I Want You [N.G.]

t w o

N O E L

"I'm sorry sir, but your car was towed last night," the employee told me. I sighed, knowing I'd barely have the money to get it back.

"Alright, thanks," I hung up and went back to the table. Everyone was staring at me, waiting for a reaction. Liam was hoping I'd cry, mum was hoping I'd be mature enough to deal with this, and Isla just looked like she didn't want to miss my reaction. The way she looked at me nearly made my heart skip a beat.

"So?" Mum asked.

"It looks like I'm headed to the tow yard," I said. Liam and Isla looked at each other, unsure of what to say next. Thankfully, mum could speak before either of them had the chance.

"Well, finish breakfast and then the three of yous can borrow my car and drive down to pick Noel's up. Isla, I'll phone yer dad to let him know where you are," she said. Liam and Isla finished their breakfasts in record speed before Liam got up.

"What tapes d'ya wanna bring for the ride?" Liam asked.

"Roses, obviously," Isla giggled. "Beatles for you," she added, before they raced back to his bedroom to rummage around for his tapes. I couldn't help but feel jealous as I realized how close they are.

"They're cute, yeah?" Mum asked me with a grin.

"Same as when they were kids," I said.

* * * * *

It was only supposed to be a twenty minute drive there - and it took us thirty, so we'd made good time considering traffic. While we were waiting in line to fill out the paperwork for my car, all the lads in the queue were getting friendly with Isla. It made me a bit angry, because I didn't want to see her with any of them.

"Why don't you come round for a drink tonight?" Some cockney bastard asked her with a smile.

"She's seventeen," I said loudly.

"Noel, sod off," Liam glared at me. He leant down and exchanged whispers with Isla.

"So, what about it?" The guy asked her again.

"I'll have to pass, thanks though," she rejected him politely.

"Come on, one drink won't hurt," he pleaded.

"She said no, so you better fuck off," Liam said, going chest to chest with the man. "Plus, waiting in line to reclaim your repossessed car isn't an ideal spot to win over a woman," he said with a smirk. The guy shrugged and made a face at Liam before heading back to his spot in line. Liam wrapped an arm around Isla and she practically melted into him.

"I could've told him off, too," I told them.

"We look out for each other," Liam said.

"Yeah, Li's my bodyguard," Isla joked. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom," she excused herself.

"What did you ask her?" I asked Liam almost aggressively.

"The usual," he said. "I asked her if she was into him or if she was getting nervous, I'd never get in the way of her going on a date or anything but she's also too polite to tell lads to fuck off."

"I'll tell them to fuck off, too. I didn't like how he was acting," I frowned. Liam smirked knowingly. "What?"

"Have you got feelings for Is?" He asked, knowing the answer. I'd never admit that to him, though.

"Don't be ridiculous, I'd never have feelings for Isla," I scoffed just as she came back to join us in line. She looked hurt.

"God, Noel, could you have said that any louder?" she asked, turning away from me and crossing her arms.

"Why don't we go listen to the Roses?" Liam suggested to Isla. "Noel, hand me the keys," he held out his hand. I gave him the keys awkwardly, not wanting them to leave. I wanted to tell Isla that I was lying, that I did have feelings for her; I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

I was next in line to submit my paperwork, so I'd only have a few more minutes before I could apologize again. They were the longest minutes of my life. I waited for the man working to stamp my form, feeling like it took hours to do so. When I was finally through, I went out to mum's car to let Liam and Isla know I was good. My heart snapped in two when I saw that Isla was crying a little, and Liam was holding her gently. Against my better judgement, I knocked on the window.

"I've got the car back, you guys can head home!"

"Noel, fuck off!" Liam snapped. "Look at what you've done!"

"Isla, I didn't mean it that way," I said.

"No, I get it," she wiped her eyes, no longer crying. "I'm so gross, you'd hate for anyone to think you like me."

"Is," I pleaded.

"It's okay, Noel," she smiled politely. "It's a good reality check. Li's too nice to me all the time anyways. Maybe I should start lowering my standards."

"Nah, nah," Liam said. "Raise them, don't let his opinion phase you."

"To be fair, this is all Liam's fault for asking," I said, glaring at my brother.

"You know what? Let's all just forget about it, okay?" Isla sighed. "Your car's good, right?" I nodded.

"Alright, Is and I are gonna drive round for a bit, we'll be home later," Liam told me, before they drove off. As I watched the car drive away, I realized my chances with Isla were next to none.

My ride home was miserable.

I turned the radio off so I could collect my thoughts for a while, but I felt so lonely all of a sudden. The worst part is that I had to explain everything to my mum. She had biscuits and tea waiting for the three of us when I walked in.

"How was your day? Are they shortly behind?" She asked, knowing they'd be driving her car back.

"Uh, I'm not sure," I admitted. "They were going to drive round for a bit."

"Oh," Mum raised an eyebrow, knowing I wasn't being completely honest. "You know, you and Liam need to cut it out with all the fighting. I sent Isla along so she'd prevent you both from kicking off, but clearly that plan didn't work-"

"Isla's mad at me," I breathed.

"What have you done?"

So, I told her. Every single detail - except the fact that I did, in fact, like Isla.