comfort {complete}

32

"I have a question."

"Which is...?" I say, glancing up from my book and into Noah's eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"For the seventeenth time, Noah, I'm fine," I tell him, rolling exasperated eyes.

"Why do you look so sad all the time?" he asks, seating himself me on the dock.

I glance over at Lois, who's flirting seamlessly with an overly-muscular blonde. He says something she's supposed to laugh at, and she does, tossing her hair as she does. I'd be concerned with this, since she's technically in a relationship with one of our teachers, but flirting is just what she does. She doesn't actually intend to make something out of this, I'm pretty sure she just likes seeing the effect she has on men.

"Stephanie?"

"Huh?"

A smile tugs at Noah's lips as he rolls his eyes and says, "The sad thing. I'm beginning to think that's just your expression."

I shrug and fold my arms over my chest. "Probably. I'm kind of sad."

"I'm sorry," he says, and I knock my shoulder reassuringly against his, flashing my broadest smile. 

a/n: okay, i found a song on one of my really old youtube playlists, and i'd completely forgotten it existed, but it's brilliant. it's called "step" by vampire weekend, and i loooooove it.