NOEL
Her headphones connected to the walkman in her hands cancels out any noise from inside the car. The rain isn't helping the mood of the day. My blood is still boiling, my anger still present. Trying to calm myself down, I look out the window of the cab I was in with Iris. The airport was a little far and her mother didn't want her roaming the city by herself. It reminds me of the past. Memories of babysitting her as a child come to flood my mind. I close my eyes, trying to remember a better moment than the reality right now.
"Noel," A quiet voice asks as my eyes flutter open. I turn, bringing the blanket with me. There she was, the morning sun hitting her. She was wrapped in the blue sheets from her bedroom and I rubbed my eyes to get a better look.
"What is it, Riss?" I asked her, yawning. Late nights and early mornings didn't mix and I was feeling it right now.
"My head hurts." She rubbed the swollen bump on her head.
I took one good look then remember why we were in bed together. "Yeah Riss, You hit your head on the table last night after coming home late." It had become normal for the girl to come home late from a friend's since she had no sense of time.
"How did I do that?" She started to giggle, making me laugh with her.
"It was dark, I guess you slipped." I shrugged, laughing it off with her.
She soon fell back down into the pillow and cuddled close to me. "Noelie, let's just lay here all day."
I smile, pushing her hair back and staring down at her. "I'm good with that." I said, holding my best friend closer to me.
"I'm sorry...I didn't want mean to yell at you like that." She finally says after a moment of silence.
My brain wanted to yell at her, tell her how i didnt want her to leave; my heart was saying something different. My mind still wanted to believe that the two of them had done something.
"I'm not upset," I stare out the window. "Im disappointed, Em. You say you want to be an adult but you do fucked up shit like this." I look over to make eye contact with her.
"Noelie, no one was there to help him. You were with Meg-"
"What did you just say?" When our eyes meet, mine are wide and red.
"Liam told me you were with Meg, I thought you didnt want me.. or to help him. Liam was drunk, I couldnt carry him all the way to his room." She quickly explains.
"It's not that Emily, You're 17." I sigh, rubbing my hands over my face.
"You didn't mind when I was 16. Did I grow out of your taste?" She spits at me.
I laugh a little, shocked by her comeback. "Iris," I look up at her. "I love you. A lot. That's why I cant do this. Oasis is taking off, what would the press say if they saw me with a little girl? This is what I have been working for. I love you, Iris. I want to be with you but right now isn't the time." The car makes a sudden stop, jerking us both forward.
When she sits back up, her hair is messy; in her eyes and her lips are parted. "So what? It's oasis or me?" She asked.
I stare into her eyes; memories flowing back in my head. I couldn't stop them. The sound of her saying I love you or the feeling of her touch was coming back. Holding her close, touching her soft skin, watching as she woke up next to me every morning. I just stare at her and she stared back at me - speechless. I knew I had to pick Oasis, but I don't want her to leave. The cab drivers voice was screaming at her to get out the car but she seems to tune him out. I reach out to touch her pale cheek, one last time. As my hand made it to her cheek, her face turned red. His eyes closed at my touch and she rested her cheek into my hand. She wants me and I want her. I lean in, kissing her lips; the feeling coming back instantly. Her body presses against mine like usual. When we pull apart, she doesn't speak. A tear rolls down her cheek so perfectly it almost seems like a movie moment. She quickly grabs her bag off the floor of the car and steps out. I slid into her spot to get a better look at her. She stands there, bags in hand, messy hair, and the headphones around her neck. I watch her, not wanting to let her leave. The cab driver sighs in relief and starts the car back up.
"I love you, Noel." I could hear her say as the cab driver pulls out of the parked spot.
