Grown to hate

Chapter 18: A day out

Sun rays hit the back of Noelle's head. The girl snuggled into the thin sheet and dug her face into the pillow. She heard the door open and glanced at who entered.
Asta's eyes met with Noelle's and he waved. "I see you were still asleep." He said.
Noelle sat up and turned to the boy. "Did you end the deal?" She asked.
"Of course I did." Asta responded. The boy slipped his boots off and sat beside the girl.
"What did you two talk about?" Noelle asked.
Asta bit down on his lip. "Just training stuff and he asked how you were doing." He said.
Noelle sighed and wrapped her arms around the boy. "Sounds boring." She said as her voice cracked.
Asta felt the girl plant her face on his arm and sob. His sleeve dampened and he looked down and stroked the girl's head.
"Why cry?" He asked.
Noelle shook her head and pushed herself away. "I just had to let it out." She said.
     Asta took a deep breath and hugged the girl's waist. "You can be vulnerable with me whenever you like." He whispered into her ear.
     Noelle felt a chill go down her spine and she instinctively latched tightly onto the boy. The girl's mind was flooded with an overwhelming amount of emotions. She unconsciously placed her hand on Asta's thigh and slowly rubbed it. The boy's face had become flushed and he glanced at the girl's eyes. He saw something he had never seen before, but it caused something inside him to ignite. The girl slowly brought her face closer to his, but the boy jumped up from the bed and let out a nervous chuckle.
     "I think it's time for breakfast." He said with his voice in a higher pitch than normal.
     Noelle snapped back to her senses, but a horrible yet familiar feeling resonated in her heart. She bit her lip and forced out a chuckle.
     "I think so too." The girl stood up and left the room before the boy got the chance to speak with her another time.
     Asta watched Noelle leave, and the boy placed his hand over his chest. He felt his heart thumping, but his conscious was filled with guilt.
What the hell just happened? Liebe asked.
Nothing. Nothing happened. Asta responded.
So I didn't miss much, Liebe yawned. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think sleeping in the grimoire is quite comfortable. After your little sleepover with Noelle, I started to consider sleeping too. This shit feels nice. Liebe said.
     Asta furrowed his brows. So you weren't awake when I met up with Nozel? The boy asked.
Nope. Why? What happened? Liebe asked.
I ended the deal. That's what happened. Asta replied.
Oh, damn. All just for that suicidal and deranged girl? You shouldn't do everything just for a girl who you think is pretty. Liebe said.
     Asta clenched his fists. She's not deranged and what happened yesterday was only because she was going through so much. Noelle is precious to me and she makes me realize that life is more than just revenge. He said.
What's it about then?
     It's about love. I need to make her feel loved so she doesn't end up like me. Asta said.
     Liebe's laugh echoed within the boy's mind. I doubt a girl like her knows a single thing about what love is like. She'll take any small act of kindness and call that love. She's fucked up. Admit it. The devil said.
     Asta grit his teeth. He pulled out his grimoire and chucked it across his room. Without any hesitation, he walked out and hurried downstairs where he met most of his squad mates.
     "Asta!" Finral scurried his way to the boy.
     "What is it?" Asta asked.
     "Please reconsider." Finral said.
     "No. I already have plans for tonight." Asta said.
     "Plans with who?"
     "Noelle. I promised to take her out tonight."
     Finral sighed and snapped his head at Magna. "If the mixer fails then I blame you." He said.
     "I can live with that." Asta walked away and went into the kitchen.

Noelle slowly entered the bath and closed her eyes. She sighed as she felt the hot water soothe her nerves. Steam condensed on her hair making it wet. The girl sunk deeper into the water leaving her nose above the water.
     "Hey Noelle." Vanessa's voice startled the girl.
Noelle jumped up, poking her head up. "Vanessa? You're taking a bath too?" She asked.
"Why else would I be here?" Vanessa unraveled the towel that kept her covered and jumped into the water.
Noelle blocked the water from splashing onto her face, and grunted before giving the woman a stern glare. Vanessa sunk herself into the water and let out a sigh of relief. She glanced at the girl who had a sour look on her face.
"Why the angry face?" She asked.
Noelle huffed and laid her back on the wall behind her. "You could have entered more gently." She said.
"Well, I could have." Vanessa pushed herself to get closer to the girl and sat beside her.
"Why are you getting so close?" Noelle asked as she slowly inched away from the woman.
"I thought you might've needed some company." The woman replied.
"I don't need any company." Noelle said.
"Not even for the nights?" Vanessa asked with a sly smile.
Noelle furrowed her brows and chewed the inside of her cheek. "What?"
"Oh don't play dumb with me. I saw you leaving your room last night." Vanessa said.
Noelle's heart thumped and her face had heated up. "I didn't leave my room last night." She looked away avoided the woman's gaze.
"I guess I must've been dreaming. You're not that bold I guess." Vanessa said.
A few minutes had flew by and Noelle felt a tension in the steamy air. She glanced at Vanessa who was tranquilly looking at her nails. The girl reminisced the night and felt her heart drop as the memories came rushing in.
"I went to Asta's room. To talk." Noelle said.
"Sure, just to talk." Vanessa said.
Noelle clenched her fist. "We did nothing. We didn't do anything you're thinking about."
"I'm not thinking of anything. All I know is that you two talked," Vanessa looked away from her nails and stared Noelle straight in the eyes. "I also know that you didn't sleep in your room."
Noelle bit her lip and huffed through her teeth. "What I did is none of your business." Noelle said. She grunted and pulled herself out of the bath.
     Vanessa kept a keen eye on the girl and was taken aback by the scars she saw on the girl's arms. Scars which were quickly hidden as the girl stuck her arms on the towel she wrapped herself with. Noelle's left the bath area with her head down.