All Chapters of A Yearning Beyond Years: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Noah’s POV: The dining room table was set too perfectly, the kind of setup that screamed, “Company’s over or company is coming .” Silverware sparkled under the light of the chandelier, and wine glasses were filled just enough to feel fancy . I adjusted the collar of my button-down shirt again for what felt like the hundredth time, my jaw clenched tight. I really didn’t want to be here, but I didn’t really have a choice.Sophie sat across from me, her smile a shade too big and her lipstick a shade too vibrant, shining in the glow. Her father, Gerald Matthews, sat next to her like a corporate freaking god. A household name in the world of basketball now, the former professional athlete has friends high up in positions of power and a reputation for making or destroying a young player's careers, so hopefully I will escape. Yup, definitely no chance of that. At the head of the table, I could sense my father's pride and expectation beaming from his eyes as he watched him.“You know, G

Stacey’s POV:The apartment was eerily quiet, just me, myself and I. Chloe had gone to work and my precious baby was in school. How did you agree to relax at home? Like who are you kidding? You don’t know how to relax. I stared blankly at the TV as I flipped through channels for what had to be the fiftieth time ughh. Cooking show. Crime drama. Sitcom reruns. More cooking shows. What is it with cooking shows?Nothing held my attention, but for once, I didn’t mind. The quiet boredom was oddly comforting. No courtrooms. No Liam. No Agatha. No Noah Just… stillness.I curled deeper into the couch, tugging my tank top down and stretching my legs out. Chloe’s advice was great. My “ugliest pajamas” turned out to be my old gray boxer shorts and a faded tank top that hung off one shoulder. No bra. No stress. No pretending. Just me, in my most undone form. Ahh yess free the boobs!!At some point, I waddled into the kitchen and made a lazy cup of tea, stirring in way too much honey because w

Stacey’s POV:I decided to go back to work today, and for some reason I really didn’t want to; my day off yesterday was amazing and surprisingly relaxing… But now! Now I have to go back to work and earn money or something.“Are you ready?” Chloe asked to adjust her suit.I rolled my eyes. “I don’t want to go; can’t I just stay home?”She chuckled softly, reaching for the keys. “So you can stay with your so-called friend again?” She curled up her index and middle fingers to emphasize the friend in her sentence.My face turned red uncontrollably. “He’s just my friend, Chloe; don’t put air quotes.”“If you say so… can we go now?” I finished up with a ponytail, which went great with the red dress I wore. “Yeah, let’s go.” We stepped out and got into the car, and soon we were on our way. “So are you sure you’re going to be able to keep it cool in school?” I was applying some lipstick, using the rearview mirror as help. “What do you mean?”Chloe rolled her eyes in annoyance. “You kno

Stacey’s POV:We came back from the movies talking about how great the movie was. “You almost cried!!” Noah said, holding the steering wheel. “Well, it was kind of sad how it almost ended, but I loved it.” He stole a side glance. “I thought you would.”I smiled to the side, trying to hide my blush yet again.I leaned back into the seat, still feeling warm from the movie and from him, when I casually glanced down at the time on my phone.6:00 PM.My eyes widened slightly. “Oh shoot… Chloe was supposed to pick me up at six.”Noah glanced over again. “You told her where?”“Campus library,” I muttered, already grabbing my phone.He shook his head with a soft laugh. “You’ve been with me for hours, and she’s probably driving around like a maniac.”“She’s definitely going to kill me,” I said, unlocking my phone.“No, she’s not. Call her,” he said, already switching lanes. “Tell her not to worry; I’ll drop you off.”I looked over at him. “Are you sure?”He raised an eyebrow like it was the

Noah’s POV:After our little basketball “date”, came to an end, Stacey and I had to part ways. On my way home, I couldn’t stop thinking about Stacey. She truly was amazing…I love how she laughs, talks, and how she walks.I was still in my little headspace when my phone’s ringtone brought me back to reality. It was Sophie. She had been calling non stop these days. I decided not to pick her call yet.I went back home completely exhausted. I was staying at my parents house for the week instead of my place.“helloooo!!” I called. “Is anybody home?” The house was eerily quiet.Realizing no one was home, I went straight to my room, the lights were off and I was certain I left them on, “probably mum switched it off before going out”Turning on the light, a Picture of my parents was the first thing to welcome me. That picture was taken when I was little and that was the first time I played basketball in my school where I turned out to be the star of the show as usual.The memories reminded