6; Oh, I’m ready

“Mom! I want to come with you!” I said, with my eyes widened.

“Honey, I’ll love you to come! Hurry up, I'm waiting.”

I cleaned up the mess in my room as quickly as I could. 

I grabbed my bag and ran outside, where Mom was waiting by the car.

“Ready?” she asked, her voice cheerful.

I forced a smile. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

Mom raised an eyebrow. “What’s with the sudden change of heart? I thought you weren’t ready to even step into the home.”

I shrugged, trying to sound casual. “I just… I want to make this work. Especially with Noah.”

Mom’s face lit up. “Oh, Rosalie, that’s wonderful! I knew you’d come around.”

I didn’t respond. I just climbed into the car with my stomach in knots.

Noah’s house was massive. It was the kind of house you’d see in a magazine, with a perfectly manicured lawn, a winding driveway, and a front door that looked like it belonged in a castle.

Mom rang the doorbell, and a few moments later, Daniel opened the door.

“Welcome!” he said, pulling Mom into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.” 

Mom smiled, her cheeks flushing. “Me too.”

His eyes landed on me. “Rosalie, I didn’t know you were coming till dinner time. It’s good to see you again.”

 I forced a smile. “Thanks.”

We stepped inside, and I was immediately struck by how cold the house felt. The walls were bare, the furniture sleek and modern, and there was no sign of life anywhere.

“Oh where is Noah?” I asked with a smile on my face. 

“Noah’s upstairs,” Daniel said, gesturing to the staircase. “He’s probably in his room.”

I nodded. My blood was boiling in anger. 

“I’ll go say hi."

Mom gave me an approving smile. Oh if she knew what I had in mind to do with him.

I stormed up the stairs. 

The hallway was long and dimly lit, with doors on either side. I wasn’t sure which one was Noah’s, but I didn’t have to wonder for long.

Noah’s door was slightly ajar, and I didn’t bother knocking. I shoved it open, my anger boiling over.

“Give me back my laptop,” I demanded, my voice sharp and trembling.

Noah was sitting on his bed. His back was against the headboard with his legs stretched out in front of him. He looked up at me. His expression was calm, but there was a glint in his eyes that made me want to scream.

“Laptop?” he said, feigning innocence. “I don’t have your laptop.”

“Stop lying,” I snapped, clutching the doorframe. “You broke into my room.”

Noah laughed. It was a low, mocking sound that grated on my nerves. “Broke into your room? That’s a serious accusation, Rosalie.”

“You’re a liar, and you know it,” I hissed, stepping into the room. “I’m not leaving until I get my laptop back.”

Noah shrugged, leaning back further. “Fine. Then don’t. Stay here all night. You can sleep right next to me if you want.”

I wanted to wipe the smirk off his face. 

“How dare you go into my room and steal my stuff?” I growled, stepping closer. “I know you have it. You’re the only one with a motive.”

Noah’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Oh, yeah? And what’s that motive, Rosalie?”

“To get the video,” I said through gritted teeth. “But you won’t find it. It’s not there anymore.”

Noah’s lips twitched, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes. But then he leaned back again with his smirk returning.

 “Even if I did have your laptop, which I don’t, what makes you think I’d ever give it back to you?”

I clenched my fists. My nails dug into my palms as I glared at him. “Because it’s mine.”

Noah stood up, towering over me. 

“Finders keepers,” 

I stepped closer. I refuse to back down. I’m not going to let him win that easily.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily, asshole.”

Noah’s smirk widened. “Is that your nickname for me now? I need a better one.”

“How about green-eyed bastard?” I shot back. My voice was dripping with venom.

Noah chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “You’re terrible with words, Rosalie.”

“Just stop taunting me and give me back my laptop,” I hissed.

“Aww, don’t like me taunting you?” he teased. He leaned in closer. “Too bad for you, I do.”

I clenched my fists so hard my knuckles turned white. “Just give me back my goddamn laptop. It’s not so hard Noah!”

Noah’s eyes traveled down my body, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. “What would you be willing to do to get it?” he asked.

I glared at him. Hefty breaths let my nostrils. “Oh, now you want to negotiate?”

Noah’s lips curled into a wicked grin. “No one’s talking about negotiations. Convincing is more like it…”

His gaze lingered on me, and I felt my cheeks burn. It was the same look he’d given me at the pool. It was like he was undressing me with his eyes.

“I think I know something,” he murmured, 

“Oh, yeah? What?” I snapped, refusing to let him see how much he was getting to me.

Noah leaned in. His breath was hot against my ear.

 “You can gimme your panties as a start.”

I shoved him away. My hands trembled with rage. “Fuck you, Noah.”

He laughed, a dark, menacing sound. “Oh we can get there Rosalie. No need to jump. One step at a time. I know you really want to but I’m just asking for your panties first.”

I spit right in his face. I don’t fucking care if it’s assault. He deserves it, and after what he did to me in the pool, I doubt he’ll press charges. He’s got a lot of shit following him, and he knows.

He wipes off the spit with the back of his hand, the look on his face turning dark.

“You’ll regret that,” he says with a gruff voice. 

“I don’t think so,” I reply, walking off. “But have fucking fun with the nonexistent video! I saved them in a place you’ll never reach.”

Noah’s voice followed me as I walked out the door. “I’ll get my hands on that video, Rosalie. I promise you.”

I didn’t respond. I just slammed the door behind me.

Let him try. I was ready.