Rockstar Roommate

~Part Eleven~

The following morning, I woke up to find a message from Jeff, demanding another public appearance to maintain our fake relationship's momentum. Noah and I exchanged resigned looks over breakfast, the tension between us palpable. We both knew we had to play our parts, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.

As we prepared for the event, I noticed Noah seemed more withdrawn than usual. His eyes were distant, and he barely spoke a word. I wanted to ask him what was wrong, but every time I opened my mouth, the words died on my tongue.

The event was a charity auction, a high-profile affair with celebrities and influencers in attendance. We arrived hand in hand, our smiles perfectly rehearsed. Cameras flashed, capturing every moment as we mingled with the crowd.

Despite the glamorous setting, I felt a sense of disconnection. Noah was by my side, but it felt like there was a chasm between us. We made small talk with other guests, our interactions mechanical and strained.

As the evening wore on, I excused myself to get some air. The terrace was a welcome escape from the stifling atmosphere inside. I leaned against the railing, letting the cool breeze wash over me.

"Mia?" Noah's voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see him standing there, his expression unreadable.

"Hey," I replied, trying to muster a smile.

He walked over, standing next to me. We both stared out at the city lights, the silence between us heavy.

"I hate this," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I glanced at him, surprised by the raw emotion in his tone. "Hate what?"

"This whole charade," he admitted. "Pretending to be something we're not. It's exhausting."

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Yeah, it is."

He turned to face me, his eyes searching mine. "I know I've been distant, and I'm sorry. It's just... I've been dealing with a lot of stuff."

I took a deep breath, deciding to take a leap of faith. "We're friends, right?"

He looked away, his jaw clenching. "It's hard for me to open up. Especially after what happened with my mom."

I reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "What happened with your mom?"

He flinched slightly, his expression closing off. "I... I'd rather not talk about it."

The change in his demeanor was like a cold splash of water. I nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. "Okay, I understand."

Noah sighed and ran a hand through his hair, looking visibly torn. "It's not that I don't want to share; it's just hard for me."

"I get it," I said softly, giving him space. "You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready."

He seemed to relax a bit at my words, and we stood in silence for a few moments before he spoke again. "It's just that I don't know how to deal with these feelings. The kiss... it felt real, and it scares me."

My heart skipped a beat at his words. "It felt real to me too."

We stood there, the weight of our confessions hanging in the air. For the first time in weeks, it felt like we were truly seeing each other.

Noah took a step closer, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. "I don't want to keep pretending, Mia. But I also don't want to mess things up."

I looked into his eyes, seeing the vulnerability there. "Then let's figure it out together. No more pretending, no more walls."

He nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. "Together."

As we stood there, the city lights twinkling around us, I felt a sense of hope. It wasn't going to be easy, but for the first time, I believed we could find a way through the confusion and uncertainty.

The next day, Noah and I decided to take a break from the relentless schedule Jeff had imposed on us. We spent the day exploring the city, enjoying the simple pleasure of each other's company. We laughed, talked, and for a while, it felt like we were just two normal people.

In the evening, we returned to the apartment, both of us feeling lighter. We cooked dinner together, the tension between us easing with each shared task. As we sat down to eat, I realized how much I had missed these moments of connection.

"Noah," I said, breaking the comfortable silence. "Thank you for today. I needed this."

He smiled, his eyes warm. "Me too. It felt good to just be ourselves."

We finished our meal, and Noah suggested we watch a movie. We settled on the couch, the familiar routine comforting. As the movie played, I found myself leaning against him, his arm around my shoulders.

For the first time in a long while, I felt at peace. The uncertainty and confusion were still there, but I knew we were moving in the right direction.

That night, as I lay in bed, I couldn't help but think about the future. There were still many challenges ahead, but I felt more hopeful than I had in weeks. Noah and I had started to break down the walls between us, and I was determined to see where this new path would lead.

The next morning, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Zoey. I realized with a jolt that I hadn't updated her on the latest developments. Bracing myself, I answered.

"Hey, Zoey," I said, trying to sound casual.

"Mia! You won't believe what I just saw online!" Zoey's voice was a mixture of excitement and shock. "You and Noah looked so cozy at the charity event!"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah, about that. I need to fill you in on what's been happening."

Zoey listened intently as I recounted the events of the past few days, from the charity event to Noah and I finally opening up to each other.

"Mia, it sounds like things are really changing between you two," she said thoughtfully. "Do you think it's real this time?"

"I hope so," I admitted. "We've both been through a lot, but I think we're starting to figure things out."

"Just take it one step at a time," Zoey advised. "And remember, I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Zoey. I really appreciate it."

After hanging up, I felt a sense of relief. Talking to Zoey had helped me process everything that had happened, and I felt more grounded.

As I got ready for the day, I couldn't help but smile. For the first time in a long while, I felt like things were looking up. Noah and I were on a new path, and I was excited to see where it would lead.