Never Know N.S.

Ch.11 "Her"

Parker

After the interview, we all went to chill on the bus. Noah was all held up in his phone, making me wonder what was so important. He doesn't use socials all that often. Nicholas, Nick, and Jolly are all currently talking with my uncle while I just kind of sit alone.

I get up and go into the back of the bus for a leg break. I click the button on the back of my leg to release the hold when I hear the curtains ruffle.

"Come in Uncle M" I say.

The curtains open but it's not my Uncle. It's Noah.

"It's me actually," Noah says.

I roll my eyes and continue tending to my leg.

"You feeling okay?" he asks me.

I shrug my shoulders.

"Parker. I know something is bothering you and it's very obvious" he says.

I stop for a second and turn to him.

"What were you and my uncle talking about earlier before we left the interview?" I ask him.

He chuckles and sits down in front of me.

"I wanna know what I can do to make you feel safe and protected. Your uncle filled me in on the conditions you've been diagnosed with over the years and I wanted to do some research on what to do when one of those is affecting you" he says.

My eyes soften and my heart begins to flutter.

"Why would you wanna do that?" I ask, trying not to show how flattered I am.

He chuckles and takes one of my hands.

"Parker you are going through things I can't even imagine. I know we haven't always gotten along but I wanna do and be better. I don't like how I've been towards you just because of what I went through. You aren't taking your trauma out on me and I shouldn't be doing it either. I'm sorry" he says.

I smile and rub his hand.

"I know you're hurting from what that girl did to you. But I'm not her and I definitely don't plan on becoming her. And I very much appreciate you doing research to find out how to 'handle' me but it's really not necessary. I'm going to be okay, I promise" I tell him.

He smiles back.

"I know. You're really strong but it's not a bad thing to ask for help sometimes" he says.

I chuckle. He takes my other hand, causing me to look up at him.

"I want to be there for you and be right by your side. I wanna help you" he says.

We press our foreheads together as tears well in my eyes.

"I want to get better" I tell him.

"I know love" he says.

–

No One

Miles had heard the conversation between Noah and Parker and he smiled. He hadn't ever really seen his niece so happy to meet someone before. She'd always been so closed off and too herself.

Nicholas could also hear the conversation and he hated it. He was falling for her harder and harder every single day. He wanted to tell her how he felt but he knew it would only complicate things. Complicate his friendship with one of his best friends. Someone he's known for years. It breaks him.

Parker knew she was falling hard for Noah but afraid of what it would mean for not only the rest of the tour but for her friendship with Nicholas. She knows he likes her and she doesn't want to hurt him but she just doesn't like him like that. She has never really felt love or crushes the way that she does for Noah. She'd been hurt and lied too in the past. People saw her as a freak.

Noah had had feelings for people before but nothing even close to what he feels for Parker. He'd only ever read articles and seen interviews about her and the fire that killed her family. He always wanted to meet her as well but he never knew she was literally related to his manager. But he knows that she holds a special place in his heart. He wants Her.

As night begins to fall, they all can't help but wonder what their lives had completely become. With music. Trauma. Pain.

A new life.

–

Parker

As everyone around me sleeps, I can't help but stay in my thoughts.

All these years, I've stayed to myself. Afraid of coming out of my shell and people thinking I was weird. I'd still put a huge smile on my face and pretend like it never bothered me then I'd go home and sob into my pillows for hours. I was constantly in and out of the hospital due to issues with my leg or my lungs or my skin grafts.

I hop out of my bunk and try to quietly hop into the main area to look out the window. I pull out my phone and just scroll through tiktok to try and clear my head. I hear the curtains open to the bunk area to see Noah coming out.

"Hey, you okay?" he asks.

I shake my head. I scoot over for him to sit down next to me.

"I don't feel happy or sad. I just feel kind of numb right now about things. About you. About performing. About music. Like I need a break from everything going on in my life right now" I explain to him.

"I know how you feel. Sometimes I wish I could have that. But once you begin this life, it's hard to have a normal life again" he explains.

I nod.

"I know. Just since we left for tour, I feel... weird" I tell him.

He takes my hand and kisses it. I look down at our hands.

"You should get some sleep" he says.

I shake my head.

"I can't sleep right now. Too much on my mind" I say.

He leans back on the couch and pats his lap. I take that as a sign and lay my head on his lap. He runs his fingers through my hair and just stares down at me. I smile up at me and he slightly smiles back.

"Why am I so afraid to let myself love you?" he asks.

My heart stops. Love me?

I sit up and face him, our faces close.

"Why are you so fucking addicting?" he asks.

I swallow hard as he lays a hand softly on my face. He caresses my cheek with his thumb.

"Why do I want to kiss you and never stop?" he asks.

He's so handsome. So gentle. So kind... Right now...

Will it all go away after a kiss like it normally does? Will he finally stop being such a dick? Will he finally treat me like he likes me?

"Don't kiss me unless you're done treating me like shit. Don't kiss me unless you're done making me your punching bag" I say.

His eyes tear up. He's fighting something and that's when it hits me. I'm not the other one facing unseen demons.

"Fight them off Noah, I'm not her" I tell him.

I scoot closer to him and grab hold of his face. Our lips are so close to one another.

"Fight them. Don't let them win. You are perfect. You are amazing. You are just fighting unseen demons that make you feel like you have to mentally fight off anyone who treats you with kindness. I'm not the girl who broke your heart" I explain.

His eyes turn almost black in the moonlight.

"Why is this so fucking hard?" he asks.

"Because you've been fighting for so long that it's become so natural to push people, important people, away instead of letting them in" I tell him.

He licks his bottom lip while his eyes bounce from mine to my lips.

"Kiss me, Noah. Let all of that hatred and anger out by kissing me" I say.

He pulls me in with a burning passion. Kisses me harder than he ever has before.

(So sorry that this chapter took so long. Been struggling with my own mental health and physical health issues. But it's out. I also saw Bad Omens last night and omg it was the most amazing night)