I was exhausted by the end of the day. We'd done laps of the pool, saving each other, various drills, teaching Taylor and Cole how to swim and a few other stuff. I hadn't spoken to Noah since the morning mostly because I wouldn't be able to formulate words and Mya had him close to her at all times.
I was changed into my normal clothes and was laying my head on the table in this lunch room. I let my braids down so they would dry faster. I was slowly drifting off to sleep when I heard a chair move and someone sit down. Tiredly, I turned my head to see Noah sitting there contemptly.
Even in my tiredness my heart began to beat faster. I ignored it as much as I could and let myself fall into my drowsiness. As I was drifting of into sleep I could feel Noah watching me so I turned and faced the opposite side.
"Are we doing Chemistry, today?" I heard him mumble.
I turned my head to face him and nodded, "Yeah."
I think that was the most calm interaction we've had. Majority of the time it was my fault. After a few more minutes of rest we all left and I went to Noah's house. It was a chilled night I tried to focus when he was explaining calculations but I have to admit I did drift off a bit.
Noah moved the hair off my face as I laid on the bed and he kept playing with it till I woke up again. His family let me stay for dinner and then insisted he walked me home. I knew I was capable of walking home in peace but Noah's parents thought otherwise.
Luckily, it was humid outside so I didn't regret not wearing a coat. We had a general conversation until I heard heavy footsteps coming our direction from behind us. As I turned around something smacked in the face with something hard, resulting in me falling to the floor. Noah was also a target and got hit to the floor also.
My head throbbed as I felt my pocket being unzipped and the person ruffling in my pocket. In my agony I tried to throw a punch at the person and missed due to my watery eyes and disorientation. I saw the person dig through my wallet. He took out my £20 note and dashed my wallet on the floor.
I tried to get up but got punched in the face. I cringed in pain as I touched where he'd hit. I refused to fall without a fight so I crawled up onto my knees and hit him in balls. I figured it was a guy.
He sucked in sharply and dropped Noah's wallet. I took that opportunity to grab his bat and whacked him in the back. Noah grabbed the money he stole and I just beat him shitless. My head still pounded and I was unbalanced.
Noah had to actually hold me back from killing him. I told you wasn't going to get robbed without a fight. I saw the guy was muttered some shit so I told him to speak up.
"Xavier said to say hi." He coughed.
My blood bolied at his name and I clenched my fists. Noah touched my fist and I slowly released it. I threw down the bat and walked in the direction of my house. Noah ran up to me and stopped me from going any further.
"Hey hey, stop. Calm down." He coaxed.
"I can't calm down, I'm angry." I huffed, "Xavier has gotten on my nerves. He can't send someone to mug us and expect me not to retaliate."
"That's what he wants you to do. You have to do the opposite."
"I have to do something, we just got beat up. That means were being watched and any of us will be in danger if we don't stop this."
"There must be another way."
"No there isn't and if you can think of one I'd love to hear it. I'm going home you should too." I paused and looked into his eyes, "I don't want you to get hurt so go home before his friends come."
I sent him a brief smile before stumbling away, not wanting to see his sad face. I felt horrible for lashing out at him but I was so angry at Xavier. I couldn't fathom why Noah didn't want to get Xavier back. My head throbbed and my heart yearned for me to turn around and apologise. I stopped walking and slowly turned to see Noah still standing there watching me. He hadn't moved?
I breathed in heavily before shouting, "I'm sorry!"
And Noah yelled back, "Me too."
It made me smile but I was fed up of us having so many disagreements or would not talk to each other. I could never seem to agree with myself and it would cause conflicted emotions. So I guess it was my fault.
~~~~~~~~~
"Say that one more time." Cole said over the phone.
"My cousin's friend's brother has a girl he likes but he's unsure if he really likes her. He tries to convince himself that there's nothing between them but deep down he knows there could be. They have arguments a lot, do you think you know why?"
If you couldn't tell that was a lie, I just wanted to hear what someone else thought. There was a long silence over at the other end of the call and I thought he could've cut the call. He always does it.
I heard a cough before he started to speak, "That's a lot of people in that sequence, couldn't you of just said your friend?"
"No, because he's not my friend."
"You're too extra. I think that he should suck it up and if he has feelings her he should say so because it's causing a crack in their friendship."
"What if she doesn't feel the same way?"
"It doesn't matter, at least it would be in the open and sorted."
I sunk with a heavy feeling. I wasn't ready to tell Noah about the possible feeling I had towards him.
"You still there?" Cole questioned.
"Yeah, thanks for the help."
"But remember if he isn't sure then he shouldn't do it because it could be he's trying to open feelings he hasn't truly understood."
"How are you so good at this type of stuff? You don't have a girlfriend. Or do you?"
"Nah, I don't want one. I'm enjoying being single. You should too."
"I am, it's actually very nice. Love is for pussys."
I smiled as I felt myself going back to my normal self. I think that should be my slogan. Love... well not love but liking someone was getting too much for me. Not that I liked anyone. Ahhhh!!
Noah's POV
I washed my face with cold water taking the last of the blood off. I sighed in contemplation at what had happened. As much as I wanted to share Cayden's anger I didn't want her or any of our friends to get hurt. Xavier seemed to be a very evil and dangerous guy. Both Cayden and I had different views in how to stay safe.
When she walked away I was frozen. Her eyes were telling the truth but her mouth was confused. The dark brown shimmer in her eyes was telling me she was scared and worried. But her mouth was enraged and irrational. Maybe if I hadn't of been there she would've reacted worst. Killed a guy.
I shivered at the possible thought. I stared at myself in the mirror and I wanted to see a brave, strong and independent man but I was just me. A weak, scared and dependant boy. In all honesty I wanted to protect my friends - protect Cayden. Possibly if I was stronger she wouldn't of worried so much.
My hazel-green eyes glared at my weak soul. If only I had muscles and looked scary or was mentally stronger. I hate myself....
A warm tear strolled down my face and ran through the cold water droplets stuck to my face. I repelled myself away from my reflection and got ready for bed. In attempt to lighten my mood I thought back to how sweet Cayden looked today. All worn out and chilled when she was sleeping at the community centre and my house. I wondered if she could've still been awake so I took the risk and texted her.
Noah: Are you still awake?
I put my phone down and waited only a minute before my phone buzzed. My heart beat fast and drummed in my ears. Adapting to this feeling I ignored it and checked the message.
Cayden: I am now. Why are you still up?
Noah: I just can't sleep... and I wanted to just talk to you.
I cringed at the last part I typed. Why would I write 'I just wanted to talk to you?' That's so dumb.
Cayden: What about?
Noah: Tonight...
Cayden: Oh, well, are you okay? I know he hit you too and you looked pretty bad.
Noah: I'm fine, I should be asking you. You were hit more.
Cayden: I will probably look like Quasimodo tomorrow 🤣. But it doenst matter.
Noah: Never. Your too pretty.
Shoot! I was in such a trance of messaging her I-I just spoke off the top of my head. It's not a lie but I sound so airhead-like.
Cayden: 🤣funny. Taylor is too pretty. Me? I'm that old looking tree you see in her modelling on.
It stung my heart to her talk about herself in that way. I wanted to tell her to her face that she was beautiful but I'm supposed to like... Hayley. Cayden and I spoke until 3 am until I think she passed out because she was typing and then it just stopped.
In the morning I paid the price for being up so late. As my 6 o'clock alarm rang annoyingly I was glued to my bed. I had no effort what-so-ever to get up. But as the alarm seemed to climb in volume and annoyance I got up and switched it off.
In attempt to wake up I had a luke warm shower that I hoped would shock me into liveliness. Instead it just made me extremely cold and tired. I began to deal with the pain of exercise because it was on a regular basis. I could start to see the changed in my figure, slowly but surely, in the mirror.
I took Cayden's advice last night and put on my grey sweatpants, white t-shirt and white air forces. My hair was a mess and dangled wildly but I kind of liked it. Putting on my glasses, I slumped down the stairs into the kitchen and to my joy no one was there.
I poured myself cearal and ate it, watching the tv. I heard the small patter of footsteps and knew it was Elle. I heard her fiddling in the kitchen before standing before me in her school uniform.
"Who are you?" She questioned staring at me intensly.
"Noah." I bluntly answered, tired already.
"No, my brother has no style at all unless this is a miracle."
"Haha so funny. I have style."
"Now that's a joke. Your style is 'getting ready in the dark'. But whatever new thing your trying keep it going."
"I don't need your approval."
She rolled her eyes and comfortably sat next to me eating her toast. We watched the rest of Amazing world of Gumball before the doorbell rang. At this point my mum and dad we downstairs so my mum answered the door.
"Oh look, Richard, what a suprise. Come in." I had an uneasy feeling in my stomach at the tone of voice my mum used. I could tell she wasn't pleased with who was there but I couldn't work out who it was.
Just as the person stepped in and I could get a full view I gulped down hard.