The Kissing Booth: New Love

Chapter 14

Noah

Elle and I are singing along with her favorite song on the car ride to school.  I'm not just humming along, like I would normally do with a song I like, I'm full on belting the lyrics out.  If any of my friends could see me now, I would get so much crap from them, but the giggle I'm getting from Elle means a lot more to me than the image my friends have of me. I've never been one to let loose like this but for some reason when I'm around Elle, I feel comfortable enough to do it. 

At the last stop sign before school, I lean over to Elle for a final kiss before we get to school.  As soon as we pull into the parking lot, we go back to acting as if we aren't crazy about each other.  After our talk the other night, I was hoping things would change and Elle would be ready to tell everyone, well, really tell Lee because he is the only reason we can't be a couple in public.  I never felt like this thing between Elle and me was going to fade away quickly but now that we know we love each other, it seems stupid to keep it a secret. 

We spent a blissful week of perfect days enjoying our newfound, or really newly announced, love for each other. We spent every second we could together.  Everything was perfect in our little bubble, until it popped and it was time for us to deal with everyone else.  Once the bubble popped, everything started to hit at once.

It started when I got to my locker that morning.  I was still in a good mood from spending time with Elle before school.  I was humming the song we had been singing in my car trying to keep the very un-Flynn like grin off my face, when I looked up from my locker and saw Kendra standing in front of me with a vicious looking smile planted on her face.

"Noah, we need to talk."

"Sorry, Kendra, I have to get to class."  I was playing nice, but I had no time for this girl.

"You'll want to hear this.  Meet me at lunch."

"I don't think that is a good idea."  I slammed my locker shut and started to walk away.  She wasn't taking the hint and I wanted to make it obvious I had no feelings for her.

"I have some questions about you and Elle Evans."  That stopped me in my tracks.  I slowly turned around and the expression on Kendra's face made it obvious she could tell she hit a nerve with that comment.  I tried to control my reaction and appear impassive, but I'm worried she noticed my initial apprehension.

"I don't know what you would need to know about Elle, but you should probably ask her or my brother."  I left it at that and walked away.

I worried about Kendra all morning.  I thought about texting Elle but decided I should talk to Kendra before making Elle worry. I left myself open for Kendra to corner me again at lunch.  I needed to find out what she knew about me and Elle but I didn't want to make it obvious that I wanted to talk to her.  When she dragged me out of the cafeteria, I found myself wishing I would have at least given Elle a heads up.  I hope she didn't see me leave with Kendra. The last thing I want is her getting jealous because of this unwanted meeting.

As soon as we made it to an empty hallway, I stopped, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible, "So, Kendra, what's up?"

"That's what I wanted to ask you.  What is going on with you and Elle Evans?"

"Nothing."  I don't want to give anything away, so I try to keep my responses short and simple.

"Did you leave Chris' party with her?"

"No."

"Noah, you both disappeared at the same time in the middle of the party, then I watched you walk out of the party right behind her."