One Way Ticket | a love story

Chapter Thirteen

I felt guilt building up inside of me. John and Layla definitely deserved this, but Mona and Liam didn't do many wrong things. Instead of reading other messages, I texted Mona 'Meet me at Starbucks at 7 pm.' and then sent the same message to Liam. Other ones didn't really bother me, so I didn't check them. The clock stroke 4 pm and I was done eating so I took a taxi to the gym to work out for a bit. First up as running on the treadmill, then deadlifting and climbing stairs. The music playing in the gym wasn't as satisfying as one in my headphones which blocked all the other sounds. 

As I ran, I breathed out slowly and stared ahead of myself, listening to the melody and thinking about everything that has happened in the last few days even though I promised I wouldn't. But here comes my second distraction. He was looking at me from afar, staring at me while lifting his weights.

Since I already knew him, I looked directly into his eyes, and that's when he froze in his spot, holding the weight and eye contact with me. My legs continued moving to run on the treadmill so I wouldn't fall and break my nose, but I didn't break eye contact either. As the meter counted five kilometers, I slowed it down and got off, drinking water and breaking eye contact in the meantime. I felt his aura getting closer to me until he stood in front of me, his tense muscles flexed and shown. He thought I would get scared, but my face remained the same.

- Do you need something? - I asked him, acting dumb and tilted my head a little.

- Yes, I need you to stay the fuck away from my girlfriend. - He growled at me and pushed my shoulder. I moved back, not wanting to fight back just yet.

-Sorry, but I don't think she goes out with growling jealous dogs like you. I'm more of a peaceful bear. I'd say I am more of her type than you. - A smirk stuck itself on my face, my eyes half-closed as I watched him.

-I will fucking kill you Noah. Be ready because when I catch you, I will rip your arms out and leave you to die. - He warned, the dominant energy radiating out of him.

-Okay. - I shrugged as I said that. - Why not right now?

He paused, looking at me. Flames were lit in his eyes, showing a wave of hate he was silently sending my way. But I wasn't showing any emotion like him. But he didn't hit me or anything, just stood in silence and stared at me.

- Since you won't do anything, I will continue working out now. - I moved away to the bigger weights and started lifting a hundred without much problem, just to warm up my arms before moving on to a bit heavier and soon felt a bit tired of that. Then decided to finish the day with stairs and after around twenty minutes of climbing, I got off and went into the changing room. I showered in one of the stalls, wearing some slippers to avoid fungus on the shower floor.

After finishing, I got dressed in the clothes I brought along. It was a shirt and sweatpants over which I pulled my jacket on and started walking to the Starbucks. The clock on my phone showed 6:45 pm. 

Both Mona and Liam were there when I arrived. When I was at the entrance to the Starbucks, Liam noticed me first before I noticed him. He ran out of the cafe and hugged me tightly around my neck, to which I hugged him back as tightly. I wrapped my arms around his waist and stumbled back from his weight pressed against my body. But it made me smile a lot, knowing that he meant that he was sorry.

- I forgive you, don't be worried. - I whispered and rubbed his back gently, my eyes half-closed due to the tiredness I was feeling from all of today's activities.

-Thank you so much Noah... - He sounded as if he was holding on from saying something but I shrugged it off and went inside with him once I noticed he didn't have a jacket on.

Mona looked up at me and her eyes sparkled and she got up, hugging me as my arms opened for her. She couldn't hold back the excitement and giggled against my chest, which made me notice how Liam was looking at her. We pulled away and I sat down next to Liam, crossing my legs and leaning back on the seat. They were both looking at me, expecting me to say something even though nothing was coming to my mind and all the words were stuck in my throat. But something managed to come out. 

- I forgive both of you but I need to know the truth. - I admitted and they both relaxed in their seats at the first part of my sentence, small smiles across their faces.

The waiter came over to us and asked us what we would order. - I will have a matcha tea latte. - An iced passion tango. - I'll have a white hot chocolate. - We ordered and the waiter nodded before leaving.

-Where were you all day? - Liam asked me to try and change the subject and I told him everything I saw and visited today including the guy at the gym. He sighed and Mona was left puzzled.

-I'm sorry for that thing at the cafeteria, I didn't want to drag you into anything-. - I interrupted her and shook my head. - It's okay, I'm glad I helped. - Blood hit her face and she was red. Her eyes moved away from mine and out the window.

- He's just such a big asshole, he controls my life all the time, he just can't get over the fact that we aren't together anymore. I tried to explain it to him but he never listens or understands.

Our drinks soon arrived and we talked about going to Liam's place to hang out tomorrow. First I had to catch up on my lessons which were posted online, at least that's what my phone had announced in the notifications.

- Can you tell me the truth now? - I spoke quietly and bit my lip, leaning forward while fiddling with the straw of my drink.

- Yeah, I'll tell you. - Mona started first after a good minute of silence. - Layla was in the bathroom with you and she did give you a hickey. We have been enemies since I arrived to this school. Now she's trying to blame you for making her pregnant even though you guys didn't even have sex. It's all because she's trying to ruin your friendship with John. She cheated on him.

- Noah, I would never stop being your friend, not because of some stupid girl. - Liam stared at me, his voice shaky as he spoke.

- I know. - I nodded and looked outside. - I am really tired now. This has all been too much for me.

I sighed and finished my drink. We agreed to meet up and sleep over at Liam's place tomorrow. It was dark outside. They both seemed tired, and so was I but tried not to show it.