Noah's Winter

Chapter Seventeen

Noah uncovered my plate and did the same to his. As if on cue, my stomach growled as I took in the fettuccine alfredo. It looked so delicious. I felt embarrassment reach my cheeks and I giggled nervously.

 "Did you make this?"I asked.

 "Me? Oh no I, um, definitely do not cook." He said with a chuckle while shoving a fork full of pasta in to his mouth.

 "Then how..." I raised my eyebrows in questioning. He finished chewing his mouth full of pasta and swallowed.

 "I may have smooth talked the lunch ladies...nothing too serious."He said with a wink.

 "Oh, really? Shall I call you Mr. Smooth now?" I said with a smile. He stared at me in mock horror.

 "Never! I'm only smooth with you." He said with a wild grin.

 "Mhm, heard that, wish I didn't hear that, but I just heard that." I said with a giggle. He paused momentarily and then burst out laughing.

 "What?" I asked my face suddenly hot with embarrassment. 

"What...in the world did you just say?"

 "It's off Pineapple Express. I just quote movies a lot....why are you giving me that look? I won't do it anymore..."

 "No, please don't stop. That's not it...its just cute is all. It adds to you, that you're weird, you know?" I rolled my eyes dramatically,

 "Just eat your food, Mr. Smooth." I looked up from my plate when I heard a fork clatter against a plate.

 "Don't call me that...it makes me sound so..."

 "Dirty? Sorry Mr. Smooth, but I'm not the one charming the lunch ladies for food." I challenged. He crossed his arms over his very defined chest,

 "Fine, if you have to give me such an obnoxious nick name, I get to give you one." I mimicked his movement, crossing my arms at my chest also, 

"Fine." After a few moments his face lit up,

 "Jack."

 "Huh?"

 "I am calling you Jack from now on." My eyes widened in disbelief.

 "Why Jack?!"

 "Because you jack movie lines, it's perfect. So, how do you like the pasta, Jack?" I clenched my jaw tightly but couldn't help the smile that escaped my lips. 

"It's absolutely wonderful, Mr. Smooth." Then we both burst out laughing uncontrollably.

Once we had finished eating our delicious meal we walked hand in hand down the bright hall toward our garden. We slipped outside into the crisp night and I couldn't help the shiver that went up my spine. Fall was about to end and winter would be coming soon. Noah shrugged off his sweater and put it over my shoulders. 

"Thanks" I said.

We walked over to the beige bench and sat down. The moon light was streaming down on us, and it made his eyes look like midnight blue, and they were so beautiful. I glanced at the almost bare oak tree; it was still just as breathtaking as before.

 "This tree is symbolic, for me I mean." Noah looked at me.

 "How so, Jack?" I smiled at him but continued to talk,

 "Well, during the summer it's healthy and in full bloom, but then in the fall the leaves slowly die and disperse, and in the winter they are finally gone, leaving the tree bare. That's me Noah, I was healthy in summer, and the cancer came and it's slowly killing me, now winter is coming and the last leave will finally fall and I'll be gone. It's ironic, you know, I'll be dying in the season I'm named after." I laughed without humor, staring vacantly at the oak tree. Noah shook his head vigorously, catching my attention.

 "Winter, you can't talk like that. You are going to make it. Just like the tree we will come back in full bloom, stronger and healthier."  I smiled sadly at him. 

"You, you will get through this stronger and healthier, I know you will." I said.

"And so will you." He said stubbornly. 

"Noah, I can feel it deep inside my bones, my time is coming." Noah grasped my hand tightly,

 "Winter, please don't talk like that. You need to believe you will make it...I-I can't lose you." His voice cracked and I looked up at him. His expression was filled with anguish. I nodded my head at him and whispered,

 "Okay" I wouldn't put him in pain talking about my death even though I knew my end was coming. Noah cupped my cheek gently and leaned his head in toward mine. I closed my eyes and his soft lips met mine. He pulled away and whispered in my ear,

 "I love you, Winter Jade." I smiled and my heart fluttered in my chest.

"I love you too, Noah Hemsworth." I whispered. I closed my eyes and a single tear rolled down my cheek.