Kissing Booth: Another Take

Chapter 34

Elle

I was grateful to Jake for having the foresight to plan for an 8am run as opposed to a 5am run.

I had still woken up at 5am, and at 2am but I was definitely not in a state ready to run at those times. I don't think Noah would have let me leave the bed at those times anyways. We had some lost time to make up for.

I had made a lot of decisions in my life, some good and some bad. Getting back together with Noah was a major good choice. Applying to Harvard another good choice.

More recently, my choice of switching my contraception from the pill to the implant in my arm that was 99% effective in preventing pregnancy was one of my shining moments. Let's just say when Mrs. Flynn got back, and we caught up on things, I really took her warning about becoming a grandmother too soon to heart.

And this was one of those mornings that I know that choice was so worth it. I wasn't waking up panicking that our activities from the night before would result in a little Flynn. Maybe one day... but way, way, way in the future. I shook my head trying to get rid of my usual spiraling thoughts.

My feet hit the cold floor of Noah's dorm room. I reached down to pick up the shirt that had been discarded during my 2am wake up. I looked at the clock. 7:55. I quickly snuck to the girl's bathroom to brush my teeth before tiptoeing back in to see Noah still huddled under the sheets. I frowned finally seeing how much room I really took up on the bed and sent myself a little reminder that proportionally, I was not being fair.

I rifled through my suitcase finding a sports bra and thicker jogging pants, throwing a jacket over the sports bra knowing it would be chilly this morning but I would warm up quick.

I was so focused on getting dressed quietly to avoid waking Noah that I screamed when I turned around to find him dressed for a run, sitting at his desk putting on his sneakers.

"Jesus woman!" he jumped at my reaction. "What ? What?!" he looked at me bewildered.

"You scared the crap out of me Noah!" I laughed, my hand still at my chest. "What are you doing?"

"What does it look like?" he shot back. He was crabby this morning. "I'm going on a run with you and Jake."

"Oh," I smiled. "That's a nice surprise."

He scoffed. "Come on Evans. You know I can out last both of you," He state cockily, standing up and throwing a sweatshirt over his t shirt, his legs covered only by gym shorts. I bent over to hug my chest into my thighs and hide my eyes rolling at Noah acting like Flynn.

"Sure you can," I said coming back up to stretch twist my arms behind me, loving the stretch it gave me in my chest. His eyes skimmed down to my half zipped jacket. "You look good," he proposed.

I smiled at him as he put a Harvard cap on his head. "So do you," I shot back, the Harvard cap Jake leant me finding its way onto my head.

Noah eyed my hat. "Is that Jake's?"

"He said it looks better on me and I can have it," I shrugged, stretching my side as Noah stretched his hamstrings.

"Harvard looks good on you," he gave me a genuine smile. "He's right, it does look better on you."

He grabbed my hand kissing it. "I'll meet you two in the lobby, I wanna brush," he held up his toothbrush.

Jake

I looked down at my watch that read 8:02 and was surprised when I saw Elle coming down the stairs looking bright eyed and bushy tailed.

"Looking good Evans," I complimented seeing her wearing the hat I had given her.