Chapter 2

SOPHIE’s POV

‘’Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!’’

The crowd rattled the walls of the crowded room, but it sounded completely muffled to my ear. 

I was sitting in a circle Noah had forced me into while we played truth and dare.

Right now, the bottle was facing me and Daisy had dared me to kiss someone in the circle. 

I couldn’t help it but my eyes were locked entirely on Noah.

He caught my eyes through the flashing light, his eyes practically begging me to join in, to take the leap. 

Because he didn’t give two shit whose lips I had in mine. 

Because he never saw me that way.

My heart clenched so violently, I could barely breathe.

My eyes dropped to his hands. They were tightly intertwined with Daisy’s.

‘’I guess the nerd is shy.’’ Daisy announced to the crowd, her voice dripping with mock pity. ‘’I’ll help her out.’’

I slowly pried my eyes off their hands and looked at Noah.

He didn’t even try to correct her, AGAIN. 

He only offered me an apologetic smile and looked away.

Then my eyes drifted to Daisy. She shot me a sly, triumphant smirk before she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. 

My hands curled into tight fists, my nails digging so deep into my palms it stung. 

Standing there, watching the boy I loved kiss the girl I loathed, the reality of my situation finally slapped me in the face. 

I had made a massive, catastrophic mistake coming to this party. 

I felt like absolute shit, and the suffocating air of the room was making me physically sick. 

I needed to leave. Right now.

Suddenly, a heavy thud echoed through the window. Within seconds, a massive downpour followed.

Daisy pulled away from Noah, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She grabbed his arm and tugged him towards the exit. ‘’What do you think about a kiss in the rain, babe?’’

Before Noah could even answer, she dragged him out in the storm. 

The tight circle broke instantly as they all stood up and pressed their faces to the window, watching as the ‘lovebirds’ swoon in the rain like a scene from a cliché romance movie.

The sight made my stomach churn.

Seizing the distraction, I slipped away from the crowd, pulled out my phone and booked a cab.

I didn’t bother saying goodbye. 

I practically bolted out of the back door and slipped into the cab, resting my head against the window to calm my beating heart.

When I finally got to the apartment I shared with Hannah,my roommate, I unlocked the door and braced myself for the quiet comfort of a dark room.

POP!

A loud bang echoed through the living room as a shower of colorful confetti exploded directly into my face.

‘’Congratulations!’’ Hannah shrieked, holding up a giant hand-painted cardboard sign that read: CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING ASKED OUT.

I stood there, blinking away the glitter, frozen. 

It felt like a sick, twisted joke.

Like I was being mocked even though I knew she didn’t mean it like that. 

It was all my fault.

I had spilled the beans about the ring and led her into believing that things were going to change between Noah and I before I came back home. 

Hannah’s excited grin instantly vanished when she saw my face. "Wait... why are you looking like someone died? Why even are you back so early? Don't tell me you didn't end up getting laid after the big confession?"

I couldn't even bring myself to explain. 

I brushed past her, muttering a lame excuse, and walked straight into my bedroom. 

I collapsed onto the bed fully clothed, my heart bleeding into the mattress as I let the dark swallow me whole.

———

I woke up to the sound of my phone blaring violently in the night stand.

A low growl escaped my lips as I wiped the drool off my lips and picked it up, pressing it to my ear.

‘’Hey…’’ Noah’s voice bloomed from the other side, sounding strained and utterly pathetic.

My eyes shot two centimeters too wide and I jumped to my feet. ‘’Noah? Are you okay?’’

A sudden, foolish spark of hope flared up in my chest.

Had Daisy broken up with him again?

I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my lips. 

Noah let out a hoarse cough. ‘’Fuck, I feel like shit! You completely bailed out on me last night.’’ 

I bit my lips. ‘’I’m so sorry. I suddenly started to feel sick so I had to retire early. You were so busy, I couldn’t inform you.’’

The image of him and Daisy tangled in the rain flashed through my head, i clenched my fist. 

‘’Right! Can you get me some meds on your way here? I think I came down with a bad cold.’’ His cough was muffled this time.

I almost laugh at his predicament.

I decide to try my luck instead. ‘’What about Daisy? Isn’t she there?’’

I held my breath, my hand tightening around the phone.

‘’Umm…Daisy is busy. She had an early hair appointment.’’ He groaned. ‘’Can you come please? I really need you.’’

I released the air I’d been holding and stifled a laughter.

The situation was serious yet laughable.

Daisy would rather not miss her hair appointment than nurse her sick boyfriend. 

But obviously Noah saw nothing wrong in that. 

I guess it was time to keep whatever feeling I had for him at bay. 

He had made it clear when he showed me that ring.

Nothing was ever going to happen between us. 

‘’I’m sorry, Noah. I don’t think I can come over today. Told you I had to work on my report and I’m still sick from yesterday. Not sure I can make it.’’

‘’Right. Work. Okay… see you tomorrow, I guess.’’

We hung up and I spent the next two hours trying to focus on my laptop screen, on my report. 

But it was useless.

The words kept blurring together and Noah’s pathetic, congested voice kept echoeing in my head.

Fuck!

I hated myself for this but the worry was eating me alive.

He needed me.

I slammed my laptop screen and jumped to my feet.

One last time. I’ll bring him the medicine, check if he’s alright and leave.

Thirty minutes later, I walked into Noah’s apartment building with a bowl of hot soup and the strongest cold meds the pharmacy had to offer. 

I used my spare key to quietly unlock the door, not wanting to disturb him if he was sleeping.

But as I walked through the hallways to his bedroom, I realized he wasn’t asleep.

And he wasn’t alone.

Daisy’s voice drifted out from the cracked bedroom door, cold and annoyed. ‘’Noah, it’s starting to get really annoying. I just don’t get why you still keep that nerd around. She follows you around like a lost puppy. It almost seem like she’s the one you’re dating, not me.’’

I froze in the hallway, the bag of medicine heavy in my hand. I held my breath, waiting and anticipating Noah’s response.

For him to tell her that I wasn’t a lost puppy. I was his best friend and he values me much more than she imagined.  

Instead, a cruel, mocking laughter echoed from the room. 

Noah’s laughter.

‘’Oh, come on, babe. Don’t be jealous of her.’’ Noah said, his voice dripping with amusement. ‘’She’s just a pathetic dork who’s been obsessed with me for years. It’s actually quite hilarious.’’

My heart stopped.

‘’Wait really??’’ Daisy asked, a giggle escaping her lips.

‘’Really. Have you seen the way she dresses? And those dork like glasses? Who would even want to date her?’’ Noah chuckled, completely at ease with tearing every image I had of him to shreds. 

My heart was beating loudly in my chest, my lips quivering.

He continued the assault. ‘’Trust me, she’s completely harmless. I only let her follow me around because she worships the ground I walk on. She’ll do whatever I want. Watch, I bet she’s bringing me medicine right now.’’