A Neighbouring Romance

10 - mom

Sorry for the delay, I'll get another chapter out later today to make up for this <3

You can find me on instagram @mxdnight.png

Please let me know how you're finding the book so far my loves, enjoy :)

Tyler brings me home at around 8pm, apologizing because he has soccer practice until late. I think it's sweet that he gets out of the car to walk me to the door, hand grazing mine as I look to see if anyone is in. The lights are out so I assume that mom is asleep and dad probably left for work. A twinge of guilt hits me when I realise I've barely seen them both since school started up again. I'll make it up to them.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of a car pulling up, alerting me to another presence. Noah is reversing his Blue Dodge into place and I can't help but notice that Kara's not with him. A swift feeling of smugness washes over me. It doesn't seem like he's actually into her at all, they don't spend time at his place and who separates right after a movie date? I wonder how they got back together but even my mind knows that Kara likely propagated it upon his return.

"Hope?"

"Hmm, sorry." I reply quietly. "What were you saying?"

Tyler eyes Noah as he rummages around in his car and then turns his gaze back to me.

"Nothing, I'll see you at school."

"Ty?"

"Yeah?"

My feet falter when I take a step towards him to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. I don't know why the urge to do so overcomes me, but it felt right in my mind. Tyler seems to appreciate it as he lowers his gaze and smirks, pulling me to him so that my chest is almost touching his. He's smug about it, I can see it in his eyes.

"You look so hot." He whispers, the words lingering in the space between us.

"So do you." I breathe, lips meeting his.

We stay that way for a minute, interlocked on my porch. I completely forgot about my neighbor until a door slams shut outside and he steps out of his car.

I move back and instinctively tuck my hair behind both ears, eyeing him cautiously as he makes his way up the path.

"Sup Tyler?" He jerks his chin upwards in a nod.

"Noah." My boyfriend responds dryly, throwing me off. Tyler used to admire him, they became friends in high school for a little while. As far as I was concerned, they had no impending problems.

"Nice car." Noah adds.

"Thanks man."

There's an awkward tension that still lingers in the air from this encounter. Both boys are staring at one another; it's as if I'm not even here. Tyler's jaw clicks and he turns back to smile at me. It doesn't quite meet his eyes as they flit back to my neighbor before he retreats to his vehicle.

"Bye baby." He yells, not facing me.

Noah scoffs quietly, and I can't help but feel a hot prickle of embarrassment at my boyfriend's endearment. I pretend I don't hear him and wave awkwardly, my arm is still in the air when his car drives away down the street.

My head turns to Noah, who is staring at me with an unusual expression on his face. He appears bemused by my discomfort.

"Enjoy the movie?" I blurt out.

His eyebrow shoots upwards in surprise that I'm acknowledging him. He forgets that I'm not like him, I don't ignore people out of spite. While my words are accidental, it brings me joy toknow that I have an upper hand.