|| NOAH ||
Everyone was screaming at the top of their lungs as the ball swished through the hoop. Taylor and Davey joined in the fiasco, jumping to the floor while throwing their fists in the air. Brad stood stunned as his team members pounced on him with joyous grins, bringing him back to reality and celebrating along with them. Annabel and I cheered for him and the others. Then, I watched as the players of TopStar and Wolverine approached altogether. There was a slight bit of pausing before they all exchanged humble handshakes. When it was time for Brad and Damian, I frowned, thinking there was gonna be some unnecessary suspense, but that wasn't the case. Damian sighed, gave him a thumbs up and a proper handshake, then left. It looked like both sides weren't expecting that kind of interaction as they all stared in the same direction of where he left. I walked off the bleachers and headed towards the boys. Giving him a smile, I congratulated him, "I'm proud of you," I said. He laughed and lifted me off my feet as we both swung together. He pecks my forehead and I gasped at him, "B-Brad, were in the sight of about a hundred people!" I whispered.
"I don't think anyone had noticed," he smirked as he looked around at the crowd who were focused on walking down the stairs. But I knew for sure that Annabel was watching us. She stood up from her seat and joined in with us, "you still have it in you," she grinned, patting his arm.
"Thanks," he returned the gesture.
-
"Should we go back there like old times?" Liam thought. Everyone else got redressed back into their normal attire. We're currently discussing where we could have dinner to wrap up the rest of our evening. "Eh, dude... I don't want to offend anyone, but can we have a different change for at least this night?" Taylor yawned, shuffling inside his sweater. We're stood right outside the doors of the school; Jackson and Zack were sending a text message asking if they could return home a little bit later to spend time with us. "Should we just go to a fast-food restaurant?" Brad said.
Liam let out a groan, "ugh... this sucks," he sighs.
Looking at them, I raised my hand to gain their attention, "I can take us somewhere nice. Let's go to the upper floor of the mall," I propound the idea.
"Noah..." Annabel gave the same disquieted expression the time I brought her and the others to eat for the first time.
"I've never been to the top floor," Taylor mumbled.
"Well, that'll be a good experience for you," I beamed.
"Are you sure about doing it again," Annabel frowned, her hands placed on the sides of both my arms.
"There's nothing to be alarmed about, you had fun last time right?" I said. She looks down, closing her eyes for a moment before nodding.
"Is there a problem?" Brad was giving her a look.
She remains silent for a moment to think, "If it's Noah's decision to take us there, then I guess it his choice," Annabel agreed.
Turning to the boys, "Okay good, just follow me and we can all enjoy ourselves."
-
There wasn't much space to accommodate all eight of us in the elevator, but we managed to fit ourselves. Rising up to the highest level, Davey asked what it was like being there, "you said you go there frequently?" He questioned.
"Not exactly, it's my mom's favorite place. Usually, we visit about once or twice every two weeks, so not 'that' periodically," I stared at the glowing button that pointed upwards. As the bell dings and doors reveal the glamorous outside, we took a step to take a breath and gaze around the area. "This is so cool!" Jackson exclaimed as he ran to look over the glass barrier and took a moment to embrace the starry sky that reflected on the town's lights. Everyone joined in as we cherished the sight.
"Must be great to be rich and have this as a habit," Taylor sighed, tranquil as he leaned over with the wind breezing us.
Looking over at all of them who wore big smiles, I spoke, "so, which diner would you all like to entice your tastebuds with?" I joked. They gave each other debating looks before eyeing each food place. As expected, they were unsure to decide; the entrance of every place looked extremely costly and pressuring. "Noah, look, you really don't have to do this for us..." Jackson rested his hands on his hips.
"Well, if none of you could choose, I'll be the on to introduce the place I took Annabel and the others before?" I nodded. All eyes drifted to her as she indifferently did not argue. "Come on," I motioned them, taking the group to an eatery called Royal Hunger. It wasn't over the top to the point where high-class behavior is authorized, but we could all still appreciate this. I made sure I counted us carefully before addressing it to the host. "This is insane..." I presumed that was Liam who mumbled. The host asks us to take a seat in the lobby for a while.
"Hey Noah, Thanks for bringing us here by the way," Zack smiled at me.
"Thanks, Noah!" The others chanted in unison.
-
Our period of standing by took about fifteen minutes before a gentle waitress seats us by the windows in a large round table for eight. She places the menu in front of us and each of the boys stared at it.
"Umm... do I have to sell my lung to repay you?" Liam's mouth dropped at the prices.