Noah's Lifeline

Bright lights and Brown eyes

Heyyy! So I realized Lauren didn't have an aesthetic omg. So I added that and edited the last chapter  to match this one- basically a prequel and continuation from her POV. Thank y'all for continuing to add this to your libraries - I have butterflies !!
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Noah's POV

The lights were shining brighter than the last venue I'd been to, but stung my eyes nonetheless. I blinked once and then twice- pretty hard I'll say- to focus on the crowd in front of me as more hungry reporters filed in like pigs to the slaughter.

But you are the one on the chopping block today my subconscious taunted. I grimaced internally at the truth to that sentiment, knowing what came next would only be worse. I needed a distraction from the voice in my head and as of recent I've had one.

After my last intriguing conversation to date, I'd been going to bed the following days feeling a sliver of excitement for the coming dates. This was something I hadn't bothered with in some time and the feeling was unmatched. Despite the growing numbers of eyes zeroed in on me right now, all I could see were her's in the forefront of my mind.

Long, dark lashes engulfing a set of slanted eyes immediately came first. The next standout detail was the sharp almond shape that only enhanced that glitter she had that only comes from genuineness.

Nothing in those doe-like orbs pointed to malice or manipulation in the times we spoke.I never felt like I was under a microscope and subject to fail some sort of test at any time in her eyes. Instead they did something more or less worse : absorbed me.

Especially when they laugh or roll upwards after some wack comment or when you could see the exact moment they'd recalled a memory that brought them back.

At this point, I felt like I simultaneously knew more and nothing about Zahra Joseph and it was frustrating in the best way. I wanted to know the real reason she came into the bar that night and why I've never seen her around campus these last four years. Did she grow up on cartoons or sitcoms? Did she --- no, wait a damn minute.

I blinked again to redirect my train of thought to my actual environment. The lights had gotten no duller and it was starting to make me see things- or someone- when I should be recalling the speed dial of interview-based questions I'd done with the guys hours before.

It wasn't lost on us how much the locals resented the sport and wanted to come up to the podium to curse us to hell and back.

Something like the way the reporters are gearing up to do right about now. The line of mics on the athlete's tables were now lit up red, this was the signal of the flurry of questions we were about to get hit with about the upcoming match.

"The first question is for Mr. Westwood." A stoutly older man said through an obviously congested nose. Allergies are a bitch this time of the year huh ? I thought to myself with a knowing smirk.

I sat up straighter and nodded my head for the man to continue . At this small signal he  halfheartedly cleared his airways and began again.

"In your own words, how prepared do you feel to be back in the ring after your new criminal record? Do you feel any pressure from your sponsors and interested parties to perform?" He fired with the beginnings of a Cheshire grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

This cocky bastard, the fuck kind of question was that? These reporters are the reason I dread coming to these things, they should get a hobby and hop off my dick. Unfortunately, an answer is required for this fat rat.

I ignored every fiber of my being imploring me to jump the stage and show him just how pressured I am. Instead I took half a breath and opted to speak clearly so they would make no mistake of my words.