Noah's Winter

Chapter Twenty Eight

Everyone talked excitedly about the upcoming fundraiser at school as they all stuffed their faces with food, and I tuned them out. I had a horrid migraine and my body was aching. I knew I needed to rest. I gingerly touched my right arm where Jake had punched me; a big blue bruise had already begun to form. I sighed, I knew Jake didn't mean to hurt me, but my body couldn't take things like it used to. I was becoming weaker, much weaker.

 I felt Noah lean in, and he whispered in my ear, "Winter, are you feeling okay?" His cool breath sent chills down my spine, and I loved the effect he had on me, yet it scared me. 

I feebly nodded my head, "Yeah, I'm just going up stairs for a little bit, kay?"

 "You want me to come with you?"He asked as worry filled his expression.

 I shook my head, because I knew I wouldn't get any rest if he was there with me, "No, I'm okay." He looked at me intently but let me go. I stood up and pecked him lightly on the cheek.

I walked slowly up the stairs, my weak legs barley carrying me. As I trudged down the hallway my head became dizzy and I swayed to the left. I should have fallen to the carpeted ground but a pair of unfamiliar arms caught me.

 I looked up to see Ben holding me, "Careful there, Winter." He stood me up, but when he let go I lost my balance again, and his hands quickly made their way to my too think waste steadying me. Even that simple grasp on my waste hurt, and I knew it would bruise. I wondered how any of my friends had believed I was cured, because I looked so sick, like I was dead.

 Ben looked into my gray eyes intently, "Winter, I'm sorry...for before." 

"It's fine Ben, no need to apologize. But, hey, I think I'm going to lay down." I said, suddenly nervous from the proximity between us. 

"No Winter. It is not okay..." He began to lean in, the smell of his breath sickened me for some reason, and I instantly felt like I was going to hurl everywhere. I backed up out of his grasp, but to my dismay I lost my balance again. 

He caught me a third time and stood me upright, "Let me help you to your room, and maybe we can...catch up." He said to me, wagging his eyebrows seductively. He must not have seen the green tint in my face because what happened next was, well, disgusting. I tried to turn my head to the right, but vomit, pure stomach acid, poured out of my mouth all over the front of Ben's blue shirt. 

He instantly let go of me, and my head began to spin, "Ew, that is disgusting, thanks for the warning, stupid! Gosh, you think you would learn how to control that, being in that hospital for as long as you were. I mean really, look at my shirt, and the smell, ugh!"

Suddenly my world was turning in circles; a pair of arms caught me before my head slammed into the wall. I looked up through groggy eyes at Noah, and he looked worried and pissed. He sat me down on the ground and kissed my forehead. 

He stormed over to Ben and slammed him up against the wall, his hand enclosed on Ben's throat, "First off; who do you think you are making a move on my girlfriend? You had your chance and believe me, you blew it big time. Secondly; she gets ill and all you do is rant at her?! How about help her out? You think she likes puking everywhere? She is dying you dumb ass! She can't help that she gets sick. I should beat the hell out of you, but Winter needs me. You better watch your back." He let go and turned away from Ben. Ben let out a big breath, and his face was purple from lack of air.

 "S-she still has, um, cancer?" Ben stuttered. 

Noah turned back to him, with venom thick in his voice, "Obviously. Do us a favor and get the hell out of here."

Ben put his arms up in surrender and began to back away quickly, muttering, "I didn't know...I'm s-sorry Winter." His eyes were wide as if he was staring death in the face, or me I guess I should say. I couldn't help the sob that exploded out of me, and Noah was at my side in an instant. He sat down next to me, and was cradling me in his arms.

 "Shh, it's going to be okay, babe." He rubbed my hair soothingly and I rested my head against his chest. After a moment he held my chin in his hand, forcing my gaze to his. 

His violet eyes smoldering into my dull gray ones, "I love you, Winter." He leaned his head in toward mine, but I quickly backed my head away from his. Hurt filled his beautiful eyes and I shook my head vigorously.

 "Noah, I want to kiss you, but I just threw up..." 

Realization filled his facial expression and he chuckled huskily, "You think I care about something as little as that?" Before I could answer him he crushed his lips to mine. His hands went to the small of my back and I intertwined my fingers in his short black hair. Our kiss deepened, and an intoxicating amount of passion flared between us. I loved Noah, and he, for some odd reason, loved me back. We pulled away, catching our breath, and stared into each others eyes. I never wanted to leave Noah's side, not ever.