The One Who Left | In Progress

{ Ch. 10 }

I wake up beside Noah Slater - cuddling on the couch; his arms around my waist and mine around his neck, our legs interwoven like a jigsaw puzzle - and I jump, ultimately falling off of Noah's couch and landing on the floor with a loud thump. Suprisingly, the guy sleeps on - dead to the world, I take a look around. I was clearly not at my house - the curtains were closed, the movie that was playing still on a loop from last night. Oh yeah, last night - my dad told me that he'd always loved me.

I knew I needed space and I left... I had to change everything that I saw him as completely. My perspective of the man my father was changed and I had to change accordingly, I needed time - time he wouldn't give me if I went back home. My overwhelmed brain took me to Noah's place and I completely shut down.
I glanced at the fully dressed boy laying haphazardly on the sleeper couch, he was sweet yesterday - he made sure I ate, watched me and almost called the ambulance thrice. I stopped him - I think. When it was clear that neither of us were goimg to sleep - he made me a mug of hot chocolate and rewatched Notting Hill, a classic in my opinion, with me - we clearly fell asleep on the couch despite us not being tired.

I open the curtains, the light pouring in. I gasp, running for my phone - everyone was most probably looking for me. I pick it up to see messages from almost everyone.

Dad
58 missed calls

Jessica
47 missed calls

Madison
Where are you???

Morgan
Are u ok?

Lark
Call me, Jess said you're at Slaters.

Aubrey
Heard you got home - hope you didn't get into too much trouble

I guess Aubrey doesn't know much. I call my dad first - biting my lip when he doesn't answer immediately. "Lilah sweetheart, where are you?" Derek asks frantically and I smile, "I'm with a friend Derek, I'm okay." "Are you coming back Lilah?" "Derek, I need space and time - I'll be staying where I am until I figure some things out." I murmur and he sighs, "Okay Delilah, I love you." "Saying I love you isn't gonna fix this Derek, I grow up hating you and thinking you didn't want me - I just can't okay, I'll be back in two weeks." "Okay sweetheart, see you later?" I smile, "Sure... Derek."

I walk back into the tv room, the huge couch only just enough space for a pair of people but by the way Noah lays across the plush couch I can see why it's just him. The sunlight brushes his hair and I bend down to his level. "Wake up Noah," I murmur - and unable to resist, I run my hands through his light chestnut hair It's even softer than it looks. The action was almost unconscious but Noah's pretty blues makw contact with mine and he smiles. Definitely a morning person.

"Good morning," He says and I bite my lip. "Morning." I grin faintly and stretches. "So you're staying here Della?" His hair falls in his face - a single mesmerising tuft down his head obsuring his beautiful eyes.
"Can I?" I sigh breathlessly. Get a grip Delilah, he's just a boy. I shake my head, emptying all thoughts of jumping him. "Sure, you can stay if you want." He replies and I tuck my hair behind my ear nervously, glancing at my hands. "I'm sorry... for yesterday. I'm sure you had other things to do." This was strange - I never meant to apologise for something I did automatically. Strange actually summarises my relationship with Noah so far.

"It's okay, Della." He murmurs, tucking the other side of my hair back behind my ear, "I like seeing you." I blush, smiling faintly. What's wrong with me - I don't blush. "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry." Noah says, padding toward the kitchen. "I'll make coffee." I say, trapizing around Noah's kitchen. He makes two omelettes that smell delicious and I start a pot of coffee. Working quietly together like a well oiled machine. "So you have yet to ask me about Kael and Jess' appearances yesterday." He leans back against the counter top and I laugh, "To be honest - I kinda forgot about them being here, why bring it up." "Ask yourself - you're the nosy one." "I actually prefer the word curious and that's rich coming from you - of all people." I scoff, taking out the sugar and cream for the coffee. "What's that supposed to mean?" Noah says, and I faintly hear a pout. No, Noah would never... "Are you pouting right now?" I laugh and Noah rolls his eyes. "That's not important right now Della," He interrupts my train of thought and I shake my head.