wanderlust (edited)

Chapter Three: Midnight Waffles and Gross Brothers

Chapter Three:

Midnight Waffles and Gross Brothers

After the strange encounter with James and Travis, I open to the patio door, and find Noah and Jenny outside, sitting together in the hammock. Their fingers are intertwined, and their heads are pressed together. Jenny's gorgeous raven black hair tumbles down her back, and outlines her tan skin. Noah murmurs something that makes her giggle, and then they press their lips together.

I awkwardly clear my throat, and they quickly jump apart. When they realize it's just me, Noah lets out a sigh of relief.

"Hey, Tara," Jenny waves, beaming. I don't understand how she's perky all the time. Especially to the girl who's faking to be her boyfriend's girlfriend. If I were in her position, I'd be grateful—sure, but I'd also be a little jealous. At least I can sit with his parents for dinner and not be judged for my family's history.

"Hi," I smile at her the tiniest bit, then turn to Noah, "um, Sadie said you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yeah!" Noah jumps up, and looks at Jenny, "I'll be just a minute, Jen-ay." He pronounces her name like Forrest Gump, and she laughs, swinging back and forth on the hammock gently.

"Kay, love!" She flirts. Did I mention she's British? Yep. She's British, she's smart, and best friends with my weird little sister.

Noah leads us closer to the house, and leans on the porch railing. I lean against the house, and look at him expectantly.

"So, what's up?" I ask lamely.

"My cousin's getting married in a few weeks," He starts off, "and, my parents are expecting you to be my date."

I shrug, "No problem. I'm free this summer. Is that all?"

"No," Noah says, "it's just that—I feel like I'm cheating on Jenny when I'm with you. I sort of want to bring Jenny, and tell my parents about me and her..."

"So soon?" I ask. I know his parents are definitely not going to like that Noah and Jenny are going out. They were going to wait until she graduated, after all...

"Yes. Either I come out to my parents that I'm dating a Ponce, or we stop 'dating'." He makes air-quotes around dating.

"Oh." I say. The right choice would be for me to 'break-up' with Noah. But, if I broke up with him, my parents would be mad and would want to lock me in my room for a month. After all, he's the epitome of a "perfect boyfriend" in their opinion. But, if he broke up with me, his parents would be way less welcoming when he came out about dating Jenny.

"And, look, I know it's a difficult decision, but you can choose who breaks up with who. I'll give you time—you know, but I don't want to be unfaithful." Noah says.

"Oh, uh, yeah. I'll get back to you then...but, you go ahead and hang out with Jenny for now, okay?" I decide.

Noah nods eagerly, and gives me a quick hug, "Thanks, Tara, you're the best!"

But I don't feel like I am.

I head back into the house to go look for Sadie, but realize I was supposed to call her with Noah beside me. And it doesn't feel right to go out and disrupt Noah and Jenny's moment. I sigh, frustrated, and lean against the wall.

The thumping of the bass is louder than ever, and my head is absolutely throbbing. This night is going horribly, I think.

I watch everyone as they all excitedly party around, hyped up on drinks. Mickey is the life of the party, now that Kara has stopped showing up to these types of events. Mickey is dancing in the middle of everyone, laughing, and teasing. Her white blonde hair is swept up in a messy bun, and she still somehow looks decent despite her reputation. She's wearing fishnets, and a bright pink frilly dress that falls to just above her knees, along with some beige wedges.