Archer's Paradox | Slow updates

Chapter Nine

It's Christmas eve and Tori decided we should all have a party at her house. "Hurry Josh!" I yell and gather my things before pulling on my parka. Josh and his girlfriend, Dezi are in his room getting ready but I doubt that's what they are doing. She's 18 and he's like 25 so its kind of weird. I've had a chat with him about that and he just said he likes her a lot.

They finally come out of his room looking dazzling. "It's getting late." I say and put my hand on my hip.

They both blush and we head out to Josh's car. The drive to Tori's house is full of kissing and the two making googly eyes at each other. Noah and I aren't even like that. I roll my eyes every time Dezi runs her hand down Josh's arm. It's so gross.

"Thank gosh!" I over exaggerate as I walk past Tori and into her home. She looks at me puzzled before welcoming Josh and Dezi. Everyone is already here except Lukas, he went to get Ally. They kind of hit it off really quickly at the Christmas party and started hanging out. Noah comes over to me and lifts me into the air when I throw my arms around him. A laugh escapes me and I hide my face in his neck. "You look beautiful." He whispers as he takes in my appearance. I blush and Tori steps in between us. "None of that here." She eyes us both and pulls me towards the couch just as Lucas and Ally walk through the door. "Now we are complete!" Tori clasps her hands together and goes to get the kitchen for snacks.

"Open mine! Open it!" Grey shouts in my ear as Tori takes his gift from his outstretched hands. "Ouch!" I yell back at him and he waves me off. Tori carefully unwraps his gift, eyeing the small box as she goes. A gasp escapes her when she opens it and takes out what ever is inside. It's a silver necklace with a G dangling from it. "It's beautiful, Grey." Her eyes tear up and Grey pulls her to her feet then kisses her in front of the whole group. Everyone awww's and Tori pulls away blushing. She's liked Grey since they were kids and I'm so glad he feels the same.

Her cheeks are still red when we start passing around other gifts and a gift lands on my lap. I look at it and then at the group. No one is looking at me and I look at the box very carefully before unwrapping it. Inside is a wrapped up flat board. I think of possible things it could be before almost dropping it completely. It's a picture frame, and with not any picture inside, but the only picture I have left of my parents. Tears roll down my cheeks. I thought I lost it. Josh is staring at me when I lift my head and I clasp a hand over my mouth as a sob escapes. My shoulders are jerking as more tears escape and I can't control my sobbing. An arm wraps around me and pulls me into their chest. I miss my parents so much.

I'm sitting in Noah's lap as the others stand around and talk about this and that. After my episode everyone went ahead with the presents and I got a few nice gifts as well. Noah gave me a canvas with a photo of me in the café with a coffee sitting in front of me and I'm laughing at something outside the window. The sun is shining perfectly behind my hair. I love the photo.

"How did you get it?" I ask Josh as he and Dezi sit next to us.

"The social worker went to your house in San Francisco. She found a few of your things and brought it over for us to look through. She also said that you can still go back and collect things you want." "That would be great." I say and wipe my still wet cheeks. I went to the bathroom earlier and took off all my makeup.

The cold bites my legs through my jeans and I pull the blanket off the back of the couch before covering myself up until my neck. Noah rubs my arm and kisses the top of my head. I feel so safe in his arms. The whole evening is just so much. This is my first real Christmas eve since I've lost my parents and being with a bunch of people that care about me, it's special and overwhelming at the same time.

"Dinner!" Tori disrupts my thoughts and I get off Noah's lap to make my way to the table. It's full off yummy food and my stomach growls. We all sit down and make conversation as we fill up our plates. I stare down at my chicken wings, mash potatoes, carrots and green beans. It feels like home and someone shouts at us to smile. I turn my head before a flash goes off. We eat and chat while laughing at a few stupid jokes and the whole night is a success. We all drink eggnog and chat around the fire afterwards while we wait for the clock to strike midnight.

Tori's parents are out and we all share rooms so we don't have to drive late at night. Some have offered to go home, like Josh and Lucas, which leaves me, Noah, Tori, Dustin, Grey, Alice and Cooper. Cooper and I haven't talked much but he seems really nice.

Soon Cooper and Dustin make their way home with Alice and the four of us that are left chat and make jokes. "You guys are so great." I comment and everyone aww's.

It's about 2 in the morning when Tori says she's tired. "You can have the spare room. You know." She winks at us before giggling and walking with Grey up the stairs. I roll my eyes and snuggle into Noah's side. He looks down at me and then leans down to catch my lips against his. I laugh as we pull away and he takes us off the couch towards the door of the kitchen.

"What are we doing?" I laugh and he looks up. I do the same and notice green leaves and red round things stuck to the top. "Mistletoe." He says and kisses me again. We pull away and look at each other before his nose brushes against my cheek and his breathing picks up. My heart starts racing as his hands slide from my face down to my hips and he pulls me closer. My arms tighten around his neck and our lips meet in a haste.

The kiss deepens and soon we're making slurping sounds and moan as our tongues dance around each other. His hands grip my thighs and I jump so he can wrap them around his waist. I've never felt anything like this before and after almost eating each other's faces off against the living room wall, we move to the guest room. I try not to moan as Noah's mouth glides against my neck and now and then we pause to make out against a wall in the hallway. The guest room door gets kicked closed and I'm thrown on the bed as Noah loses his shirt and climbs on top of me to continue our steamy make out.

I breathe against Noah's shoulder as he sucks on the gentle skin behind my ear and a moan escapes my lips, making me claw at his shoulder blades. This is heaven on earth.

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We ended up doing nothing. A hot make out session and a few clothing items missing later and we're having the iconic pillow talk. "You make my heart race." Noah whispers as he laces our fingers. I smile in the dark and feel my own heart speeding up. "Your back muscles are so perfect." I giggle as Noah pulls me across his lap. We're both down to our underwear but we respect each other. I lean down and kiss his lips quickly before resting my head in his neck. "Hey, Lay?" "Hmm?" His hands feel around my back. "Why do you have so many scars on your back?" I quickly sit up and catch his hands in mine. "It doesn't matter." We start making out again.

I'll tell him eventually.