mom had asked me while i was eating a bagel this morning in the kitchen if i wanted to go with her which shocked me considering she never really thought to bring me along to these sorts of engagements, but nonetheless i was flattered she asked me.
Obviously i had declined, and now i was here, in Noah's incredibly tiny kitchen making him something to eat.
His injuries were getting better, the scrapes on his knuckles and face had healed after a couple of days, but his ribs took longer for obvious reasons.
"Don't get too hung up on it," I shook my head and took the sandwich off the fry pan and onto the plate on the counter beside me, "Besides Alize, you're the only other person who makes having a phone exciting."
Noah made a coo sound from behind me causing me to smile again. "I'll take that compliment." I could just see the amusing smile on his face as he said that.
I turned the fire off and turned walking toward the table with the plate in hand. I didn't look at Noah's face when i set the dish in front of him, but that didn't mean i couldn't feel his electric eyes on me. It made me jittery. Quickly i pulled the chair beside him close to me and sat down, brining my legs up and crossing them as a small huff passed my lips once i was seated.
"You have really long legs."
An unexpected sound quickly rushed out of my mouth at the comment shocking both Noah and i. Our eyes, wide and shocked, locked on each other and for a moment all was still and quiet, but then Noah's infectious smile made a rush of euphoria go through me and i ended up laughing along with him. This was how it was every time i was with Noah, everything with him was light and free.
I didn't feel like quieting myself or hiding away with him. Not anymore.
"Why?" I asked once the laughter died down. "What was the purpose of saying i have long legs?"
Noah quickly swallowed his food, "I'm sorry, i thought you just needed to know." He chuckled.
I shook my head and looked down at my legs wondering if they actually did look long or of it was just my jeans that made them look like that. I pushed my left leg off the chair and inspected it discreetly as it dangled. Noah laughed seeing me, "Are you really checking your leg?" He laughed more noticing the blush forming on my cheeks.
"Shut up and eat your sandwich," I pulled my leg back up and folded my hands between my thighs.
"Okay, okay." He grinned and took a big bite filling his cheeks with the food until he resembled a chipmunk. I smiled to myself and looked down at my lap.
With the windows in the kitchen open and the curtains drawn, the sunlight was easily let into the room along with the soft breeze that swirled and swayed the light colored and designed curtains side to side. It was a relaxing thing feeling the wind and the soft glare of the sun on my skin, i hadn't been more at peace than in this moment.
Until Noah asked for another sandwich.
We talked as i got up to make him another one, my phone only ringing for a Bath and Body Works notification and an email about the notification. I told Noah what Bath and Body Works was and why i had the app for a store that only sold bath products for a little too much money when he asked about it, he was a little sketchy about the place until i told him that they sold stuff for men too, then he seemed a little interested.
"How's your friend doing?" Asked Noah before taking a bite out of the new sandwich.
I settled down in the seat in the position i was in before and sighed, "She's okay, i guess. I don't really know where she is or what she's doing, but i'm guessing she's okay — otherwise she would've messaged me already."
Noah nodded and took a gulp out of the water bottle beside his plate, "That's good."
"How's your dad?" I asked looking at the small bird painted clock hung up on the wall beside the entrance of the kitchen. Being here most of the time i noticed Paul came home early on Wednesday's and Saturday's, sometimes when he wasn't supposed to, but because he worried about Noah and doesn't really use his incredibly outdated cellphone to check in, he just comes home to see if he's okay.
Noah nodded mid chew, "He's okay."
He hurried and swallowed thickly before taking a gulp of the water bottle to soothe it down. I shook my head gently at the familiar behavior and slouched into the chair with my hands gripping onto my knees for support. Over the past few days i couldn't help but notice multiple similarities between Noah and my brother Carter, which may sound strange and awkward in some aspects, but it made me believe that if the two were ever to meet that they would become great friends — and knowing that, it made me a lot more comfortable then i would've initially thought possible.
My eyes wandered toward the open window, i was able to see the front lawn clearly through this window as well as the block across the street. These houses all looked so similar to each other. It was nice to see so many of the same things in such a small area, to be able to hear clearly and see clearly without being bothered.
It was so peaceful over here at Noah's house.
Not like my house and the area that i live in isn't peaceful and quiet like this — the difference between this area and the one i live in was clear as day to me.
The wide openness of my house and my neighborhood always made me feel cautious, and though my room is a lot smaller then the rest of my siblings' and parents' room, but compared to Noah's house and some of the rooms built in here, it made me feel like i was living in a mansion.
Which i definitely am not.
I blinked when Noah's voice suddenly drifted into my ears, i felt my chest flutter when the feeling of his hand gently shaking my knee caught my attention.
"Hmm?" I hummed and turned my eyes to him.
My eyes widened and i tensed the slightest bit when i saw his marvelous eyes sparking closely in front of me. His face was so close that i could see his freckles clearly and see the light flecks of multicolored blues in his eyes. "There you are," He smile was so bright and sudden that it made me loose my train of thought. "You were in your own little world for a second there."
"Oh," Was all i could think of to say.
Noah didn't move an inch away from me, he just stared intently at my widened eyes and tilted his head to the side in confusion which made my face feel like it was burning intensely with how stunning he looked with such a common expression on his face. How could someone so handsome look so adorable at the same time and not even know it?
My mind was going blank just trying to figure this out.
"You okay?" He asked softly while his eyes looked over my flushed face.
I obediently nodded once feeling my breathing beginning to quicken once his thumb begin to soothingly rub against my knee. "You sure?"
Again i only nodded.
Yet he didn't seem convinced.
His other hand was suddenly pressed against my cheek and then my forehead to feel my temperature. The simple gesture had my face lighting up like a christmas tree. I realized then how much i secretly liked the feeling of him touching me, even in these delicate and harmless ways, it made me a rush of excitement spread through me like a virus.
"You feel a little warm, are you sure you're okay?" Noah asked while looking at me intently.
How did he not know of the affect he had on me? It was incredibly obvious why i felt warm, and Noah — though he didn't seem it — was incredibly observant to the little things. It wasn't helping that my heart and breathing began increasing drastically with the way he was looking at me now.
"I'm-I'm okay," I squeaked unattractively making the corners of Noah's lips lightly twist upward.
"Then why's your face all red?"
He couldn't be serious.
"Erm... i — it's... " A bad case of dry mouth and nerves triggered the stuttering which seemed to make Noah's eyes brighten in amusement and make my face brighten in embarrassment.
His boyish laughter rang like jingle bells in my ears making me quickly look down at my lap with not being able to contain the warmth spreading all across my body just by his light teasing. "You're really cute, you know that, lamb?" His warm breath was suddenly fanning against my heated cheeks causing me to stiffen at the sudden closeness.
Quickly i looked up and gasped seeing his face so close to mine; my eyes widened and my breath got caught in my throat just by the soft way his eyes bored into mine. "It makes it really hard to try and not wrap you up in a small ball and keep you safe from all the bad stuff in the world. Though, i think it'll be hard considering you have really long legs."
I couldn't help but smile — genuinely — wide at his little joke. It was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders suddenly and i could finally breathe. His presence wasn't as suffocating and i wasn't as aware of his closeness anymore, i felt good. Light and happy.
Noah replicated my smile and gently dipped his head down so we were at eye-level, and i didn't feel closed in or hot, i was at peace. I looked back into his intense eyes as he looked into mine, memorizing this moment and wanting with my entire being just to nuzzle his nose and hug him.
To wrap him up in a ball and keep him safe from all the bad stuff in the world.
"You really are something special, little lamb." Noah's gruff voice whispered.
It was like something out of a fairytale, the way i felt, and i couldn't hold it in anymore. Slowly i leaned forward feeling more courage and confidences in this moment then i've ever felt in my entire life, and i could see that it had taken Noah by surprise by the way his eyes seemed more alert with my
movements. But that didn't stop me.
We were inches apart now, and i could see it in his face how nervous he seemed while i was cool as a cucumber.
I blinked slowly letting myself relish in the atmosphere of us, of the calm serenity before i lifted my nose against his, catching him by surprise by the little gesture; i smiled softly at his reaction and allowed my forehead to rest on his and closed my eyes. "So are you." I whispered.
IT'S NOT WHAT I WANTED BUT I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE WITH IT SO HERE IT IS.
sorry it took so long to update! but hopefully it's a good chapter and gives you a little insight on how close Noah and Jamie are becoming and how much their relationship is increasing — do not worry, more drama will come in the next chapters JUST STICK AROUND TO SEE!
- Jay. 💜. ☀️.