Before you go // Jonah Marais

Chapter 24: Lunch dates

"We're meant to be on a lunch date, and you're studying," Alex whines from across the table.

"I need to get this finished," I say, looking up. "Just because you leave yours until the last minute."

"Hey, I do not leave them until the last minute," he exclaims.

I sigh, placing my stuff back into my over the shoulder bag. I look at the wrap sitting in front of me. It's half-eaten, messily wrapped in foil. I pick up the wrap biting into it.

"So, you've been here a few months now. How are you finding it?"

"I love it," I smile.

Everything lately has been amazing. After everything happened, Nathan apologised. He not only apologised to me. But he apologised to Jonah for kicking him in his manhood. He apologised to the rest of the boys for being rude. He's been amazing since. Layla and I are closer than ever. I don't enjoy her bringing some guy into our dorm every night to fuck, but we are closer than ever.

I had messaged Nathan to hang out with us, but he told me he was busy with something.

"I knew you would like it here. I missed having my sister around," Alex says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"I missed having my brother around."

I finish my food, placing the rubbish on the table next to my drink. Alex drove us to a cafe he discovered one day. It was a small cafe, but it was cute. Half of the wall is pure, natural brick, the bottom half is painted white. The counter is wooden, matching the tables and chairs.

"Have you heard from Liv lately?" I ask, "I feel like I haven't spoken to her since I left home."

"Not recently. I think Liv and Dylan are working a lot, though," Alex answers.

I nod, sipping from my cup. I haven't got classes for the rest of the day, which is nice. I plan on spending it studying. My English teacher assigned us all an essay, as well as reading A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare by the end of the month.

"Right, I'm going to love you and leave you. I've got shit to do," I announce.

Alex pouts like a little kid, looking at me like a puppy. "Fine, leave me then," he fakes a sniffle. "I'll see you later."

I roll my eyes at his stupidness, roughing up his hair. He groans, swatting my hand away. I pick up my rubbish, throwing it in the trash as I hold my bag on my shoulder. Just as I'm about to enter my car, I realise something. Alex drove here in my car. He has no way back. Sighing, I walk back, inside glaring at him.

" I knew you would come back," he grins.

Alex jumps up from the table, throwing his stuff in the bin before walking out to my car. He opens the door sitting in the driver's seat. Groaning softly, I move over to the passenger side, sitting down throwing Alex the keys.

The drive back to school was fun. We jammed to music I played and laughed at each other's impressions. Alex parks my car in the same car park I do every time. Few students walk around campus, enjoying their lunch. I grab my keys from Alex saying goodbye as we part ways. I walk down the corridor, stopping in front of Layla and I's boring door. Unlocking the door, Layla's music fills my ears.

I try to work around the music. I even asked her to turn it down a few times, but after 20 minutes of getting nowhere, I pack my bag and head for the library. Head down in my English book, I swerve my way through few students. Oomph, I hit someone in the chest, stumbling backwards. I close my eyes waiting to hit the floor. A few seconds passed before I realise I wasn't falling. My eyes open, looking straight up into a pair of greeny-blue eyes. Those greeny-blue eyes I've grown so familiar too.

"You gotta be more careful," Jonah advised.

"I-I'm sorry," I stutter.

He moves one of his hands up to my cheek. I feel myself lean into his touch, before I stop, pulling myself back a little. His other arm sits around my waist, holding me up. His touch brings warmth to my skin, warming me up.

"No need to apologise, Peyton, where were you heading to?" Jonah asks.

"The library," I reveal, holding the book in the air, shaking it a little.

"I'll come with you," he smiles.

Jonah and I walk to the library. In comfortable silence. The library has students scattered around the room, sitting at tables. I look around, looking for somewhere to sit. Jonah takes my hand, leading me to some couches in the corner of the room. I take a seat on one of them, Jonah taking a seat on the other. My head falls back onto the couch as I look around briefly.

My bag sits on the floor. My book laying on my lap. Jonah gets comfortable on his chair, watching me as I start to read again. An hour or so passes, and I can feel my eyelids get droopy.

"Peyton, I know you're tired, but I wanna take you somewhere," Jonah whispers.

I give him a tired smile, picking myself up off the chair. Jonah helps me with my stuff before leading me out to his car. The car ride was nice. Jonah spoke to me the whole time, making sure I didn't fall asleep.

"We're here," Jonah informs me. "Come climb on the roof. You'll love it, I promise."

I follow him onto the roof, looking over to where he points. You could see most of the city from up on this hill. It was amazing. I can already tell I'll be coming here to think. Jonah looks at my expression with a smile on his face.

"I told you, you would love it," He whispers.

"How could I not? This is incredible!" I exclaim, with admiration in my voice.

Jonah and I stay here for what felt like hours. I have my head laid on Jonah's shoulder as I watch the sunset. This is beautiful.