Listen To Me

chapter 6 ⋆ earn me

Noel

Arden and I grow close quickly, to my surprise. He manages to find me everywhere in the next week leading up to our next Sociology lesson, plying me with questions about random topics, or calling me to play games with him. One day, he made me count the number of red things in the room we were in. Somehow Arden makes it fun, because he's so chaotic.

I initially thought that Arden was Jax's antithesis, but now I'm beginning to realise the similarities between the pair. Jax can light up the sun, but Arden has the sun in his personality. Jax looks golden, like a retriever, whereas Arden resembles a black cat physically, despite his sunny outlook on life. Arden is more subtle than Jax, but I can easily tell why they're friends.

I'm talking to Arden before our next Sociology lesson when Jax strolls into the classroom. His eyes narrow on Arden, who's once again occupying Jax's seat behind mine.

Jax walks over to Arden with murder in his eyes. Arden grins up at his friend, but Jax pulls Arden's chair back so it hits the desk behind him, which aggravating piercing-boy Mason occupies. It's quite a feat in my opinion, because Arden is tall and strong-looking, so he can't be too light.

Mason yelps, scooting back in his seat. Arden scowls, rubbing his sore back. "What the hell?" Arden says to Jax, glaring at him.

"Get out of my seat." Jax frowns back, then his eyes flicker to me. My mouth quirks up at the corner as I watch him. "You're stealing my partner."

"I'm not something to steal, Jax." I remind him. But I privately like that he's getting possessive over me; even if it's because of Arden, who doesn't really count as jealousy material.

Arden scowls. "Trust me, Noel, he doesn't know the difference between sharing and stealing. Jax here missed that essential lesson in kindergarten." 

"Stop being a moron." Jax whacks Arden on the head. They tussle for a moment, which seems unfair given that Jax has the advantage standing up. 

I almost feel awkward watching them when Arden resurfaces, laughing at Jax. "Okay, you fucker."

"What did you just say?" our Sociology teacher appears out of nowhere, her eyes flashing imperiously.

Arden gulps. "Shit." 

"You're lucky I like you, Arden. Sit down, Jax." our teacher says with one last look of death aimed at him. Jax grudgingly complies, strolling to the only empty seat at the back. 

I turn my attention back to our teacher, who's now speaking to the class as a whole. "Okay, everyone will be presenting next week. No excuses. For now, I want you all to get your work out and continue on the presentations. Special permission to go to the library is allowed for a select few."

I look over at Jax, who's already looking at me. He raises his eyebrows in question, and I raise mine back at him. He concedes and mouths if you let me.

"So, how about another library session with me?" Arden asks, right in front of me. I turn to Arden so quickly that I catch the glint of amusement lingering in his dark eyes. Jax told him about what happened, I assume.

I roll my eyes and push his face away with my hand. "You wish. Stop trying to proposition me."

He laughs, running his hand through his hair. I'm caught off guard by the way his eyes light up, so like his best friend. "I'm joking, Noel. Can I have a nickname for you instead, then?"

I frown. "I don't have a nickname. Noel is a pretty short name."

"Nicknames aren't only for shortening names. How about Christmas? Your name literally translates to Christmas." Arden argues.