Whispers

Chapter Four : One Year Later

"Noah!" He heard Hailey's scream and turned around sharply, searching for the source of her fear. But all he could see was a whirl of blond hair before her lithe body crashed into his. Her arms went around his neck and her soft face immediately went to the crook of his neck, as it always did when Hailey hugged him. Taken aback, his hands immediately went around her slender waist. Realizing that she had no intention of letting go anytime soon, he let out a chuckle and slid one arm around her waist and wound his other hand in her soft hair.

"Hey Noah" her sweet voice came out in a broken mumble.

He bent down, placing a kiss on her hair.

"You know, Hails, it would sure be helpful if you stopped sniffing my neck and look at me when you talk." Noah said, smiling when her head abruptly flew back. Bright green eyes met his and he momentarily lost his trail of though.

"I wasn't sniffing you neck!" Hailey declared, her cheeks filling up with color.

"Sure you weren't" Noah teased, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be finding a seat? The place will fill up before you know it."

She looked up at him, taking her hands away from his neck. She smoothened the front of his jersey. "Charlie has already found some seats. Front row, courtesy of your friends. They insisted that we sit close to the bleachers, along with the senior players' girl friends. I really hope you don't mind. Charlie and I can see you play much better from there. Taylor Kane's girlfriend is such a sweet girl. She is in your Math class. Paige Lancer?"

"Yea, short, black hair. I know her. She is a little quiet, don't you think?"

Hailey frowned. "She is just shy, Noah. She was sitting all alone with Lacey and Regina before we joined them and you know Lacey can be a tad rude on even on her best day. It doesn't help either that Taylor broke up with Regina and got together with Paige soon after. I left Charlie with Paige. The last thing I heard before I left the stands was Regina tell Lacey that people needed to realize that only cool people, the players or their girlfriends are allowed in the front row. Then she looked at Paige and asked her if she was so thick skinned to not realize that she wasn't wanted there. Then Charlie started telling Regina that she wasn't allowed there either because she wasn't cool, a player nor did she have a boyfriend and that if anyone ought not to be there it was her. That's when I grabbed Paige and asked her to come with me to buy some soda. She's over by the counters. Charlie wanted to have more words with Regina"

She broke off her rant when she saw his looking down at her with a small smile on his face. She flushed. "I'm so sorry Noah. I didn't mean to ramble. I just wanted to wish you luck before your game." She said.

Noah chuckled and cupped her cheek. "You are adorable, Hailey Pitcher. Thank you for coming by to wish me. I'm glad you could come today."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I saw a couple of college scouts out there. Go strut you stuff, stud" She grinned. Noah smiled back but something in his eyes shifted.

"Are you alright?" she asked when his face tensed. It was a slight change but she found it. A small crease in his eyebrow and the slight clench of his jaw.

Noah nodded, smiling. "I am, Hails. It must be the nerves."

Hailey nodded hesitantly. She didn't buy his excuse, he could see but he wasn't about to tell her. He couldn't, not now. Not when he himself wasn't sure.

She stepped back, well, she tried to but she'd moved back all but an inch before Noah arm pulled her back closer. "I was wondering..." he began, his voice low and serious.

She looked up into his eyes, her frown deepening. "Noah, you are starting to freak me out a bit. What is it?" she whispered.

He watched as her front teeth chewed on her bottom lip. That always distracted him, watching her chew on her plump red mouth when all he ever wanted was to do it for her. It would be so easy, to slant his mouth over hers and steal a kiss. Or two. Or a few dozen. She wouldn't stop him. She wanted it too, he saw as her eyes dilated and her teeth let go of her bottom lip. A pulse was beating furiously at the hollow of her neck and her lips parted slightly.