Noah's Winter

Chapter Thirty One

"Winter, look at me." Noah commanded, while driving cautiously through the snow covered streets. I clenched my jaw taught and held my gaze straight forward. When we came to a red stop light Noah's tan hand was at my chin, and forcing me to face him. I scrunched my eyes shut.

 I heard him let out a gust of air, "Please open your eyes." I shook my head which was still in his grasp. I knew that if I opened my eyes, I'd get lost in his violet ones, and any anger I had would be lost. Then again I didn't know how much time I had to live...I probably shouldn't be wasting time in a pity fight with him, should I? I thought grimly to myself. With a small sigh I opened my eyes to see a frowning Noah.

 "Sorry I didn't let you drive babe, but with this weather as crazy as it is I didn't want to chance it."

 I shook my head nonchalantly, "It's fine, sorry I overreacted." 

He smiled, "Sorry for tricking you into kissing me, that was wrong..." 

I laughed and rolled my gray eyes at him, "Can we quit apologizing? Plus, I would have kissed you anyway, Mr. Smooth."

 He wagged his dark eyebrows at me, "Oh really, Jack? Do you want to do it again?" 

"Nope."

 He froze in place and gave me a pouting look, "Why not?" 

"Because the light turned green and we are running late for school." I said with a snicker. Realization came to his eyes and he quickly made the vehicle move forward.                     

Soon, too soon, we pulled into the packed school parking lot. Nerves filled my tummy and I bit my bottom lip. For some reason I was really nervous to start school in the middle of the semester and to add on to it we would be entering class late. It then occurred to me that Noah and I may not have the same classes. 

"Are you okay?" Noah asked, pulling me out of my reverie, as he pulled into a parking space right next to a red explorer.

 "Yeah...I was just thinking, and what if we don't have the same classes?" 

He pursed his perfect plump lips as he thought about my question, "Well, we can only hope, right?" I smiled sweetly at him. 

He reached over to me and lifted a red strand of soft hair, "I really missed your hair, it is so beautiful, and fits you well." I giggled. He still made me nervous, and for that I was thankful. I knew that if we had the chance to be together longer, stupid cancer, he would always have that affect on me. We both decided it was time to go and hopped out of the car. I walked around the car, pulling my coat tighter around my skinny torso, and reached Noah. He wrapped his strong arm around my waste, pulling me close, as we made our way to the main building. There were no students roaming around as class had already started.

We walked to the double glass doors, and went through, warm air surrounded us, like a warm blanket wrapping comfortingly around us. We began to make our way to the office when my cell phone vibrated. Baffled, I pulled out my phone, and checked my collar ID. 

I let out a dramatic sigh and Noah asked, "Who is it babe?" 

"My mom, I guess I should answer it."

 I pushed the green answer button, "Hello?" 

"Winter...where are you?" My mother asked frantically. I could picture it now, her red eyebrows raised and her gray eyes wide. She was probably pacing back and forth, her face distraught. 

I knew I shouldn't worry her so I answered, "School, why?"

 "The office called me and told me you were absent. I thought you got in a car accident or something!" 

"Sorry, we were just running late."

 "Is there something you want to tell me?" 

"No?" I said, well it came out more like a question. There wasn't anything I had done wrong since I left school...right?

 "Winter, you forgot to flush the toilet." I paused, what did that matter? It was just pee, if anything I could have flushed it when I got home. Not to mention, my bathroom is in my room, why was she in there? 

"Um, sorry...it was just pee anyway, is it really that big of a d"- I cut myself off instantly knowing what she was talking about. 

"You m-mean the d-downstairs toilet?"

 "Of course. Why didn't you tell me you were vomiting up blood?!" I wanted to answer but I couldn't find my voice.

 I took a shaky breath, "I didn't want to worry you."

 I heard her gasp, "This isn't about me Winter, this is about your life! You need to tell me these things."

 "What does it even matter? I'm not going back to that hell hole you call a hospital! I'm dying and you and I both very well know that." I yelled into the phone before ending it.

Hot tears poured out of my eyes and I briskly walked out of the school building. Noah grabbed my arm pulling me toward him. I ignored the stabbing pain it caused and yanked my arm back. 

"Don't touch me Noah!" I turned away and began to walk again, the snow crunching beneath my boots.

"Winter tell me what's going on, I am worried about you! You are sick and you need help!" I froze and turned back to him, anger running deep in my bones.

 "Well stop worrying. I don't need you or anyone else! In fact, don't come around anymore." I spit the words at him as if they were fire. 

Noah took a startled step back, his mouth hanging open, "Winter you don't mean it, I know you don't. I love you."

 "Well I don't. I hate you, Noah." I saw his violet eyes fill with tears and I turned away from him. I willed my weak legs to go as fast as they could. I wanted to go far away...and never come back.