The One Who Left | In Progress

{ Ch. 18 }

"Okay, show me what you got then, babe." I roll my eyes at the cheesy nickname as I grab the pellet gun from the stall owner. I was a hundred times better at this than him. Thump! I miss the target for the third time amd wrinkle my nose. I was a good shot - I should've at least got one with my mediocre aiming skills. "Stop now Della or your nose'll fall off because of you scrunching it up all the time." Noah says, pulling my nose and my nose twitches - like a lil bunny twitch. "Whatever," I relinquish the gun to him and take my slurpee from his hands, "Let's see if you can do any better handsome." I drawl and he smirks.

Bam! He hits the target perfectly and my eyes widen and I fall silent. I was a better shot, I pout, slurping from my blueberry flavoured icy drink - as he gets the second target too. My arms automatically fold, "Bet you can't hit this one." I cackle and he chuckles looking at me, "Fine, what do I get if I win?" I think and come up with a brilliant idea. "If you win I'll give you a kiss, if you lose you give me your car." I say matter of fact and he smirks. "Deal." I know he's gonna win but I have a plan to make sure he doesn't. I've been eyeing his car for a while now. It's butter leather seats and glossy paint job... it was perfect for me and I wanted it.

"Wish me luck, darling." Noah's smug face just makes me more determined to cheat and I narrow my eyes. "Bad luck." He takes aim and I take my cup and pour the icy cold slurpee on his head. That should be enough of a shock for me too win. "Ha!" I yell not looking at his obvious loss and taking my time to rub it in, we never said no distractions. "Babe, you're forgetting something important." Noah smiles, pointedly looking at the game booth.

I turn and my face falls. He won. The gorgeous asshat actually won. "Lesson number one - never bet against me babe." He smirks and I gape at the booth. "But... but... but..." I open and close my mouth, my incredulous expression making him smirk. Noah leans in, head smelling like water and blueberry; "I think you owe me a kiss babe." He looks so adorable, his head soaked - pieces of ice stuck in his drenched hair. "I'm sorry for doing that..." I say sheepishly and Noah smiles at me. "Just the right amount of ruthless." He pecks me on the nose and I smile up at him.

"You gotta choose a prize." The grumpy stall owner complains and Noah slings his arm over my shoulder. "Let the lady choose what she wants." I choose a plus sized pandabear and we walk around the carnival eating candy floss and funnel cake. "We can go on the Ferris Wheel." Noah points out and I nod. We get on the ferris wheel that seems to be moving slower and slower. "I had a really good time." I murmur, looking at the setting sun on the horizon. He joins me at looking out at the sunset, "Me too Della." He whispers and rest my head on hos shoulder.
"The sunset's so beautiful." I murmur after a while, breaking the peaceful silence. "Just like my girlfriend." Noah says, turning his face toward me and I smile. He leans in as our lips meet.

The kiss was sweet and gentle - like the delightful discovery of the flutter of butterflies in your stomach, a fizzy excitement of a sugar high. It was our best kiss yet - it was stolen during movies, it didn't unexpectedly spring up from nowhere, it wasn't to defend a taken partner. It was just a kiss - it was soft and warm and gooey and felt a lot like falling in love. A thrilling roller-coaster of ups and downs.

"Delilah Kade," Noah smiles against my cheek - his breath tickling my ear. "Yes Noah Slater?" I respond smiling at him - it was like I was high.
"Will you be my date to Homecoming?"
"Yes." I give him a full blown smile and he grins, pepering my face with light kisses.

"And yes to your unasked question." I smile softly against his face. "What unasked question?" He murmurs dazed and I turn toward the sun, his arms holding on to my stomach as we watch the rest of the sunset as the Ferris Wheel descends. "I'll be your girlfriend Noah." I smile and he bends down into the curve of my neck, kissing me softly. "Thank you Della." He speaks, the velveteen timbre of his voice sending a shiver doen my spine.

It really was a perfect date.