Trials {Editing}

Chapter 20

Noah's POV

I waited in front of the school building for Harper to show up. I wasn't used to her taking so long to get to school, and the fact that I haven't seen her since that day I found her crying is making me even more anxious to see her. When she had finally calmed down and stopped crying, she refused to talk about why she was crying. Eventually, I had to leave to take landon back home, but the whole time I couldn't stop thinking about her. The next morning I texted her, and she told me she was just having a hard time coping with the divorce, but I just couldn't find it in myself to believe her. It just didn't seem to fit the puzzle for some reason.

I looked around the front of the school again, seeing if she had arrived yet. I smiled as I thought about how many times I would drive to school to see her waiting in this exact spot for me, then walk me to my locker. All three years of high school, and starting in the middle of freshman year, every time I saw her my heart would leap out of my chest. Little did I know that the whole time, she liked me just as much as I liked her.

Finally, I looked around again and saw Harper's car pull into the student parking lot. I smiled, happy that I'd get to see her finally. I watched her jump out of her car and start walking my way. I looked her up and down, taking in her outfit: a grey sweater, black pants, white shoes, and a grey beanie. Her hair had its natural wave, making her look all the more beautiful. As she walked towards the building, she noticed me standing in this spot staring at her, and she smirked, raising her eyebrows at me. I was slightly embarrassed about being caught in the act, but I wasn't going to let her know that. Instead, I looked her up and down even more obviously.

Harper stopped in front of me and crossed her arms. "See something you like, Noah?" she asked playfully, the smirk never leaving her lips. I played into it, exaggeratedly looking her up and down a third time.

"You bet I do," I said roughly as I grabbed her waist and pulled her to me, making her let out a cute little giggle. I smiled, loving the way she laughs, before pulling her closer and pressing my lips against hers. She sighed in content as she wrapped her arms around my neck, her fingers making their way into my hair.

"Oh, come on you two. Go get a room!"

Harper jumped and pulled away from me at the sound of the voice. I groaned, already knowing who was there without having to look. Jade and Alex were standing there watching us. Alex waggled his eyebrows at me, while Jade looked at us with a mischievous smile. Harper struggled to get out of my arms at first, but I wouldn't budge. Instead, she just leaned her back against my chest, my head resting on top of hers.

"Hey guys," Harper greeted. "How are you?"

"Oh, right," Alex said as he remembered what Jade was hinting towards. "We wanted to know if you two wanted to join us for coffee after school. We know this pretty good place and wanted you guys to hang with us."

"Though, from the looks of it, you might have other plans," Jade said, earning a snicker from Alex.

I glared at Jade, who had a devilish grin on her face. I rolled my eyes, knowing that Harper must be blushing furiously right now.

"No, seriously," Jade said with a little chuckle. "Do you two want to join us?" Jade asked.

Harper turned and looked at me, her eyebrows raised. I could tell that she really wanted to go, probably to get to know Jade a little better, but was waiting to see how I felt about it. I smiled, appreciating that she was waiting to see how I felt about it. I nodded slightly, giving her the okay. Harper smiled happily at me and turned towards Alex and Jade. She chirped, "We'd love to!"

Jade smiled happily as Alex nodded his head. "Great! That will give us more of a chance to get to know each other," she said with a wink to Harper, who's smile grew even bigger. Alex and I looked at each other, thinking the same thing. Jade will be the end of the sweet and innocent Harper as we know her. Alex rolled his eyes and I shook my head, a smile finding its way onto my lips. This will be good for her. She needs someone like Jade.