The Neighbors

Chapter 9

"Have you seen my apron?" I ask my sculpture teacher, Mrs. Perry.

"Oh, was that yours? I gave it to the new student, Noah, you can ask him for it, I'll find another one," she says with a smile. Noah is in sculpture with me? I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy. I scan the room with my eyes and find him sitting in the seat next to mine.

"Hey punk, that's my apron," I say and poke him in the back. He turns around with a big smile.

"Hey Shea, I was happy when I saw that you're in this class," he says as unties the back of the apron.

"How'd you know I was in here?" I ask as he hands me my apron.

"You're bag," Noah points to my simple black book bag that is lying on the floor as I tie on my apron.

"Here you go Noah," Mrs. Perry hands him an apron and he slides it on.

We both begin to work on our sculptures. Mine is a ceramic piece that I've already worked on and Noah starts a new ceramic piece.

"You're very talented, Shea," Noah says as he looks at my piece. It is a sculpture of a rhinoceros on a skateboard.

"Oh, thanks," I smile and look at his. Noah is starting on an abstract piece. His is two figures that tangle together at the top. I'm not sure what it represents, but I'm not planning to ask.

Our sculpture class is last period, so when the bell rings Noah and I walk out together.

"I've got to stop by my locker before we leave," I tell him.

"Not a problem, I'll come with you," he says with a smile. His smile is so cute.

We walk up the stairs and to my locker. As we at walking I see Zayn leaning against my locker. I flash Noah a worried look and he puts his hand to the top of my back and pushes me to keep walking.

"Hey Zayn," I say and try to smile casually.

"Hey Shea, I just, wanted to kiss you since I can't drive you today," Zayn looks between Noah and I while he talks.

"Oh.. Uh ok," I hesitate. I know this is wrong, but I don't want to kiss Zayn. Not in front of Noah. Zayn leans in and kisses me. I glance over at Noah and he's looking away. Why are my eyes open? I force my eyes shut and kiss Zayn. I can't help but compare his kiss to Noah's. Zayn's kiss is a lot faster and has less fireworks than Noah's. I pull away from the kiss.

"Alright Shea, see you tomorrow," he says before pecking my lips and leaving. I turn to Noah.

"That was uh.." He watches Zayn walk away.

"Yeah.. He's.. Territorial," I explain.

"He um... He winked at me while you were kissing," Noah says and I clench my jaw. God dammit Zayn.

"I'm sorry.. I don't.. He's.. Sorry," I'm not sure what to say so I turn to open my locker. I put my books into my bag and shut my locker.

"Logan and Harry are probably already in the car," Noah says to try o break the awkwardness.

"Oh, we should hurry then," I suggest.

"Yeah," he says shyly.

"So.. You like a girl?"I ask him and he blushes. I'm trying to create conversation, but because I'm a big idiot I chose this conversation. I don't want to hear what girls he likes.

".. Uh.. Sorta.." He says and puts his hand through his hair while we walk down the stairs. I should change the subject before I make myself sick.

"Do I know her?" Dammit. My mouth just keeps moving.

"Sort of.." He says and keeps his eyes to the ground.

"Oh." I wasn't sure what to think.

Sure enough, when we get to the car Logan and Harry are already there. Noah and I climb into the back. While they drive I put my work shirt on over my t shirt. Logan told us about the girls that flirted with him today, which were a lot.

"Did you think any of them were cute?" I ask curiously.

"Yeah, especially one, Alexis," he says with a naughty grin.

"Alexis is one of my friends," I say.

"You want to have her hang out sometime?" He asks and I roll my eyes.

"Any new friends for you, Harry?" I ask and move the attention.

"Uh, yeah, I've got a few," he says and ruffles his hair, "actually, you know Louis?" He asks.

"Oh yeah, he's one of my best friends," I smile.

"I met him today at lunch," Noah notes.

"Yeah, he's pretty cool, he invited me to a party next Friday," he said with a smile.

"I'll be going to that party, too," I say and smile. Harry is talking about a party that Louis will be throwing since his parents are going out of town. Zayn was supposed to go, but he can't because he will be going to a game with his Munis.

"I got invited, too!" Logan says as he drives.

"One girl invited me.. But I declined her.." Noah says quietly.

"Why would you decline her?" Logan asks as if Noah is an idiot.

"She wouldn't stop touching me.. It was sort of annoying.. " oh god. I imagine that girls have been flirting with Noah all day. He's mine, they better st- I already have a boyfriend. I love my boyfriend. I've only known Noah for three days. I don't even know his middle name.

"What's your middle name?" I ask without thinking. They all give me a funny look.

"Uh.. It's Edward.. Noah Edward Styles," he explains.

"Oh.. I was just curious," I try to cover up.

"Mine is Harry Gregory Styles," Harry explains happily.

"Logan Jeremy..what's yours Shea?" He asks.

"Sheila Rachelle James," I smile. My middle name is the same as my mothers.

"Oh, that's cute," Harry smiles.

"Thank you," I smile back.

"Harry, stop being a flirt," Logan smirks and I blush, "and, Shea is Noah's," he says and my stomach drops.

"Logan," Noah pleads.

"You know it's true!" Logan says as he pulls into the subway parking lot.

"You so have a pretty massive crush on her," Harry adds and I open the door to get out.

"Uh.. Have fun at work Shea," Noah says and I look at him. His face is bright red and he's looking down at his feet.

"Um, thank you," I say awkwardly and grab my things.