The Musical Love Story of Noah and Lisa

Chapter 37: Lisa

"Hey, you guys are finally here! We were starting to get so worried, we thought you would bail on us! I was so upset, that I- I nearly cried, Elizabeth!" Etienne said, being his usual dramatic self. To play along, I put a hand on my chest and gasped,
"How could you even think that Etienne? I could never!"
"Oh, Lisa, you have no idea how much that means to me!"
Unable to contain my laughter, I began laughing. My laughter was perhaps contagious, since soon, around me, everybody was laughing. Well, everyone except Noah, who was frowning at Etienne as though he had just swallowed a fly. I signalled to him and mouthed ,"What?" He shook his head and then started fiddling with the strap of his guitar. I realised something was wrong but decided to ask him later.

As everyone was setting up their instruments and arranging everything, Etienne who was just going to sing, came to me. "So, did your parents agree?"
For a second, I didn't understand what he was talking about.
"What?"
"For the Oxford programme?"
"Oh, yes they did! I am still not sure though, because I don't really have many ideas right now..."
"Don't worry, you'll come up with something. And, well, if you don't, you can always write about me, you know? The fact that your friend, a.k.a, me, is so good and kind to you."
"Well, that's an idea." I said, smiling. "Anyhow, I think you should get on the stage. It's almost nine."
"Yeah, I better go. Don't worry, I am sure you'll come up with something." I nodded and offered a small smile in return.

Etienne went up on a small wooden platform, with metal lined on the sides, and a bright light adorned the wall behind, disguised as a lantern. He took hold of the mic, and introduced the band,
"Hey everybody! Hope you're all having a very lovely day and a very lovely dinner. We are the Beat Busters, and we will be entertaining you tonight! Our guitarist tonight is Noah, the bass guitarist Daniel, our pianist Ravi, drummer Zach and I am Etienne, the lead singer. Our first song tonight is The Reason by Hoobastank."

And so the guys started playing. Noah was.... amazing. There's no other way to say it, he was just amazing. It felt like he came to life when he played the guitar. I, and the rest of the audience too were mesmerized by his skills on the guitar.
Ravi, Daniel, Zach and Etienne were amazing as well. After about three quarters of an hour, Etienne spoke into the microphone, "It's time for a short break,we will be back in 5."

"You guys were amazing!!!" I exclaimed as soon as they got off the platform. All of them were grinning and Etienne bowed as he said, "Why, thank you."

Everyone dispersed as they went to drink water. I realised that I needed to pee, and so I went into the restroom.
When I entered, I saw two guys kissing. I didn't pay much attention, until I realised it was... Etienne and Ravi. Without thinking a gasp escaped my mouth. They stopped kissing and looked at me as Etienne said, "Ah, shit." Ravi looked flushed and he started fidgeting, a sign of nervousness.

"Um, I am sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, I just needed to use the restroom. I , erm, was just taken by surprise. And I am gonna go now."

"Lisa! Wait!" Etienne said, as I turned. To Ravi, he said, "Go on, don't worry, I'll take care of it."
As Ravi left, I asked him, "So, you are gay?"
"Yeah, well, I, uh, am. And my parents know but Ravi's don't, so to be safe I don't tell anyone."
"Oh."
"Yeah, his parents are sorta homophobic. Most Indians are actually. It's a fact, I am not like disrespecting them."
I nodded, I knew this.
"So, um, could you maybe not tell the others? Not even Noah."
"Yeah, sure. But... what about your girlfriend?" A smile spread on his lips as realisation dawned on me. "There was no girlfriend, right?" I asked him. He nodded.

***

The night came to an end at around 11. The guys collected their payment from the manager and bid him good night. All of us walked outside together talking and laughing, happy about the night.

All of us were eager to home as well, as it had been a tiring night, especially for the guys. Etienne and Ravi rode back together (I smiled mischievously at Etienne, who blushed harder than I had ever seen him blush), Zach and Daniel were roommates, so they went together, leaving me and Noah.
Once we were comfortably seated at the back of the car, I asked Noah if everything was alright since he seemed a little down.
"You tell me." He said, sounding a little passive aggressive.
"Um, I don't know?" I ventured.
"Well, you couldn't take your eyes off Etienne at all, could you?" I rolled my eyes as my ears couldn't believe the words Noah was saying.
"Are you being serious right now? We are literally just friends. I have literally liked you for a longer time than him. Sure, I had a crush on him when we were not dating, but my feelings were stronger for you. He was just a crush, but you, I love you Noah. At least when you are not being unnecessarily jealous. And you know I love you."
Noah seemed ashamed of himself and had a momentary loss of words.
"But it's not entirely my fault, is it? You are so sweet, charming, beautiful, anyone could fall for you. And you could date him, instead of me." Before he could say another word, I cut him off,
"But you are the one I chose, aren't you? Of all the guys I could date in the school, you are the one I chose."
"Well, I suppose you are right. I am sorry for being so silly all night." He said, sheepishly.
"Well, you can make up by buying me a chocolate truffle pastry." I said, since I was on my period, and was really really craving something tasty.
"Wow, that was pretty out of the blue. Where will we get a pastry at this hour of the night?" Noah asked, his eyes wide.
"I don't know! I am menstruating and I really need a pastry! Or something super chocolaty." I said, indignant.
"Alright, alright calm down! Just let me search for something, alright?" He said, and tapped his phone open.
"Thank you." I replied. I was so touched that he didn't freak out when I said I was menstruating, and he understood my craving.
"Take a left from here. There's a bakery that's miraculously open till midnight. And hurry." He instructed the driver. He then laced his hand in mine, something that some may say was unnecessary, but I realised was his way of saying that he was there for me.

We reached the bakery in fifteen minutes, and they were just closing when Noah went in to buy me a pastry.
When he returned to the car, he had not one, but two pastries.
"Oh, but you shouldn't have! Now, I' ll gain weight, and it will all be your fault."
"I am alright with that. Now eat to your heart's content." He said, fondly.

I ate the two pastries (which were so amazing), and thanked the divine forces for the wonderful boyfriend I had.
"Thank you so much, Noah."
"Oh, it's alright." He said, shaking it off.
"No, I am serious. Thank you." I said, looking into his eyes, and kissing him on the cheek.
"Aww, well who else would have you asked?" He said, lovingly.
"Hmm... I don't know, Etienne?" I said, laughing. Noah shook his head and hit me on my arm, playfully.
"I love you." I said, to him, meaning it now more than ever.
"Well, look at how easily you are bought, all I needed was two pastries. Huh." He said, a teasing smile on his face.

***

Noah walked me to my doorstep, and I asked him if his mom was still there. He told me that she had to leave, but she was coming for lunch the next day. I bid him goodnight, we kissed briefly, and I felt my heart swell up, wishing I could live in this moment forever.

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Yes, I know, I went MIA again. But well, once again, I am attempting to start writing the novel, we are hopefully less than 10 chapters from the end! The end is in my head already, and there's no way that I don't finish this. So, yes, stay tuned!