Saving Grace

Chapter Four. // Because You Left.

Chapter Four. // Because You Left.

I freeze, standing at the bottom of the steps and he leans on the door frame with crossed arms, looking down at me. I probably would have kissed him, to be honest, but then I'd be kissing a stranger. I can't stress enough over the fact that he isn't my Noah.

He wears ironed jeans and a clean white button up, rolled to the elbows. His hair is combed back. But his cheeks are littered with stubble and it makes me miss him. It makes me wanna run my thumb over it, that familiar feeling that I felt every time I kissed him. I really wanna touch his face.

Instantly, my calm demeanor falls and I put up my walls. Stony eyes and squared jaw, straight back, iced-over heart. I just look at him, not questioning him or trying to walk away. He seems determined tonight, different from the other times. This time, he's gonna make me talk to him whether I want to or not. He looks like he's prepared to pin me down if need be.

"Your mother ambushed me outside of my school today," I began, my tone civil. I'm exhausted from stressing over school and just the mixtures of everyday life. I don't have the drive in me to fight tonight. I don't mind just talking to him but if he tries to get to me, I must be sure to keep him out. That's what I'm most scared of. Him getting to me again.

Noah nods, he looks rather serious, "yeah, I know." He says clearly, a strong tone.

I rub my face, "I know you know." I murmur, stressing out. "You were in the back seat."

Noah's eye brows raise accusingly at that, feigning shock as he parts his lips. "Oh, so you did see me." He states, I'm sure he meant it to sound like a sarcastic question but it was clearly a statement. "So, did you hug him to make me jealous?" He spits.

I scoff, "please, Noah, dig your head out of your ass for three seconds." I take step up, so I can stand closer to him, feeling like I should try to show that his presence doesn't effect me anymore. That standing close to him doesn't drive me absolutely insane with temptation. This situation makes me wish I was a better actress. "I didn't even fucking see you until Mother Theresa drove off."

Noah takes a step down so we're mere inches apart and only one step. "Who was he?"

The tone of his voice took me off guard, as if he was hurt but angry. A mixture of both and he was willing to let both show. He sounds sad and pissed. A common combination that everyone hated.

I roll my eyes, "how about none of your fucking business." One thing I've learned over the years is that you can't give in easily. Make them fight for it. Make them grovel and beg you. It shows their true intentions. Someone who is desperate won't have pride when asking for a second chance. Unfortunately, we both have too much pride. We're both too stubborn. I don't think we could have worked, anyway. But I loved him so much.

"Just tell me, Jamie! Is he your boyfriend? Lover? Friend with benefits-" he would have gone on a long spiel if I would have let him. But I didn't.

"He's my fucking friend, Noah!" I yell, forgetting that we have neighbors, some elderly, some with small children and some who just go to bed way too fucking early. "Not that it concerns you, because you left."

He clenches his jaw, obviously not having a good comeback for me. I knew by the look on his face that this time, his walls are gonna drop first. I seem to have said something to trigger an explosion of TNT, blowing up all his defenses. He slowly steps onto the last step between us, not breaking eye contact. I take a step back, scared to see how he would feel against me. If I would have stayed there, his chest would press to mine and then I would be really done for.