Forest Darling

Chapter 11 - Stranger

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Chapter 11

°Harriet

After about half an hour I finally arrive at the small stream. The birds chirp and the leaves rustle on the treetops. It feels like being in a national geographics documentary on Disney+.

The foliage is abnormally green. The birds make wonderful sounds. It smells fresh and pure as if it had rained and the stream carries clear water from one place to another.

I take off my jacket and put it on one of the stones so I don't have to sit on the bare ground.

I soon get back on track and marsh my way through the forest.

When I arrive home, I realize that my parents are still out. I take some of the leftover pizza and heat it up.

In the between time, I scroll a bit through my phone and wait for Noah to answer and say that he is back home.

When the food is ready, I reheat the water in my bottle, make myself comfortable on the couch and start an episode on Netflix to watch while eating.

°^°

I've already waited 10 minutes outside when Noah finally races down the street.

He only wrote something illegible on What's App last night and I immediately knew that he really drank alcohol for the first time and I also realize that I will experience him with his first hangover ever.

A little gloating smile pushes on my lips because my plan to annoy him the whole ride can begin. He brings the car to a stop with a loud squeak, which makes him wince.

I run to the passenger side and tear open the door.

"Hey my love, how are you on this great day." I say a little louder than necessary.

He holds his hands to his ears and closes his eyes with a painful expression.

"Quieter Harriet. Please turn your volume down."

I laugh a little and slam the door shut with more force than necessary as well.

He glances at me with a look I never seen on Noah before.

"Is your hearing bad? I said be quieter." He snaps.

My smile disappears and I look at him in shock.

So, hangover Noah is no longer a sunshine but more a monster you don't want to wake.

My plan to tease him flies out of the window immediately.

He sees my facial expression and takes me into his arms.

"I'm sorry peachy, my head hurts so bad. No wonder I never drank before." He lets go of me and I begin to caress his head.

Now I feel bad that I was loud on purpose. He looks like a puppy who just fell down the stairs and doesn't know where is up and where is down.

"You look a bit awful. Did you shower? Did you brush your teeth? Did you take a headache pill? I can go back inside and get one for you."

"Thank you. Yes. Yes. Yes. No. I'm fine as long as we whisper." He says while starting the car.

"What was so bad yesterday?"

Right, I have to tell him everything about Ethan's party

"The long version or the short version" Noah asks and I think for a bit.

Long version means I tell everything in detail and he can ask questions about every little element from the story. Short version means I summarize it quickly and he is not allowed to ask any questions.