I love you

Chapter 19: Playing exams

It was the day. The playing exams. I put a lot of concealer to cover up my dark circles. I've been practicing all night.

"Ugh why do I always get so nervous"

"Cause you're scared as shit that's why"

I look up at Ryan and make a pocker face.

"Aha now that's the old lady face I've been missing. Anyways you'll be fine don't worry about it"

"Hope so..."

"Woah you got really dark circles"

"What?!" I quickly touch the skin under my eyes.

"Ahaha I'm kidding! But I know you probably practiced all night so...."

"I did and I'm so tired"

"Here" he gives me a candy bar. "You'll be more awake with this"

"Thanks"

I look around the auditorium to find almost half of the students. (Man why do we have to do it in front of so many people?)

I take a seat in the middle row along with Ryan on my left. The person to my right is fast asleep with their hoodie on. (Should I wake him up? The playing exams are about to start soon)

I tap on his shoulders and he still doesn't wake up. I shake him and he's still fast asleep. (Man he's a heavy sleeper isn't he)

I decide to yell.
"Hey! Wake up!"

"Zzzzz"

(What the...he's still asleep?!)

Soon after that the principal goes on the stage and tells everyone to be quiet since the exams are about to start.

"Ok everyone please be silent for these next few hours since the exams are gonna be in session"

Just when the principal says that, the guy next to me wakes up.

(Are you serious....?)

He takes his hoodie off and it's no other than...

"Noah?"

"Huh?"

I laugh thinking of course it was him.

"...is something funny?"

"Ahaha"

"SHHHHHH" someone in the back sushes me to shut up.

One by one every student went on the stage to perform for the teachers. It's scary cause even if you make one mistake... EVERYONE will know. Ugh I hate this. I slide down on my chair.

It was half time, students who finished their playing exams went home and the students who still have to do it went towards the cafeteria.

"At least their's less people to play it in front of" Ryan says as he sits down on our usual seats.

"Yeah thank god" I say as I sit on the other side of him.

"Lola and the others are so lucky to have it over with"

Lola, Habibi, and Michael are done already. I guess they like to put the piano exams towards the end.

As I'm eating I spot Noah, who is of course sleeping. I laugh to myself.

"What's so funny?" Ryan asks as he finishes up his pasta.

"Nothing just Noah"

"Who?"

"The guy who saved me at the track tournament"

"Why would he be here?"

"Oh you don't know? He's the new transfer student"

"No way"

"Yes way"

"Should we invite him over here? I mean he is alone too"

"No."

"Damn that was very straightforward"

"I don't like him"

"Why not? You don't even know the guy"

"Do you?"

"Well... Not really..."

"Hmph forget him already man"

"But you get to know a person by talking to them and stuff... I'm calling him over here"

"No."

Ignoring Ryan's response, I walk up to Noah's table. He's asleep so I try to wake him up. Of course it doesn't work.

"Hmmm... Oh! Ahem the playing exams are about to start"

"Huh?"

Just like I thought he wakes up. Squinting his eyes he looks up to me.

"Hey!"

"??"

He's exactly like a cat oh my gosh.

"Do you wanna eat with us?"

"..."

"No?"

"..."

He doesn't speak much does he. I mean I should've learned.

"Ok then you're welcomed to join us though"

I go back to my seat and say

"He didn't wanna come"

"You sure about that?" Ryan says with a irritated face.

"Huh?" I turn around to find Noah who is holding his lunch.

"Oh! Sit sit"

He sits beside me. And of course falls asleep.

"Are you not gonna eat?"

"Zzzz"

"Hmph who cares" Ryan says looking irritated once again.

"Well he looks like he hasn't eaten in a while"

I pull out his rice crispy bar and try to touch it to his lips. When I do, he takes a big bite of it. Still sleeping.

"Oh! Well um here"

"What? Are you gonna start feeding him now too?"

"It's worth a try"

As I start giving him more food, he starts to open his eyes and doesn't look tired at all. He's not sleeping now.

"Well I guess he needed food to fully wake up?"

"...thank you" he says in a low voice.

"Anytime!"

He doesn't say much after that. After a while the announcement goes on telling everyone to report back to the auditorium.

(Man and I had just forgotten about being nervous)