What We Were

Chapter 2: Part 2

I took him up to my Dad’s closet and let him borrow a pair of basketball shorts. Yes, my dad has those, and he’s 44 . I threw Noah an old college T-shirt from 1988. I sat on the bed as he changed out of his shirt. Damn. His body looked like Channing Tatum mixed with Zach Efron (After High School Musical, but before the Lucky One). It seemed like everything was in slow motion for a minute. Then he called me out. “Jules!!”

“Yeah-what now?”

“Are you, staring at me changing?”

“No!”

“Cause if you were you can just tell me. I mean this wouldn’t be the first time you’ve stared at me half naked.”

“Firstly, you’re not half naked. You just don’t have a shirt on. Secondly, I wasn’t staring at anything! And thirdly, when have I ever stared at you when you were half naked?”

“Sophomore year at the schools’ swim party?”

“You were in trunks so you weren’t half-naked.”

“Junior year, football camp?  You snuck into the boy’s locker room.”

With each accusation, he came closer and closer.

“I had to go in and wait for you because you were my ride home!"

“And finally,” He slowly got close, face to face. I stiffened up my posture while I was sitting on the edge of the bed. He finished, “You walked in on me in the shower freshman year!”

“I did not!” He got even closer.  Nose to nose. He whispered.

“Oh yes you did. But you know what?”

“What?"

“You don’t have to pretend that you walked in by accident Jules to make you seem innocent...You're not fooling me.”

He whispered and smiled that charming smile of his. I pushed his shoulder away, but it didn’t move him from where he was standing over me on the bed.

“Look, whatever game you’re playing here, won’t work on me ok? I know every single one of your tricks.”

“Oh yeah? You know every single one of my tricks.”

“Yes! I know everything about you Noah. Including your tickle spot!!!!”

        ”

I jumped off the bed and headed for the doorway. Then I heard a slight groan.

“Jules?”

“Yes?”

“I don’t feel too good, I think I’m gonna…” And I’m pretty sure you know what happened next.

               ...A half hour of upchucking, and three pieces of mint gum later, Noah and I were sitting on the couch watching 'The Nanny' on the late night channel. It was the one where Fran ended up with Mr. Sheffield and he realized he had been in love with her the whole time. What a quack! In reality he wouldn’t have just realized it. He would’ve grown to love her not just in an instant he just knew…he must’ve been into her for awhile for him to “realize” that he  was in love with her at that moment in time. It doesn’t just work like magic!

               Then I flipped the channel to some old I Love Lucy reruns. This was the one where she was in the chocolate factory trying to wrap all of the chocolates. After a couple episodes of that, it was getting pretty late so I decided to get up and go to sleep. Noah was passed out! I leaned him back in on the couch. He groaned a little, and then relaxed. I pulled up the soft quilt to his chest and turned off the T.V.  As I was about to leave, he called out my name. “Jules?”

“Yeah?” I whispered softly.

“C’mere.” I walked over to the side of the coffee table and sat on the edge. “What is it?”

“Hey, thanks for taking care of me. I really mean it. Thank you. I know I’ve been kind of a dick lately. I’m really sorry Jules. I never really meant to...”

“Hey, it’s ok. Trust me…its fine… I know you. You didn’t really mean anything by it. Goodnight Noah.”

“Wait! Jules!”

“Yes?”

“That stuff I said before, I’m sorry if that made you feel weird. I don’t know why I said that. I shouldn’t have thrown that on you or anything, I just feel so stupid when Im around you. Like nervous and I feel anxious, but calm at the same time. You know what I mean? Of course you don’t know what I mean; this must all sound so crazy to you. I mean honestly… And did I mention that I turn into a total chatterbox when im around you. I don’t know why, but I just do. And…” He started to stand up, but I pushed him back down. I put my hand over his mouth and shushed him.

“Hey, shh! It’s ok!” I pulled his face closer to mine. He rested his forehead on mine. We sort of stayed there for a silent  moment.  I said,

“You need your sleep Noah. Goodnight.” I moved my lips up and gently kissed his forehead. I got up off the coffee table and walked up to my room.  As I brushed my teeth I couldn’t help but feel a little bit bad for Noah down there all by himself  on my uncomfortable couch.  Plus I think it’s safe to say that he’s been through a lot tonight. I'm the one that invited him, I needed to make it up to him somehow. Then I got a great idea.  I hopped into bed and turned out my light. I knew what I was going to do as soon as I got up the next morning. And I couldn’t wait to see Noah’s face when he saw my surprise.