Chapter OneWho Is That?≋Noah"Would you pick one already, Noah? We've been here all day," Luke grumbled impatiently, pinching the bridge of his nose. We had been best friends our whole lives-frankly, he shouldn't have been surprised this was taking so long."Patient," I grumbled back, continuing to skim through the grocery store shelves stacked with cereal boxes."I'm going to go find chips," he said, shaking his head at me. "Since you won't pick up the pace. Knowing you, you'll be standing here until the store is closing."He slapped my back hard before walking off.Eventually, I decided on Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Snatching the family-sized pack, I turned to go find Luke."Woah-"Stumbling backwards after walking right into another body, the box of cereal had slipped out of my hands."Sorry about that." I bent down to grab the two boxes that had fallen.Standing back up, my eyes locked with hazel ones. Grey-green with a lighter brown around the pupil, light like honey. Ashen pale s
Chapter TwoWhile I'm Stuck Here≋NoahCharlie seating himself at our usual lunch table in the cafeteria immediately commenced the outbreak of chatter, everyone speaking over one other and bombarding him with questions."I didn't think it'd be that big of a deal," he mumbled nonchalantly, biting into his apple.Leo's eyebrows raised in disbelief as he scoffed. "Dude, we've known you for years and not once have you mentioned that you have a sister. Hell of a surprise, Charlie."Sighing, Charlie slunk back in his chair. "Not much to say, really," he shrugged faintly. "Our parents got divorced when we were twelve. Tiffany stayed with our mom while I moved out here with our dad. She took my mom's last name-it just made things more simple, less questions and all.""Are you guys close?" Joy asked. "She's never visited here. As far as we know.""We stayed in touch and still talked nearly every day," Charlie answered. "We would see each other over the summer when we went travelled together w
Chapter ThreeThe Devil Smiles≋Noah"Despite popular belief, it actually is not every girl's dream to wake up to a bunch of half-naked guys."The familiar sound of her ever-tired and unamused voice sounded, causing me to look over.Luke and I were at Charlie's house playing basketball where the boy had a small court built. Money really does wonders.A house that was familiar enough to be a second home to me, where I had been spending most of my days after school since I was twelve years old. It would surely take longer to get used to the idea that this was now Tiffany's house too.Tiffany walked in, her nose scrunched in distaste as she glanced from her brother to Luke and I."Asleep at seven in the evening, princess?" Luke asked, watching as she walked to the refrigerator to retrieve a bottle of water."Power nap." She seated herself on the island stool one away from the one I sat on.Charlie excused himself to take a quick shower, leaving Luke and me with the new girl who seemed t
Chapter FourNot A Hugger?≋NoahTiffany leaned against the bleachers outside, watching the soccer practice that was taking place further out on the field. Her eyes followed the balls being kicked around, distant chatter and yells sounding from the team. The way she watched; always a focused look as she observed everything, careful analyzation of that which was in front of her as though she were engraving the picture to memory and ensuring not a detail was missed.I wonder what's going on in that head of hers.It was interesting, picking at my curiosity-that look she'd get in her eyes. Always watching so carefully."Do you play soccer too?"She turned when my voice sounded from behind her. "What?"I nodded out at the field where the boys were running through drills. "Charlie-he's always played. Do you?"She resumed the stance she had before, looking out at the team. "I used to. I stopped playing when I was twelve."Twelve."That's when-when your parents split up. Right?" I was hesita
The book is going to be continued in Tiffany's POV unless written otherwise on the chapter!!!Chapter FiveWhat's New With You?≋With a light rap on the doorframe, my dad leaned against it. His arms crossed over his chest, he smiled his ever-warm smile. "How are you doing, sweetheart?" Faintly sighing, I shut my laptop screen and pushed it aside. "I'm alright, pops." He frowned, very obviously not buying my words. He came further into my room and helped himself to take a seat on the end of the best. "What's wrong?" "Nothing," I shrugged, shaking my head. "Things are just... a lot different here." I paused, staring at the wall ahead as I thought. "I guess I'm just not used to it." "Maybe different is good," he offered, smiling almost sheepishly. "Different doesn't have to mean it's a bad thing and I'm sure you'll get used to Long Grove in no time." I rolled my eyes playfully, smiling nevertheless. "Thanks, dad." He nudged my arm softly in a gesture of reassurance. "Do you miss S
Chapter SixNot My Scene≋We got to the party and all split up within 10 minutes. Charlie and Ezra were on my back so I stuck by Jade's side until they left. Charlie and Leo went to go play beer pong, Ezra went to smoke a cigarette, Luke took Jade and went to dance, Joy and Kai went to get drinks, and the last time I saw Noah he was talking to some pretty brunette girl.I waited until Ezra stopping watching me like a hawk so I could dip out of the party. It wasn't really my scene. I kind of hated parties more than anything really.It wasn't that whole "I don't want to be in a room full of sweaty bodies, a bunch of out of control teenagers who I have to deal with a school everyday" type of thing. It was because I didn't like drugs and alcohol. You can have fun without doing either and frankly, it was dangerous and stupid to put yourself in a situation where you don't have control over your actions.Long story short, this was just really not my scene and I didn't want to be here.The o
Chapter SevenPuddinitous Loulani≋I laughed out loud, not being able to contain how funny I found it when I walked to our usual table in the cafeteria and saw basically everyone with lifeless looks on their faces. I could smell the alcohol that was reeking off their bodies, combined."What's funny?" Luke groaned as he lifted his head up off the table that he was resting it on.Luke, Leo, Joy, and Kai seemed the worst. Leo was literally wearing a pair off sunglasses and Joy had her head resting on Kai's shoulder as she stared off in the distance and sipped water from a straw that she had in her Fiji water bottle."Quiet down the laughs, will you?" Leo muttered, his voice drained out as he rested his head in the palms of his hands that were propped up by his elbows.Charlie just looked tired and he was complaining about a headache all morning, he seemed calm but I could tell he was agitated because I knew him well enough. Jade seemed normal, probably because she hardly had anything to
Chapter EightScrew. You. All.≋I walked out to the school parking lot to meet Ezra who was giving me a ride home when I was stopped. A hand yanked my arm causing me to abruptly turn around, a scowl on my face as I felt fingernails dig into my skin."What the fuck?" I glared at Madison, yanking my arm out of her grasp. "Ever heard of personal space or are you really as uneducated as you look?" This time she wasn't alone; her sidekick who was a tall light-skin girl with long, curly brown hair and brown eyes also glared at me.Madison glared at me as she crossed her arms over her chest and gave me a disgusted look, "Listen, I don't know who you are to think you can just waltz into this school and expect everyone to love you because they love your brother but that's not how things work around here. That group - Noah, Lukey and all of them only put up with you because they're friends with your brother so don't get it twisted.""What exactly am I getting twisted?" crossing my arms over my
Chapter Forty-SevenLucky You?≋NoahI took both her hands in mine, my gaze not leaving hers for a second. "I'm in-love with you, Tiffany Vos.""You're what?" Tiffany's eyes widened and face contorted into a look of absolute disbelief.I smiled softly, "I'm in-love with you.""You are?" She muttered quietly, eyebrows furrowing together in confusion and shock. "Are you... sure?"A chuckle escaped my lips as I nodded my head firmly, "Yes, sunshine, I am positive. No doubt in my mind."Tiffany nodded slowly, her eyebrows still furrowed. She seemed to be in thought. "I'm not someone you would want to love, Noah."My smile slowly left my face. I hated that she thought so little of herself. "Yes, you are," I told her confidently. I raised one of my hands to cup her cheek, softly caressing her cheek with my thumb. "You are an amazing person whether you see it or not. You see everything you've been through as bad luck but I see it as struggles that you made it through and became stronger fro
Chapter Forty-SixIt's Their Dying, Not Yours≋Noah"I killed him.""Who?""The guy I was in love with." Tiffany gulped and looked away from me. I stayed silent, letting her talk.She clenched her jaw as she looked back to the water. She took a moment to collect herself before continuing to tell me what happened."When I started high school I was ready for a fresh start - to go back to the happy girl who played soccer and loved spending time with her family." She fiddled with her fingers as she spoke, clearly uneasy as she opened up the memories she had shoved away."It had been two years since my parents divorce, since Charlie and my dad moved away. Those two years were miserable." She chuckled dryly."My mom is a workaholic who spends all of her time at work, worrying about work and nothing else. It's her life, literally," she told me. "It's all she's ever cared about. She was the mother who forget her child's birthdays and wouldn't notice if I had been sleeping at my friend's hous
Chapter Forty-FiveI've Messed Up≋NoahI had to use my phone's flashlight to guide me through the forest since it was late and dark out.When I got to the opening and walked out to where the dock was, right away I noticed Tiffany. She was sitting with her legs crossed in her lap, staring out at the water.I exhaled a deep breath to keep my posture and calm before slowly walking up the dock and going to the end where Tiffany sat.The only light was from the moon along with a lamppost that was on the far left away from the dock so there wasn't much light out but enough to see the bare minimum you'd need to see."Everyone's looking for you, you know?" I said when I was standing a few feet behind her.I saw Tiffany's body tense when she heard and recognized my voice. Her body then relaxed and she stayed silent, ignoring me.My hands were starting to feel sweaty and clammy from the nervousness I felt. I took a seat beside her on the dock when she chose to not say anything to me.When I s
Chapter Forty-FourKnow You're Still Here≋Noah"She's not at school," Ezra said to Charlie, his voice low.I was grabbing my books for my first period class out of my locker with Luke and Jade leaning against the lockers beside mine when Ezra and Charlie walked down the hall, coming over to us."If she was planning on coming here she would've been here by now," Charlie responded to Ezra, a small frown on his lips."What's going on, babe?" Jade asked softly as Charlie came over and gave her a hug.Charlie shook his head softly, "Nothing," he gave Jade a reassuring smile but none of us were fooled."Are you sure?" Luke asked, narrowing his eyes. "Where's princess? Is that who you guys are talking about?"Charlie sighed while Ezra typed away on his phone, not paying attention to the rest of us."Yes," Charlie said firmly, his face straight and without much emotion. "She stayed home. Wasn't feeling good.""What happened?" Luke asked as his eyebrows pulled together, worry flooding throug
Chapter Forty-ThreeI Feel Like a Honey Bee≋The weekend after Noah disappeared for a while, he didn't come to school the following two days.When he did come back, things were just as they had been the past few weeks.Noah would be fine, laughing and talking to the others while him and I acted like we didn't even see the other person standing a foot away from us."You could just talk to him. Confront him, tell him to get over himself," Ezra muttered dully, shrugging.It was Friday now. I couldn't stand to be stuck in the cafeteria having to see Noah because it made my stomach twist and chest feel like there were bricks lying on top of it.Ezra came through in the hallway with me. The two of us sat on the ground with our legs stretched in front of us and backs leaned against lockers.I refrained from rolling my eyes, "Raz, he's made it more than clear I'm not welcome in his life.""Then maybe you should get over yourself and let yourself be with the guy," Ezra chuckled, shaking his h
Chapter Forty-TwoLot of Hurt Going on≋Luke and I got to Noah's house after the others since we had left later.When we got there, my dad, Noah's parents and brothers along with the rest of the friend group where all sitting around in the family room.Noah's mom looked drained out and exhausted as she sat on the couch and rubbed her hands in anticipation."What's going on?" Luke said as soon as we had walked into the room.Cade shrugged as he stood up and shoved his hands in his jogger's pockets, "Nothing, really. Noah's upstairs in his room but won't talk to anyone - at all.""How are you doing, Mrs.Coates?" I asked softly as I walked over to where she was sitting and stood beside my dad. He wrapped an arm around me and gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.She gave me a small and sad smile, "I'm okay, dear. I'm just glad Noah's safe."I smiled lightly and nodded, "So am I.""Princess," Luke said softly as he came over and placed a hand on my shoulder.I stepped away from my dad a
Chapter Forty-OneCosmic Force≋Three weeks had gone by and it was radio silence between Noah and I.As much as it agitated me that this is what it was like now, I wasn't going to do anything about it because Noah had made no effort to talk to me either and I was no the type of person who was going to change for some guy and go confess my deeply shoved down feelings for him so we could end up happily ever after.All the points have been established.This was for the best.I may miss him and want to hang out with him, I may also hate seeing him everyday, I may hate the questions arose from everyone in the group, I may hate that he laughs at Amy's stupid jokes and stories but I was a much stronger person than this and am frankly, very good at keeping a guard up - even if that meant coming off as a stone-cold, heartless person with no feelings and emotions.Three weeks and I was starting to get used to Noah and I being on these weird and unfriendly terms.It's easier sitting behind him
Chapter FortyQuite Fine≋Noah and I hadn't been talking at all and Luke caught on."Okay, seriously, what is going on with you two?" Luke stood in front of me with his arms crossed, blocking my path and not allowing me to take a step away from my locker."Luke-""No," he cut me off firmly. "Noah won't say anything and you've been avoiding me too. What happened with you guys?"I kept a blank face on as I pushed past Luke and started walking down the hall, "Nothing happened."Luke easily fell into step beside me and started walking with me. He scoffed, "That a lie and a half! I figure you'd at least try to be a little convincing, princess."Speaking through my gritted teeth with annoyance, "Go ask Noah. I don't know or care."After the argument Noah and I had, it was clear on both sides that neither of us were in any mood to talk it out or talk at all, really.Luke sighed in defeat, "He won't speak about it.""What makes you think I will?" I chuckle dryly as I continued walking to my
Chapter Thirty-NineGood Morning to You Too≋I blinked a few times to adjust my sight to the sunlight that was beaming through my room in the morning. My eyes still slightly droopy, I looked over to spot Noah.He was lying on his side with his head resting on his arm that was bent so his elbow was sticking outwards. He was looking me, eyes also droopy and a soft and lax smile on his face as he looked at me.I groaned as I turned so I was also lying on my side and facing Noah, "Watching me sleep, Ace? Not creepy or uncomfortable at all."A soft chuckle left his lips, his eyes lit with amusement, "I was taking in how peaceful it is when you're asleep - no annoyance or glum responses from you."I rolled my eyes, a small grin on my lips as I looked at him, "I can't see or hear you when I'm asleep, of course I wouldn't be annoyed."Noah grinned, not offended but rather more amused by my comment, "I don't think I annoy you. I think you like having me around but you won't admit it."I narro