Archer's Paradox | Slow updates

Chapter Eight

"You sure you don't want my jacket?" Noah asks as we walk around outside the city hall. It's quite cold but not so cold since I'm used to it. "I'm fine." I give him a smile and he nods. Besides, he looks crazy hot in his tux.

"So, about earlier ..." He looks at me. "Noah, I like you and you're a great friend. I just ... There's just so much you don't know about me." I sit down on a bench underneath an old Willow. Noah sits next to me and looks at me. "Tell me then." "It's not that simple." I don't want to have this conversation now. Not with him. "Please Layla. Maybe then we can find a solution because I know you feel something. I see the way your eyes find mine." I sigh and begin to tell him the story.

"My parents were professional archers. Everyone knows that already. But right after my nineth birthday, they went on a hunting trip. It was really dark and one of the archers mistaked them for deer. So they died right there with an arrow in the heart each. I was on my own. None of my family wanted me and so I used my experience to fend for myself." The memory makes my eyes tear up.

"Then one day I went hunting. The compass on my bow went haywire when I reached a fence and took me east instead of northwest. I got trapped in a net and this man came to my rescue. Well I thought so but it turns out he's really evil and tortures trespassers. So he took me hostage." I sigh before continuing. "For 5 years I was stuck to a chair. I had food maybe once a week and a little bit of water. I couldn't even use the bathroom. Then a month and a half ago Josh found me. He and Lucas took me home and cared for me. And now I'm here and I'm happy." Noah puts his hand on my cheek. "If anyone, and I mean anyone, tries that again I'll fuck them up ok?" He leans in slowly and I start to lean in too.

Is my first kiss going to happen? And with Noah of all people? I guess it won't be that bad.

His eyes search mine and when I smile, he takes it as his cue. Before we can connect, a sound startles us. "Not on my watch." Josh says as he swipes away the leaves of the Willow. Noah pulls back and curses under his breath. "Really man? I thought we had an understanding." He looks at Josh. "Yes, but she's still my responsibility." Josh laughs and nods towards the car. "Come on. It's too late for us to still be hanging around." I get up from the bench and just as Josh leaves, Noah's hand shoots out and grabs my wrist.

"Fuck this."

I'm looking at him confused and next thing I know, his lips meet mine. I melt into the kiss and a thousand fireworks explode. I'm having my first kiss! My head starts spinning and all I can think of is how I never want it to end.

But too soon Noah pulls away and I stand there breathless. "Go before Josh kills me." He laughs and I make my way towards Josh's car. He eyes me suspiciously as I get in. "Just go." I laugh.

All the while I'm thinking of my first kiss. It was amazing and it was with Noah. His lips are so soft and gentle and I get these butterflies in my stomach. He didn't go too fast and oh my gosh, it was just perfect.

I can hardly sleep as I stare at the ceiling. What happens now? Will he call me? Will we go on dates? Will he ask me out? He confessed his feelings earlier and I guess after all this time, I have feelings too. And they are shouting at me to grab Noah with both hands and never let go. I hope to God I'm not making a mistake. Being with a boy and falling in love faster than most girls can type is super dangerous.

But it's Noah.

Yeah, yeah heart. You shut up.

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My phone blares beside me as my eyes struggle to open. I feel for it on the bedside table before grasping the smooth screen and bringing it to my face. My eyes fly open as I look at the caller. Oh my gosh. "Hello?" I sound more panicky than usual. "Hello gorgeous," Noah's smooth voice fills my ear. "I was wondering if you would like to go do some target practice again?" I almost stop breathing.

"I, uh, well I just woke up. But I'd love to! Just give me a few minutes to get ready." I ramble and a soft chuckle comes from the other end. What will happen when we're there? My thoughts are disrupted by Noah's sensational voice. "Let me know and I'll pick you up when you're ready." The line clicks dead as I sit upright. What is it with this boy?

"Show me again!" Noah laughs as he tries to catch me. I'm running from him because when I shot an arrow into the other one again, he asked me to help him. When I tried to, he couldn't get it right so I started turning away and when he grabbed my arm, I ran. "Noah! You are hopeless!" I laugh out of breath as I round a corner. Just as I want to look back at him, a hand wraps around my wrist and spins me around. I'm pressed against Noah's body as his hand glides dangerously low towards my butt.

"Don't even think about it, Huntington." I try to get away but he pulls me in closer and his lips find mine. I wrap my arms around his neck and he tries to deepen the kiss but I lightly bite on his tongue. He pulls back surprised and I take it as my cue to dash off. I run back to our bows and try to catch my breath as Noah comes to a halt next to me. "You are something, Archer." He's laughing as his arms trap me against a table and he brings his lips down on my neck. I moan as he makes his way up to my lips and soon we're connected. His kiss is sweet and makes me crave more but I pull back and he looks at me confused as he spins us around and leans against the table.

"You were my first kiss." I admit with a blush as I run my hand through his hair. He smiles at me and pulls me in closer. "That's the best news I've heard in a long time." His chin rests on my shoulder as he pulls me in for a hug. His arms are so strong and comforting that I want to fall asleep but a hot kiss in my neck snaps me back to reality.

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"You are amazing!" Noah laughs as we sit in the café. I'm staring at my chai latte as I blush. We've been talking about the archery competitions I've been to and what I've achieved. He seems to think it's amazing that I can get 10 gold medals in one weekend. To me, that's just a milestone. We continued practicing earlier and I hit six bullseyes, one 5 and three 8's. I also told him I never miss the target, even if it's just a 1 or 2. But that's just if my balance is off.

"It's all I've known my whole life. It is my whole life." I look at him quickly to see his reaction. He's just smiling brightly at me like I've just said yes to marrying him.

"You, Layla Archer, are something incredible and I'm so glad I fell in love with you."

As soon as the words reach my ears, my fingers clench around an anxiety tablet. I hope he'll still like me when I have an attack.