Soulmates || Joakim Noah {Slow updates}

Chapter 3.

"Don't hug me and don't talk to me like nothing happened Joakim. Don't do it." I said angrily, walking away from him. 

"I know what I did was wrong Annie and—" He was trying to explain, but I'd had enough already.

 "Don't call me Annie. Annie is only for my closest friends. You aren't one of those anymore, remember?" I shot back. 

Joakim sighed resignedly. "Okay Anna. I get it. You're really mad at me and I understand. But...it happened years ago. Let's just start over again, okay?" He pleaded with me. 

"How about no?" The look on his face let me know that he was really hurt by my words, but his actions all those years ago had hurt me just as much. "You really hurt me Joakim. How would you feel if you were me? I'm pretty sure you'd feel the same." I asked, folding my arms. 

"Yeah, probably. But I would give you another chance for it to be like before. But you're too stubborn." He replied, looking me in the eyes. 

"You know how I am. But I would never leave the country without telling my best friend. That's how you treat your best friends, Joakim?" I demanded angrily with tears running down my cheeks. I hated being so emotional in front of him, but it couldn't be helped. 

"Hey, Anna, don't cry okay? Don't. I can't take it...I couldn't say goodbye to my best friend, because I wasn't strong enough. I'm sorry; you will never know how sorry I am. But I did what I thought was the best for us. I'm sorry, Annie. Please, don't go." I was starting to walk to the door and trying to see if there was a bathroom, ignoring his rant because I didn't care.

"Where's the bathroom, Joakim? I need to look presentable for our parents." I furiously wiped at my tears, but they kept coming down my cheeks regardless.

"Go to the right and it's the first door. This conversation isn't over." He replied, looking at the floor. I followed his instructions and closed the bathroom door. I was a mess. My makeup was ruined, but thank God I had some in my purse. I applied it for the second time today and opened the bathroom door. There stood Joakim, waiting for me and looking pretty destitute. I wanted to forgive him honestly; he seemed to be broken too. But I couldn't. At least, not today. 

"What are you doing here, Joakim?" I asked hotly.

"I was waiting for you Anna. I needed to make sure you were okay before going to the dining room with our parents. Are you?" He looked genuinely worried. 

"Oh yeah, I'm perfectly fine. I just saw my ex best friend who abandoned me years ago for the first time and he tries to act like nothing happened. What do you think? I'm feeling like shit." I let out a bitter laugh and shook my head. "But let's get this started, I can't wait to go to my house again." I was acting like a bitch, and I knew it, but I didn't care. It's just how I defended myself from someone who hurt me. "Yeah...let's go to the dining room." Joakim said, looking really sad. We walked to the dining room and he faked a smile when our parents took note of our presence. "Oh, hey Paul and Angelique. It's nice to see you all again. How's everything?" He asked my parents. They kept talking and Cécilia told me to sit next to her and in front of Joakim. I know what she's trying to do. I'm not stupid. 

The dinner was going without any major incidents, and the food was really good. I could feel my anger slowly start to melt as I glanced over at Joakim. He was beautiful. I always loved his hair. He still had that cute gap in his front teeth and I can see that he's going to the gym a lot. His arms were huge. His eyes still have me captivated, like when we were kids... 

"Anna? Sweetie are you okay?" Mom was talking to me, which broke me out of my thoughts. 

I blushed and cleared my throat. "Oh yeah, I was just thinking about looking for a job." I lied, not really paying attention to whatever the conversation had been. 

"You wanted to be a physiotherapist, right?" Joakim asked, looking at me. "Yep. And I graduated with honors. I was looking for a job in France...but now I'm here in Chicago, so that isn't happening. I'm gonna start looking for jobs again soon, I guess." I told him, sipping on my lemonade. 

I really wanted to start working, so that I could buy my own place. 

"Maybe I could help you with that." Joakim continued. "You know...I was selected by the Bulls...so maybe they need a physiotherapist. I can ask and see if they can help you. If you want of course." 

I was in shock. After how I treated him before the dinner, he still wants to help me? "You don't have to Joakim. It's okay, don't worry." I said sheepishly. 

"C'mon Annie, it would be nothing. Joakim just wants to help you. Right?" Yannick asked, looking at his son. 

"Yes. And I'm sure you will be an amazing physiotherapist. I will ask tomorrow." Joakim replied.

"Okay. Thank you so much, Joakim." I said with a small smile on my face. He smiled back, blushing. He was so cute. 

Dinner ended, and now I was sitting in the Noah's garden alone. I needed to be alone for a few minutes, since my emotions were all over the place...

"Hey." Someone said behind me. I jumped in surprise. "Joakim! You scared me!" I cried, turning to looking at him.

"Sorry." He mumbled. "But I really wanted to end that conversation. I...I want us to be like before, Annie. I missed you so much. I needed you all those years by my side. But I also needed to try to make my dream come true. I just want to be in good terms with you at least. I don't want to end today like this. Please, Anna." He said desperately. I saw how much he suffered all those years without me in his eyes, they told the whole story. Tears were already ruining my make up again. 

"I forgive you, Joakim. I'm sorry for how I treated you today. I was really hurt. But it's the past. Now, you're here with me again. I missed you so much Jo." He smiled at me like a kid with a new toy, probably because I called him by his nickname. Jo hugged me really hard and kissed my forehead a few times. I hugged him back and kissed his cheek. We were best friends again, and that's all I needed right now. Him.