Blind

chapter seventeen.

Alina was in the kitchen when Noah woke up. She heard his footsteps, slow and sleepy. That night she couldn't sleep. She couldn't do anything except think about that kiss. And who could blame her really? It was her first kiss, apart from that time in eighth grade when Jack Richards had kissed her to win a bet with his friends.

She couldn't stop thinking about Noah. His lips, his hands, his everything. It was bad. Really bad.

"Hey." She heard Noah say suddenly, pulling her out of her daze. His voice was rough and sleepy.

Alina's heart was racing. She composed herself and tried to smile.

"Hello." She said.

Noah rubbed his eyes.

"What time is it?" He asked.

"12:30"

He didn't answer. Instead he walked to the table and sat down across from her, burying his face in his arms. Alina heard him sigh.

"Rough night?" She managed to keep her voice light. She couldn't tell what he was thinking. It drove her crazy.

Noah chuckled.

"Apparently."

"Well, did you at least have fun?" Alina asked, her stomach a tight knot.

"I wish I knew." He said lifting his head and rubbing his temples.

She felt her heart drop.

"You....you don't...um..." she let out a laugh. "You don't remember it?"

She didn't want to hear his answer.

"I don't remember anything." Noah said and Alina felt something die inside of her. "I remember there was a club and some girls...."

"pretty and curvy?" She asked. The words left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Noah laughed.

"Probably." He said and she smiled.

"Yeah."

He let out a groan.

"My head is killing me." He said. "How did even I get home?"

"Emerson brought you." She answered mechanically. Her head was starting to ache.

"Oh yeah." He said looking at her a little, before lowering his gaze on the table.

"There's coffee on the counter." She said.

Noah lifted his eyebrows in surprise.

"You made coffee?" He asked. "You hate coffee."

Alina took a sip from her tea.

"I know. It's for you."she said placing her cup back on the table. "I thought you could use some coffee after last night."

Noah looked at her.

"You were awake when I came back?" He asked.

She forced a smile.

"Yup." She said. Noah was silent for a little.

"Did I do anything weird?" He asked. Alina could feel her chest burning.

"You did what you always do." She said evenly.

"What?" 

"You made a mess of things and left me to clean it up."

That much was true. Noah stayed silent for a while.

"Did I pee in the sink again?" He asked his voice honest and concerned.

Alina laughed shaking her head. She felt her throat close up. She couldn't do this. She stood up from her seat.