Needle and Thread

Chapter 4

"Look, I don't think she is the girl you are looking for."

An angry grumble was emitted from the room, "I am not looking for anyone."

"You can't lie to me, man." The unconvinced voice spoke again, "You were oggling at her from the balcony this morning."

"I wasn't 'oggling', and that doesn't prove me looking for that girl." He spat out.

He said the last part as if it was cold, bland poridge. That girl? Really, Noah? I still have a name. I placed my right hand over my heart to keep it from breaking loose within my rib cage as I continued to eavesdrop.

"Staring at her and watching her every move prove that you think it's her," Austin spoke again, "It's not her! She can't be. You said she's old enough to move out of the orphanage."

Almost old enough.

Noah's friend continued to speak, "It'll be a pity if no one took her or if she's still living in that little... place."

I guess this is why Clary always said eavesdropping is never good. I have concluded that it only makes you feel like your heart is being ripped from your chest and pierced with a spear - whichever comes first.

That conclusion may not be legitimate. But the reason is either that or you just find out what people think of you - mostly bad things in my case. Neither of that is better than the other.

Noah laughed obnoxiously. I furrowed my eyebrows and frowned my lips. That doesn't sound like him at all.

I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat, and made my way back to the bedroom arranged for me. When I got in, I made sure to close the door to the room's balcony and drew the light curtains together.

I took out the old mobile phone from my pocket and dialled the orphanage's number. While waiting for someone to pick up, I contemplated whether I should tell Jace about his brother or not.

It will be a great news if I told him that I found his brother, or his brother found me rather. Jace will want to talk to him and see him. But Noah... I don't know what Noah will do. He even forgot how old I was.

I used to know him. He was predictable. Noah is easily read. That was when we were kids though.

"Hello?"

The person startled me and almost made me drop the phone, which won't do me any favor since I just borrowed it and it will surely be broken because I was two-storey high.

"Hello?" Joanna asked again.

I cleared my throat and answered, "H-hey. It's me - Aria. Can I- can I talk to Jace?"

"Oh, hi, Aria. You can but only for a few minutes. He has to sleep soon," she answered. I heard a door creak open then close. "I'll go get him."

"Thank you."

In the background, I can hear Joanna's heeled footsteps and some kids playing. "How are you doing, Aria? Are you liking their place?" Joanna spoke to get rid of the silence between the line.

"I'm doing fine. Their place is huge," I got lost outside the house, I wanted to say but that would get everyone in trouble. "Their son has his own nanny, and his friend stays here, too."

"Good, good. Why don't you make friends with them? You know, hang out and stuff."

"I'll try," I responded to pacify her. I probably won't.

Should I tell him about Noah?

"Hi, Jace," Joanna talked, her voice growing faint. "Aria's on the phone. She--"

"Aria?" He spoke into the phone. I could hear the smile from the way he spoke. Surely, he took the phone from Joanna in a haste.

I grinned and looked to the dark sky. "Hi, Jace. How are you holding up, little man?"

"I'm okay," He answered. His voice sounded small that I could barely hear him.

I coaxed him, "Jace."

"I miss you. I'm all alone here. I sleep by myself, eat by myself, I make my bed and I don't have anyone to chase me when I don't want to clean up yet," He rambled. "I talk to me in the mirror so I won't feel alone."

"Why don't you try talking with Joanna or Clary?" I tried.

"They have work to do. I'll just get in the way." He said, "They're probably tired of seeing me because I've spent the whole afternoon at the office."

"I'm sure they're not tired of you, Jace. Why don't you draw something then I can see it when I get back?"

"Oh! I have an idea." He laughed, "I can't tell you because it's a surprise."

Jace is so happy and I feel like I'll just spoil his evening if I told him that Noah is here. He'll ask if Noah asked about him and he'll just be disappointed.

I urged a laugh and tried to focus on our conversation, "I'm excited to see it."

"You'll love it!" He sounded happy and giddy, "It will be huge - taller than you! I'll make it so wide - like really, really, reeaaally wide - it won't fit inside our room."

I want to tell him about Noah but I can't. "Where will you put it?"

"I can't tell you. It's a secret."

I chuckled, supressed a yawn and spoke to him, "Alright then. I'm sure I'll be really amazed."

If I tell Jace, I don't want to have to lie to him about what Noah thinks of him or whatever we might talk about. We've never had a real talk. Will it be considered lying if I didn't tell Jace?

"Mh-mm, you will definitely--" He paused "--be amazed. Aria, Joanna said I have to sleep. Can you ask her to let me stay up just a little, small bit?"

When I didn't respond fast enough he asked again, "Please, please, please?"

I laughed softly, "Okay, let me talk to her."

"Thank you!"

Joanna spoke into the phone after a few seconds, "No, I'm sorry, kids. I can't let Jace stay up late. Also, he's already yawning."

"You're a tattletale. Don't be like that, kids don't like tattletales," Jace spoke in the background.

I've decided: I won't tell him right now. I have to talk to Noah first.

I clasped my hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing, "Okay, Jo. I'll get going."

"Good night, Aria!"

"Jace, don't shout. Good night, Aria."

"Good night, Joanna. Sweet dreams, Jace."

I turned and went back inside as I pocketed the phone. I proceeded to plop down on my bed. While staring at the ceiling through the darkness, I wondered how I was going to talk to Noah. I can't just say hi then tell him that his brother is still waiting for him at the orphanage when he clearly has forgotten about us.

I was the girl he was supposedly looking for... he found me yet he didn't even know. What a great best friend.