The Search For Cinderella: Season 2 ✔︎

c h a p t e r 17

We walked down a kind of creepy alleyway before we entered a hidden neon lit burger parlour. I was instantly in love; it was super retro but modern at the same time with black and white checked floors, blue leather booths and lots of neon lights. We slid into a little booth in one of the dimly lit booths in the corner. An elder waiter with greying hair came over with a notepad and when he looked up he grinned, "Oh hey Noah, long time no see".

"Oh please, you know it's because I only like your burgers, Will".

Will chuckled before asking, "And who is this pretty lady?"

Noah looked at me and winked mischievously before saying, "This is Taylor, my future wife".

D E A D.

Will chuckled again, "If you say so," he looked at me before rolling his eyes, "Keep a leash on this one, him and his crazy ideas." He was so sweet I couldn't help but giggle, "I'll try to, no promises though".

He sighed jokingly, "I guess that's better than nothing," he paused, "now what can I get you kids, you're usual Noah?"

Noah nodded and said, "Make that two." Will wrote it down and walked away but not without muttering a cheeky, "behave" to Noah. I couldn't help but blush. I looked up at Noah and his cheeks seemed a little bit red too. He looked at me shyly before asking, "Are you ok?"

I nodded slightly, "Yeah I guess, just frustrated."

"I mean fair enough; your step sister is next level," he muttered and I groaned burying my head in my hands.

"I wish it could go back to the old days, with me and my dad," I said wistfully. Noah looked at me understandingly, "I can't even imagine what that would be like, he's so brave to go fight for our country and you are so strong for managing at home with the family you got."

I smile, "Don't get me wrong I'm so proud of him, I just miss him a lot. It's tough without him at home," I say.

Tough is an understatement. It's hard being unwanted and treated almost like a prisoner in your own home.

"So it's just you and your stepfamily at home?" he asked slightly concerned. I nod, "Yeah, two stepsisters and a step-mother, Alicia." I rolled my eyes and he chuckled slightly, "Let me guess, she's like Stacey and Bianca."

I shuddered and muttered, "Worse." He winced and said, "God, that would honestly suck so much." I gave him a half-hearted smile while giving myself a pity party. I needed to snap out of it, I didn't give myself pity parties anymore, not since four years ago when I ended up in the hospital.

Our burgers were served in that moment which was good, food is always the best mood booster. We small talked while eating our burgers, about anything and everything other than my family and the show. He was telling me about his nephew Ashton who sounded like a little cutie. He was so proud talking about him and it made my heart so happy just watching him talk so passionately about someone he cared about.

Once we finished eating he paid for the bill without asking any questions, he shook his head before I even could open my mouth to offer to pay for half. We strolled down one of the main streets in Miami. His sunnies were on even though it was now night time. He passed me his hoodie that he was carrying with him so I could pull the hood up over my head. The chance of being seen or photographed by fans or paparazzi was an unnecessary problem that could be avoided by being more discrete. Before I realised where we were going we ended up at the beach that was backed by the hotel we were staying out.

We sat down in the sand, surrounded by the sound of the ocean and the darkness of the night. The moon was new and cast a tiny glow but the stars filling the sky glowed brighter than the moon itself. The ocean breeze was relaxing and a nice break from the humidity. Noah wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in closer to his side as I melted into his embrace. I still didn't know what was going on between us, all I knew is that he made me so happy and I was more than ok with that.

He pressed his lips to the side of my forehead as we sat in comfortable silence and my heart could literally burst.

"I'm glad you came on the show Tay, I honestly would have lost my mind doing it if you weren't there," he says.

I smile at him, "I'm glad I did it too, even though I was low key forced by my head teacher," he chuckled, "I don't get why your dad forced you to do it though? Like sure he wants you to settle down, but you're only 19, why the rush?" I asked him.

"I think he was just worried about me, we lost my mother a few years ago and I wasn't coping so well, he just wanted me to have someone and he thought maybe putting me on the show would be the easiest way." I knew there was more to his story that he wasn't so willing to share which was fine by me, you can't force people to talk about things when they aren't ready.

He chuckled again snapping me out of my thoughts, "I honestly thought he was insane putting me on the show as if I would find someone on some random show," he shakes his head smiling, "turns out I was wrong and he was right". He smiles at me and I couldn't help but grin back at him. He pulls me closer into his arms and we end up cuddling for a while before we have to head back in.

"Go on a date with me?" He asks before we part ways, "This coming Sunday?"

I grinned at him and nodded, "I can't wait". He pressed his lips to my forehead one more time before whispering, "Good night baby girl".

The following morning at breakfast Noah wasn't there. Some girls who like to keep tabs as to where he is said that he was still at training. A text from Noah confirmed their hunches, which was slightly creepy that they knew where he was.

Marcus, however, was there and after everyone had finished their breakfast he stood up and briefly announced the challenge for this week.

"Lovely ladies, can I have your attention please!" His loud voice boomed over the cafeteria, which magically made everyone quiet down.

"This week we will have our sporting or athletic challenge!" You could hear the groans of some of the girls who were not so keen on this challenge.

"However, we are going to change it up again from last year and instead of playing a bit of each sport, we're going to have one massive challenge!" The groans stopped as they realised that they probably won't have to spend a few days of playing different sports.

"We're going to be playing paintball this year for our athletic challenge!"

Excited and nervous chatter filled the cafeteria as Marcus finished his announcement and stepped down. I had never done Paintball before, all I knew that it was painful so you could say that I was slightly nervous. 

AN: Hey sweets, sorry for the filler chapter x Also, don't forget to check out the new CAST chapter at the beginning of the story. I know a few of you have already x

QOTU: What are ya'll studying in uni or if you're in high school you're fave subject? Im studying criminology x