Archer's Paradox | Slow updates

Chapter Eleven

Alice called me up the Saturday after I was in such a depression. She asked me to go over to their house while Noah is out. Josh drops me off at the driveway and I wave to him as he drives away.

Alice opens the door for me and I step inside. "You know why you're here right?" She asks as we sit down on their super comfy couch. I nod and she continues. "My brother is a strange one. He falls in love easily and I honestly didn't think you guys would speed things up so quickly." "Wait, what are you talking about?" I ask and she rolls her eyes. "I saw his back after Christmas. I think I should get you some nailclippers." She laughs and I try to hide my blush.

"Oh. We didn't .. you know." She takes my hand and I look up at her. Alice is kind of intimidating but she's also really sweet. "I also have some awesome twintuition when it comes to Noah. Point is, don't get too serious too quick. He's a good guy and I can tell he likes you a lot, but please be careful. He already undressed you, I just hope he didn't slip up with the afterglow and proclaimed his love for you." My eyes go wide and she lets out another piercing laugh.

"Good. So, since that's out of the way, why don't we go drink coffee or something?" She gives me another warm smile.

"I've been dying for a coffee." I laugh lightly as we get into her car and head to the café. "I've been wondering," Alice looks over at me quickly before continuing to head straight up in the road. "Has Noah mentioned anything personal to you?" I try not to sound surprised as to why she would ask such a question but as always, my mouth betrays me.

"Why?" She glances at me and puts on the right indicator.

"He tends to do that when he gets serious." I can't believe she just told me that. I like Noah and I know he trusted me with some stuff but the fact that his sister tells me this. "He told me about his depression." The brakes are immediately slammed and I jerk forward but my seat belt catches me.

"What!? This is more serious than I thought."

She continues driving after a moment and we pull into the café's parking area. "What do you mean?" I ask as I close the door and walk with her to the café. "He never told anyone before. Something must've triggered it. Did you guys maybe ..?" Not knowing what she's suggesting, I raise my brow and follow her in the café.

"I was depressed Tuesday and I couldn't get out of bed so Noah came by and tried to cheer me up and then he showed me his scar. I was really surprised but I feel good knowing he trusts me with something like that." I stir my latte as Alice thinks it over.

Noah is a good person and I've liked him a while. He's someone you can rely on if needed and he cares. He cares deeply enough to want to help. I catch Alice's eyes as she looks me over.

"I think," her frown deepens. "I think Noah is very deeply in love with you. You need to be careful from now on." I'm heavily confused with what she's saying but I try not to think of it. Noah wouldn't hurt me, would he?

The thoughts swirl in my head and I try to push it away. I think of my parents instead and how I found this life. It all happened so fast. One day I was walking through my house and the next I'm trapped for 5 years. Then Josh found me and here I am, a month and a half later and sitting in a café with one of my best friends. I don't want to lose any of them and I'll make sure of it.

Alice decides to head to the mall after our coffee is finished so she can get her hair done. I asked her to drop me off at home but she said something about my hair needing attention.

The salon is huge with a lot of blow dryers and other products lining the walls. I am so in for a surprise because Alice refuses to let me look in a mirror as the stylist cuts my hair. The weight is suddenly lifted from my head as the stylist runs a comb through my hair. "All done." She spins me around so I can look in the mirror.

My heart swells at the sight.

My hair is cut in layers and some honey colored highlights are streaked between the brown of my natural colored hair. I love the way it makes my face look softer and the weight on my head lighter. It's still really long but the ends are treated so it looks beautiful. "I love it." Alice comes from behind to hug me and I look at her hair. She has some brown- and redish streaks in. She looks amazing.

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Today has been amazing because after we were at the hairdressers, Noah took me to dinner.

"School starts again in a few days so I was wondering," Noah's eyes catch mine and he smiles. "Maybe we can study for Calculus a few days. I saw your term mark and you really need some help." I scoff as he laughs at me. "It's true!" Chuckles come from his mouth. "

And now you want to help me? I bet it's an excuse to make out." He looks at me offended.

"I'll have you know, I'm pretty serious when it comes to school work." His eyes glint as he looks at me.

I just love the way Noah can be so mysteriously sexy when he looks at me like that. His birthday is coming up and I have this special thing planned for us. I honestly hope things work out in this new term because I can't afford disasters.

My friends have been so sweet to me these last few days and we even went bowling the next day. We all enjoyed each other's company and obviously scored a few points hitting down the pins. I even got picked on Cooper's team because he shouted to the world that I am the best bowler there is. Noah just gave him this look but Cooper held his ground. The whole group knows about Noah and I and everyone pestered us. All in all, it was a pretty awesome ending to the winter break.

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Dear readers ❤
Thanks for making it till here ❤
I'd appreciate a vote and a comment ❤
Up till now, no fight had really broken out and it's going to happen when we all least expect it ...
Even I don't know when 😂

Much love
Trace
Xxx