CHAPTER FOUR

NOAH

I blinked but my eyes was still heavy from sleep or whatever this feeling was. Tiredness? Confusion? I can't tell.

All I remembered was stopping at the bar to have a drink because I had received the same message from my parents. The same excuse they gave me every year since kindergarten.

Everything else that happened after that was a blur except the brutal hands of the security men who held onto me. I could still feel their nails. Damn! Couldn't the cut it off?

And leela… I groaned. Where was I?

I tried to sit up but my vision was hazy, the world was spinning.

“Argh” i groaned but it only came out like a whisper.

Headache. It throbbed, hard.

Then I saw the familiar photo on the wall, the scent of Liam’s perfume and my brows gathered.

“Liam?” I called out, not seeing him anywhere.

Finally, I felt my hands, I could sit up with my hands clutching the bed frame.

“You are awake?” His voice sauntered through. I strained my eyes to see him clearly. He was dressed in a black robe. Always black. Dark hair, eyes that always observed with lips that never opened unless necessary.

I would never tell him this but he looked handsome as fuck, so sad he didn't even pay attention to the girls that fawned over him.

“Please tell me I didn't mess up” I croaked and slowly slide off the bed, my hands still placed on my forehead.

He didn't answer. He just stared at me with his expression tight.

Strange.

“You…you don't remember anything?” He asked, voice low.

I sat for a while trying to recall.

The only thing I recalled was my mother's text message of how they couldn't return to Orleans for another year. It has always been like this. Always. It's funny how I still expect them to change and perhaps acknowledge me one day.

“Nothing about how I returned here” I replied and I noticed as his eyes deemed like I had snatched something important from him, “ tell me really, what did I do at the bar?”

“Enough to keep you single for a decade” he replied and raked his fingers through his hair.

“Hah! Ridiculous. It couldn't be that bad, yeah?” I asked, and he handed me a glass of water.

“Why did you get drunk?” He asked, ignoring my questions.

My hands tightened around the glass but I downed the water in one gulp, while thinking of a suitable answer. I didn't want to tell him that my parents bailed on me again.

“Liam” I called out and his gaze which was resting on the cup in my hand fell on my face, “it wasn't that bad right? I mean, did you find me with Leela?” I asked, trying not to answer the question while also trying to recall what happened last night.

“I remember…” I trailed, noticing how he tensed with brows furrowed. “Forget it” i waved not wanting to make him uncomfortable with my love life.

“Do you … love her?” He suddenly asked and I snapped my head towards him.

Why did he sound off suddenly?

I exhaled and stood up but my body swayed slightly as I felt my legs loose their grip on the ground. I fell backwards but before I could hit the bed, Liam ate up the distance between us and wrapped his hand around me.

Hot breaths. Close. So close.

“Do you love her?” He asked again, his lips inches away from mine. Eyes boring directly into me.

I hissed, then steadied myself, and kicked him in the groin. He groaned and instantly leaned away, his expression grim.

I made a ‘phew’ sound and wiped my cloth like it was stained.

“She doesn't seem all that bad, so I could give it a try with her” I said and walked towards the bathroom.

"And uh, sorry man, just allergic to you being so close”

He scoffed and stood up like I hadn't kicked him brutally. “Remind me when there is a thunderstorm again” he said and i grinned.

Well, I had fear of thunderstorms and also an habit of cuddling him when there was one.

I opened the door then paused and turned around, his gaze was still fixed on me.

“Got any lectures today?” I asked. He paused, glanced at his phone then shook his head.

“Will pass, I have something to do”

“What?”

“Just a job, I need money” he replied and I mouthed an ‘oh”.

A few hours later, I walked out of the apartment leaving Liam who was still getting ready. On a normal day, I would wait for him but right now, after the text message from my friends that their was an impromptu test this morning, i couldn't wait.

It didn't take long I stood before the college. It was vast. Different buildings for classes and also dorms, then trees that lined up in a neat track with a major parking lot.

Funny enough, this school was made for the wealthy and smart. I fell in-between while Liam was just the smart ass who got a scholarship. Thinking of him now, I couldn't help but admire him, even as an orphan, he didn't give up, he worked towards his goals.

“Noah!” I heard three male voice call out at the same time. I turned and found my friend waving at me. Billy, Aiden and Ethan. They were all scholarship student and we all majored in theatre arts.

I walked towards them, hands tucked in my pocket. Ethan looked hot with his messy hair and his flown out shirt, while Billy and Aiden looked like they were trying hard to maintain a straight expression.

“It better be true,” i gritted out, staring hard at them. Billy and Aiden pulsed their lips and turned to look at Ethan.

Ethan grinned awkwardly, then wrapped his hand around my neck and pulled me closer while we walked into the college building.

“About the test, well....it was a lie,” he confessed and I turned to look at him, my lips pressed tight. I wanted to punch him so badly. I mean I could have slept longer than rushing out for some superficial test.

“Wait, wait,” he immediately pleaded, noticing my murderous gaze.

“Look, I got you an opportunity. The college filming team chose you for an upcoming gay romance play. That way, getting a role in the future won’t be so hard for you!” he squealed like it was the best news ever.

I paused as the words slowly registered in my head. My eyes widened

“Are you crazy?! I'm not gay!”

Almost everyone that passed turned to look at us. Ethan froze, then scratched his hair awkwardly.

“Why couldn't they choose you?” I added, voice tight.

“Well….” He trailed then turned to look at Aiden who immediately shrank back alongside Billy.

My pupils contracted.

“Well, what?!”

“I already signed in your name,” he dropped and I froze.

“Are you crazy?!”