Waiting Game

Big Bad Noah

Rosalie

Eyes. Eyes everywhere. All I felt was the heat of stares down my back. From the moment Noah and I stepped out of his car and into the hallowed halls, I could feel the tsunami of judgment and curiosity all around us.

Noah never let go of my hand once, his grip tightened with every step we took.

Homecoming is over... it was the time to hear things and talk. Gossip travels fast in a place like this, people become sitters in the sidelines —  tongueless, earless, eyeless conveniences all day long. People want to know and they want to be involved in some way, so that they feel powerful in their own skin. They became lords of sounds and lesser things, meaning the smaller details of what actually happened. They passed nations through their mouths. They sat in judgment.

They whispered and snickered, some even pointed or let their mouths hang open. It's not surprising because word travels fast.

"Hey, ignore them. It's going to be okay." I jumped a little, I was so focused on putting my left foot in front of my right that I didn't notice when that Noah had gotten so close.

"And what if it's not?"

"If it's not okay, then it's not the end."

"You always say that, Noah. I guess you're right.

Noah sighed and stopped us once we got to our lockers, "Ro please. You just can't let people walk all over you, use the confidence you have when you're leading and face the post homecoming mess straight on."

I shuffled some stuff around in my locker and bag. "Okay, I'll try. But dealing with people.. on a Monday.. I ju-"

"Noah, Rosalie! What a pleasure to see you two, together, like always."

Noah groans and we turn around to face Holly. "Great, look what the cat dragged in."

She gave me a fake smile, "Rosalie doll, I heard you and Johnny got a little frisky during the dance. Did he hit the jackpot?"

"Holly, shut your damn mouth and step away from us. Now." Noah practically growled.

I gave Noah's hand a squeeze and smiled at him, before composing myself to face the she-witch. "I heard you were desperate for Noah's attention, like always. Sorry to disappoint Holly, but I don't give it up as easy as you do. And whatever happens between Johnny and I, or anyone and I, is far from your business."

"Shouldn't you be busy picking your next victim of the week to satisfy your need for attention?" When Noah's mad and he jumps in, it's never good for the person on the other end. I could high five him, but I didn't want to ruin the serious feel of the moment.

Holly's face fell for a few seconds before she recollected herself, "Oh that's sad to hear Rosalie. Not like the rest of the school isn't already informed. And Noah, if you're free, my offer still stands. Call me anytime." She flipped her hair and brushed by us.

I let out a big breath that I didn't even realize I was holding in, "Noah.. if everyone knows and.. what.."

He raised a hand up to hush me, "No. So what if they know? That doesn't matter, you know what you went through and you didn't ask for any of it. Just go through your day like always." He raised his voice a little for the people enjoying the show in the hallway around us, "And for anyone who wants to try and bother my best friend, you'll have to deal with me. Keep your noses out of her freaking business."

"I don't like Holly. She's icky."

Noah let out a laugh, "You're so nice, Ro. I could use a bunch of colorful words to describe her, heck I was doing it the whole time she was talking to us."