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-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-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-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-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-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 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