The Prince

Part 9

Noah felt like he should be drinking to get over the week he's had. His brother had thrown a major fit over something stupid that never was his fault. The strained atmosphere at home was becoming stifling and on top of that, his brain was starting to melt from all the schoolwork they were given.

Dragging himself out of school, he begrudgingly started the walk to the bus stop when his friend came running from behind to catch up with him.

"Noah! What's your rush?" he grabbed his shoulder. "Good god, did Death visit you in class or something?"

"What?"

"You're all hunched over, pale skin, dark rings under your eyes... you belong in a horror movie mate. Anyway," he changed topics, "let's go job hunting, maybe we'll get lucky."

"You want to do that today? Can't we start early tomorrow, after I've had a decent night's sleep?" He really felt like death at the moment.

"Okay, okay old man, you get your nap and I'll see you tomorrow. At the shopping precinct near the lake?"

Nodding, Noah started his trek back to the bus stop, when he heard his name called again. With a groan, he briefly turned around before moving on.

"Noah, wait up."

He turned around and watched in surprise as Skye jogged toward him, his flaming head towering above the others. He really was a hottie, he thought watching his tall toned figure appreciatively. But what could he possibly want?

"Hey, do you mind if I walk  to the bus stop with you?" He asked, starting to move off with his hands in his pockets. "Come on, what are you waiting for?" He grabbed Noah's wrist and pulled him along.

"Wait!" He called as he was tugged along. Skye had a surprisingly strong grip and didn't let go of his arm.

"Come on then, what are you waiting for?" He looked behind Noah with a slight frown, turning around to head to the bus stop with Noah in tow.

"Hey Skye," a buxom dark-haired girl stood in front of them with a determined look on her face. "I thought that we could grab some coffee," her group of friends were standing around her like a swarm of bees tending to their queen.

"Sorry, no, I have plans to hang out with him."

"We do?" He squeaked in a small voice. This was his first time hearing this.

"We can join you," she persisted after completely ignoring Noah. "Where are you heading off to?" She smiled sweetly.

"Not this time." He pushed past her, ignoring their scandalous looks, dragging a confused Noah along.

"Are you going to tell me what that was all about?" Noah asked in confusion as they got off the bus.

"They keep pestering me and I needed to get away quickly." He glanced down at Noah, "Sorry I dragged you into this."

"But aren't they part of your fan club?" The group followed him around almost everywhere and it was almost impossible to get near him if one of them were around.

"I'm so over it." He whispered, running his hand through his hair.

"What do you mean?" Skye really seemed bothered by the exchange.

"I don't want to date anyone right now. Is that so hard for everyone to understand?" He sighed coming to a stop at the entrance of the woods.

Wow, that came out of nowhere, Noah thought looking up at Skye. Maybe being a hot guy wasn't all perfume and roses as he thought it'd be. Skye certainly didn't look well and on closer inspection, seemed almost as if the thought of dating nauseated him.