One Way Ticket | a love story

Chapter Ten

-Help me out, please. - I didn't realize what it meant until two guys came to the table and he looked directly at me. Then it hit me. It was him that she needed help with.

-So you've switched onto the seniors? You just arrived and are already jumping on him? What is she to you, Noah? - He was staring at her, then his eyes landed on mine.

I didn't break eye contact we were holding as I grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to myself. Her hands quickly caught onto my arm and I felt her gulp against my shoulder. Her hands trembled while laying against my arm. I could sense how scared she was of this guy. Who knows what he has done to her. Maybe he was the reason she was crying and having an attack in the library yesterday.

- I believe she already made it clear to you, but we're dating. Now leave and let me eat in peace. - My tone was cold, colder than what I was used to hearing from myself.

-I thought you didn't like skin contact... Anyway, she was with me before she was with you, so give her to me. - His 12-year-old attitude was slowly pushing me to the edge. - Or should I get her myself?

- Stop acting like a kid, she's not one of the toys you grab, sleep with and push away, or an object you are allowed to drag around like a leashed dog. She's a human being, more importantly, a woman. How would you feel if your mother was treated like that? If your sister had to drink pills because of some guy's actions.

I got up, pulling her along, now holding her arm and pushed her behind me slightly. Her body remained hidden behind mine as I eyed him who was quite a lot shorter than me. 

- Oh so you want to fight now? - His words were getting more aggressive and I was not liking that.

But his aggression was more oriented towards me, the opponent, and not towards the prey, which was in this case named Mona. The look in his eyes told me he wanted to defeat me in a way and show the rest of the school I'm weak or whatever. I spoke up again: 

-No, I do not want to fight. Leave the girl alone, she has her own life and her own damn problems without you bothering her and thinking she could ever like someone like you.

The anger that was built up inside of his bubble finally came out and he went for the first punch. As he swung his arm towards my face, I pulled him back by it, twisting it in his elbow and pinned him down to the table. Unfortunately for me, his face fell right into my lunch. And to my surprise, everyone in the cafeteria was quiet and watching the scene, I also saw one of the students was recording. 

The guy groaned under my grip, using his legs to try and hit me from underneath but with each little move of mine, his groans were louder. 

- Now, promise me you'll leave her alone and I'll think about letting you go. If I see you around her again, I won't be as nice as I am right now. On the other hand, if you bring her flowers every single week, you might earn my forgiveness. Next time, I will beat your coward ass up. - My hand pulled at his hair, pulling it back to see his face. Now the words I heard before hit me. 

I am scary when I'm angry.

-Okay, okay, just let go of me! I promise! I promise, Noah!! - He said through a whine and I let go of him. With a thud his body hit the floor, but he got up and ran off with his friends, rice falling off of his face on the way.

A long sigh left my mouth, carrying relief and anger away. I looked over at Mona and she hugged me tightly. She wasn't crying, but I could tell she got scared by the light squeeze she had on my shirt. I glanced around the cafeteria and rubbed her head gently, standing in the hug for a few seconds then pulling away. Afterwards, I left to grab new plates of food for both Mona and myself. Everyone started talking again a few minutes later. Now I was for sure going to be popular because of what I'd done. She will see it and think that I have a girlfriend and I might've just lost all the chances I had in being with her. If I ever had any.

But I wasn't going to give up that easily. I was gonna make her mine under any circumstances.

Mona ate her food and soon left the cafeteria. Lunch was over and everyone left for their lessons, including me. I heard a voice behind me talking about who I was. Since everyone knows who I am, who could be the one who doesn't know me besides my library girl? She was behind me and her voice was melting in my ears. Her simple phrase 'Who's that?' made me love her even more. That means she surely saw the scene with Mona. But I just hope that she didn't see the moment when Mona placed her lips on my cheek. That would be awkward and who knows if she would believe it was her call for help.

I followed the teacher as he held the lesson about money management. But behind me, I was hearing the most angelic voice. Her comments on something were quiet and I couldn't hear them, but the sound was so mesmerising. She has a slight french accent and for me, it was a beautiful language I wanted to learn and use in my books in the future. Maybe when I learn French, I will be more confident in speaking multiple languages fluently. While taking my notes, I thought about Paris and my visit there two years ago. 

When I enjoyed croissants and coffee with Liam in the early morning, when we walked through the streets, talking and taking pictures everywhere of each other, together and of the buildings themselves. It was one of the best trips I have ever gone on and I'm happy it was with Liam. Sometimes the amount of time we spent together wipes away from my mind and I feel like we only now met and clicked immediately.

- Mr. Smidt, could you tell me what is the capital city of Luxembourg? - The teacher spoke up and I raised my head, looking at him.

Yes, my full name is Noah Smidt, like a smith, yes... My family is very much german and holds onto the traditional surnames.

- Luxembourg city. - Not even a second later my answer reached his ears.

- Of China? - Beijing. - Afghanistan? - Kabul.

- Very well. What was the lesson about? - His stare burned into my eyes but I returned one just as intense.

- Control of money during investments. - I leaned back into my chair and proceeded to move hair out of my face.

To my answer, the teacher nodded and continued teaching, getting back where he was just before his questioning of me started.

- He's smart. - I heard her voice behind me, my attention drifting to her voice immediately.

A smile crept up on my face and blush tinted my cheeks. My library girl said I'm smart... woah, this feeling is something else. Feels like I'm laying in the clouds. A message arrived on my phone. I opened it during the lesson and sighed quietly to not alert the teacher again.

new message from John: Come outside, we need to talk. It's important.

What's wrong? I have 20 more minutes of class, I can't leave. 

Wait a bit.

Okay, see you soon.

I was so nervous for the rest of the lesson and the packing of my bag felt like hours. As I moved through the hallway, I looked around in hopes of avoiding him and the problems I forgot for a bit, but he was standing right in front, waiting for me.