Concealed

eight

After school finally let out, relief washed throughout me. I hated school, but after what Liam said at lunch, I had been irritable and restless.

I was curious as to why Noelle wasn't at school considering it was her second week, so once I was in the school parking lot I climbed into my car and drove to Noelle's house to check on her. She'll probably throw me out but I need to know what happened to her.

I drove into my neighborhood, as the large brick houses lined with shrubs, and mini trees along with Christmas lights for decoration smeared past me. All the houses looked the same. My life was one monotonous routine, go to school, come home, sit in my room until dad gets home, eat and then sleep. It's so boring without football.

Once I finally drove down the street enough, I found Noelle's large house. Her car along with I'm assuming her grandmothers sat in the driveway. They had no decoration up, or anything.

I parked my car by the mailbox, and walked up her driveway.

I knocked on the door, shoving my hands in my coat pockets to keep them from the cold air.

I waited a little, and got no response so I knocked again.

A little old lady with gray hair answered the door. She had glasses slid down the bridge of her nose, and wore a oversized hoodie along with jeans.

"Hello?" She said but it came out as more of a question.

"Hi, are you Noelle's grandmother?" I asked as sweetly as I could.

"Yes, who are you?"

"I'm Harry, Noelle's friend. I came by to talk to her about the homework she missed today at school," I lied. Her facial expression softened, and she cracked a smile.

"Oh well come in Harry." She said opening the door for me. "Oh you must be the boy who lives across the street!"

"Yes I am, and thank you, Mrs.."

"Oh call me Janet, sweetheart. Noelle is upstairs in her room, second door on the left. She hasn't come out all day, so don't be surprised if she's not in a good mood." She chucked.

"Oh okay, thank you again." I smiled before walking across the marble floor up to brown carpeted steps. The house looked a lot like mine, but cozier almost. When I reached her door, I knocked lightly.

"Go away!" She yelled. I rolled my eyes. Typical Noelle. I cracked the door and peaked my head though and smiled so widely that my eyes were squinting.

"Harry?"

"Ello, love," I said in a more British accent than I already carry. She climbed off of her bed, and opened the door more so she could see me. I took in her appearance and her brown hair sat in a messy bun on top of her head and she wore sweats and a tee shirt, but what took me aback was the bruise that occupied the left side of her face from her cheek to her jaw.

"Noelle what-"

"Don't, you can't be here." She said coldly. She stepped forward, shutting the door behind her.

"Harry I'm serious you can't be here," she whispered loudly. She reached behind me and turned on the hall light that hung over our heads.

"And why not? I came to check on you because you weren't in school.. Now I know why."

"Harry it's not safe for you to be here you need to leave I'll be in school tomorrow okay just go." She spoke louder.

"Noelle I need some answers here. Why is your face bruised up? Who did that to you?"

"It doesn't matter," she replied. I'm going to lose my shit if she says that one more time.

"Noelle you always say that! I need some answers. I'm trying here and you're not making it easy."

"Because Harry that's the point! It's not supposed to be easy because you're not supposed to be involved with me. It's complicated and I can't give you answers. But please just trust me for once, I know I'm asking a lot but trust me, you can't be here." She said. I saw a plead in her green eyes.

"Fine Noelle if you don't want to see me then,"

"No Harry I don't." She said crossing her arms over her chest like she didn't care.

That's all it took. That hurt.

"I'll see you at school then." I replied before turning on my heels and walking away from her.

"Harry," she said. I grabbed the know of the top of her railing that descended down the steps.

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry okay, things are just... Complicated right now. I need you to understand that." She said. I heard hurt in her voice but I didn't know what to say. So instead I just nodded and trudged down the steps.

"I hope to see you soon Harry," Janet said. "Would you like anything to eat?"

"No thanks, I have to go. My father will be home soon and I wouldn't want to upset him," I half smiled. I tried to act like what Noelle said didn't hurt me in the least, but I guess I'm not a very good actor. She noticed, and patted my back.

"She'll come around Harry. Just give her time. She's never had anyone but me considering her mother walked out and then her father gave her up to me. She hasn't had many friends. You just need to give her time," she winked. I wanted to ask so many questions but I didn't want to push it.

"Thanks," I said before walking out into the frigid air. I breathed out, and the air that escaped my mouth transformed into a white puff of smoke. I walked to my car, and turned it on before pulling into my driveway from across the street.